What suspension set up would you recommend for a Mk2?

[Cpt Custom]

Hi Folks

Now that I've ordered the necessary parts to upgrade Poppy's braking system to feature 256mm EBC Ultimax up front and Golf GTi discs at the rear, I'm now looking to upgrade the suspension.

I want to go lower (though not sure by how much) to improve the handling and the appearance, but as with the brakes I'm getting somewhat confused with all the options.

Any advice, recommendations etc would be much appreciated. Oh, and a photo to let me see how your car sits would also be appreciated.

Many thanks.

[Funky Diver]

*snip snip snip*

That's the can of worms opened.

In all honesty a lot of it is going to be down to two things.

1. Budget
2. Flexibility

The budget can be dealt with right out the bag and that's up to you. £160 for a basic set of coilovers and roughy the same amount for seperate shocks and springs.

The Flexibility option is going to determine what choices you have. You can get a full rig of OE quality shocks and springs with 25mm lowered (so not too scarey), but obviously if you want any less ground clearance between you an speed bumps.. you're going to have to replace the whole lot.

Coilovers generally offer the best in terms of flexibilty for lowering, as you can change the ride height, then settle for somethign that you're happy with. Personally... I'm just sticking with the ones I have (I have that option) as they're lowered just right for me. I can never remember who made them though, I got them second hand off Mazellan and they're spot on. If memory serves they have 25mm lowering on them. (You've seen my car ride height I believe?)

Couple of things to add into the budget bushes and mounts... it's worth replacing these when you do them... for the low cost.

[Nate]

my favourite choice is still jamex -40mm springs with james short throw gas shocks

[Risocco]

Coilovers. End of. Don't be put off by snobby comments about the cheap eBay ones either. Fantastic value for money

Totally worth mentioning that a lower front strut brace is a great purchase too.

Alex

[Funky Diver]

Totally worth mentioning that a lower front strut brace is a great purchase too.

Definitely two thumbs up on that one!!

[Beddo88]

I have said cheapy coilovers, and aside from the ride being slightly on the backbreaking side, they're excellent. Keeps the car very flat on corners too :)

As has been aid, obviously allows you to sit the car whatever height you want! Mines probably been dropped 60mm ish. Love it, the wheels tuck into the rear arches beautifully!

[Cpt Custom]

Thanks to everyone who has posted their comments so far. On the subject of coilovers I saw a listing today on eBay for a Jamex set ...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Jamex-Coilovers-L ... arParts_SM

I wasn't sure though if this set would do my GT as although it mentions Mk2 Scirocco and Chassis 53B the only 'type' the ad refers to is the 1.8 GTX. Has anyone purchased these, know what they're like and better still if they'll be of any use to me?

Thanks again guys!

[Beddo88]

Mine were sourced from HotTuning, at a pricely sum of £150 (knocked the price down with bids, and the fact i was buying two). They seemed to get similar reviews to the Jamex, but having never been in a car with them on i couldnt compare sorry!

[Risocco]

Mine were sourced from HotTuning, at a pricely sum of £150 (knocked the price down with bids, and the fact i was buying two). They seemed to get similar reviews to the Jamex, but having never been in a car with them on i couldnt compare sorry!

That's what I've got mate. Again for something like £150. Bargain!

Alex

[ChrisPears]

FK Silverline coilovers. Fantastic bits of kit, a lot more than the £150 coilovers but the ride is better than in my sensible car.

[Funky Diver]

FK Silverline coilovers

£600 would be well out of my budget, or to put it another way, that's four sets of JOM's. Personally I'm going the JOM route when I need to.

[Cpt Custom]

Just giving this a bump up as I could really do with a few more recommendations.

If you've altered the suspension on your car I'd love to know by what means, how much you've lowered it and see a photo of how it sits as the appearance will affect my decision greatly.

Come on guys, let's see how low you've gone ...

[stu.gtx]

If I was buying new suspension now I'd get cheapy coilovers from ebay. However I might have a different opinion if it was my daily driver. Oil filled shocks and decent springs should give a more comfortable ride. The wheels/tyres also have a big effect on ride quality.

[Beddo88]

Choice wise, you can go for adjustables or a set ride height drop. When i was looking the set heights generally sounded like they gave a better ride, but obviously you need to know the height and look you want. Adjustables (cheapy ebay sets) work out about th same price, but have the bonus of being adjustable, so you can set whatever ride height you want! :D They do give a bit of a harsh ride though, flat through corners mind.

[Cpt Custom]

Choice wise, you can go for adjustables or a set ride height drop. When i was looking the set heights generally sounded like they gave a better ride, but obviously you need to know the height and look you want. Adjustables (cheapy ebay sets) work out about th same price, but have the bonus of being adjustable, so you can set whatever ride height you want! :D They do give a bit of a harsh ride though, flat through corners mind.

That's the problem, I'm not quite sure how much I want to drop her at this stage.

So I can see the sense in what you're saying about going for coilovers.

Trouble is although they're adjustable even at the lower range the drop seems quite significant ... 55mm plus. Ideally I'd like a set that might take me from 30mm plus so if anyone knows of a set that starts at that sort of measurement I'd appreciate a nod in the right direction.