Suspension parts - differences between models?

[chiefwhosm]

Hi,
   I was wondering if there was any difference in the suspension parts (struts/springs) between the various mk3 types (gti,1.4,1.9 etc). I ask as I may have to replace the suspension on my golf (considering coil overs mind, but not lowered much as too many potholes round here etc) but I'm noticing some suspension components on eBay say for gti only etc, so I wondered if they really wouldn't fit on my 1.9d.
Although I currently have no picture to post of it, both my front suspension top mounts have lifted in the air so I presume that these will need replacing?
The car it has to be said does rise and fall when pushed at the corners so could it be fine and just the mounts? It has sat mostly unused on grass and thn concrete for the last 3-4 years after all.
Thanks,
           Chief.

[Wayne]

Top mounts will be the same but springs / dampers will differ between models due to engine weight etc.

[boneybradley]

aftermarket shocks/springs will more or less be all the same, but as your's is a diesel the front will sit that small bit lower (due to the heavy weight of the engine!)

I will add about the mounts, the front mounts (the round plates at the top) don't sit flush with the wing tops (they have about 10-15mm gap). I am guessing thats what your saying when they sit in the air

[chiefwhosm]

Hi,
   Was away for a few days so didn't get a chance to get photos, here's the passenger side and then driver side photos.





Just making sure these are okay looking, since BoneyBradley said 10-15mm was normal, and one is now down again (they were as said in first post both as high as the first photo).

Thanks,
          Chief.

[tweed]

Are your wheels straight?

If wheels are straight and top mounts are still like that replace both of them.

[chiefwhosm]

They weren't that straight, so I straightened them up and they remained just like that. Tyres seem to have let most of their air out (can that affect the suspension that much) and should say picture was taken with the car on soggy grass (but original thread posted when it had been on concrete and had them both up like the first photo).

I've actually just spent all the suspension money I had on new tyres that I was going to get fitted

Chief

[tweed]

You only need top mounts. There cheap and very easy to change

[Gavv8]

If your not going to lower it much i'd go for decent quality shocks and lowering springs rather than coilovers as you'll get the sh!tty ride and handling of coilovers for no good reason.

[tweed]

If your not going to lower it much i'd go for decent quality shocks and lowering springs rather than coilovers as you'll get the sh!tty ride and handling from cheap coilovers for no good reason.

Fixed. Good coilovers will beat shocks and spring as you can corner weigh the car and set hight accordingly. But lets face it, if your gonna spend £700/£1000 on coilovers you won't be driving a mk3

[Wayne]

Look for Febi top mounts on ebay etc, very good quality.