cheap lowering/handling solutions

[GSY-Golf-GTI]

had a quick search but there isn't a quick answer:
I'v got an '88 8v 5 door and i want to lower it a bit and stiffen up the handling however i am also considering selling it and getting a mk1 so...

what would be the easiest and cheapest way to lower it bout 40mm.. just lowering springs or shud i also renew bushes etc?

cheers

[takethefifth]

Cheapest way is to just change the springs. I was a skinflint and got a 2nd hand set in good condition for £40.

[GSY-Golf-GTI]

any recommended makes? and also are they easy to change? i have acces to ramp and all tools but depends if i can do it myself?

[takethefifth]

Eibachs are the general recommended ones but you'll be lucky to get them cheap anywhere. Depends how much you want to spend.  Mine are G-Max, they're not great but for the money i'm not complaining.

Edit:  Not sure about the fitting as i let the garage do it. I didn't fancy using spring compressors.

[kittie]

I've got a set of Koni springs for sale for £50 

They aren't that difficult to change - my bf did mine and I helped (by him going 'pass such and such a tool', and me going 'errr, is that this thing?' and then going to be more use making him a cuppa)

I would highly recommend new top mounts, they aren't too expensive if you just get ones from Euro and seem to make a big difference.

I'd heard allsorts of spring compressor horror stories but I couldn't see how they'd be a problem unless you were doing something really silly with them!

[Ben Lessani]

I doubt springs will firm up your ride a great amount, simply make it bumpier. You need to replace your shocks with firmer ones, and the usual thicker ARB, poly bushes will all help tighten the feel. To be brutally honest, if your swapping the car any time soon, don't bother wasting your money on new shocks, I'm pretty sure the fitment between the MK1 and MK2 isn't the same for shocks (but don't hold me to it), so its not like they're interchangable.

[DarnPB]

I would change springs and add matched shocks as well, or you could end up with a very unpredictable handling car. If a job is worth doing, then its worth doing properly. It may look good, but it won't wrapped round someone elses car or a lamp post after a spirited drive.
Just my 2 pennies worth.

[Organisys]

Eibach or H&R Springs will work with stock shocks no problem. Look for a second hand set on ebay.

[karlwmiller]

i would recommend spax or witec, the springs will stiffen it up good, i have the spax on my mr2, friends mx5, and friends calibra and they have done the job good, my g/fs mk2 gti has the witec ones and there verry stiff

as for fitting its not to hard, if you can get a haynes manual it will tell u pretty much all you need to know in there to do most jobs your self,

my girlfriends ones had a bolt under the top bolt holding the bottom part of the mount to the shock so you can build them off the car then just bolt the top part top mount back on once on the car

if you can get hold or an air gun (ratchet) or an impact driver to remove the top bolt as it will save you having to grip the shaft, if you have to grip the shaft to stop it turning then
MAKE SURE YOU RAP IT WITH A PEICE OF RUBBER STRIP FIRST!!!!!!!! something like what you get with you bike lights or mud guard as the rubber helps grip the shaft, if you dont you swill score the smooth shaft and will write off your shocks

[Organisys]

I removes SPAX shocks and springs off my G60 when I bought it as the handling and ride was just wrong.

Eibach.