GolfGTIforum.co.uk
Model specific boards => Golf mk5 => Topic started by: illyun on 15 November 2008, 10:15
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I am trying to choose between getting coilovers fitted or koni/eibach shocks and springs. The koni/eibach combo from what I have learned provide the best compromise for a daily ride in terms of cost and handling. If I did opt for coilovers instead, then it would be the KW Variant 3's that Id' go for. I am interested in going on some performance driving courses next year and the occasional track day - probably no more than 2-3 times a year - and believe that the KW's would be better for track days. However, they do cost more and I have heard they can seize up if not adjusted now and again. The only other thing is ride height. The koni/eibach combo lower the car by 10-15mm. For daily driving, I wouldn't want to go lower than 20mm for practical reasons and because I understand that the DSG box needs airflow underneath the car. Tracks would be another issue but again, the DSG air requirements come into play - need to find out more about this.
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I know the Koni/Eibach combo are the sensible option but I am leaning towards the KW's :evil: :evil: :evil:
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When you say Koni you talking FSD's ?
I am happy with my setup, great for everyday use but much better than stock - spring/shock setup your fixed what you can get which can be a good thing as you get the correct setup right away and it stops you playing with it !
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Hi Illyun - We seem to be having a lot of contact recently! :afro:
I had some of the first KoniFSD shocks way back in 2005 but now they are shot and will be going back to Koni in Holland for bench rig testing and formal assessment before (I hope!) free replacement under warranty. They should have lasted longer than 55k miles. Koni have since revised their FSD for the Mk5 GTI, so there shouldn't be any worries in choosing them. I have been extremely happy with them until their recent failure.
However, partly because I have to remove the FSD's from my car, and partly because of my relationship with VW Racing (who have a 'technical partnership' with KW in Germany) VWR are currently tailor making a KW setup using the V2 rather than the all-singing all-dancing V3. My design brief has been to give me good but comfortable (not 'crashy') fast road handling but with adjustability if I ever decide to do a track-day [Go on, Robin! You'll love it!! - Yes, loving it is exactly what I'm worried about!].
So, what I'm saying is, do give some consideration to the KW V2's.
At some stage in the next few months I hope to have a factory sealed box of brand new KoniFSD's for sale at less than normal price.
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So RR... if you had to choose between the KW coilovers and the koni/eibach set-up which would you go for seeing as you mostly do road driving with maybe the occasional trackday in the future?
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illyun I fitted the KW V2 to mine a couple of weeks ago and i had the same concerns as you about the ride quality for road use and i can safely say you will be amazed it is not harsh or firm at all and i have the dampening set half way between firm and soft.
(http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm104/tomashandmilly/Detailing%20pics/IMG_0337.jpg)
(http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm104/tomashandmilly/Detailing%20pics/IMG_0341.jpg)
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Interesting... I think I might go for the coilovers then. :evil: :evil: :evil: Don't see the point of all the mods on my car if I don't explore them on a track :wink:
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So RR... if you had to choose between the KW coilovers and the koni/eibach set-up which would you go for seeing as you mostly do road driving with maybe the occasional trackday in the future?
....Well, that is exactly the choice I've got and I have decided to go for the KW but probably only because I've got someone to set them up and advise me. Also my car is a bit more modified than it was when I originally fitted the KoniFSD's. VWR advise me that my Eibach ARB's are fine to stay. I haven't driven my KW V2 setup on their demo car yet though.
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I run the Sachs Coilovers on my Ed30, have a max ground clearance of 11.5mm (from front splitter to ground).
No problems so far and I drive a right mixture of motorway/tiny lanes/car parks/speedbumps etc.
I think APS also run the Sachs Coilover on their Ed30?
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When you say Koni you talking FSD's ?
I am happy with my setup, great for everyday use but much better than stock - spring/shock setup your fixed what you can get which can be a good thing as you get the correct setup right away and it stops you playing with it !
Yup - Koni FSD's
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So RR... if you had to choose between the KW coilovers and the koni/eibach set-up which would you go for seeing as you mostly do road driving with maybe the occasional trackday in the future?
....Well, that is exactly the choice I've got and I have decided to go for the KW but probably only because I've got someone to set them up and advise me. Also my car is a bit more modified than it was when I originally fitted the KoniFSD's. VWR advise me that my Eibach ARB's are fine to stay. I haven't driven my KW V2 setup on their demo car yet though.
Well... thats my mind made up.. coilovers it is then. I'm getting Eibach ARBs fitted so wondering whether should go for KW, Eibach or Bilstein - too many choices :undecided:
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Rolls Royce of Coilovers = Bilstein PSS10's :drool:
Click settings for easy adjustment and APR mentioned to me that for the road and track they are really easy to set-up and due to their click settings, easy to remember what you set them to in the past :wink:
I would have had them if I wasn't offered the Eibachs for silly money. :cool:
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KW V3 for me. :laugh:
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Rolls Royce of Coilovers = Bilstein PSS10's :drool:
Click settings for easy adjustment and APR mentioned to me that for the road and track they are really easy to set-up and due to their click settings, easy to remember what you set them to in the past :wink:
I would have had them if I wasn't offered the Eibachs for silly money. :cool:
Just looked at prices for the Bilstein - bl00dy expensive... but looks like they'ill have to go on the car :evil: :evil: :evil: I will of course, speak to Keith @ JKM though.
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Yes, Bilstein are considered the Rolls-Royce of suspensions but cost accordingly. A bit overkill for road use but if you can afford it, then why not. :afro:
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The Bilsteins cost about £130 more than the KW 3 Variants at £1040 includng VAT. I spent the best part of last night reading various posts on Tyresmoke (where RedRobin has 21,000+ posts :shocked:), VW Vortex, R32OC etc... and the Bilsteins seem to edge it over the KWs but only just. I comes down to ease of use for me and the Bilsteins are very easy to adjust and a review by an R32 driver who gave them a glowing review made my mind up so I'm going for the Bilsteins... plus its nice to be a bit different :wink:
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The Bilsteins cost about £130 more than the KW 3 Variants at £1040 includng VAT. I spent the best part of last night reading various posts on Tyresmoke (where RedRobin has 21,000+ posts :shocked:), VW Vortex, R32OC etc... and the Bilsteins seem to edge it over the KWs but only just. I comes down to ease of use for me and the Bilsteins are very easy to adjust and a review by an R32 driver who gave them a glowing review made my mind up so I'm going for the Bilsteins... plus its nice to be a bit different :wink:
Who is supplying the bilsteins, if you don't mind me asking?
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The Bilsteins cost about £130 more than the KW 3 Variants at £1040 includng VAT. I spent the best part of last night reading various posts on Tyresmoke (where RedRobin has 21,000+ posts :shocked:), VW Vortex, R32OC etc... and the Bilsteins seem to edge it over the KWs but only just. I comes down to ease of use for me and the Bilsteins are very easy to adjust and a review by an R32 driver who gave them a glowing review made my mind up so I'm going for the Bilsteins... plus its nice to be a bit different :wink:
Who is supplying the bilsteins, if you don't mind me asking?
http://www.venommotorsport.com/product_details.php?id=4841&manufacturer=Bilstein&category=Suspension - sorry its £1094
These can get them cheaper -so they say :shocked:
http://www.performance-tuning.co.uk/bilstein_suspension.htm
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I am having my KW V3's fitted next Monday. The funny thing is, Awesome told me they try and talk people out of getting the V2's and go for the V1's or V3's instead. Can't remember why though. Give them a ring to find out be for going for V2's.
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I am having my KW V3's fitted next Monday. The funny thing is, Awesome told me they try and talk people out of getting the V2's and go for the V1's or V3's instead. Can't remember why though. Give them a ring to find out be for going for V2's.
....Err....Now whose advice should I take? A retailer called Awesome, or VW Racing who have a longstanding technical partnership with KW Germany and tailor make suspension setups?
I have a choice of any of the KW V1/2/3's and following detailed discussion about what I do and don't want in terms of comfort and handling, and with a strong emphasis of being suitable for the road, guess what the recommendation is..................V2's
[That doesn't mean that V1's or V3's aren't any good!]
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I am having my KW V3's fitted next Monday. The funny thing is, Awesome told me they try and talk people out of getting the V2's and go for the V1's or V3's instead. Can't remember why though. Give them a ring to find out be for going for V2's.
....Err....Now whose advice should I take? A retailer called Awesome, or VW Racing who have a longstanding technical partnership with KW Germany and tailor make suspension setups?
I have a choice of any of the KW V1/2/3's and following detailed discussion about what I do and don't want in terms of comfort and handling, and with a strong emphasis of being suitable for the road, guess what the recommendation is..................V2's
[That doesn't mean that V1's or V3's aren't any good!]
You've got a strong point there Robin :wink:
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But if I were you, Illyun, I think I'd grab the opportunity for Bilsteins. VWR only use KW.
:afro:
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But if I were you, Illyun, I think I'd grab the opportunity for Bilsteins. VWR only use KW.
:afro:
Yup... I was veering towards the KW V3s, but in the end, a rave review by an R32 driver and the fact that the Bilsteins are much easier to adjust swung it Bilsteins way. But I think they are both quality products on a par with each other.
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I am having my KW V3's fitted next Monday. The funny thing is, Awesome told me they try and talk people out of getting the V2's and go for the V1's or V3's instead. Can't remember why though. Give them a ring to find out be for going for V2's.
....Err....Now whose advice should I take? A retailer called Awesome, or VW Racing who have a longstanding technical partnership with KW Germany and tailor make suspension setups?
I have a choice of any of the KW V1/2/3's and following detailed discussion about what I do and don't want in terms of comfort and handling, and with a strong emphasis of being suitable for the road, guess what the recommendation is..................V2's
[That doesn't mean that V1's or V3's aren't any good!]
You've got a strong point there Robin :wink:
my Oettinger dealer said the same - V2 is the way to go, unless you do track
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my Oettinger dealer said the same - V2 is the way to go, unless you do track
....V2 is suitable for track too. Though V3 is better for track because it has more adjustability, but you need to know what you are doing to achieve the best setup.
Tomorrow I'm going up to VW Racing to drive the suspension setup they've fitted on their demo car for me to try - It's tailor-made from KW and according to my brief for comfortable fast road use but with the capability of easy adjustment for occasional trackdays. They have chosen V2. As long as it's comfortable, they'll order the parts and fit a new set on my car.
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my Oettinger dealer said the same - V2 is the way to go, unless you do track
....V2 is suitable for track too. Though V3 is better for track because it has more adjustability, but you need to know what you are doing to achieve the best setup.
Tomorrow I'm going up to VW Racing to drive the suspension setup they've fitted on their demo car for me to try - It's tailor-made from KW and according to my brief for comfortable fast road use but with the capability of easy adjustment for occasional trackdays. They have chosen V2. As long as it's comfortable, they'll order the parts and fit a new set on my car.
I have heard that the KW V3 is very arkward to adjust as you need to remove the rear wheels on a Mk5 GTI to adjust them. Tomorrow, my car will be at JKM for a full blown modding. Should have been today but a dopey bank assistant sent a money transfer using the wrong method so the money wasn't available until tomorrow :rolleyes: