Fitting a New Suspension

[16vmk3ash]

I have a MK3 16V and i am planning on fitting a new suspension myself with the use of a haynes manuel.

What i need to know though is it a straight forward job?
how long would you say it should take me considering i have never done a suspension before?
other than spring compressors will i need any other special tools?
when fitting the kit will i need to replace anything else such as nuts etc ( u know once removed they have to be renewed items)?
Suspension kits, do they have new bushes in the kit also?
Would it be a good idea to replace anything else while i am doing it, top mounts etc?

Also i was told by AMD that the best suspension for my car within the ?200 - ?400 range is Koni adj Dampers with Eibach springs!, but i have seen a few cheaper suspension kits which i would like peoples opinions on, the kits are as follows:

Koni SSK Kit ?275
FK Suspension Kit ?249
FK Edition Coilover Kit ?399
The Koni Eibach kit is ?425

Any help would be apreciated! Thanks

[golfvr6]

Eibach springs and koni dampers would be what i would recommend. You should be able to do the job yourself but probably best to get someone to give you a hand. Allow 4 hours for the front and 4 hours for the back if you haven't done the job before. Replace bump stops and top mounts when doing the job. I would also replace all nuts and bolts , as the old ones will probably be rotten and sh!t. You won't need any other special tools except spring compressors, however you will need some 'beefy' bars to get the fixings off.

Good luck  

[16vmk3ash]

8hr! i was thinging at the most 4.

Anyway you said replace the bump stops and nuts and bolts, would i get these in the kit or will i have to buy these seperatly? if seperate what would i be looking at ?5 -?10? how much would you say for the top mounts as well?

The Koni Eibach combo, is this much better than the Koni SSK kit?

[golfvr6]

The bump stops , top mounts ,nuts and bolts will have to bought separately. Top mounts are about ?20 each, bump stops about ?10-15 each, nuts and bolts not a lot. Go to vw for the mounts, don't get cheap ones i've seen the result!
Either kit you quoted should be sh!t hot  

[kevin]

must admit i have only ever had bad experiences with konis,and after reading a post on another forum "look at sig for clue" so have many other people,front leaking dampers all over the place ,I know the guarantee is good but how often do you want to change them!personally i think konis have a problem with the seal on the fronts,as for the first post the prices you have been given are very good what ever set up you go for.
you pay your money you take a chance.
my personal prefrance is bilsteins shocks.
springs depends what you want  eibach,h&r, or one i have been using of late with no complaints are apex not to low but you still get a nice ride ,not harsh.
regards and best of luck with your choice
kevin

[16vmk3ash]

I was thinking of a Bilstein streetline kit before, there just under ?200, but i was told by a guy at AMD that there crap!
Below is a copy of the email i recieved from him -

Hi Ashey,
 
If you are going to change your air filter I would recommend a panel filter keeping your standard air box, with regard to a cam upgrade you will spend around ?700 + VAT for around 5BHP extra, but if you fitted a gas flowed head & had a remap(?1900 + VAT) you will get around 185+BHP. I would suggest you stick with the standard VAG spark plugs.
We do deal with Bilstein Koni, H&R & Eibach but I find that the Bilstein Kit is very harsh on the Golf MK3 the best combination is Koni sport shocks with Eibach or H&R springs.
 
Regards
Craig

[16vmk3ash]

So its gona cost me about ?200 just for top mounts and bump stops! i dident realise i would have to fork out that much on top of the kit! i'me gona end up skint here!

I will need about 8 bump stops wont i, and 4 top mounts?, do you know of a place where i could get the bump stops cheap?

[kevin]

hi m8 when i mentioned bilstein i was not on about buying a KIT thats is why i mentioned shocks and springs ,as in billy shocks eibach or h&r or apex springs,to match, that kit  you mentioned is ok but a little harsh , i have used this kit and the sachs/ boge kit and for the money you pay ! well as i said you pay your money you take a chance,some are very happy with this set up ,thats up to you
regards kevin

[golfvr6]

You will need 2 top mounts for the fronts with bearings(the backs don't get worn, no steering on them),and 4 bump stops. Some kits might include some of these items, it certainly won't cost you another 200 bar!

[golfvr6]

Contact C&R enterprises in Nottingham and ask about weitic suspension kits. I got one for my vr6 last year for ?300 delivered (with bump stops). Very good quality kit