MK5 Golf GTI

All Things Mk5 => Mk5 General Area => Topic started by: Mk5 GTian on May 13, 2012, 10:46:12 am

Title: New Shocks & Springs: Upgrade or OEM?
Post by: Mk5 GTian on May 13, 2012, 10:46:12 am

When my garage fitted the WALK, I was advised that I will soon need new shocks and springs.

I have 18" Monzas, and WALK. Should I replace with OEM parts, or upgrade? I'm not too concerned about going lower, as I don't want the ride to get any worse. However, a very small drop wouldn't hurt I suppose! Rough ideas for cost of both upgrades and OEM would also be very much appreciated.

Ian  :happy2:
Title: Re: New Shocks & Springs: Upgrade or OEM?
Post by: gazon69 on May 13, 2012, 10:55:46 am
I've just put bilstein b8 shocks and h&r springs on mine mate, it has subtlely lowered it (not too much) and the ride is not much far away from oem. Very very good improvement in handling. I have had coilies on and personally i would not bother again, only if i was to be going really top end of the market as imo low-midrange stuff just does not cut the mustard for me, but like i said, thats just my opinion.
Title: Re: New Shocks & Springs: Upgrade or OEM?
Post by: GNJ_Motorsport on May 13, 2012, 11:47:03 am
Go for a Bilstein B12 kit. B8 dampers with pro springs. It will drop it by about 15mm and handle better. The ride quality will probably be as good if not better than standard.
Title: Re: New Shocks & Springs: Upgrade or OEM?
Post by: Mk5 GTian on May 13, 2012, 02:26:30 pm
Go for a Bilstein B12 kit. B8 dampers with pro springs. It will drop it by about 15mm and handle better. The ride quality will probably be as good if not better than standard.

Thanks GNJ, do I need to do that in all four corners?
Title: Re: New Shocks & Springs: Upgrade or OEM?
Post by: Mk5 GTian on May 13, 2012, 02:28:26 pm
I've just put bilstein b8 shocks and h&r springs on mine mate, it has subtlely lowered it (not too much) and the ride is not much far away from oem. Very very good improvement in handling. I have had coilies on and personally i would not bother again, only if i was to be going really top end of the market as imo low-midrange stuff just does not cut the mustard for me, but like i said, thats just my opinion.

Thanks for that Gazon69, any idea how much you paid for that set up, and presumably you need to do it in all four corners?
Title: Re: New Shocks & Springs: Upgrade or OEM?
Post by: GrayMK5GTI on May 13, 2012, 02:30:17 pm
I can vouch for the H&R springs. Ride feels perfect for a GTI!  :smiley:
Title: Re: New Shocks & Springs: Upgrade or OEM?
Post by: Mk5 GTian on May 13, 2012, 07:22:00 pm
I can vouch for the H&R springs. Ride feels perfect for a GTI!  :smiley:

What dampers do you have with those Gray?
Title: Re: New Shocks & Springs: Upgrade or OEM?
Post by: gazon69 on May 13, 2012, 08:14:47 pm
I've just put bilstein b8 shocks and h&r springs on mine mate, it has subtlely lowered it (not too much) and the ride is not much far away from oem. Very very good improvement in handling. I have had coilies on and personally i would not bother again, only if i was to be going really top end of the market as imo low-midrange stuff just does not cut the mustard for me, but like i said, thats just my opinion.

Thanks for that Gazon69, any idea how much you paid for that set up, and presumably you need to do it in all four corners?
I bought my springs for £194 from gnj and was fortunate enough to get the shocks second hand, albeit like new. Gnj do the full b12 which comprises of b8 shocks and eibach springs.
Title: Re: New Shocks & Springs: Upgrade or OEM?
Post by: Ree on May 13, 2012, 08:30:30 pm

When my garage fitted the WALK, I was advised that I will soon need new shocks and springs.

I have 18" Monzas, and WALK. Should I replace with OEM parts, or upgrade? I'm not too concerned about going lower, as I don't want the ride to get any worse. However, a very small drop wouldn't hurt I suppose! Rough ideas for cost of both upgrades and OEM would also be very much appreciated.

Ian  :happy2:

Out of interest how many miles have you done on the current OEM setup !

Lowered my car recently just on springs, I am thinking either to go coils or upgrade the shocks to FSD !
Title: Re: New Shocks & Springs: Upgrade or OEM?
Post by: Mk5 GTian on May 13, 2012, 09:24:19 pm

When my garage fitted the WALK, I was advised that I will soon need new shocks and springs.

I have 18" Monzas, and WALK. Should I replace with OEM parts, or upgrade? I'm not too concerned about going lower, as I don't want the ride to get any worse. However, a very small drop wouldn't hurt I suppose! Rough ideas for cost of both upgrades and OEM would also be very much appreciated.

Ian  :happy2:

Out of interest how many miles have you done on the current OEM setup !

Lowered my car recently just on springs, I am thinking either to go coils or upgrade the shocks to FSD !
As there is nothing in the history file re new shocks and springs, I reckon it's 94K on these! So they don't owe me anything! I'm going to find out in the morning how much they are for OEM, and then if there isn't too much difference in price, I may as well upgrade to the B12 kit.