MK5 Golf GTI

All Things Mk5 => Mk5 General Area => Topic started by: Truckie on February 15, 2010, 02:00:52 pm

Title: To lower or Not to lower?
Post by: Truckie on February 15, 2010, 02:00:52 pm
Hi all, Just a few questions on the above topic....
I only want lowering springs, heard eibach sportlines getting banded about......

How much?
I f theres a choice, What make is best?
Will it change the handling at all? (For the worse)

Cheers, craig.
Title: Re: To lower or Not to lower?
Post by: Greeners on February 15, 2010, 02:04:19 pm
LOWER!!  :laugh:

I and others will recommend AP coilovers as they are great value for money, give a ride better than OEM (IMO) and adjustability!  :happy2:
Title: Re: To lower or Not to lower?
Post by: snapey on February 15, 2010, 02:07:55 pm
No question about doing it. I've got H&R's and think the stance is pretty much where i wanted it, think its a 30mm drop and the springs cost about £200 delivered (or there about’s) and another £100 for fitting then tracking.

Ride wise I'd say its a bit rougher and crashy but I prefer it like that, handling wise i got a slight bit improvement but roll is still noticeable.

One thing I would suggest it to do the walk kit at the same time or S3 bush kit, you'll be getting a bit of handling improvement form them combined.

If your after massive handling gains you'll be wasting your time with springs, go the full whack and get some coil-overs and uprated ARB's.

Luke.
Title: Re: To lower or Not to lower?
Post by: big al on February 15, 2010, 02:20:24 pm
I have the H&R springs too. Paid £100 for them, and £150 to have them fitted with tracking.
Lowers the car by about 30mm, which looks a lot nicer. Ride as others have said is a bit harsher,but nothing too noticable.
Title: Re: To lower or Not to lower?
Post by: NB07 on February 15, 2010, 02:33:35 pm
i have the H&Rs too and really like the extra drivebility they gave over standard. in a few thousand miles i will probably end up getting some coilovers though so you maybe better to just go straight for them like greenouse said  :happy2:
Title: Re: To lower or Not to lower?
Post by: Gene Hunt on February 15, 2010, 03:05:48 pm
Standard springs for me.
Title: Re: To lower or Not to lower?
Post by: RedRobin on February 15, 2010, 05:21:53 pm

handling wise i got a slight bit improvement but roll is still noticeable.

Luke.

....Have you got oem or aftermarket ARB's, Luke?

ARB's are a very underrated mod and make a big difference.
Title: Re: To lower or Not to lower?
Post by: snapey on February 15, 2010, 06:37:55 pm

handling wise i got a slight bit improvement but roll is still noticeable.

Luke.

....Have you got oem or aftermarket ARB's, Luke?

ARB's are a very underrated mod and make a big difference.

OEM Robin, after going out in yours you can certainly tell that everything comes together very well. It's something that I'm contemplating doing but I may well end up selling up in 6/7 months time so god knows.....
Title: Re: To lower or Not to lower?
Post by: Hibs on February 15, 2010, 06:41:31 pm
Lower!!!
Title: Re: To lower or Not to lower?
Post by: ollie288 on February 15, 2010, 06:45:16 pm
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fzz259%2Follie288%2Fkhoj.jpg&hash=03b8051961886e09a4884119fbdf0f5df03bde32)

LOWER!!!!!

The handling improved ten fold on my car. Now they are off it feels like a sack of sh*t compared to what it did. (coilovers)  :happy2:
Title: Re: To lower or Not to lower?
Post by: VC on February 15, 2010, 06:56:49 pm
Standard springs for me.

me too.. i'm old school  :laugh:
Title: Re: To lower or Not to lower?
Post by: Truckie on February 15, 2010, 07:05:07 pm
Thanks for the advice lads, Im gonna go springs i think, purely for stance, not interested in coilovers, expensive and unnecessary on a road car IMO! (ducks for cover)  :signLOL:

Springs:
What make?
How much?
Title: Re: To lower or Not to lower?
Post by: MAT ED30 on February 15, 2010, 07:08:13 pm
Slam that b1tch so hard to the ground it will hurt  :evilgrin:
lift works  :laugh:
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fd122%2Fmat138l%2FXSP_1556noplate.jpg&hash=4a833746cbad458e6a52d286d505668eba335b0d)
Lower looks harder  :evilgrin:
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fd122%2Fmat138l%2F035_1944-1.jpg&hash=dd33b574b0c6c5dfccb60d9d1e08ab308f9ffb96)
Title: Re: To lower or Not to lower?
Post by: Aparoon on February 15, 2010, 10:11:08 pm
I have eibach sportlines, 120quid then fitting... ride is hardly any different than standard and ride height is spot on  :smiley:
Title: Re: To lower or Not to lower?
Post by: rubber toe on February 15, 2010, 10:16:53 pm
dont lower it



























Slam it !!!!!!!!!! :laugh:
Title: Re: To lower or Not to lower?
Post by: Howardvwgolf on February 16, 2010, 09:16:25 am
Slam that b1tch so hard to the ground it will hurt  :evilgrin:
lift works  :laugh:
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fd122%2Fmat138l%2FXSP_1556noplate.jpg&hash=4a833746cbad458e6a52d286d505668eba335b0d)

is that pic taken on the mountain at cadwell?
Title: Re: To lower or Not to lower?
Post by: Greeners on February 16, 2010, 10:43:38 am
I went the spring route then coilover. Springs are around £150 and AP coilovers at around £500. Yes they are a fair bit more expensive, but cheaper than going the spring then coilie route than many of us have ended up doing!  :happy2:

As I've already said, ride comfort remains and you have adjustability.
Title: Re: To lower or Not to lower?
Post by: joesgti on February 16, 2010, 10:48:09 am
slam that biatch!!!  :congrats:
Title: Re: To lower or Not to lower?
Post by: no golf clubs at all on February 16, 2010, 11:22:15 am
too low and the suspension looks broken....sorry, just my opinion, like wheels that should always be silver........BUT I am an old codger.  :signLOL:
Title: Re: To lower or Not to lower?
Post by: MAT ED30 on February 16, 2010, 12:28:55 pm
Slam that b1tch so hard to the ground it will hurt  :evilgrin:
lift works  :laugh:

is that pic taken on the mountain at cadwell?

Yes mate it was
Title: Re: To lower or Not to lower?
Post by: Howardvwgolf on February 16, 2010, 01:27:02 pm
thought it might of been, i love going to cadwell and watching the motorbikes go over the mountain!!
Title: Re: To lower or Not to lower?
Post by: MR02LOW on February 16, 2010, 07:18:06 pm
BAG IT!!!  :laugh:

from this: :sick:
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fk148%2Fmidnightsti%2FIMG_0306.jpg&hash=1a7545ef0eb5a17e7f2d49819b4e257097c3063e)

to this: (much better)  :smiley:
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fk148%2Fmidnightsti%2Fcraigsmk5golf009.jpg&hash=78c56cca10cd206d427efd85790f8497ada5eb45)
Title: Re: To lower or Not to lower?
Post by: T88OMM on February 16, 2010, 11:06:36 pm
I have H&R springs on the S3, I wasn't to impressed with them at first with a 19' wheel but when I went back to an 18' I really warmed to them! Best £200 I have ever spent, transformed the looks and handling of the car  :happy2: :wink:
Title: Re: To lower or Not to lower?
Post by: RedRobin on February 17, 2010, 09:21:42 am

too low and the suspension looks broken....sorry, just my opinion, like wheels that should always be silver........BUT I am an old codger.  :signLOL:


....Agreed! You and I are probably the only people on this forum who think that about cars which are slammed so low. But my excuse is that AFAIK I am the oldest geezer (62) by far on this forum (and on most car forums!). Still, I don't like jeans which are worn so low they expose male buttocks either.

My car is as low as is practical and even then I can't use indoor carparks with ramps and I have to go over speedbumps at literally 5 mph or less. But she's setup professionally by VWR (VWR-KW-V3 coilovers etc etc) and leaves most cars in the distance on roundabouts. No rubbing either.

If you lower, don't forget to get some aftermarket Anti-Roll Bars - A very underrated mod which contributes a lot.

(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fb308%2FRedRobin_05%2FOZ_side.jpg&hash=ac1b5454f23acfc03d48e0517de90fb51dd09314)

^ Static

(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2FRedRobin_05%2FTrack%2FRRJonny_Pod.jpg&hash=e9716135e188f2942abf663a38b75d17c7d74458)

^ Under load [Hedge was hiding in the boot]
Title: Re: To lower or Not to lower?
Post by: Aparoon on February 17, 2010, 09:38:39 am
I'm no oldie lol but I agree about going too low, I think the perfect drop  leaves about a 1cm gap from tyre to arch, as soon as the tyres in the arch I think it looks pants... but as always thats just my opinion  :smiley:
Title: Re: To lower or Not to lower?
Post by: gobbleplease on February 17, 2010, 09:53:37 am
How huch has your car been lowerd Robin ?

I was looking at about the 20-25mm mark when mine gets done. I think yours looks a bit lower than that too !

Ive done the whole mega low thing, it doesnt work if you are trying to keep the car practical and straight. Does look :drool:
Title: Re: To lower or Not to lower?
Post by: Top Cat on February 17, 2010, 10:01:10 am
Robins is about 40 mil.  :happy2:

It is everyone's duty to get it as low as they dare.  :evilgrin:

Title: Re: To lower or Not to lower?
Post by: RedRobin on February 17, 2010, 10:18:50 am

Robins is about 40 mil.  :happy2:

It is everyone's duty to get it as low as they dare.  :evilgrin:


....I don't actually know what mm mine has been dropped. My brief to VWR was to lower it appropriately for best handling but keeping it practical for road use.

One problem with the Mk5 GTI is the frontal overhang, not helped in my case by my front splitter:

(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2FRedRobin_05%2FMods%2FGarageRamp_Problem.jpg&hash=8e9097e31e2bdbf32e7248931529cf38dc68c4f1)
Title: Re: To lower or Not to lower?
Post by: stealthwolf on February 17, 2010, 04:39:07 pm
I think the perfect drop  leaves about a 1cm gap from tyre to arch, as soon as the tyres in the arch I think it looks pants
+1. Almost all cars look crap when the tyres are in the wheel arches. Reminds me of that 80s car that had the rear wheels tucked/covered.


Title: Re: To lower or Not to lower?
Post by: tommy1 on February 18, 2010, 07:32:56 pm
Just to clear something up, if i do it properly and get coillies, imo the only option, would i experience better ride? love the GTI ride and dont want to get any annoying rattles as i had in some of my erlier cars!
Title: Re: To lower or Not to lower?
Post by: Ifti on February 18, 2010, 07:51:01 pm
I woul dlove to lower mine by 30mm or so, but the ramp leading into my work carpark is a little steep and the car would probably hit the road when I drive out!
I dont want to take the risk!
Title: Re: To lower or Not to lower?
Post by: nc35 on February 21, 2010, 10:30:23 am
Is there a spring option to lower by 10-15mm just for a stance point of view?
Way too many speed bumps for anything much lower and I occasionally have a full car.

How difficult is a DIY fit followed by professional tracking?
Title: Re: To lower or Not to lower?
Post by: rdfcpete on February 21, 2010, 10:38:06 am
Way too many speed bumps for anything much lower and I occasionally have a full car.

+1  :sad1:

Feel your pain buddy.
Don't live in Northants by any chance do you?

From my house, there's not one route I can take without hitting 4/5 or more broken & split speed bumps, to reach any of the main roads :booty: ... Unless I take an Apache  :indifferent:
Title: Re: To lower or Not to lower?
Post by: nc35 on February 21, 2010, 10:45:13 am
 :signLOL:
no Leeds, every "rat run" has them and lot of the busy a roads. Together with way too many speed & average speed cameras.
Work has even got 3 of them.
Heard bus drivers are claiming for back problems cos of them!!!
Had a 4x4 before so never an issue. 
Title: Re: To lower or Not to lower?
Post by: RedRobin on February 21, 2010, 11:48:35 am

Just to clear something up, if i do it properly and get coillies, imo the only option, would i experience better ride? love the GTI ride and dont want to get any annoying rattles as i had in some of my erlier cars!


....Unfortunately the answer to your question is somewhat subjective - What's a 'better ride' for some is a 'worse ride' for others.

Coilovers will give you a harder ride (everything will be stiffer and the rebound etc faster) but, if setup properly, not a harsh ride. You will get more physical feedback from the road but for people like me that's 'better'.

It's inevitable that a harder suspension will work up rattles and squeaks and possibly if that's all you are hearing it will probably irritate you. Some of us have aftermarket engine mounts which gloriously (to us) deliver much more sounds into the cabin. This means that we don't actually hear the squeaks and rattles over everything else we hear once we are on the move.

It's all down to the individual, some people would hate my car's ride, others absolutely love it.

The softer the suspension the softer the ride but you don't get that 'flat and planted' handling characteristic.
Title: Re: To lower or Not to lower?
Post by: redv on February 21, 2010, 03:07:54 pm
I will be getting my mk5 lowered on ap's, think ill just let awesome do there stuff, all i will say to them is i need to clear speed bumps and i will be happy :happy2:, think i may throw a few bars in too
Title: Re: To lower or Not to lower?
Post by: tommy1 on February 21, 2010, 04:41:23 pm

Just to clear something up, if i do it properly and get coillies, imo the only option, would i experience better ride? love the GTI ride and dont want to get any annoying rattles as i had in some of my erlier cars!


....Unfortunately the answer to your question is somewhat subjective - What's a 'better ride' for some is a 'worse ride' for others.

Coilovers will give you a harder ride (everything will be stiffer and the rebound etc faster) but, if setup properly, not a harsh ride. You will get more physical feedback from the road but for people like me that's 'better'.

It's inevitable that a harder suspension will work up rattles and squeaks and possibly if that's all you are hearing it will probably irritate you. Some of us have aftermarket engine mounts which gloriously (to us) deliver much more sounds into the cabin. This means that we don't actually hear the squeaks and rattles over everything else we hear once we are on the move.

It's all down to the individual, some people would hate my car's ride, others absolutely love it.

The softer the suspension the softer the ride but you don't get that 'flat and planted' handling characteristic.

Thanks, thats really cleared that up. i think i will lower in time and get some coillies so i can slam when show time and get the optimum ride height when doing daily driving.
Title: Re: To lower or Not to lower?
Post by: RedRobin on February 21, 2010, 05:59:07 pm

Thanks, thats really cleared that up. i think i will lower in time and get some coillies so i can slam when show time and get the optimum ride height when doing daily driving.


....Some coilovers are more easily adjustable than others. Bilstein are easier than KW for example.