GolfGTIforum.co.uk

Model specific boards => Golf mk3 => Topic started by: CL-SID on 02 August 2012, 15:31

Title: Advice needed on Wheels and Suspension upgrade please.. : )
Post by: CL-SID on 02 August 2012, 15:31
Hi folks,

I own a standard 1.6 cl mk3, I was going to leave it totally standard but this site has got my juices flowing to drop the suspension and upgrade the wheels.

It wil bel on a tight budget and I will have do this over the winter months. Any suggestion on suspension makes, drop amount to kept it a smooth ride would be fantastic.  :smiley:

Also I do not want to mess with the arches so wheel types, offset etc to make it look more agressive and keep the arches standard would be a great help also.

thanks in advance for advice,

Sid.  :wink:

Title: Re: Advice needed on Wheels and Suspension upgrade please.. : )
Post by: Gti_Jamo on 02 August 2012, 20:55
In regards to wheels in my opinion the best fitment is 16" with a width of 7.5 inches along with an offset of around ET25-35. These won't require any arch mods. Also with coilovers, you get what you pay for really. I can only mention AP's as these are all I have had on my Mk3 and the ride is good but they were £400. You can get cheap Joms for £150 but would have to assume the ride will not be the best but if your not bothered about that then they will do the job just fine.
Title: Re: Advice needed on Wheels and Suspension upgrade please.. : )
Post by: dom on 02 August 2012, 20:56
If your doing it on the cheap then you won't have a smooth ride, most cheap coilovers (JOM, hot tuning etc.) are all made in the same place and just re branded. The ride is pretty poor, especially when your really low.

Wheels is a very personal thing, lots of wheels will fit without much hassle. Anything that is 4x100, not bigger than 16" and with an offset between et25-et40 should fit straight on depending on width.
Title: Re: Advice needed on Wheels and Suspension upgrade please.. : )
Post by: tweed on 02 August 2012, 20:57
I have cheap Jom coilovers and they are starting to really piss me off!!  :angry:
Title: Re: Advice needed on Wheels and Suspension upgrade please.. : )
Post by: Gavv8 on 02 August 2012, 21:02
I have cheap Jom coilovers and they are starting to really piss me off!!  :angry:
There seems to be both lovers and haters of the cheap coilover... :grin:
Title: Re: Advice needed on Wheels and Suspension upgrade please.. : )
Post by: CL-SID on 02 August 2012, 21:03
Thanks guys,

I was looking at Jom's  :sad:  I was hoping to lower it about 35/40mm as I do want it to be usable with people in the back. I would have rushed in and got these because the general write up do not seem bad at all. Will need to re-think this then, are second hand better ones a gamble?

Thanks for the advice on wheels I was only thinking I could get away with 15", so that helps a lot.

Will using springs alone knacker my suspension?

 :huh:



Title: Re: Advice needed on Wheels and Suspension upgrade please.. : )
Post by: dom on 02 August 2012, 21:08
Thanks guys,

I was looking at Jom's  :sad:  I was hoping to lower it about 35/40mm as I do want it to be usable with people in the back. I would have rushed in and got these because the general write up do not seem bad at all. Will need to re-think this then, are second hand better ones a gamble?

Thanks for the advice on wheels I was only thinking I could get away with 15", so that helps a lot.

Will using springs alone knacker my suspension?

 :huh:





Springs alone will ruin your shocks pretty quickly.

As for cheap coilovers, in terms of value for money they are unbeatable. I'm running JOM's on my MK4 at the moment, when it was lowered about 40mm the ride was actually ok. I then wound them down another 15mm and it transformed the ride, they are now really bouncy and pretty harsh.

Basically, keep them at a reasonable height and they will be ok. Even the best coilovers will give a horrible ride if they're wound down to the floor.
Title: Re: Advice needed on Wheels and Suspension upgrade please.. : )
Post by: Gavv8 on 02 August 2012, 21:11
You can go down -40mm on standard shocks without too many issues.
Title: Re: Advice needed on Wheels and Suspension upgrade please.. : )
Post by: dom on 02 August 2012, 21:13
You can go down -40mm on standard shocks without too many issues.

Problem is 40mm is never enough :grin:
Title: Re: Advice needed on Wheels and Suspension upgrade please.. : )
Post by: Gavv8 on 02 August 2012, 21:16
You can go down -40mm on standard shocks without too many issues.

Problem is 40mm is never enough :grin:
Yes...mine is -40mm and the splitter does sometimes scrape but i still look at it every day and think it looks like a 4x4.. :grin: but i can't decide whether to go lower on shortened shocks or coilies.
Title: Re: Advice needed on Wheels and Suspension upgrade please.. : )
Post by: stainesy on 02 August 2012, 21:21
i have a friend who is selling a good set of APEX 60mm lowering springs for £20 in good condition. :wink:
Title: Re: Advice needed on Wheels and Suspension upgrade please.. : )
Post by: CL-SID on 02 August 2012, 21:26
i have a friend who is selling a good set of APEX 60mm lowering springs for £20 in good condition. :wink:

thanks fella, but I reckon I am going to go for the full set up.  :wink:

Anyone got a car running 40mm lower with 16inch wheels on I could see I picture of?  :smiley:
Title: Re: Advice needed on Wheels and Suspension upgrade please.. : )
Post by: Wayne on 02 August 2012, 21:39
Unless your looking to slam it then a 40mm drop with a good quality kit is a much better bet.
Title: Re: Advice needed on Wheels and Suspension upgrade please.. : )
Post by: denzil691 on 03 August 2012, 14:55
You can go down -40mm on standard shocks without too many issues.

i had a 60mm drop shocks and springs on 17's on my gti and it wasnt low low but it handled very well depends what your after handling/performance or looks really
Title: Re: Advice needed on Wheels and Suspension upgrade please.. : )
Post by: CL-SID on 03 August 2012, 17:33
I am after a lower looking car that is not a harsh ride. I am thinking 40mm drop running 15" wheels, 7" wide.  :huh:
Title: Re: Advice needed on Wheels and Suspension upgrade please.. : )
Post by: Gavv8 on 03 August 2012, 20:58
You can go down -40mm on standard shocks without too many issues.

i had a 60mm drop shocks and springs on 17's on my gti and it wasnt low low but it handled very well depends what your after handling/performance or looks really
Going lower than -40mm on standard shocks will destroy them, really need shortened shocks.