The Official ULTIMO Coilover Thread

[AntParmenter]

This thread is STRICTLY about the new Raceland’s Ultimos coilovers.
We are well aware that there are other coilovers out there, but that will not be discussed/argued in here. Any off-topic posts such as debating budget vs. high-end coils will be deleted. Additionally replying to off-topic conversation will procure the same fate, so it is advise to simply ignore and report such conversation to make mods life easier. (The report icon is located under each post)

Those off topic debates were already covered in previous threads like these two:
The Old Ultimo Thread
Official Raceland Coilover thread for MKIV

My Introduction

So firstly, I am no nut who knows everything about anything car related and lets say I am certainly no mechanic. I tend to describe car parts with crude sounds and hand gestures because I don’t know their names. Sorry if I have improperly used a term and/or made myself look like a fool.

Anyways these weren’t my set of coilovers. Before these I had Rokkors and any comparisons made throughout the post will pertain to them. I have never rode on any other suspensions outside of OEM and Racelands/Rokkors so I will not be able to compare Ultimos to any others.

So here it goes…

First I’d like to point out that what I received looks different from what the Raceland website shows. Not a big deal for me but it’s something another user pointed out to me. Once receiving these I was happy with their condition. Certainly there was nothing to complain about. They got here in one piece and were shipped via UPS. I wasn’t originally a fan of the slime green, but it grows on you. I was happy with the collars and perches being golden, but I was concerned that it would just wear off once I adjusted them.

The Front

I don’t recall seeing any difference between the two front coils (besides the colors and powder coating). At that point they seemed to be nearly identical. They do have their little differences but I do not really know if that matters. One big difference I did notice was that the allen key size were different between Rokkors and Ultimos. The Ultimos required a size smaller. (I will update if I can find the size) They also may be a tad bit shorter IIRC, but nothing to concerning though. The Ultimos front are much wider than the Rokkors. I had complete wheel clearance with my rokkors and now I'd need another 5mm or so to clear.

The Rears

These are the moneymakers IMHO. The install was simpler than the Rokkors because the spring is nearly half the size of Rokkor’s! When installing with the perches spun all the way down the spring doesn’t even touch the top. ☺

That made me really excited. Furthermore the strut is also a bit shorter. I cannot imagine how much can be different between the two other than this so I don’t have anything much to say about them. Simple install.

Comparison Between Ulitmos and Rokkors

Ultimo Spring Rates:
Front: 385 lbs/inch
Rear: 240 lbs/inch

Rokkor Spring Rates:
Front: 350 lbs/inch
Rear: 140 to 180 lbs/inch (Progressive)

So how low did I get? Hermes Conrad couldn’t even limbo this low.

Before:

Yeah I know I switched wheels in the process so shhhhh!

After (By the time the install was all done and over with it was dark out. Moreover my fenders were digging into my tire, so I couldn’t safely drive anywhere. Sorry that I don’t have any better pictures.)

The measurements you say??

Spun all the way down.
Front

Rear

Spun all the way up

Just about 25" all around

Aftermath:

IMHO these have real potential to get low. I installed them the way they came. I had only my rear spring in the back with my Rokkors (No perches or top rubber piece). I am lower in the rear with the all the Ultimo parts installed. So theoretically if the perch was removed they could go much lower. As well I do not have a back seat nor carry a spare, so someone with both potentially would be lower. As for the front, I’m never going to need to go lower than 23 so I’m happy. Other parts could be removed from the front to get lower though so that’s I feel as if Rokkor, Raceland, and Ultimos have little difference in the fronts.

Handling:

I don't like having a suspension that rides like a Cadillac. I want to feel every crack so I never get complacent with my driving. Low and slow. Rokkor IMHO was great for that reason. When there was something in the road I should avoid they reminded me. As for the Ultimos, I feel as the ride is a bit stiffer, yet more comfortable. The Ulitmos definitely are not as bouncy as my Rokkors. The ride definitely was not at rough as it normally was. This is a for me. Comfort is always good, but as I mentioned before I don't want to forget how ****ty the roads are. Cornering and such seemed no different than my Rokkors.

Pros: More comfortable ride, not as bouncy

Cons: Don't feel every imperfection in the roads

Overall though, I don't think someone would notice a difference if they didn't know about the swap. As of now I am going to say they ride like Rokkors.

Opinion so far

Well worth the price and an upgrade from my Rokkors. I am happy with this impulse buy.

Updates

Summer Mode Update 2/14/11
Crappy Night Shot 2/16/11
Another Night Shot 2/25/11
Helper Springs Removed (One winter and 5K later) 2/28/11
Rear Perches out! 4/13/2011

I will try to continually update this with any new opinions and such.



If you still have questions after reading the following post, feel free to PM me with any questions.

[AntParmenter]

Frequently Asked Questions PLEASE READ!!

How low can they go?
Why is there a shorter warranty period?
Why does Raceland state they are for off-road use only?
How is the handling?
How is the ride quality?
Why do the parts look different on the Raceland site?
Will my wheels fit?

Reviews

Yair's comparison between H&Rs and Ultimos
vwmuscle's 24v Review!
DuB fresh's 12v Review!
Original Racelands to Ultimos
Canucme3 Review
Emg60vw’s 3 months and 5k later
Nitemare3o5’s Install

• His demise (Must Read)
• Nitemare3o5 Revisited

Comment from the peanut gallery

Other things to consider

Info on MM spacers, Raxles, Swaybar, and Endlinks
My thoughts on MM Spacers
Brief sway bar discussion
Audi Strut Mounts

Coilover Install DIYs

Raceland DIY
Rokkor DIY
Noah's MkIV Volkswagen H&R Coilover Not Racelands but still helpful
Dangerkart’s Alignment PSA

Additional Information

Great customer service
Raceland Coilovers: One year later review

FYI you can purchase just the Rear setup (Springs, perches, and shocks) for $120 Shipped
You can also only order the springs for around $40 + shipping.
You must call Raceland (and only Raceland) to get these deals.

[AntParmenter]

Saved for other user's cars with Ultimos

Murder1.8 - 22.5 up front and 23.5 in the rear


Yair (SEAT Leon)


rjdilla 24" all around


Megis14 on 19's


Nitemare3o5 23.5" in the front, 23" in the rear.


jawnsense Helpers out, inch of thread left. Just under 22" FTG


truetotexas


youngunavw


KYDUBBER


Tunedlife


vwmuscle 24"ftg all around


DuB fresh23.5 up front 24 in rear


idriveabeater


i3rent


o1rdgolf


pielout


colis1


livinzlyfe


Mk4WiLk01

[Tofik]

wooo finally a revised version.. trolls keep out!

[Kiddie Rimzo]

spin them all the way down and take a pic. wanna see how low they go.

[AntParmenter]

spin them all the way down and take a pic. wanna see how low they go.

That's spun all the way down. Besides the obvious one were I noted spun all the way up.

[AntParmenter]

Well it's been a week and around 250 miles. Haven't had a single issue and still loving them. They were a bit squeaky for the first 50 miles but I think that was mostly because of the rain we had.

[kilimats]

Well it's been a week and around 250 miles. Haven't had a single issue and still loving them. They were a bit squeaky for the first 50 miles but I think that was mostly because of the rain we had.

you sure the coil were squeaking and not your bushings ?

Coil shouldn't squeak whatever weather it's in

[AntParmenter]

you sure the coil were squeaking and not your bushings ?

Coil shouldn't squeak whatever weather it's in

Probably right. Something was squeaking up there.

[Mota01gti]

Wow veru nice review.. I was actually still debating on buying these or not.. As a first upgrade on my car... But this review was very helpful..

Ill post up pics once they get here

[AntParmenter]

Wow veru nice review.. I was actually still debating on buying these or not.. As a first upgrade on my car... But this review was very helpful..

Ill post up pics once they get here

[Tofik]

i just bought the ultimos rear suspension.. springs, shocks and perches because i would rub like crazy on my racelands.. hopefully they will be a bit stiffer in the rear.. will let you know when they get here

[boots of fruit]

i just bought the ultimos rear suspension.. springs, shocks and perches because i would rub like crazy on my racelands.. hopefully they will be a bit stiffer in the rear.. will let you know when they get here

how much did that cost?

[Tofik]

how much did that cost?

120 with shipping

[boots of fruit]

120 with shipping

thanks, im thinking these will let my rokkors go a bit lower in the rear

[rodgertherabit]

Would love to hear how these ride on a VR!

Also, are the front shock pistons noticeably wider?

[AntParmenter]

thanks, im thinking these will let my rokkors go a bit lower in the rear

They definitly will.

Would love to hear how these ride on a VR!

Also, are the front shock pistons noticeably wider?

Buy me a vr and I'll buy the ulitmos! :p

OP, I didn't notice any huge difference in width, but they could possible be.

[kilimats]

Might want to add that in the top post FAQ AntParmenter (taken form the old locked thread)

OK, so i received an answer back from RACELAND USA about the shorter warranty period compared to there standard coilovers...

here you go...


"Thank you for your interest in the NEW Raceland Ultimo kit.

The Golf 4 Ultimo kit has a higher spring rate, an oversize piston rod and heavy duty valving.

Although, we have dramatically shortened the piston rod there is still a chance that the piston rod will hit the bound and rebound mechanism.

From our experience we know that people that want to lower the car more than 40 mm/ 1.6 inches are more aggressive and will most likely lower the car to its maximum.

When the car is lowered to its maximum it is very hard on the drive train, the bound and rebound valving mechanism and the bottom of the piston rod.

We have thoroughly tested the Ultimo kit for 1000's of miles and have not experienced any problems.

We stand behind the quality and performance of our products and if there is a warranty problem after the one year period expires then we are willing to make a compromise but we will need to evaluate on a case by case situation.

When we compare our warranty to most of our competitors, it matches or exceeds their warranty time period.


Sincerely,
Raceland USA"

[AntParmenter]

Might want to add that in the top post FAQ AntParmenter (taken form the old locked thread)

Will do once I get onto a real computer. Tapatalk is no good for things like that.

[ornithology]

you sure the coil were squeaking and not your bushings ?

Coil shouldn't squeak whatever weather it's in

x2

['03Wolfsburg Time_Attack]

I'm assuming that Kili cleaned this up for us thanks.
As for the Ultimos, I may try them depending on well how my hunt for polished-faced alphards goes

[kilimats]

^ We decided to make a brand new one, the old one got locked, not time worthy to clean up

ps: I just went offtopic...fired

[AntParmenter]

^ We decided to make a brand new one, the old one got locked, not time worthy to clean up

ps: I just went offtopic...fired

Reported

[scirockalot8v]

Round 2 I see. Would like to hear from someone who went from the original racelands to these. Plus more pictures! Put your sawblades back on. Take new pics.

[AntParmenter]

Round 2 I see. Would like to hear from someone who went from the original racelands to these. Plus more pictures! Put your sawblades back on. Take new pics.

I would love too, but it's winter. In a couple months Ill be back to normal and update.

But yeah I would love to hear from someone that had racelands.

[Cybrax2]

How does it compare to OEM?

Ima buy a set of these right after my my 10/20mm spacers.

I might have to buy front sway for this too, huh?

[AntParmenter]

How does it compare to OEM?

Ima buy a set of these right after my my 10/20mm spacers.

I might have to buy front sway for this too, huh?

Spun up feels like stock to me, but down low certainly doesn't.

As for the sway it all depends on how lowz you wanna go.

[rjdilla]

i bought racelands standard coilvers over a month ago, just a couple days before the ultioms were released i think, than i saw the ultimos and wanted them instead, hit up raceland a couple days ago, and they were hella cool and did a straight trade, my standards for the ultimos, no charge they even covered return shipping!

should have them sometime next week, and installed within a week after that

[bmxkelowna]

Ultimo's have been ordered!
sadly not going on till about march or so

[R.Byers]

Any new measurements with them spun all the way down now that they have had a chance to settle?

[Haggard24v]

you may want to consider removing the front and rear bumpstops if you want it slammed. with everything spun all the way down, you could be sitting on bumpstops, causing a noticeable height limitation

[AntParmenter]

i bought racelands standard coilvers over a month ago, just a couple days before the ultioms were released i think, than i saw the ultimos and wanted them instead, hit up raceland a couple days ago, and they were hella cool and did a straight trade, my standards for the ultimos, no charge they even covered return shipping!

should have them sometime next week, and installed within a week after that

Great customer service! : thumbup:

[AntParmenter]

Any new measurements with them spun all the way down now that they have had a chance to settle?

Ehh... Nope. I'm in winter mode and don't feel like spinning them all down to just go back up. Sorry for the late response too, I've been pretty lazy lately.

[bobbyk94]

Just got these from my wonderful girlfriend for christmas. I will be posting pictures up as soon as I install!

[rodgertherabit]

Just got these from my wonderful girlfriend for christmas. I will be posting pictures up as soon as I install!

Lucky, My girlfriend refuses to contribute to my VW.