GolfGTIforum.co.uk
Model specific boards => Golf mk3 => Topic started by: Itteh on 30 October 2012, 16:13
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iv got a 8v, at moment its got winter wheels on it longbeach 15", usually i have my bbs's on it 205/40/17 brand new tyres i put em last month, and a new coilovers all way round. drive isnt wow, isit only the coilovers that affect the ride and handling, or can i change other things with the car to make my ride smoother ? and less stiffer on little stupid bumps in the road ? no idea how to go about this, i want overall ride to be slightly better with the bbs; wheels on it....
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What make are the coilovers you've fitted? Are they wound all the way down?
If they aren't adjustable the damping increases as you go lower, which will translate to a bumpier ride. You could go for higher profile tyres to soak up more of the bumps.
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hmmm they arent wind fully down i bought some budget ones, tuninart i think, and dampers i dno about all that my mechanic put em in ..... the cars on its arse tho, they still have plenty thread to go down, and with the tyres, dont really wna change them as i wna keep lowest profile. so i guess i cant have both - good handling and looks.. its either 1 right ? cant i change anything else thatl gv me a good ride,
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The damper is an integral part of the shock (coilover). So basically as you go lower the ability to absorb and smooth out smaller bumps is decreased. Also thinking about it, as the coilovers are wound down, the preload is higher so the initial force needed to begin compressing the spring is higher, again making the ride bumpier.
Basically the only things you'll be able to do to make the ride smoother is one or all of:
- Heightening your coilovers
- Fitting higher profile tyres
- Fitting springs to your coilovers which have a lower spring rate
or
- Fitting and adjusting coilovers with adjustable damping rates
HTH!
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I'm confused when you say improve the handling?
do you want it comfortable?
do you want it to stick to the road like a track car?
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wind em higher if you want smoother!
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Bollac*s lol i want it to be low as it goes, so i guess theres not much i can do then right ?
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wt about a strut brace thingy majiggy ? will that help ?
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that will make it stiffer, not smoother. i just fitted one to mine, i'm thinking you wanna go anti-roll bar first though before strut braces. also polybushes maybe? all this stuff won't make it smoother though methinks. better though! :)
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ermmmm i think that will be too intense for me, i was just wondering little tweeks, dont have that sort of money to splash just yet....
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If you want it to handle well only lower maximum 50mm. Buy a poly bush kit. Buy anti roll bar kit.
Only way you can have comfy ride and low as possible is air ride
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any price guides ?
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Poly bush kit and antirollbars £300
Air ride £1500 to £5000
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hmmm a bit too much for my liking, looks like i will have to stick with what i have...
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I was talking to a chap at AMD and he was sayin of the KW/Weitec/AP range they sell (all made by the same company) the AP's are the most comfortable so you may find paying more or for a specific brand like the AP's will give you low and comfortable ride.
Adam
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I was talking to a chap at AMD and he was sayin of the KW/Weitec/AP range they sell (all made by the same company) the AP's are the most comfortable so you may find paying more or for a specific brand like the AP's will give you low and comfortable ride.
Adam
The trouble is, when you wind them low, you run out of travel on the dampers...and run on the bumpstops.
This gives a rock hard ride.
Unless you are spending over £1000, you can't get low, with damper travel...the cheap coilovers just aren't well enough designed or built to allow both.
If the OP doesn't want it to be solid...raise it a bit.
It'll handle better too.
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Your car will "handle" a lot differently on those different set of wheels/tyres anyway.
Hard on the 17's and softer on the 15's
Get a decent set of coilovers with adjustable damping as well - I have FK Konigsports
Then you can play with heights and damping with the different wheel/tyre sets.
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Dont think you will be happy with the 8v for long no matter what you spend on it.
I suggest you save your money up and buy a car with performance that will make you happy out of the box.
Mk3's will munch your money in the quest for speed and handling, you have to like them a lot :grin: