GolfGTIforum.co.uk
Model specific boards => Golf mk3 => Topic started by: gtigolfthree on 24 July 2009, 10:51
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What would be the best cost effective handling improvment for my standard mk3 golf gti 8valve? and can people who have already invested comment on whether it was money well spent and also if these improvements have compromised the comfort factor? and finally thoughts on the handling differences if any between a standard gti and other mk3 golfs.
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Best 1st step is a good quality susp. kit to be honest.
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cost effective....... hottuning coilies.
however the ride isnt the best, but i got used to it and i now find it fine as a daily.
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All i can say and from experience too is "PAY CHEAP, GET CHEAP!"
Get yourself some springs and shocks if you don't mind a not being able to adjust the height...but get adjustable dampers so you can choose how hard or how soft.
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Bigger ARBs
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i would also replace the bushes for brand new OEM ones or if you can stretch a little get poly ones, change engine mounts for solid or stiff ones too, strut brace (a proper one, not the show ones) and gets ome good tyres, tyres make a world of difference to a car
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gti adam, I take it you mean anti roll bars, are they a straight fit and do they improve handling without comprimising comfort, where do you get them? and grim_reaper do you mean a better make of tyre or a different size or both?
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better make tyre yes, slightly lower profile (go 50 or 45 profile if you can, otherwise 55 would do aswell), and size of tyre depends on your size of alloy, i have 205 on a 6j wheel and also 215 on a 6j wheel (not on a vw!!!)
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cost effective....... hottuning coilies.
however the ride isnt the best, but i got used to it and i now find it fine as a daily.
He said upgrade the handling, not kill his pelvis
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+1
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Sorry could not resist it :grin:
http://www.pistonheads.com/SALES/1148067.htm
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cost effective....... hottuning coilies.
however the ride isnt the best, but i got used to it and i now find it fine as a daily.
He said upgrade the handling, not kill his pelvis
dont see what you mean by this?
ive got some and travel 1 1/2 hours every now and then and have no problem with comfort. They make a hell of a difference on handling though as well as decent tyres. Your be surprised what cars you can keep up with around corners on a track
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I found the ride shocking to be honest on hottuning coilovers plus they don't seem to last.
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what would you guys recoment as a good valkue for money set of coilovers then?
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What would be the best cost effective handling improvment for my standard mk3 golf gti 8valve? and can people who have already invested comment on whether it was money well spent and also if these improvements have compromised the comfort factor? and finally thoughts on the handling differences if any between a standard gti and other mk3 golfs.
Your first step would be to make sure your tyres are in good condition, all the same tread pattern, inflated properly, and the right size.
Then check all the suspension bushes for wear and replace anything that looks or feels worn. You can either replace with VW standard ones or go for one of the makes of poly bushes. If you go down the poly bush route you really need to replace then all except the front crossmember. Poly might affect your comfort slightly.
Then get the car aligned properly, this can make a big differance.
If you still want more then it all depends on how much more. If you want a lower stance with a slightly firmer ride then go for lowering springs and shocks. Stick with a brand name. This shouldn't compromise the ride quality too much. If you want to go the whole hog then fit coilovers, price ranges from £150 ish for height adjustable only up to about £1000 for height and stiffness etc adjustable. You get what you pay for. Hottuning ones are about £150 and are about 30% stiffer than your standard setup which is a pain during normal driving, also as Wayne said there seems to be some doubt that they last the distance. They do have a 2 year warranty though.
If you want comfort steer clear of the cheap coilovers, but if you have deep pockets then go for some mid range adjustable ones.
Remember if you change anything on your suspension it will alter the whole suspension setup and you will need to get it realigned.
If you still want more after all that you can look at anti roll bars and a more aggressive alignment.
Paul
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Spax all the way! dunno if it has one but an ARB too :)
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http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SPAX-RSX-COILOVER-KIT-VW-Golf-MK3-VR6-4-Motion-93-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQimsfpZTL090713197006r34334QQimsxZ20090713QQitemZ290330673256QQsalenotsupported
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I have found weitec kits to be good value for money.
To be a honest a suspension kit is a must on a mk3, as standard suspension is shocking in my opinion.
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They spax look the part but dont know about cost effective, would need to take a mortgage out for them, :evil:
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I think i fitted a spax kit to a mk3 16v a few years ago, it was good value and a good kit.
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I have no doubt that they are an excellent upgrade but at £570 they should be my 1995 8v with a years ticket didnt cost much more than that
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heard nothing but good things about FK coilovers.
http://www.venommotorsport.com/manufacturer_product.php?manufacturer=FK&category=suspension&product=AKStreetCoilovers&make=VW&model=Golf%20Mk%203
other then that, good tyres will make such a difference.
other things like rear/front strut braces, roll cages, uprated bushings, larger bottom arms etc... will all effect handling but will also make your car a lot more rigid.
tyres and coilovers are your best bet, in combination they will drastically improve your handling. sites such as http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre/ (http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre/) and www.blackcircles.com (http://www.blackcircles.com) will help your search
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what budget do you have?? and how low do you want it?
For cheaper stuff then go for -40mm a decent branded full kit or try boge extreme shocks and eibach spings (a bit more £ but the ride is better) and check all the bushes (rear axle and rear front wishbone bushes are both fairly failure prone..buy o.e spec (febi bilstein are good).. the get the camber and tracking sorted and it should be much better then now..
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I bought these for my car and just fitted them on saturday:
http://www.venommotorsport.com/product_details.php?id=20521&manufacturer=Spax&category=Suspension
Really really impressed so far and i think its value for money. I wanted my golf to touch the floor (Not literally) and i got a nice height out of them and you can adjust the dampers hard or soft for comfort of your choice and i really enjoy driving my Golf again!!
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Are these the same spec as the ones on ebay as they are nearly £200 cheaper?
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No, the ones on Ebay you can set the height, you can lower it from 35-60mm and you can adjust the dampers to how you like it hard or soft. The ones i bought are a fixed height and will only lower it by 60mm but you can adjust the dampers i got mine in the middle of hard and soft and it handles so well!!
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ive had my hottuning coils on for over 35k now, i do 700 miles every weekend on them and they are bottom threads, the ride isnt that rough i dont think.. not for how low it is.. and i dont rub that badly.. lol
bring on the charger i say...
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ARB ftw! (+ collies though). I fitted H&R 22mm arbs front and rear and it handles a treat. Was a bit sloppy with just collies but tight as a drum now. I agree with hottuning collies being on the firm side but you do get used to it. I would imagine they are better when the car isn't 110mm lower though.
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I want to get rit of my Hottunning coils and get some adjustables.
How hard was it to fit the ARBs, worried about the rear ARB?
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I want to get rit of my Hottunning coils and get some adjustables.
How hard was it to fit the ARBs, worried about the rear ARB?
Easy enough to fit.
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Decent tyres.