Poly-bush v Genuine Part

[clipperjay]

I prefer stock rubber ones they are comfortablle and perfect for daily driving!
Its like sticking EBC red pads on my golf just to do 10 miles of traffic they arent going to get warm enough to even be effective! Same with the poly's if you track then fine, but if you have miss match rubber and poly its going to ride like a donkey with herpies. One thing that sticks to mind is the dam squeaking when its not greased up properly (poly's) or the strain on more expensive parts off the susupension, hence you change the lot or not at all!
   

[stow1985]

I prefer stock rubber ones they are comfortablle and perfect for daily driving!
Its like sticking EBC red pads on my golf just to do 10 miles of traffic they arent going to get warm enough to even be effective! Same with the poly's if you track then fine, but if you have miss match rubber and poly its going to ride like a donkey with herpies. One thing that sticks to mind is the dam squeaking when its not greased up properly (poly's) or the strain on more expensive parts off the susupension, hence you change the lot or not at all!
   

That makes sense!

[palmtree]

I have miss matched rubber and poly wishbone bushes in my mk4 and it rides a lot better than with the standard rubber bushes.
r32/tt/s3 solid rubber rear wishbone bushes and superpro poly front wishbone bushes.
Working well on my car anyway and it's a daily driver, little bit stiffer but not harsh at all

[clipperjay]

I have miss matched rubber and poly wishbone bushes in my mk4 and it rides a lot better than with the standard rubber bushes.
r32/tt/s3 solid rubber rear wishbone bushes and superpro poly front wishbone bushes.
Working well on my car anyway and it's a daily driver, little bit stiffer but not harsh at all

The fact you have mentioned the above states that there are uneven forces on the rubber bushes and causing more strain on those parts plus its a MK4 so any stiffer feel is better than OEM
I suggest you change the lot MK4's weigh too much IMO! I used to own one 

[stow1985]

Thanks for everyone's comments and suggestions...so here is my plan ...

Shocks will be changed for Bilstein B6 Sports Dampers so I can keep standard height,

Wishbone Bushes , Top mounts, ARB, Track Rod Ends, will be genuine part (is there a difference from the GTI to the VR6?)

what about rear ARB? Strut Braces? Stitch Weld Wishbones?

Thanks again 

[dTEA]

Forgot to mention that mine is a GTTDI and all the bushes have been changed but it did eat wheel bearings for a while.

[Diamond Hell]

Definitely a wise choice on the Bilsteins.  Might be worth considering new springs though, as yours will be quite tired.  See what's out there Eibach-wise.

The control arms on the Golf3 are a lot stiffer than the Golf2.  If it's a daily I wouldn't, as they won't deform if you wallop a kerb, instead the shock will be dumped into your subframe et al and do nasty things, probably.

The rear bush on the control arm *might* be the same diameter as the TT genuine bush, but I would urge you to check that before buying as they're a lot more cash.  It's likely to be a good upgrade if it does fit.

A rear ARB should help dial out some understeer, but I'd drive the tits off it before deciding to go down that route.

As for the Genuine parts, unless you can get a really good deal on them, see what price top quality bits from GSF or ECP are - for what you're doing they're likely as not to be same manufacturer with their logo on instead of the VW logo.

Lastly go to a good alignment place and get factory settings on the front, but dial in either -0.5 or -1 camber on the front wheels.  This may give you enough improved turn in and front grip to negate the need for a rear ARB.

[stow1985]

Thanks DH,

Springs yes I thought about changing them, mine are coming on for 17years old now...Il have to find out for sure but i don't think the B6 can be lowered, will Eibach do a standard hight spring?

Don't suppose you have the diameter of the TT bush to hand have you?

To be fair my car has either ladders on it, or family in it, very rarely I get to drive the tits off it...

I can get trade on VW/TPS parts, I didn't realise GSF or ECP did a range of quality parts, I've had pattern parts on this and previous cars and don't seem to last five minutes

I was going to ask about alignment but you beat me to it...thanks *bookmarked* now

[thai-wronghorse]

Eibach Pro-kit is only 25-30mm  lower than standard and very good. If you want lower they do a Sportline kit which is 40mm lower and marginally stiffer ( I run these)

[stow1985]

Eibach Pro-kit is only 25-30mm  lower than standard and very good. If you want lower they do a Sportline kit which is 40mm lower and marginally stiffer ( I run these)

If I went to 40mm that would mean getting the more expensive damper.....oh wait there's only £4 difference 

I should be able to get away with a 40mm drop...will have to think about that a bit more, depends on the price difference on the springs too...I now my car looks like a 4x4 at the mo, but love the durability of it, over speed bumps, up and down curbs, farm tracks...my splitter already bottoms out on some customers drives