All Things Mk5 > Performance Modifications
Damper to match to VWR springs?
Dave J:
Hello all,
Just seeking a bit of advice if anyone
My ED30 was fitted with VWR springs in late 2013 - ride was great with just the OEM shocks. Sorted out the roll a bit - made the ride firmer but not crashy.
Middle part of last year I had a more comprehensive suspension upgrade with H&R ARB's, SALK, S3 front ali arms, Superpro balljoints - all of which helped tighten the roll, lift & feel of the car nicely.
Car drove very well after that lot, but I now suspect my dampers are giving up - knew it would happen. It seems a bit lower than when the VWR springs were fitted, and ride feels hard with very little damping effect - has recently felt even worse at the rear - feels like the car has a heavy load in the rear when it doesn't.
So, I am considering aftermarket upgrade options - question is - has anyone combined VWR springs with aftermarket dampers?
I liked the moderate drop of the VWR springs (20mm), and don't want a much firmer damper than standard really.
I see Bilstein B8's are rated - anyone have experience with these on a DSG ED30, and a source for them?
The mk5 vs mk6 Bilstein B8 damper debate also has my interest.
Arrrghh, so many options, but I definitely do not want coilovers! May just replace with standard shocks...
Help?!
pudding:
Ohlins used to make some VERY nice dampers for the MK5, but I don't think they do them anymore, just coilovers.
I don't think anything else out there compares to the B8s for the money tbh, although I find their high speed compression calibration a touch harsh. Awesome everywhere else though.
I've always wondered about retrofitting the active dampers from the Scirocco to a MK5, but don't know how much work is involved....and maybe binning the fixed settings for a variable adjustment.
Dave J:
Thanks Pudding.
Ohlins would be the dogs bits for sure - can't find these anywhere though!
So, from your post - you're running B8's? How are they around town?
May just go for it and buy B8's - would have loved some mk5 vs. mk6 B8 comparisons, seeing as the mk6's are supposed to be less harsh...
pudding:
Not on my MK5 no, I had them on a MK4 R32 and my feeling was they were a bit harsh over bumps (with standard springs), so I too was waiting on some feedback from the MK6 B8s before taking the plunge. My originals are coming up for 90K old and the front pair are weeping slightly, so I need something fairly quick.
FSDs are another option but feedback on those seems to vary quite a lot.
Would have been Ohlins for me too but boo hoo, no longer available.
One thing I loved about the Billies is their damping consistency. They always felt the same, winter and summer (save for tyre temps affecting sidewall stiffness) which is a lot more than can be said for some rival dampers!
Shoduchi:
I don't think Koni FSD are compatible with VWR springs. They're not for more than light lowered springs and as far as I know, the most they can take safely are the Eibach Pro-Kit, which lower around 15 mm.
There are two options for the FSD, a generic for more comfort ride and a GTI version for better handling ride (but harsher). I have 17'' wheels also.
I have Pro-Kits and generic FSD (chosen because I wanted comfort) on my GT Sport and I love the ride quality, especially compared with my current GTI setup: OEM dampers and Eibach Sportlines, which is much harsher. The 18'' wheels don't help the comfort but do improve the handling. I'm going to change to Koni Sport, H&R springs and H&R ARB to improve the handling. A friend told me that the H&R springs were better with Koni Sport than Eibach Sportlines.
In your case I'd get the B8 for mk6. Won't be worse than the mk5 version, at least. :signLOL:
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