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Thread: what suspension do you run and why?

  1. Member
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    04-29-2012 02:29 PM #1
    fixing to get a new setup and change from the euro springs, just wanna know what other peoples choices on suspension are so , what do you run and why? likes? dislikes?

  2. Member horribleR's Avatar
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    04-29-2012 03:06 PM #2
    Stock worn out suspension because race car.

  3. Member gruppe-b's Avatar
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    04-29-2012 04:59 PM #3
    i run a set of stock US springs,Koni FSD shocks,stock sway bars.i live in Pennsylvania and occasionally there's lots of snow to deal with.need some ground clearance with our lumpy roads,too
    i had Koni Sports and H&R Sport springs on my last VW (close to 3" drop) ,it rendered it nearly undriveable in the snow.looked cool,but nearly useless in the winter.
    Last edited by gruppe-b; 04-29-2012 at 08:15 PM.
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  4. Member yocoop's Avatar
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    04-29-2012 05:24 PM #4
    adjustable FK Konigsports because they're low and feel better than stock

    likes: adjustable dampening, not a harsh ride at all.

    dislikes: the chunks my fenders take out of my tires. The amount of threads I have left that would be rediculously too low for PA roads.
    Last edited by yocoop; 04-29-2012 at 05:30 PM.

  5. 04-29-2012 05:26 PM #5
    KW V3's because they are the best lol
    MK4 R36 x Precision 6776 Turbo = Large Grin

  6. Member jerd's Avatar
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    04-29-2012 05:30 PM #6
    Koni coilovers = affordable performance for spirited Daily Driving!!

  7. 04-29-2012 06:00 PM #7
    KW V3 and H/R anti roll bars (and blue haldex)


    The ride (for me) is ruined, it's really hard (on crappy UK roads), but the body control and shear amounts of grip is just immense. You can really travel and insane speeds point to point with this set up (it took a lot of tinkering with the dampers to get a good balance though).

    It's just a shame the day to day ride is too hard for my liking. The only way around it is to drive faster, then it all starts to make sense..

  8. 04-29-2012 06:17 PM #8
    Quote Originally Posted by Gti Fly View Post
    KW V3 and H/R anti roll bars (and blue haldex)


    The ride (for me) is ruined, it's really hard (on crappy UK roads), but the body control and shear amounts of grip is just immense. You can really travel and insane speeds point to point with this set up (it took a lot of tinkering with the dampers to get a good balance though).

    It's just a shame the day to day ride is too hard for my liking. The only way around it is to drive faster, then it all starts to make sense..
    When did you last change your anti rollbar drop links? The H&R's will put addtional load on them like mine and wear them quicker than normal....just swapped mine out after a year and its like a new car again the ride is much quieter and less vibration etc on rough roads.
    MK4 R36 x Precision 6776 Turbo = Large Grin

  9. 04-29-2012 06:22 PM #9
    Changed them a couple of years back, maybe 10,000 miles ago. I was getting a knocking noise which sounding like failed anti roll bar bushes, but turnt out to be one of the front drop links.

  10. 04-29-2012 06:41 PM #10
    Quote Originally Posted by Gti Fly View Post
    Changed them a couple of years back, maybe 10,000 miles ago. I was getting a knocking noise which sounding like failed anti roll bar bushes, but turnt out to be one of the front drop links.
    you will also find they vibrate a while before they start knocking
    MK4 R36 x Precision 6776 Turbo = Large Grin

  11. 04-29-2012 07:02 PM #11
    Quote Originally Posted by Slapbladder View Post
    you will also find they vibrate a while before they start knocking
    I'll bare that in mind

  12. Member blinkinbanana's Avatar
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    04-29-2012 07:06 PM #12
    Quote Originally Posted by dubbed-outt View Post
    fixing to get a new setup and change from the euro springs, just wanna know what other peoples choices on suspension are so , what do you run and why? likes? dislikes?

    You should share why you are looking for a change. I was completely stock until 77K. Then I went FSD with stock springs. I don't mind stock ride height, would like to be a hair lower so, this weekend I add Euro Springs to the set up to see which I like better. I like the idea of being at the designed height of the car, and it should give me a slightly better wheel gap. I'm hoping for a switcherroo next weekend, with new strut bushings and bearings which I need.

    Oh, and a Neuspeed 22mm RSB
    w/ BW acas to be installed.
    Last edited by blinkinbanana; 04-29-2012 at 08:23 PM.
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  13. Member Yak Meat's Avatar
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    04-29-2012 08:07 PM #13
    Tein Super Street because of the adjust-ability, the construction quality, the thread design, and the price i got them for.

    H2Sport Camber Plates because the oem strut bushings are **** and wear out and the After Market options are bandaid fixes, not solutions

    MadMax control arms because i trust him more than most the other companies on here.
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  14. Member Stiglitz's Avatar
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    04-29-2012 08:20 PM #14
    Euro Springs
    Koni Yellows
    Neuspeed RSB
    Gruven Upper/Lower RCA's
    Unibrace
    United Motorsport Bushings
    20mm Rear Spacers
    Coni Tires

    Dialed in the tire pressures, love this setup. Not too low, not too high. Comfortable for daily driving. On/off ramps are a joy. Ive done nice coils in the past with other dubs, got tired of the low thing, dodging potholes, and busted oil pans.
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  15. Member rajuncajun37's Avatar
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    04-30-2012 02:13 AM #15
    I run Bilstein PSS9's

    you want them KW V3's? Look how many threads are up ask'n how to adjust them. Not for me...

    maybe the V2's but what about the guy who missed WITW due to lack of help from KW when his suspension failed. Hard Parked it was.

    If you ask about the PSS9's rear spring looking funny I say, "check out the new replacements Bilstein introduced. Comfortable, sporty and adjustment is very easy.
    I adjust mine without lifting the car.

    Defcon #2 up front
    UM upper strut bushings
    Gruven upper and lower rear Control Arms
    Gruven adjustable sway bar end links
    Autotech 22 mm rear sway
    PSS9 coilovers

    the car is neutral in handling, I'm running Michelin PSS tires
    Last edited by rajuncajun37; 04-30-2012 at 02:35 AM.
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  16. 04-30-2012 04:30 AM #16
    There's a "master" thread for good settings for V3s, here:
    http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthread.php?3250536/page2

    I'm running stock, because H2Sport has **** luck with UPS and their machine shop.
    5 months and counting...

  17. Member redwe-in-wi's Avatar
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    04-30-2012 07:00 AM #17
    Stock US springs with Koni yellows. H&R rsb. SPC/Eibach front camber kit.

    I don't mind the stock ride height. Sometimes I would like it to be lower for looks only. I occasionally drive the car in the winter and my driveway entrance requires some clearance, so stock height works for me. I am satisfied with the konis and slight additional additional camber. I think turn in is precise, and the car is pretty neutral mid corner. I have the koni rebound on nearly full stiff, and obviously the rsb is at full stiff. First autox with this set up is coming up this week.

  18. 04-30-2012 11:18 AM #18
    Quote Originally Posted by rajuncajun37 View Post
    I run Bilstein PSS9's

    you want them KW V3's? Look how many threads are up ask'n how to adjust them. Not for me...
    V3's are fantastic once set up correctly, but honest truth is most people (who own them) haven't got a clue which is all the more frustrating when asking for tips on how to set them up.

    And let's be honest, most people buy coilovers not for performance, but ultimately to lower the car so the sump drags on the floor.

    Not me, I like to drive fast everywhere, so I really had to spend an absolute age tinkering with the dampers till I found a set up which suited me and the local roads.
    So if you want adjustibility go for V3's (but be warned the ride in my mind is quite hard), and don't be expecting lots of people to be sharing how to set them up

  19. Member rajuncajun37's Avatar
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    04-30-2012 11:34 AM #19
    Just installed a set of ST coilovers in friend's Audi TT.
    The ride is stiff but not harsh. We went low but not slammed. I think they go low enough, car is get'n corner balanced anyhow. I think for the price you can't beat them ST's with KW valves. Still think V3's are overkill.

    MY bilstein PSS9's are all the way down upfront and half way down in the rear. Today I'm on staggered wheels 18"x8.5" fronts and 18"x9.5" rears. Tires are 225/40R18 and 255/35R18's. All they way down on full soft with rolled fenders and spacers and I have zero rubbing issues even during high speed spirited driving. Not sure what you need but that's how I daily drive. For serious driving I run 18"x8" wheels with 225/40 tires and suspension on STIFF. I can change from comfortable daily driver to track ready street car in about 30 minutes.

    I don't see this happening with any other setup.



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    04-30-2012 01:58 PM #20
    Re-valved Bilstein Sport shocks with custom progressive spring rates.

    Because Pss9's were too soft in my opinion. I raised the pss9's nearly all the way up and had them on the stiffest setting and still had front rubbing issues. I am about an inch higher than stock right now with 750 lbs springs in the rear and about 600 lbs springs in the front and the car handles MUCH better than the pss9s.

    The pss9s were great for daily driving, decent for spirited drives however, unacceptable for the track. Again, all my opinion, others will more than likely disagree.

  21. Member rajuncajun37's Avatar
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    04-30-2012 03:14 PM #21
    If I track my setup it'll be once or twice a year. All the way down up front and no rubbing issues at all. Even on the staggered wheels but I much prefer matching wheels and tires front to back. The guys at SHINE said those sport cup kits perform better than coilovers at the track but I love switching mine from time to time. The Dragon, the dragstrip and my daily commute all use different settings.
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    04-30-2012 03:19 PM #22
    i have bags because it lets me drive lower than I can on coils
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  23. Member r32dub88's Avatar
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    04-30-2012 03:25 PM #23
    Quote Originally Posted by rajuncajun37 View Post
    If I track my setup it'll be once or twice a year. All the way down up front and no rubbing issues at all. Even on the staggered wheels but I much prefer matching wheels and tires front to back. The guys at SHINE said those sport cup kits perform better than coilovers at the track but I love switching mine from time to time. The Dragon, the dragstrip and my daily commute all use different settings.
    Ahh, you know Dick? He was the one that setup my suspension. You probably do not want to hear the things he had to say about the pss9's that he took off of my car Let's just say he is a very opinionated person.

    Every suspension has its advantages and flaws. I did enjoy being able to make adjustments on the fly but for me personally i will give up every bit of convenience and comfort for performance.

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    04-30-2012 08:48 PM #24
    kw V3
    because i like going fast around turns
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    04-30-2012 08:52 PM #25
    I had Bilstien HD shocks & struts on the stock US OEM springs, with real VWMS strut bushings and bearings. I was more than satisfied with this setup.

    --Chuck--

  26. 04-30-2012 08:54 PM #26
    just replaced my factory (read beat) suspension at 57k miles with KW V3's. I followed the suggested setup by KW. The new setup plus new bushings upfront, plus UM upper strut bushings it gives the car a whole new feel. I didnt change the rear control arms yet nor have i replaced the sway bar links. The build quality is amazing and its not all that difficult to change. for v3's

  27. Member ray32's Avatar
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    04-30-2012 09:13 PM #27
    H&R/EURO BILSTN w (comp haldex)

  28. Member rajuncajun37's Avatar
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    04-30-2012 09:34 PM #28
    Quote Originally Posted by r32dub88 View Post
    Ahh, you know Dick? He was the one that setup my suspension. You probably do not want to hear the things he had to say about the pss9's that he took off of my car Let's just say he is a very opinionated person.

    Every suspension has its advantages and flaws. I did enjoy being able to make adjustments on the fly but for me personally i will give up every bit of convenience and comfort for performance.
    ya, I spoke with the owner of SHINE. He said the bilstein HD cup kit crushed the PSS9's and he has the #'s to prove it. He said, "If a dog turd on the battery made the car faster EVER car he owned would have a dog turd on the battery."

    I think for guys like him you would need the following to be happy:

    Dedicated Heavy Duty shocks and struts
    Proper H&R springs with perfect spring rates for said struts and shocks
    Upper camber plates
    Adjustable rear control arms both upper and lower
    Spherical ball bearing front control arm bushings
    Needle bearing front control arm FRONT bushings
    And an aggressive track alignment

    He did say that his track setup and alignment would hurt the drag times of the car.

    He doesn't care how the car rides on the streets. The alignment would probably wear tires more on the street then the track.

    With all that said I think the owner of SHINE builds track cars and not daily drivers. I like drag racing and I like traveling in my car so I went with the following:

    Defcon #2 OVER metal bushings
    UM mounts over camber plates
    PSS9's over dedicated HD suspension
    A streetable alignment over track alignment

    I won't argue about the perfect track setup. I think I understand his point. My car was built as a daily driver that could handle a track day. OP should decided which way he wants to go. Drag car, track car, auto-x, road course, daily driver or show car. Honestly I think my current setup allows me to do all of these. Good luck OP, this is a hard subject to discuss.
    *R32 1518*, biggest head ever to fit in a GOLF!
    Congrats, turd burglar.

  29. 05-01-2012 12:38 AM #29
    Euro springs with Koni Yellow Sports plus H&R F/R SBs (soft settings). Unless you track the car often, the best bet over the long haul is a compliant suspension and enough height to prevent bottoming out everywhere.

  30. Member EIPtuningR32's Avatar
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    05-01-2012 03:36 AM #30
    i dont like ST's because they have a plastic spring perch...

    i run factory suspension because i like viewing the world at a 15 degree angle before i under-steer into the 5th dimension.

  31. Member rajuncajun37's Avatar
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    05-01-2012 07:54 AM #31
    hahahahahahaha , true dat
    *R32 1518*, biggest head ever to fit in a GOLF!
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