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Model specific boards => Golf mk2 => Topic started by: Thom89 on 23 October 2010, 00:28
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Between now and Christmas, I'm looking at getting some coilovers, budgeting at around £1000-£1200 but hopefully less, just wondering what you guys could recommend, I'm looking for feedback from those that actually have higher end stuff fitted, what works best for fast road use, but still comfortable... etc etc, your thoughts please
Thom
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can't fault the bilstien stuff
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you could probably get something tasty custom made for that kind of money :shocked:
eibach pro street or kw v3 are good enough and will leave you with plenty of change
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gaz gold coilovers i cannot reccomend these enough i havent got them on a golf but i had them on a capri and my word they are goood!
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Koni or Bilstien's
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The only point i would make regarding the Gaz coilovers is i'm not sure the build quality is up to standard. I have a friend who's a racing driver and his second race car (BMW 320) runs Gaz shocks as part of the organiser sponsership, he's had several problems with splittling the bottom balls on them and didn't rate them at all, they've since changed over to Ohlins.
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KW's best I've had!
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the koni's on mine work really well on the road, but i suppose its mostly down to the type of spring on them, progressive rate rather than fixed rate with helper springs type
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Konis on mine also. My first experience of coilovers but the ride is still surprisingly supple despite it being pretty much on the deck
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Some great answers coming guys, and are pretty much the makes that I expected are coming to the top, the car wont be used for track days, nor am I lowering it just for looks, just don't want to go down the cheap as chips route and get something that'll only last a couple of years,, I do push my car hard on the road, so Im after no nasty surprises type of handling, which I have experienced on cheap coilovers..
The rest of the suspension will be rebuilt with OE parts, for originality, and quite OK for fast road use, as it is, at this time, running OE shocks and springs
So, in effect, Im looking for the best setup possible, by only changing to coilovers, resetting the camber, and corner weighting...
Thom
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Kw's Thom really no sh!t mate, I've owned, sat in GAZ, FK's, Koni's, Wetiechs, Blisten.
Kw's are the best IMO! V3 or even V2's will be a good fast road track would be V3 for sure!
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Pardon my ignorance what are you using the car for?
I've driven on fully adjustable Avo's and Koni's and found them both quite harsh, but not as harsh as a set of FK Highsports in Joe's Mk2.
Last year I went for KW Inox V1's (height adj only) and they are by far the best coilovers I have ever driven on. There is no banging around when hitting bumps in the road, and after a long journey it doesn't feel like I've got spinabifida.
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Pardon my ignorance what are you using the car for?
I've driven on fully adjustable Avo's and Koni's and found them both quite harsh, but not as harsh as a set of FK Highsports in Joe's Mk2.
Last year I went for KW Inox V1's (height adj only) and they are by far the best coilovers I have ever driven on. There is no banging around when hitting bumps in the road, and after a long journey it doesn't feel like I've got spinabifida.
Same for me :wink: People just don't believe that KW's are a perfect balance.
I love how the feel of the ride tightens up if I want to plant my right foot, but at cruising speeds it provided just the right damping on harsh bumps.
I don't work for them, but the next set will be Kw's for me again! :cool:
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I sprung (no pun intended!) for the Eibach Pro Street S coilovers earlier this year and they're tops - the dampers are made by KW so I suppose the only bit Eibach about them are the springs and various tweaks.
Even though my eBay-coilover-buying mates jaws hit the floor when I told them the price, I wouldn't swap them - the ride is so perfect in every way. Handles big bumps with ease and my spine is completely intact!
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Koni's, highly rated.
Infinitely better than the KW cheapy copies I got.
Noticed on the members discounts Spax doubly adjustable suspension ( height and damping) 15% off :cool:
http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=147187.0
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KW as you seem to be able to afford them. v3 will allow you to adjust them to your exact requirements too.
Weitek are a good value choice, I have them on my G60 and are height and damping adjustable for around £550 ride very well too especially considering the car is quite low.
:smiley:
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KW as you seem to be able to afford them. v3 will allow you to bu99er about with them endlessly without finding the right setting.
Fixed.
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Don't find Konis too bad.I do a fifty mile round commute daily and the Golf pootles along just nicely on the sh!t stretch of tarmac that is the M6
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KW as you seem to be able to afford them. v3 will allow you to bu99er about with them endlessly without finding the right setting.
Fixed.
Dammit! I thought I was on to something with the KWs... any truth in the rumor? please tell :rolleyes:
Thom
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You've got 15 settings on each, before you start frigging with the spring rates.
What in all f*ckery makes you think you can get that right for A roads, B roads or motorway, let alone track?
B8 struts and good quality appropriate springs might be more sensible for road and play.
Let's face it, what are you going to do, corner weight it every time you take a different passenger? Weigh your luggage whenever you take anything out in it? Can you imagine the amount of winding down you'll need to do if you give Chuff a lift?
Coilovers will corrode and seize - it's in their nature. Struts are simple and fixed, developed for the best compromise for approximately your car on approximately the sort of roads you might typically drive. Good quality items should 'just work'. You know, like your Mac.
Keep It Simple, Stupid.
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DH has a point, I think a Blisten / eibach set up would be a good all round choice.
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You've got 15 settings on each, before you start frigging with the spring rates.
What in all f*ckery makes you think you can get that right for A roads, B roads or motorway, let alone track?
B8 struts and good quality appropriate springs might be more sensible for road and play.
Let's face it, what are you going to do, corner weight it every time you take a different passenger? Weigh your luggage whenever you take anything out in it? Can you imagine the amount of winding down you'll need to do if you give Chuff a lift?
Coilovers will corrode and seize - it's in their nature. Struts are simple and fixed, developed for the best compromise for approximately your car on approximately the sort of roads you might typically drive. Good quality items should 'just work'. You know, like your Mac.
Keep It Simple, Stupid.
Some good valid points. My car only does a very minimal mileage, around 1200 per year, dry ones at that, and It will not be doing track days, ware and tear, corrosion is of no concern..
I have all the kit at work to check/set up camber, castor, tracking, corner weighting, it would be daft not to try and find the very best end of a compromise. A ball park figure ( 9 stone passenger in the front, and half tank of fuel, + myself) regarding corner weighting would be good enough in this situation, especially as I want to keep the rest of the suspension OE...
Bilsteins are very much on the list, as are Koni's and KW's
Id love to be able to take Chuff out in the Golf.. unfortunately, he doesn't fit in one any longer, hence the Wagon/Bus..
And happy that you've seen the light on the "Mac" thing :wink:
Thom
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KW's V2's no nonsense stick them in adjust height job done very simples and yes you need to PTFF or coat them every siz months to keep them shiny and free of mud and dirt!
Should be about £600-700 I reckon for a stainless set. :cool:
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Sounds like your £1,200 budget will be able to buy 2x sets of KW Var 2's, 1 for you, 1 for me ;)
You won't have so much physcial comfort, as mental comfort, knowing you helped a fellow cheapskate blagger dubber
I'll PM you my address on where to send them to ... :grin:
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Should be about £600-700 I reckon for a stainless set. :cool:
For v2's? Not likely.
My inox v1's were £700 alone
http://www.europerformance.co.uk/pages/products/category_results.mhtml?category=kwvariant2coilovers;car=vwgolf2;manufacturer=kw;sub_category=1 (http://www.europerformance.co.uk/pages/products/category_results.mhtml?category=kwvariant2coilovers;car=vwgolf2;manufacturer=kw;sub_category=1)
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KW as you seem to be able to afford them. v3 will allow you to bu99er about with them endlessly without finding the right setting.
Fixed.
Ok I see your point. How about "v3 will allow you to hopefully eventually arrive at a ride / handling compromise you are happy with".
Good quality items should 'just work'.
i.e. In this case, be designed (hopefully due to some effort in r&d) to provide a handling / ride compromise that is acceptable to most people. Since Thom is likely to be in this bracket (he's not a track warrior) then (Eibach) springs and (Boge Gas) shocks will likely suffice.
I had this combination on a daily mk2 and in many ways the car was more fun to drive than my G60 on coils. OK dry grip was lower, but when cornering the car was more playfull, adjustable and forgiving.
I think you only really need coils in a Mk2 if you want to go very low for cosmetic reasons or if you want to use the car for track use and have a high BHP motor that warrants more cornering grip that the extra stiffness can help provide.
:smiley:
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And happy that you've seen the light on the "Mac" thing
I haven't. I've got 4GB of RAM for the iMac on my desk here and I'm p*ssed at having to buy that.
Plus the HD on the Macbook Pro is full and I'm looking at an upgrade for it already because I can't move the partitioning around and if I'm going to have to reinstall stuff it might as well be on something of a size that won't be full in another couple of months.
Turns out they don't 'just work', but I could have told you that before buying one.
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Should be about £600-700 I reckon for a stainless set. :cool:
For v2's? Not likely.
My inox v1's were £700 alone
http://www.europerformance.co.uk/pages/products/category_results.mhtml?category=kwvariant2coilovers;car=vwgolf2;manufacturer=kw;sub_category=1 (http://www.europerformance.co.uk/pages/products/category_results.mhtml?category=kwvariant2coilovers;car=vwgolf2;manufacturer=kw;sub_category=1)
Its not what you know its who you know :wink:
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Its not what you know its who you know :wink:
Get me some then.
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The only point i would make regarding the Gaz coilovers is i'm not sure the build quality is up to standard. I have a friend who's a racing driver and his second race car (BMW 320) runs Gaz shocks as part of the organiser sponsership, he's had several problems with splittling the bottom balls on them and didn't rate them at all, they've since changed over to Ohlins.
i have known one or two people have some issues with build quality but its a very small proportion and they way they deal with these problems and their after sales service in my experience is top class
butit may be a good thing to think about
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http://www.europerformance.co.uk/pages/products/product_info.mhtml?product=15310315
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http://www.europerformance.co.uk/pages/products/product_info.mhtml?product=3815789
its what porsche use on the older gt3's i believe
seriously dont get coils for road use. iv made that mistake. i have weitec hicon gt's and their just too stiff.
that bilstein inverted piston is proper supercar tech
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^^^ H&R Springs can be quite stiff... not ridden in a mk2 with them though...
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http://www.europerformance.co.uk/pages/products/product_info.mhtml?product=15310315
Problem here is that you lose all your clearance for wide rims
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i have a lot of time for the bilstine inverted monotube shocks :smiley:
for an A - B road car i would proably go for b6's iirc it's a bit softer damper and for lowering uptp 60mm. as my car ended up quite low (hence useing b8's ) b8's at some point soon i'll be extending the lower ball joints and and fliping the track rods to optomise my suspention geometry
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Had a set of AVO damp adjustable coils a while back.
Very comfortable ride for a coilover but cant compair to the other high end brands.
around £500+
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Gaz or wieteck (kw really just cheaper) and I can't fault my supersport coilovers.
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So what was the end result of this. Im looking at changing my cheapo coilovers which are a nightmare on b roads to something more comfortable. I need recommendations from people who have had the experience of different coilovers... I will be lowering no more than 50mm just to keep the gap between the tyre and arch minimal. Maybe an inch gap front and back. Would eibach and bilsteins do this??
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Would eibach and bilsteins do this??
Yes, great choice.
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I have Spax RSX coilovers on my MK2, brilliant value for money! Fully adjustable height and damping.
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So what was the end result of this. Im looking at changing my cheapo coilovers which are a nightmare on b roads to something more comfortable. I need recommendations from people who have had the experience of different coilovers... I will be lowering no more than 50mm just to keep the gap between the tyre and arch minimal. Maybe an inch gap front and back. Would eibach and bilsteins do this??
End result was that nothing got done! due to a family illness. Any changes to my car got shelved just after last Christmas, but still very much in the pipeline, and looking forward to getting back on track.. :wink:
Thom
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I have bilstein shocks and springs on mine and for the few weeks i drove till it came off the road they were great !
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I have bilstein shocks and springs on mine and for the few weeks i drove till it came off the road they were great !
Is it True that Bilstein were an OE Supplier to VW?
My son is looking for some shocks and the VAG G60 one's I've got have now been dropped by VAG.... So looking for alternatives...
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Thom. Air ride ftw. Standard height for concourse and decked for scenecourse
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Already got Air Ride! not scene anymore, want to get rid of it...
Chip
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I have bilstein shocks and springs on mine and for the few weeks i drove till it came off the road they were great !
Is it True that Bilstein were an OE Supplier to VW?
My son is looking for some shocks and the VAG G60 one's I've got have now been dropped by VAG.... So looking for alternatives...
Im really not sure mate but for a full set with springs that are reasonable priced mine is dropped by 40 or 60mm im not 100% but they ride nice and smooth but still firm enough to give you confidence in some corners
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I have bilstein shocks and springs on mine and for the few weeks i drove till it came off the road they were great !
Is it True that Bilstein were an OE Supplier to VW?
My son is looking for some shocks and the VAG G60 one's I've got have now been dropped by VAG.... So looking for alternatives...
Im really not sure mate but for a full set with springs that are reasonable priced mine is dropped by 40 or 60mm im not 100% but they ride nice and smooth but still firm enough to give you confidence in some corners
Just looking for shocks as he has bought a set of Genuine 16V springs for his Driver!!
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well i cant recommend the bilstein ones high enough thats why ive kept mine :smiley:
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I have bilstein shocks and springs on mine and for the few weeks i drove till it came off the road they were great !
Is it True that Bilstein were an OE Supplier to VW?
My son is looking for some shocks and the VAG G60 one's I've got have now been dropped by VAG.... So looking for alternatives...
Im really not sure mate but for a full set with springs that are reasonable priced mine is dropped by 40 or 60mm im not 100% but they ride nice and smooth but still firm enough to give you confidence in some corners
Just looking for shocks as he has bought a set of Genuine 16V springs for his Driver!!
if your keeping it OEM go Boge shocks they are the dogs danglies for mk2's. eibach springs are a favorite to go with them.
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I cant complain about my Weitech Hicon GTN's :afro:
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Just looking for shocks as he has bought a set of Genuine 16V springs for his Driver!!
FYI, the Bilstein B4's are the black OEM type and will do nicely, The B6's are upgraded and will be even nicer and the B8's are for lowered cars. If I were you and money was no option I would plump for the B6's on 16V springs but if your short on money the B4's are OEM+.
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I have bilstein shocks and springs on mine and for the few weeks i drove till it came off the road they were great !
Is it True that Bilstein were an OE Supplier to VW?
My son is looking for some shocks and the VAG G60 one's I've got have now been dropped by VAG.... So looking for alternatives...
Im really not sure mate but for a full set with springs that are reasonable priced mine is dropped by 40 or 60mm im not 100% but they ride nice and smooth but still firm enough to give you confidence in some corners
Just looking for shocks as he has bought a set of Genuine 16V springs for his Driver!!
if your keeping it OEM go Boge shocks they are the dogs danglies for mk2's. eibach springs are a favorite to go with them.
I've had them on mine and they lasted 3 months & I then replaced them with OEM G60's...
But thanks for the heads up!!
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Just looking for shocks as he has bought a set of Genuine 16V springs for his Driver!!
FYI, the Bilstein B4's are the black OEM type and will do nicely, The B6's are upgraded and will be even nicer and the B8's are for lowered cars. If I were you and money was no option I would plump for the B6's on 16V springs but if your short on money the B4's are OEM+.
Guess he will have to check his piggy bank!! I think for a Driver with stock 1.6 Piersburg B4's should do him fine...
Thanks for the heads up!!
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Guess he will have to check his piggy bank!!
Not cheap are they :shocked::cry: :evil:
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Not what I call dear either about £50.00 each for fronts... Euro car parts...
Haven't shopped around yet - I might be able to get them cheaper!
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Ok then.
Well, ive been reading this thread as a guide line to my new suspension setup.
My Golf was never intended to go around a track either, so I just fitted a slightly better setup over standard.
At the moment its running the Weitec Ultra GT40 Shocks and Eibach springs to match and she seems pretty good. Car is very quiet around town and over bumps. Its doesnt turn into corners like a go-kart but you can feel every bit of oversteer, understeer quite nicely, and handle it well.
How fussy are you to creaks and rattles in your car? I like to have none of them :smiley:
If you want to drive your motor around corners quite sharply then maybe the coilovers will be a better option.
I did a track day at Corborough a few weeks ago to see what it was like. Its nothing special really.. Its my first time at a track day type thing and I really enjoyed myself!!! Turn it up loud!! :smiley:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWMKGVduaps
Since Ive taken her around Curborough sprint track I feel this setup is no longer stiff enough to accept the corners well. even on this little track. I felt I had to roll the car into the corners before it started to bite. I cant wait to get the coilovers now!!! Im still unsure what to get??
I just thought Id put a video on here of her with the Weitec and Eibach setup, just so you can get a feel for a simpler and cheaper option :smiley:
For me I just HAVE to get some coilovers now. The shocks and springs were good, just not sharp enough for quick steering input.
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Nice clip!!
Looks like you had some fun without over stretching the car!!
If your looking for improved handling I would look at fitting Eibach F&R ARB's anr maybe Both strut braces along with your coilies!!
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Yes bud I did have some fun! My front left tyre got a right pounding though :sad:
Ah okies. So not just the Shocks but antiroll bars too. Its quite an expensive upgrade all that, damn!
Might have to do just the coilovers first. :smiley:
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IMO and I'm not that clued up I - would fit the ARB's and if you really want to the strut braces before spending £1000 + on a set of fully adjustable coilies..
No point fitting cheap ones as you will need to be able to adjust the damper setting to get the most out of them...
As said I'm no expert...
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The roll bars may even be good enough for me without the need for coilovers maybe??
You could have a point in changing those parts first, hmmmm
Cheerz man
Baz
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The roll bars may even be good enough for me without the need for coilovers maybe??
You could have a point in changing those parts first, hmmmm
Cheerz man
Baz
Gotta be worth considering... I've fitted them and like the improved handling - but I'm not talking track days just quick twisty B roads and then keeping my teeth when driving in town on a daily basis...
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The shocks and springs were good, just not sharp enough for quick steering input.
Consider re-bushing with stiffer bushes and stitch-welding your front control arms before you chop in the springs and dampers for some coilovers. I know I would.
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Thanks for the tips you lot.
I already have the poly bushes all round apart from the rear beam.
Stitch welding the front wishbones? How is that exactly done Mr Hell?
Thanks
Baz
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I already have the poly bushes all round apart from the rear beam.
Pull out the polybush from the rear of the control arms and press in Audi TT OEM ones. They're solid rubber bonded to the inside and outside shell and will be an improvement over the poly.
I've had both in mine and the TT bush is significantly sharper.
The standard control arms are two pieces of pressed metal, spot-welded together.
I ran 1" on, 1" off beads of weld around the edges of mine. This again made a big difference, because it stiffens them up significantly.
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I'm looking at doing a suspension refresh and am thinking Either Eibach and Boge or the Bilstien B12 kit.
I also considering the Vibra techs wishbone Bush and engine mount... any one tried these... ?
If I really feel plush then Eibach anti roll bars might get on it too.
Just after the best fast road set up, no track and no need to lower... real world driving and comfort is the goal, plus getting the power down as the when the Turbo technics kit kicks in it likes to spin the wheels up :rolleyes:
All advice and criticism happily taken
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Thanks for that Diamond Hell. I will look into the Audi bushes. Not sure on the welding though. Me never done anything like that before.
Hello Stupidog,
Ive not tried any Vibratech stuff, seems abit too hardcore for me!
A shock and spring setup for the road is about right I would say, with the added comfort yes. Im pretty sure somebody else will be here to help you get your best options :smiley:
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Thanks for that Diamond Hell. I will look into the Audi bushes. Not sure on the welding though. Me never done anything like that before.
Talk to DannyP on here - you're in Worcester which is near enough to Ross, which is where he is and I suspect if you provide him with a pair of control arms he should be able to sort the welding on them for you.
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Maybe the Audi TT bushes would be a better option...... always hard to know and easy to get carried away
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running some tube allong the leading edge stiffens them up even more :smiley:
if you want them welded can sort that for you
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Ok well that is really kind of you if you could.
It may take me a while to get the arms off, but when i do i will give you a buzz.
Thank you very much
Baz :smiley:
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We've got to start a thread counting up the amount of barrys with mk2's!! I reckon every other one is owned by a bazza!!!
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Hehe, cant argue with that! Ive seen quite a few myself, strange that.
Im the nicest though, out of all of them. :cool: