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I was tempted to refresh the suspension on my ED40 which runs passive suspension. My conclusion (but did not act on it) was to go for the B6 dampers, even if they raised the ride height a few mm. Volkswizard did a install drive video around 4 months ago which is worth watching.

Hi

Looking for some info on what others have done to the GTI/TCR without wanting to resort to coilovers? Car is 5 years old this year (2019 seems like yesterday to me though)  so wanting to refresh things as i think it has a little too much roll and pitch. I have had coilovers from Bilstein on other cars, but don't really want to head down that road with the GTI and want to keep the original springs. 

Searching the VW part system non DCC dampers are all the same on the front and rear regardless of GTI GTD or TCR only the springs are different which was a bit of a surprise. but with this in mind I was thinking

OE 
The default low pressure gas, I took one off today and you can push it down to the bump stop with 2 fingers pressing on the top mount and it rises back up at moderate pace. I'm sure new ones will be better although mine are not blown leaking or faulty just 5 years old.

OEM Sachs
List 1 part number to fit the entire multilink rear suspension range, being new its likely to be better than 5 year old with improvement on 5 year old dampers. definitely the safe choice

Bilstein B6
Stiff both in compression and rebound? do they pair well with GTi springs, Anyone fitted these? Did they raise the ride height at all, I have heard the high mono tube pressure in the B6 can raise it a little?

Koni
Stiff in compression but adjustable rebound so could set softer than B6 a little, but the rears need to be removed to adjust so its likely fit and forget.  Anyone tried these?

Love the nose to nose shot Paul70, you can really see the passed on design DNA.


How about a back to back mini review?

Took a while to post 😊

I’ve done just over 3500 miles in the R in 2 months and I really like it. It does everything very well. I love the way it looks. I wasn’t looking for an R, I had my eye on a new or nearly new RS3 but couldn’t quite stomach the Audi finance repayments - the total cost over 4 years was north of 70K. The R was then advertised by a local dealer, and the deal was done. The lower price allowed me to keep (for now) my ED40, which I picked up new in 2016.

So how do they compare? Well, even though they share the same DNA, they are very different. For a longer journey, I would choose the R hands down - it’s just far more relaxing and economical too, especially when in comfort mode. For urban driving, I would also choose the R. I am converted to DSG and don’t really miss driving a manual, it just feels natural and I like the full manual mode available in special mode so you can appreciate the engine torque.

For a spirited drive in the dry I would choose the ED40 - I’ve had the chassis geometry tweaked with some OEM mods to equal the Clubsport S without the DCC. It’s so eager to turn in and grips like a limpet. It feels so light footed and darty compared to the R and the diff does well too.

I am still surprised how much difference a single button makes to the way the R drives - the special mode is exactly what it says on the tin, the car is so much more responsive and eager. Cross country speed is epic, but it’s not as involving. It’s a bit like playing an arcade game and not as raw as the ED40, but still very enjoyable. The MK8 needs a more positive front end, it lacks the bite of the ED40 and the steering feel is simply not as good, which is a shame.

Really like the interior of both cars but the ED40 feels more special with the buckets and furry wheel. The material and finish is higher quality too. You can definitely see and feel the cost cutting on the interior of the MK8. That said, the MK8 still feels solid and is creak free at the moment. I really like the minimalist feel of the MK8 interior and this is where it makes the MK7 feel dated. I don’t even mind the haptics!

I love the IQ lights. They are so much better than the halogens on the MK7.

Plans. I will keep the R and treat it to a machine polish - one of the downsides of buying an ex-demo. I was a little concerned about oil consumption as I am sure the manufacturer running in guidelines were not followed but 3500 miles later, the oil level hasn’t changed, which I am happy about.

I looked into this recently and had my own queries about it.
I don't think isn't actually a heat shield despite what the dealer guy called it, and its not called that in the VW parts catalogue system (I have access to this for work). I think its called a sound absorber, and as mentioned the Clubsport S didn't have the sound absorber (its like paper and weighs about 300g when I took mine off).

Other vehicles on the similar platforms within VAG with vastly more power don't have these fitted as the pad retains heat under the bonnet, Audi RS3 and TTRS just 2 examples. The under bonnet temps on a 400bhp + RS3 must be way higher than the Golf. They are likely not fitted as the metal bonnet is very good at heat dissipation, as heat wants to radiate to the coolest point in all directions making it good at mitigating temp. 

IMO VW didn't need to fit them as they don't do the primary job either of reducing meaningful noise, and would have saved endless warranty replacements.  Mine has been off for months and the bonnet isn't really hotter on the long round back from Europe and the cabin isn't noisier (tyres being the primary noise at speed).  The metal on the fire wall behind the turbo appears to be for heat and has similar sound absorber behind it, and that is the correct product in that location. You could assume If VW wanted to put that on the bonnet to reduce heat they could have done, but chose to fit a sound absorber for mostly idle speed mechanical noise reduction it seems.

Its primary purpose is a heat shield with sound deadening secondary. Any rear engined cars typically don't have these on the bonnet. The heat can cause paint fade or cracking to the acrylic lacquer over time.

In terms of the CSS, it's very much a function first car. Sound deadening across the car is heavy and often low down, so if you can remove 3kg removing unnecessary items then it helps track times.

If you do proceed with removing it completely, I'd fit heat reflective tape in its place. Also note if you have PPF on the bonnet I definitely wouldn't remove it, as over time it will heat the glue and crack the film and be a nightmare to remove / repair.