Leaking Suspension - Replacement Options

[Buck]

The car is in the VW garage for its service and MOT today.

They have rung with and advisory on leaking fron shock absorbers. I'm a bit annoyed as they were noted as leaking when it was in warranty but they wouldn't replace them as VW will only replace if they would be a MOT fail! 

Anyway, rant over, if I have to replace the shock absorbers, I'm thinking rather than pay VW to replace like-for-like, what about putting some other set up on all four such as H&R or Bilstein?

So guys, here's where I ask for your thoughts and opinions on a decent set up for every day use bearing in mind this is a GTD not a GTI and it's going nowhere near a track so don't think I need coilovers, do I?

Also, any experience of cost of the kit and a fitting cost would be great (I have a non-VW garage near me that I'm going to talk to about fitting for me but any advice welcome.

Cheers

[ajmoir36]

Are they sure, I got told my GTD had leaking shocks at 20k miles (year old). I got a second opinion, which I was told there is nothing wrong with them and that there was supposed to be a small amount of oil on them.  There was a vw bulletin on it. My car passed its MOT at 48K miles no issues. Now got 63K no issues.

[GS WAX]

I only have mk5 experience with shocks, although essentially the same please don't count this as gospel...

So assuming you want a stock ride height just shocker replacement for use with std springs,I rate the Bilstein B4 as an oe replacement, had them on my ed30, but if i was buying again it would be the monotube  Bilstein B6, especially after recently trying them on a friends car.
 
Imo far better than std shocks, firmer than stock, bit like acc sport mode with 19" wheels but without the clanky feel and noises , also not as bouncy, firmer but quieter and in a funny way more comfortable than stock as they absorb bigger bumps better.
 I can only imagine on a mk6 they would be even better ,being as the mk6 versions are apparently valved slightly softer.

Hope this helps

[Buck]

Are they sure, I got told my GTD had leaking shocks at 20k miles (year old). I got a second opinion, which I was told there is nothing wrong with them and that there was supposed to be a small amount of oil on them.  There was a vw bulletin on it. My car passed its MOT at 48K miles no issues. Now got 63K no issues.

Thanks for this!  When I collected the car the report says they have "oil misting" on them! The car hasn't done 50K yet.

I'm going to get a second opinion as if I don't have to replacement them I won't but, if I do, it'll be upgrade time!

[Buck]

I only have mk5 experience with shocks, although essentially the same please don't count this as gospel...

So assuming you want a stock ride height just shocker replacement for use with std springs,I rate the Bilstein B4 as an oe replacement, had them on my ed30, but if i was buying again it would be the monotube  Bilstein B6, especially after recently trying them on a friends car.
 
Imo far better than std shocks, firmer than stock, bit like acc sport mode with 19" wheels but without the clanky feel and noises , also not as bouncy, firmer but quieter and in a funny way more comfortable than stock as they absorb bigger bumps better.
 I can only imagine on a mk6 they would be even better ,being as the mk6 versions are apparently valved slightly softer.

Hope this helps

Thanks - it does help. Will keep this in mind.

[ajmoir36]

Are they sure, I got told my GTD had leaking shocks at 20k miles (year old). I got a second opinion, which I was told there is nothing wrong with them and that there was supposed to be a small amount of oil on them.  There was a vw bulletin on it. My car passed its MOT at 48K miles no issues. Now got 63K no issues.

Thanks for this!  When I collected the car the report says they have "oil misting" on them! The car hasn't done 50K yet.

I'm going to get a second opinion as if I don't have to replacement them I won't but, if I do, it'll be upgrade time!

I think that oil misting probably means there is nothing wrong with them.

[Buck]

Thanks.

I think it is bl00dy annoying that they do this though.  They made out in the phone that they were going to fail imminently and actually said "they've only got a month before they'll fail"

I've had a look today (and mid-November when I put my winter wheels on) and can't see anything that I'd be worried about.

I'll take it to my local garage for a check up in the new year.

[ajmoir36]

Thanks.

I think it is bl00dy annoying that they do this though.  They made out in the phone that they were going to fail imminently and actually said "they've only got a month before they'll fail"

I've had a look today (and mid-November when I put my winter wheels on) and can't see anything that I'd be worried about.

I'll take it to my local garage for a check up in the new year.

Thats terrible generally a leaking shock there will be some serious oil going down the outside of the cartridge.