Suspension - coilovers

[ghentlan]

Question for the experts.

I'd like to lower my car slightly (for handling gains not aesthetics) with fully adjustable coilovers.  It will be used for track days, not day to day.  Does anyone have recommendations for brands or any I should steer clear of?  Venom do some which are branded as their own but rebadged versions of another major brand.  Anything wrong with those?  Suggestions for cheap suppliers welcomed!

Is it worth getting poly bushes at the same time?  Which set will I need?

Cheers,
Mark

[Chris-White]

Do you really need coilovers though?

I found this thread very helpful when it comes to handling set ups:
http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=51420.0

[pork_pie]

coilovers, and cheap are 2 words that don’t generally go well together.  I got the FK Highsport kit from them for around £400 with shipping (they have a discount on at the moment) and I was blown away by how good they were.  The ride is smooth, and surprisingly comfertable, but when you wind it up a bit they perform very well.  Hardly any body roll under the hardest of breaking, cornering, and accelerating.

[ghentlan]

I really want on-car adjustable damping.  I'd like to be able to ramp up the firmness as much as I like for track work and general experimentation, and then set it back to a more comfy level for driving the rest of the time (or on bumpy circuits).  So if I were to go with the FKs from venom then it would be the KonigSports.

I realise these are going to be more expensive than fixed rate dampers, but I want the ability to experiment with different settings on track.

Prices below from venom:  http://www.venommotorsport.com

So far the best priced set seems to be the venoms at 449 + VAT + delivery = £542

The FK Konigsport and SPAX kits are a little more expensive at (560-595) but is it worth paying more for a known brand?

Which bushes do I need to get, can you get a kit with all the right bushes in?

Cheers,
Mark

[clipperjay]

KW's V2' are the nuts for adjustable coilover dampers, but V1's are cheaper and solid if you want a better ride and no messing around with ride comfort.
Completely stainless steel and will out last the car and can be sold on after you sell the car so you get your money back or reuse them for the next golf.

[Philpy]

Its all down to what you want to spend... Cheap coilovers are pants in my opinion. Before you say "$hit" they will rust and then the adjustment will be seized... So as said above you want stainless.

Do you want to be able to play with ride height? Or just damping? If its just damping then I would recommend Koni Adjustable (Not coilovers)

[tom26]

i bought supersports for 350 bucks. wish i'd waited another month and hooked myself up with some fk's.
you buy cheap, you buy twice

[ghentlan]

you buy cheap, you buy twice

Right, my thoughts exactly.  Hence I want to go for a good value, but well specced setup.

Philpy - yes, I also want to adjust ride height.

My thoughts at the moment are to go for the SPAX items.  They're a well known brand, have a 2 year warranty, and are only a few quid more than the cheapest I can find.

Another question - POTN list spax with 2 options, sealed strut and non-sealed strut.  What does that mean and which will I need for a mk2 16v?

Thanks,
Mark

[Horney]

Some of the MKII Golfs have sealed struts at the front which means the dampers are part of the front strut assembly and can't be removed so the whole strut has to be changed. The insert ones mean exactly that, the strut and damper are seperate and new dampers are "inserted" into the strut. I am however unsure of which model/year of GTI were fitted with which type.

Nick

[Organisys]

I like you do track days.

I'd recommend KW Varient 2 or Weitek.

I have Weitek on my G60 and they are great. Really hit the performance/Price sweet spot for me.
You should be able to get some for £550 / 600.

Polly bushes a good idea, you might find it easier to fit whole new wishbones and I'd replace the ball joints while you are there as well.