Coilovers vs Shocks and Springs

[illyun]

I am trying to choose between getting coilovers fitted or koni/eibach shocks and springs.  The koni/eibach combo from what I have learned provide the best compromise for a daily ride in terms of cost and handling.  If I did opt for coilovers instead, then it would be the KW Variant 3's that Id' go for.  I am interested in going on some performance driving courses next year and the occasional track day - probably no more than 2-3 times a year - and believe that the KW's would be better for track days.  However, they do cost more and I have heard they can seize up if not adjusted  now and again.  The only other thing is ride height. The koni/eibach combo lower the car by 10-15mm.  For daily driving, I wouldn't want to go lower than 20mm for practical reasons and because I understand that the DSG box needs airflow underneath the car.  Tracks would be another issue but again, the DSG air requirements come into play - need to find out more about this.

[illyun]

I know the Koni/Eibach combo are the sensible option but I am leaning towards the KW's 

[neg]

When you say Koni you talking FSD's ?

I am happy with my setup, great for everyday use but much better than stock - spring/shock setup your fixed what you can get which can be a good thing as you get the correct setup right away and it stops you playing with it !

[RedRobin]

....

Hi Illyun - We seem to be having a lot of contact recently!

I had some of the first KoniFSD shocks way back in 2005 but now they are shot and will be going back to Koni in Holland for bench rig testing and formal assessment before (I hope!) free replacement under warranty. They should have lasted longer than 55k miles. Koni have since revised their FSD for the Mk5 GTI, so there shouldn't be any worries in choosing them. I have been extremely happy with them until their recent failure.

However, partly because I have to remove the FSD's from my car, and partly because of my relationship with VW Racing (who have a 'technical partnership' with KW in Germany) VWR are currently tailor making a KW setup using the V2 rather than the all-singing all-dancing V3. My design brief has been to give me good but comfortable (not 'crashy') fast road handling but with adjustability if I ever decide to do a track-day [Go on, Robin! You'll love it!! - Yes, loving it is exactly what I'm worried about!].

So, what I'm saying is, do give some consideration to the KW V2's.

At some stage in the next few months I hope to have a factory sealed box of brand new KoniFSD's for sale at less than normal price.

[illyun]

So RR... if you had to choose between the KW coilovers and the koni/eibach set-up which would you go for seeing as you mostly do road driving with maybe the occasional trackday in the future?

[Top Cat]

illyun I fitted the KW V2 to mine a couple of weeks ago and i had the same concerns as you about the ride quality for road use and i can safely say you will be amazed it is not harsh or firm at all and i have the dampening set half way between firm and soft.

[illyun]

Interesting... I think I might go for the coilovers then.      Don't see the point of all the mods on my car if I don't explore them on a track   

[RedRobin]

So RR... if you had to choose between the KW coilovers and the koni/eibach set-up which would you go for seeing as you mostly do road driving with maybe the occasional trackday in the future?

....Well, that is exactly the choice I've got and I have decided to go for the KW but probably only because I've got someone to set them up and advise me. Also my car is a bit more modified than it was when I originally fitted the KoniFSD's. VWR advise me that my Eibach ARB's are fine to stay. I haven't driven my KW V2 setup on their demo car yet though.

[CocoPops]

I run the Sachs Coilovers on my Ed30, have a max ground clearance of 11.5mm (from front splitter to ground).

No problems so far and I drive a right mixture of motorway/tiny lanes/car parks/speedbumps etc.

I think APS also run the Sachs Coilover on their Ed30?

[illyun]

When you say Koni you talking FSD's ?

I am happy with my setup, great for everyday use but much better than stock - spring/shock setup your fixed what you can get which can be a good thing as you get the correct setup right away and it stops you playing with it !

Yup - Koni FSD's