To lower or not to lower?

[dubweiser]

Hi - Can I get your opinions please am I sporting the clown car look here?

[willni]

Are those 17s? Or is it just the photos making them look small?

It’s totally a personal thing lowering, I can’t lower as I have scraped my standard front bumper at work before and others like a softer ride. If your local roads are up to snuff and you feel comfortable lowering go for it just use a reputable brand such as Eibach or H&R and you’ll have no issues.

Also is that Rubin Black?

[Guzzle]

Is that a GTE?

It is purposely made to ride higher than a GTi.

[SRGTD]

Have you fitted your wheels just before you took the pictures of your car? If so, then it may take a while for the car’s suspension to settle after it’s been jacked up.

[fredgroves]

Is that a GTE?

It is purposely made to ride higher than a GTi.

Yes it is - you can see the badge.

[dubweiser]

Are those 17s? Or is it just the photos making them look small?

It’s totally a personal thing lowering, I can’t lower as I have scraped my standard front bumper at work before and others like a softer ride. If your local roads are up to snuff and you feel comfortable lowering go for it just use a reputable brand such as Eibach or H&R and you’ll have no issues.

Also is that Rubin Black?

They’re 18s with 225/40 tyres. I think the colour of them makes them look smaller. Yes it’s a Black Rubin GTE.

[dubweiser]

Have you fitted your wheels just before you took the pictures of your car? If so, then it may take a while for the car’s suspension to settle after it’s been jacked up.

No - they’re on it months.

[dubweiser]

Is that a GTE?

It is purposely made to ride higher than a GTi.

Ah didn’t know that - that’s interesting.

What’s the insurance implication of lowering… minimal?

[Exonian]

It would certainly look nicer lowered as the wheels are lovely, but you’d need to ensure whatever reason the car sits quite high doesn’t mean it’ll be compromised or underbody things damaged if the car was lowered.

Having said that, I’ll assume there are GTE specific lowering springs so if you could find a set with TÜV approval then you’d know they’d be safe to run.

[Guzzle]

Is that a GTE?

It is purposely made to ride higher than a GTi.

Ah didn’t know that - that’s interesting.

What’s the insurance implication of lowering… minimal?

I expect insurance implications will vary between insurance companies. Lowering a car though is hardly an unusual thing to do these days, so it shouldn't be too hard to find an insurance company that can help.

I'd be more concerned by the points Exonian raises. The GTE is a heavier car than a GTi, so you'd need to ensure whatever springs you are considering fitting are

a) stiff enough to counteract the additional weight. Shorter springs would need to be stiffer to prevent the additional weight from bottoming the car out over larger bumps.
b) not so stiff or low that they result in an uncomfortable or fidgety ride, or pose a risk of damage to any equipment facing out from the underside of the car.