MK5 Golf GTI

All Things Mk5 => Modifications & Technical Area => Performance Modifications => Topic started by: jayha11 on November 23, 2015, 11:19:41 am

Title: Suspension Set Ups
Post by: jayha11 on November 23, 2015, 11:19:41 am
Hi all

I am looking to change the stock suspension and have various ideas ranging from H&R springs right up to a full coilover kit.

It would be great if you guys could throw up some images of your cars stance and the set-up used and any opinions you may have from experiences of certain manufacturers. I have 3 factors behind my considerations - cost, handling and ride quality.

Cheers

Title: Re: Suspension Set Ups
Post by: AJP on November 23, 2015, 11:44:01 am
This is mine on H&R springs
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.tapatalk-cdn.com%2F15%2F11%2F23%2F246385dfa56bfee768f8fb6e099370d1.jpg&hash=c8e3a640305c2f899cec8d4ef572f2dd2874e684)
It looks a bit high in this photo for some reason - sits nicely though. No problems, rides just like stock, and feels more composed in the corners. Very good for the lower end of the budget, obviously things get more expensive with coilovers, but you can't do much better than H&R if you decide to just get springs.
Title: Re: Suspension Set Ups
Post by: Paradox1 on November 23, 2015, 12:00:55 pm
Ive had coilovers on the majority of my cars but I think this time round im going to get either Eibach or H&R springs.

Coilovers are good but need adjusting to a good ride height. Also you have to worry about speed humps and multi-storey car parks etc.

the car in the pic above looks spot on to me
Title: Re: Suspension Set Ups
Post by: AJP on November 23, 2015, 02:05:24 pm
Ive had coilovers on the majority of my cars but I think this time round im going to get either Eibach or H&R springs.

Coilovers are good but need adjusting to a good ride height. Also you have to worry about speed humps and multi-storey car parks etc.

the car in the pic above looks spot on to me
Yep, I'm happy with them. From experience I know it's a bit of a punt with springs as you can often end up with a stance that's not quite right, subjectively, and of course you can't adjust their height. But these are pretty damn spot on in terms of rake and arch gap.

Title: Re: Suspension Set Ups
Post by: Paradox1 on November 23, 2015, 02:16:19 pm
Does anybody know how the spring perform on track?
Title: Re: Suspension Set Ups
Post by: Shoduchi on November 23, 2015, 02:49:47 pm
I've had Eibach Sportlines with OEM dampers and I didn't like it because it was too harsh. Changed to H&R springs and Koni Sport dampers and the ride is much better and much more composed all around. It can take a small bump much nicely than before and it's great around corners with the help of the H&R sway bars and the SALK as well.
Title: Re: Suspension Set Ups
Post by: LVS Racing on December 18, 2015, 10:34:20 am
Personally Eibachs FTW..

I had sportlines on my GTI and it rode perfect and even did some track work.. I now have my blk GTI (K04) and gone whole hog inc B16s Eibach ARBS, Antilift kit, Quaife :)


Pat @ LVSR
Title: Re: Suspension Set Ups
Post by: Shoduchi on December 18, 2015, 11:58:14 am
Personally Eibachs FTW..

I had sportlines on my GTI and it rode perfect and even did some track work.. I now have my blk GTI (K04) and gone whole hog inc B16s Eibach ARBS, Antilift kit, Quaife :)


Pat @ LVSR
I really struggle to understand people saying that Eibach Sportlines with OEM dampers ride perfect... Compared to what? Compared to your current coilovers B16? I highly doubt it. I think those springs need a shorter sport damper to really work how they should, like the Bilstein B8, for example.
Title: Re: Suspension Set Ups
Post by: pudding on December 21, 2015, 11:26:38 am
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.tapatalk-cdn.com%2F15%2F11%2F23%2F246385dfa56bfee768f8fb6e099370d1.jpg&hash=c8e3a640305c2f899cec8d4ef572f2dd2874e684)
It looks a bit high in this photo for some reason -

Looks perfect to me.  Love a uniform arch gap like that. 
Title: Re: Suspension Set Ups
Post by: flashp on December 21, 2015, 02:59:04 pm
Personally Eibachs FTW..

I had sportlines on my GTI and it rode perfect and even did some track work.. I now have my blk GTI (K04) and gone whole hog inc B16s Eibach ARBS, Antilift kit, Quaife :)


Pat @ LVSR
I really struggle to understand people saying that Eibach Sportlines with OEM dampers ride perfect... Compared to what? Compared to your current coilovers B16? I highly doubt it. I think those springs need a shorter sport damper to really work how they should, like the Bilstein B8, for example.

B12 kit is prepared this way. Matched dampers (B8) and springs.
Title: Re: Suspension Set Ups
Post by: flashp on December 21, 2015, 03:01:26 pm
Hi all

I am looking to change the stock suspension and have various ideas ranging from H&R springs right up to a full coilover kit.

It would be great if you guys could throw up some images of your cars stance and the set-up used and any opinions you may have from experiences of certain manufacturers. I have 3 factors behind my considerations - cost, handling and ride quality.

Cheers
Aside from your considerations what are your objectives/priorities in doing this? What do you want from this change?
Looks?
Handling?
Track capable?
Title: Re: Suspension Set Ups
Post by: Shoduchi on December 21, 2015, 03:08:00 pm
Personally Eibachs FTW..

I had sportlines on my GTI and it rode perfect and even did some track work.. I now have my blk GTI (K04) and gone whole hog inc B16s Eibach ARBS, Antilift kit, Quaife :)


Pat @ LVSR
I really struggle to understand people saying that Eibach Sportlines with OEM dampers ride perfect... Compared to what? Compared to your current coilovers B16? I highly doubt it. I think those springs need a shorter sport damper to really work how they should, like the Bilstein B8, for example.

B12 kit is prepared this way. Matched dampers (B8) and springs.
Yeah, much better handling with well setup parts. :happy2:
Title: Re: Suspension Set Ups
Post by: kr15h_ED30 on December 21, 2015, 05:13:42 pm
i went for h&r springs on stock dampers then changed to h&r springs with bilstein b8s, h&r roll bars and salk... and what a difference.  :driver:
Title: Re: Suspension Set Ups
Post by: rich83 on December 21, 2015, 05:20:37 pm
Hi all

I am looking to change the stock suspension and have various ideas ranging from H&R springs right up to a full coilover kit.

It would be great if you guys could throw up some images of your cars stance and the set-up used and any opinions you may have from experiences of certain manufacturers. I have 3 factors behind my considerations - cost, handling and ride quality.

Cheers
Aside from your considerations what are your objectives/priorities in doing this? What do you want from this change?
Looks?
Handling?
Track capable?

What he said ^^^^ pretty much any coilovers can be set at any height so that shouldn't ever come into you choosing a set unless you specifically want it to be very ver low.

What's your budget?
Title: Re: Suspension Set Ups
Post by: Shoduchi on December 21, 2015, 05:43:48 pm
i went for h&r springs on stock dampers then changed to h&r springs with bilstein b8s, h&r roll bars and salk... and what a difference.  :driver:
You have a setup almost equal to mine, I just went for Koni Sport dampers because they were cheaper, my mechanic knows how to set them well and Koni sells kits with H&R springs. What a difference from Eibach Sportlines and OEM dampers! :happy2:
Title: Re: Suspension Set Ups
Post by: Deako on December 21, 2015, 09:07:22 pm
Got Bilstein B8s, H&R springs, H&R arbs on the way, Powerflex ALK, ECS front mounts, Powerflex rear bump stops. Will sort the rest of the bushes and engine mounts at some point too. Feels great as it is. It's going to get even better. It's a balance of looks and performance.
Title: Re: Suspension Set Ups
Post by: Leeroy87 on December 22, 2015, 08:41:51 pm
How low did you go mate?


This is mine on H&R springs
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.tapatalk-cdn.com%2F15%2F11%2F23%2F246385dfa56bfee768f8fb6e099370d1.jpg&hash=c8e3a640305c2f899cec8d4ef572f2dd2874e684)
It looks a bit high in this photo for some reason - sits nicely though. No problems, rides just like stock, and feels more composed in the corners. Very good for the lower end of the budget, obviously things get more expensive with coilovers, but you can't do much better than H&R if you decide to just get springs.
Title: Re: Suspension Set Ups
Post by: AJP on December 22, 2015, 08:47:15 pm
That's on the tried and tested H&R 30mm.

Really can't fault them for how well they work with oem shocks, and it sits nicely.

I nearly went for coilovers but I'm glad I didn't - I wouldn't have wound them down much lower than it sits now and it handles bad roads really well.

I think if you're wanting good performance on a track coilovers would still be the way to go, but for road use these are spot on.
Title: Re: Suspension Set Ups
Post by: jayha11 on December 23, 2015, 10:02:55 am
Thanks for the replies guys. Will be going for some H&R springs in the new year  :happy2:
Title: Re: Suspension Set Ups
Post by: rich83 on December 23, 2015, 10:35:35 am
I had 30mm H&R srpings on OEM shocks and I thought the ride quality was rubbish
Title: Re: Suspension Set Ups
Post by: AJP on December 23, 2015, 04:59:24 pm
I had 30mm H&R srpings on OEM shocks and I thought the ride quality was rubbish
What are you on now Rich, Bilsteins?

Title: Re: Suspension Set Ups
Post by: rich83 on December 23, 2015, 05:01:18 pm
Yeah  PSS10
Title: Re: Suspension Set Ups
Post by: AJP on December 23, 2015, 05:26:43 pm
Yeah  PSS10
I keep hearing good things about these. Am I right in saying the PSS10 are B16, with adjustable damping? And would the non-adjustable (PSS9 B14?) offer as compliant a ride with their pre-set damping?

Might be tempted at some point but brakes and exhaust have earmarked my budget for now!
Title: Re: Suspension Set Ups
Post by: rich83 on December 23, 2015, 06:17:19 pm
PSS 10 and PSS 9 are the same. Just with 10 or 9 levels of adjustability. Both B16 I think. B14 are fixed ride height and damper.
Title: Re: Suspension Set Ups
Post by: AJP on December 23, 2015, 08:14:46 pm
I need to look into this then. If they're substantially comfier than my current setup it might make them justifiable.

Cheers for the info.
Title: Re: Suspension Set Ups
Post by: rich83 on December 23, 2015, 09:06:29 pm
What do you have at the moment. No coilovers will be comfortable. The will be hard.
Title: Re: Suspension Set Ups
Post by: AJP on December 25, 2015, 11:03:48 am
What do you have at the moment. No coilovers will be comfortable. The will be hard.
I've found some coilovers more comfortable than certain shock and spring setups, on the mk4 at least.

So thought maybe you found the Bilsteins a better ride than H&R springs on oem shocks (which I'm on) or is it more a handling/performance thing?

Must be honest, I find my current setup is decent all round. But I'd never discount the possibility of improving things in the future.
Title: Re: Suspension Set Ups
Post by: Adam0604 on December 25, 2015, 07:36:17 pm
Mine are on FK Highsport Coilovers, got it setup so it's just about okay to get over speed bumps and without catching the arches.
Have got about -2.0 degrees camber on the rears though to clear arches.

Quite a comfortable ride as far as coilovers comfort goes
Would definitely recommend if you aren't looking to splash out
Brand new, can pick these up for 350.00 - 400.00

(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fdd445%2FvT_Mayhem%2FIMG_20150627_164235.jpg&hash=a7606bfa4a2348728384782c316bd62e2c421b81)
Title: Re: Suspension Set Ups
Post by: Mark_DF05 on December 25, 2015, 10:28:07 pm
I've got a set of H&R 30mm springs I'm hoping to get fitted to my ED30 in the next few weeks. After reading plenty of reviews it seems that the Koni sport shocks are the best paired with them. However, I opted for springs to keep costs down as I couldn't really afford decent set of coilovers and those shocks seem quite expensive so I'm wondering what the alternatives are?

Car has done 94k so I think replacing the standard shocks wit oem ones is probably the least I'd need to do. I don't do any track days and it's more of a cosmetic mod but improving the handling would be a bonus too.

Any other suspension parts I should look to replace/upgrade at the same time?

As I said, I was originally wanting to just lower the car for cheap but if it's going to be detrimental to the ride quality I'm happy to wait longer till I can afford the better parts.
Title: Re: Suspension Set Ups
Post by: Mitch H on January 15, 2016, 10:51:21 pm
I've got a set of H&R 30mm springs I'm hoping to get fitted to my ED30 in the next few weeks. After reading plenty of reviews it seems that the Koni sport shocks are the best paired with them. However, I opted for springs to keep costs down as I couldn't really afford decent set of coilovers and those shocks seem quite expensive so I'm wondering what the alternatives are?

Car has done 94k so I think replacing the standard shocks wit oem ones is probably the least I'd need to do. I don't do any track days and it's more of a cosmetic mod but improving the handling would be a bonus too.

Any other suspension parts I should look to replace/upgrade at the same time?

As I said, I was originally wanting to just lower the car for cheap but if it's going to be detrimental to the ride quality I'm happy to wait longer till I can afford the better parts.

I'm in the same situation and think I'm just gunna replace the shocks with new sachs parts.

Can't justify spending like 300+ on bilstein dampers.