MK5 Golf GTI
All Things Mk5 => Mk5 General Area => Topic started by: delob on January 09, 2018, 06:54:11 pm
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I am currently running 20mm Eibach with oem dampers and the time has come for some new dampers. Not looking to go the coilover route so what options do I have? I could always just go oem again but I find the ride a bit harsh and was thinking there might be an alternative. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks
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Bilstein b6/b8 :)
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B6 will be a better match to -20mm springs, and so long as they are the softer MK6 version, the ride should be OK.
The ride could be harsh because the OEM dampers are worn out. New ones from the dealer aren't expensive and will be a big improvement on old knackered ones.
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I'm getting my Eibach springs with Bilstein B4 Sport dampers fitted on Friday - I'll let you know how it goes.
The B4 Sport are pretty much like for like replacements for the originals.
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Won't the lowered springs just eat away the B4's like they eat away OEM?
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I find my Koni Sport softer than my friend's B8 with the same springs, H&R -30 mm. The Koni work well with OEM and shorter springs. They're also adjustable while the B8 aren't.
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Won't the lowered springs just eat away the B4's like they eat away OEM?
I think it probably will shorten the life of the shocks, but by how much I don't know. The Eibach springs I have don't lower the car massively, so hopefully the shocks will hold up quite a while. I have the B4 'sport' rather than the standard B4. I once read that the 'sport' versions are stiffer & shorter, so hopefully will be well matched to the springs.
I think if I drove the car like loon all the time, I'd have gone for a different set up. As it happens, I don't chuck it about too much, but want a nice ride - guess I'll find out Friday!
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Bilstein B8 gets my vote, you'd basically have the B12 kit.
Damian @ DPM Performance
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Fully agree with the comment above - I fitted B8's to mine (with VWR springs) and haven't looked back to the wallowing, imprecise and past its best standard spring/damper set up which had degraded over the previous 8 years of ownership. Fitted this combo in June 2016 and have covered 10k on this setup so this isn't a 'rose-tinted-just-fitted' perspective.
Hope this helps.
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B8's for lowering springs. Have them with different springs now but had them initially with sportlines; being my first set of springs.
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B8's for lowering springs. Have them with different springs now but had them initially with sportlines; being my first set of springs.
Interested to know what springs you are using now with the b8’s ? I have the b8 and sportline eibach’s but would love for it to sit a tad lower purely for looks
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Sportlines are plenty low enough! Coilovers for you my friend :happy2:
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Well I think they are sportline ...... I think the previous owner thought he had the b12 Pro kit ... but to my knowledge ( stand to be corrected ) the pro springs were always black and the sportline red .. I have red
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Ya, Pro is -20ishmm. Sportline is -30 odd mm.
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B8's for lowering springs. Have them with different springs now but had them initially with sportlines; being my first set of springs.
Interested to know what springs you are using now with the b8’s ? I have the b8 and sportline eibach’s but would love for it to sit a tad lower purely for looks
I have H&R Street Pref. coil-over springs and adj. perches in the rear and H&R SS springs in front. H&R SS springs aren't available in the UK I am told. All with B8 dampers. I believe Sportlines are about the lowest springs you can get there without going coil-overs.
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4546/26402627479_5182755256.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/Ge7nia)
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On taking the car out today and spanking it down some nice roads I’ll be sticking with the currant setup ( Bilstein b12 /eibach arb’s) it’s a great compromise between looks/handling/comfort that I know from messing with suspension for years is hard to get right !
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Certainly is! I haven't explored ARBs yet. I don't feel the car really needs them with Ohlins coilovers tbh :driver:
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Certainly is! I haven't explored ARBs yet. I don't feel the car really needs them with Ohlins coilovers tbh :driver:
No I wouldn’t be rushing to fit some arbs if I were running the ohlins or even other proper coilovers . The spring rates are usually a lot higher on coilover so the ride becomes very harsh once combined with arb’s ... not a lot of movement, which is good for the most part on an nice smooth track but completely opposite of what you want on a bumpy B road
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Yeah you're not wrong! They can be dodgy on wet corners as well, especially with a much bigger rear one!
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It’s funny .... from my experience some cars really respond well to upgraded arb’s ( my Ibiza cupra r did) where as some don’t ! Fitted a set to my m3 and literally drove 50 miles and took them off ! As you with the ohlins on my S2k .... just not needed with such pedigree of damping/springs
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I'm getting my Eibach springs with Bilstein B4 Sport dampers fitted on Friday - I'll let you know how it goes.
The B4 Sport are pretty much like for like replacements for the originals.
Any updates? Curious to see and hear the results? Did you get all the bolts replaced at the same time.
Cheers
Ronnie
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I'm getting my Eibach springs with Bilstein B4 Sport dampers fitted on Friday - I'll let you know how it goes.
The B4 Sport are pretty much like for like replacements for the originals.
Any updates? Curious to see and hear the results? Did you get all the bolts replaced at the same time.
Cheers
Ronnie
Yes, got it fitted. Some feedback:
- yes got all new bolts, Inc top mount bolts. Glad i did as mechanic had a mission removing front shock bottom bolt. It was in very poor shape, all rusted along shaft.
- mechanic had to replace ball joints, as again the bolts were seized on.
- front end wonders a bit, but I think that's to do with it still needing the alignment done
- I've got a bit of a knock at low speeds, I think from the back, so need to get that looked at.
As alignment needs doing it's a bit early to comment too much, but the ride is definitely a bit more 'jiggly' with the new set up, but that's to be expected. However, it doesn't feel crashy or harsh.
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Please keep us updated. My car needs shocks/Springs but torn weather to go coilovers or do what you've done.
Was hoping to diy it as I've done my previous cars but hearing the issues everyone seems to find along the way is putting me off.
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Please keep us updated. My car needs shocks/Springs but torn weather to go coilovers or do what you've done.
Was hoping to diy it as I've done my previous cars but hearing the issues everyone seems to find along the way is putting me off.
I did the rear springs myself as I thought I've had snapped and needs it sorting asap. Rear was easy, and I could have done the shocks. The front was where the problems were - I guess as the front takes the brunt of the salt and corrodes faster
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I'm getting my Eibach springs with Bilstein B4 Sport dampers fitted on Friday - I'll let you know how it goes.
The B4 Sport are pretty much like for like replacements for the originals.
Any updates? Curious to see and hear the results? Did you get all the bolts replaced at the same time.
Cheers
Ronnie
Yes, got it fitted. Some feedback:
- yes got all new bolts, Inc top mount bolts. Glad i did as mechanic had a mission removing front shock bottom bolt. It was in very poor shape, all rusted along shaft.
- mechanic had to replace ball joints, as again the bolts were seized on.
- front end wonders a bit, but I think that's to do with it still needing the alignment done
- I've got a bit of a knock at low speeds, I think from the back, so need to get that looked at.
As alignment needs doing it's a bit early to comment too much, but the ride is definitely a bit more 'jiggly' with the new set up, but that's to be expected. However, it doesn't feel crashy or harsh.
You will notice more clonks and knocks with stiffer suspension. Sometimes it's just damper noise and not worn bushes as one would first suspect.