Hey guys, asking on behalf of a friend

A family friend got a mk4 a couple of weeks ago and wants to lower it (if I get something better than him, he has to do it too, hence the mk4 as he had a mk3 before I got mine

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Basically, he told me last night he plans on getting some £50 lowering springs which I said would likely be a harsh ride. He then said he had seen the cheap coilovers and asked what I thought of those.
I said that from my mk2, the lowering springs were a really harsh ride compared to my new car and that for having his family in and the ability to raise or lower them, he would benefit from coilovers. (raise for family holidays when theres alot of stuff in the car, although they do have a people carrier too so its unlikely)
He worked for VW about 20 years ago so is in no way a newbie to cars but just doesnt know which to go for:
Cheap coilovers or Cheap springs.
Neither are ideal but thats what he's decided upon so just looking for advice on which would be best all rounders?
Cheers! (sorry if that makes no sense, im tired and at work

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