Suspension and bushes overhaul on Mk2 16v

[madhaggis]

I recently got myself a Golf 16V on a G plate. It has been lowered 40mm and I am finding the ride a bit harsh around town. I'm seriously considering doing all the bushes on the car and maybe even taking it back to standard suspension. I love the look of the lowered Mk2, and in the twisties the stiff suspension is fun, but when I consider how I am actually going to use the car on a daily basis, my main aim is to get a more comfortable ride, and try and get everything feeling nice and tight.

I'd like to hear opinions on first of all replacing all the bushes. Anyone who has done this, I'd love to hear the before and after in terms of handling/ride quality. And are poly bushes going to result in poorer ride quality than standard VAG parts? Remember I won't really be caning the car (too much).

Also, any recommendations on shocks/spring setups which retain some level of comfort (and fillings). I suspect the standard suspension will give the best ride quality due to the increase suspension travel, but again I'd like to hear from people's own experiences who have tried standard AND lowered setups on their car. If I can get good ride quality from a 40mm lowered setup then that would be ideal. And I'm not too fussed on going for the more expensive coilover setup as I don't need a track performer, just a nice handling car to enjoy on the country lanes now and again.

I intend to do all the top mounts and bump stops at the same time, and also front and rear engine mounts.

Any tips on getting the car back to that nice n tight feel would be appreciated.

The car is on 195-50-15s

Thanks.

[...joe]

the top mounts and bushes will transform the car in terms of how tight it feels, makes all the difference!
chances are the person who lowered yours may have just swapped springs so the dampers may not be suitable for the drop.
poly bushes will stiffen things up and if your going for comfort i'd stick with regular rubber bushes. you should probably get them from euro car parts or gsf, rather than VW unless your loaded!!!
a tried and tested suspension set up (on this forum) is the bilstein shocks/ventura spring set up from euro car parts. a few people have either had this set up or have it now. and it seems to be good compromise between comfort and performance. don't bother with coilovers as these only make the ride harsher if you start winding them down.
that should help you out to start!! some others on here will be able to tell you the ride quality of the bilstein/ventura set up.

[madhaggis]

Thanks. I just checked the receipts and you are right. He has bought Jamex lowering springs (7 yrs ago !!!!  eeek!) and then in 2003 he has replaced the shocks front and rear with what looks like standard height replacements from eurocarparts - 84 quid for the 4 shocks.

What height is the bilstein shocks/ventura springs setup?

[...joe]

lowers by about 35-40mm 7 year old jamex will be a bit tired by now eh?!!!!

[Organisys]

I would recommend the Eibach Springs, got them on mine, ride is good, firmer, not to bangy.

Other people speak highly of the Bilstien Streetline kit, which seemsd t be a good budget choice.

[diagnosis-dub]

Eibach springs and koni dampers make the golf into a little go kart I think , been well happy with my car since I fitted them last year.

[Gambit]

^^^^^ id agree with the above, had that on the old 16v inc Eibach ARB's and havent been in a car since that felt more composed cornering.