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Model specific boards => Golf mk3 => Topic started by: Greg on 07 May 2009, 10:51

Title: Suspension is too firm, what can i do ?
Post by: Greg on 07 May 2009, 10:51
Hey, long time no speak!

I fitted the Koni SSK kit a while back (Koni dampers & koni springs) this gave about a 35/40mm drop. The car sits on 15" VR6 rims.
On good roads the ride is great, really squat and responsive. BUT i've moved house and have to drive over about 20 big speedbumps a day :( so i need something less harsh. The front dampers are top adjustable and are on minimum firmness, but its still really bumpy over potholes/speedbumps, it even makes the cd skip! Wishbones are new, so bushes should be ok i thnk?

So...
should i change the springs to something else?
should i change the dampers?
should i change the springs and dampers?
should i go for coilovers?

Ideally I don't want so go lower than 40mm.

Whadda you think guys?
Title: Re: Suspension is too firm, what can i do ?
Post by: Len on 07 May 2009, 10:58
Play with the settings on your dampers first!

You say you have them on softest setting?
Well they will bounce!
Try hardening and few notches at a time, you wont notice any difference with just on notch!
Title: Re: Suspension is too firm, what can i do ?
Post by: Wayne on 07 May 2009, 11:06
You could always run a set of standard springs with your koni shocks.
Title: Re: Suspension is too firm, what can i do ?
Post by: Greg on 07 May 2009, 11:07
Thats interesting! i'll firm them upto 25% at lunchtime and see if it improves things. Thanks :)
Title: Re: Suspension is too firm, what can i do ?
Post by: Greg on 07 May 2009, 11:07
You could always run a set of standard springs with your koni shocks.

Thats true, but i dont want to lose the 40mm drop.
Title: Re: Suspension is too firm, what can i do ?
Post by: Wayne on 07 May 2009, 11:10
You could always run a set of standard springs with your koni shocks.

Thats true, but i dont want to lose the 40mm drop.

To be honest your ride quality will suffer when you lower a car as you shorten the travel, you might find coilovers set at that drop would be more comfortable.
Title: Re: Suspension is too firm, what can i do ?
Post by: Greg on 07 May 2009, 11:15
You are right, there's always gonna be a trade-off.
Yes i wondered if coilovers might be the way to go...
i need to have a drive in a mk3 on coilies really to see for myself.
Title: Re: Suspension is too firm, what can i do ?
Post by: Len on 07 May 2009, 11:39
Where are ya mate? Give ya a drive in mine!
Title: Re: Suspension is too firm, what can i do ?
Post by: Greg on 07 May 2009, 11:48
What a kind offer! I'm in Windsor. Will you be at Stonor again this year? we could have a test run there maybe?

Just been reading about the hottuning coilovers for £159. I wonder how they handle speedbumps compared to my koni kit...
I guess what with coilovers being so cheap these days my Koni kit would be worth next to nothing second hand on eBay.
Title: Re: Suspension is too firm, what can i do ?
Post by: Len on 07 May 2009, 11:51
Yes I'll be there at Stonor. I'm on the "club stand" so will have to have that drive either before or after.

If you got adjustable dampers now dont even think about the hottuning ones! No way!
You get what you pay for mate!
Title: Re: Suspension is too firm, what can i do ?
Post by: A7 UFO on 07 May 2009, 11:53
you still listen to CDs?
Title: Re: Suspension is too firm, what can i do ?
Post by: Khare on 07 May 2009, 11:54
What a kind offer! I'm in Windsor. Will you be at Stonor again this year? we could have a test run there maybe?

Just been reading about the hottuning coilovers for £159. I wonder how they handle speedbumps compared to my koni kit...
I guess what with coilovers being so cheap these days my Koni kit would be worth next to nothing second hand on eBay.
I had the hottuning ones on my mk2. They are very good for the money. Some people hate them some love them, I loved them.
They are firm but not too harsh, car handled great. Shall be buying another kit for my mk3 in the summer :smiley:
Title: Re: Suspension is too firm, what can i do ?
Post by: Greg on 07 May 2009, 12:02
Ok i'll let you know nearer the time if i'm gonna be there early/late

>If you got adjustable dampers now dont even think about the hottuning ones! No way!
Thats good to know, cheers!
Title: Re: Suspension is too firm, what can i do ?
Post by: Greg on 07 May 2009, 12:06
you still listen to CDs?

In the car, yes. I can't find a good looking mp3 one that does what i want...
Title: Re: Suspension is too firm, what can i do ?
Post by: Greg on 07 May 2009, 12:13
I had the hottuning ones on my mk2. They are very good for the money. Some people hate them some love them, I loved them.
They are firm but not too harsh, car handled great. Shall be buying another kit for my mk3 in the summer :smiley:

What about speedbumps, do you have to crawl over them to avoid the suspension crashing/bumping  ?
Title: Re: Suspension is too firm, what can i do ?
Post by: Khare on 07 May 2009, 12:15
I had the hottuning ones on my mk2. They are very good for the money. Some people hate them some love them, I loved them.
They are firm but not too harsh, car handled great. Shall be buying another kit for my mk3 in the summer :smiley:

What about speedbumps, do you have to crawl over them to avoid the suspension crashing/bumping  ?
depends on how low. Mine was pretty dam low so i had to crawl over them to avoid my splitter being broken off. but bumps on the road it handled pretty well.
Title: Re: Suspension is too firm, what can i do ?
Post by: A7 UFO on 07 May 2009, 12:31
you still listen to CDs?

In the car, yes. I can't find a good looking mp3 one that does what i want...
that's why they sell the FM transmittars
Title: Re: Suspension is too firm, what can i do ?
Post by: Greg on 07 May 2009, 12:59
you still listen to CDs?

In the car, yes. I can't find a good looking mp3 one that does what i want...
that's why they sell the FM transmittars
I had an FM transmitter but it suffered badly from interference.
I like a strong & cristal clear audio signal.
Title: Re: Suspension is too firm, what can i do ?
Post by: Len on 07 May 2009, 16:43
you still listen to CDs?

And whats wrong with CD's?? :evil:
Title: Re: Suspension is too firm, what can i do ?
Post by: Len on 07 May 2009, 16:44
Oh and Greg - Hottuning are budget range!  Koni are mid to top range! no contest!
Title: Re: Suspension is too firm, what can i do ?
Post by: Greg on 11 May 2009, 10:10
Hey Len - Great advice cheers! 
I firmed up the fronts to alomst 50% firm which has killed the 'crashing' when going over the speedbumps. 
Thanks mate!