Golf GTi MK3 16v Apex Suspension (any good?)

[glenboy]

As the rear shocks on my 1997 16V are shot and the fronts are probably not far behind I am going to go the whole route and fit uprated shocks with slightly lower springs (approx 20-30 mm) I haven't got the money for a coilover setup so I was going to go for a medium sort of setup.

First I saw the Bilstien budget set which I read many bad things about here, then last sat I went to the local performance centre and they recomended the Apex suspension setup and gave a good price.

Has anyone tried or experienced this maker before, they have a good guarantee and the www page looks good. Before I buy things its always good to hear good or bad recomendations.

Any help or advice would be greatly apprecieated

 

[Len]

Not heard of them.

I have been recommended to the Wietec kit.

I have also used Spax adjustables and G-max springs on another car.

[Len]

Just had a look at their website and found a supplier, Motorsportworld.

Good price - but shocks not adjustable. I would always go for adjustables.
Check out thje Spax kits.

[mowgli]

I'm sure that I have read on another forum some people have had a lot of problems with the APEX kits.? My own personal way of looking at it is - What do all the top Specialist sell? I would look at TSR, Dubsport or Awesome.

Bilsteins are good, Konis are also.? I've had Koni adjustables and found that they were a gimmick to be honest.? Are you really going to keep stopping and adjusting them for varying road conditions so that you get the optimum performance?, er, no.? Will you be keeping the car umpteen years so that as they degrade in performance you can tweak up the damping, er, probably not.

Boge Turbogas are pretty good and well priced.? Springs, go for Eibach every time.? Konis will sound good in the pub, but you'll pay for them.? Also depends on what outcome you are after, if its handling then I would stick with above.

I'm looking at a 16v Mk3 myself, I will be going the Billys/Boge route with std springs.? The roads round here are so ar$e that lowering it would be insane, plus handling on normal roads is compromised if it's lowered too much + wet weather grip reduced.

Its all a lottery and a compromise.

Long winded I know, I get paid to waffle, hope it helps.

[Len]

Would disagree with having adjustables - Yes they are worth having.
It allows you to set a rate you are happy with, and to adjust for varing loads, say going on holiday with a car load + occupants. When normally its just you in the car.
I have lived with my Spax setup in the 405 for 5 years now and 50k plus miles.

[glenboy]

I hear that the Weitec kits are very good. Thats on my final list of choices.

Although its usual that people big up the setup on their own particular car, so its hard to take recomendations.

I have Spax sdjustables on an another car (not a Golf) and although the quality and value is superb I never really changed the setting from medium.

[Len]

But did u experiment with the settings to find the one that suited you?

[jo]

ive got a mk3 8v and have fitted apex springs with a drop of 35mm on them.
they have caused me no problems so far..have had them on 4 at least 6 mths now, and i didnt have to do any arch moddin to fit them. price was only ?200..for the price they cost i recommend them...however...i wanna go seriously low so i will be fittin adjustables wen i can afford

[glenboy]

Jo

Have you got any Pics of your car now you have lowered it slightly??

[glenboy]

Len

If Memory is correct they had 14 settings, setting one was normal and quite soft and settings 10 and above was like a bowing ball falling down a flight of stairs.

I had it on 7 or 8, it was hard but alowed some comfort, I never changed this setting in the 3-4 years I had them on the car.