H&R Sport Springs + Koni STR.t

[VR64ANT]

After much going back and forth in my own mind as to whether or not I wanted to lower my car I decided on H&R Springs and Koni STR.t shocks/struts. I wanted a setup that was daily driver friendly and provided more control over the crapy stock shocks. I coudn't be happier with this setup. These shocks soak up bumps much better than OEM. Understeer on corner exit is reduced a little and turn in feels much more controlled. I would not reccomend this setup for track use as its probably too soft and the str.t shocks would probably get overwhelmed pretty quickly. The car sits lower than i thought it would. I've had all but the 1st generation GTi with all kinds of set ups from H&R coil overs, to bilstein sports with either sport or race springs. My old e36 M3 had a ground control setup with Koni Sports. Of all the modded suspensions I've had this has been the best comprimise between perfromance and comfort. For just over $500 this can't be beat. Well according to me anyway. Here are links to pics so you can see how the car sits. I have a 5mm spacer in the rear only.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/34271562@N08/7286926146/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/34271562@N08/7286924914/

[Tampavw]

[slaterbj]

Looks great!

[Dan'sR32]

Nice. I like it! Thanks for posting the pics. I have been back and forth between buying the H&Rs or doing CAI. I've made my mind now. Springs it is! Did you have to use the spacers?

[Katie83]

That looks like the perfect drop! How does it ride compared to stock? Is it bumpy at all? I want to go a bit lower (1-1.5") without losing the comfort and smoothness of the stock suspension...

[Slave IV]

Sounds like a cool setup! Any info about the spring rates?

[Fast1one]

Sounds like a cool setup! Any info about the spring rates?

Pretty sure they are progressive. I want to install my coilovers but still waiting on Sport Spindles, jealous

[Ryan E.]

Solid setup, congrats.

[VR64ANT]

Not sure about spring rates. They feel progressive. You can feel it stiffen up over large bumps. No I did not have to use the spacers. I just wanted a little lower offset in the rear without putting more strain on the bearings. The ride is so much better than stock. It's almost hard to believe this setup is actually stiffer then OEM. It made me realize how crappy the stick dampers are. There is an initial harshness on sharp road joints but I don't think that's avoidable with any stiffer suspension. I didn't think I would be this low with springs. Now that the springs have settled all 4 tires a little tucked when I sit in the car.

[VR64ANT]

Jus measured fender to ground height. Front is 24 5/8 and the rear is 25 1/8. I think these are lower than neuspeed even though neuspeed says the drop is 1.5" and h&r says 1".

[Slave IV]

Yeah, the stock dampers don't feel so great to me...I know the springs are progressive, just wish there was info on the rates available.

[fmur32]

Nice. Keen to get a gauge on your clearance. (Ground to top of wheel guard) measurement. I have H&R springs which has taken me to 635mm from ground up. (OK for my daily usage).

Also keen to your thoughts on tyre and suspension wear with firmer aftermarket springs. Do you get more wear and tear?

[VR64ANT]

New development. I noticed when the car has been bottoming out on asphalt joints. You know the ones are jarring even on stock suspension? Well these down right destroy the front of my car. Its not so bad when im by myself but when i have people in the car its horrible, and seems to be getting worse. I can feel the bump stops on every commute. I have reached out to ECS tuning and they said to contact customer service for a possible warranty claim. Intersting thing I found out this morning was that Koni doesn't even list these shocks for the R32 on their web site. They only list them for the substantially lighter GTi, Golfs, and Jettas. My bottoming out would make sense if these indeed were not made to work on the R32. Both ECS and MJM autohaus list these shocks for the R32. What do they know that Koni is not advertising on their website. I'm about ready to put the stock shocks back in. I knew I should have just gone coil overs...

[Slave IV]

Sucks to hear...Do It Once, Do It Right!
I would try to get your money back or put towards some FSD's.

[VR64ANT]

Yeah I am waiting for koni to tell me in writing that these shocks dont work for the r32. I think I can stand to go more aggressive. my wife is already ccomplaining about tthe bottoming out. So I might as well go "stiff".

[Slave IV]

Yeah I am waiting for koni to tell me in writing that these shocks dont work for the r32. I think I can stand to go more aggressive. my wife is already ccomplaining about tthe bottoming out. So I might as well go "stiff".

FSD's are supposed to be quite manageable and they are supposed to stiffen up when you need them to. New valve design similar in theory to what higher end stuff like Ohlins do. I haven't tried FSDs but heard many good things about them. Good luck.

[VR64ANT]

i hear ya. ECS is being helpful trying to figure out what needs to happen. They are waiting to hear back from their Koni rep about the str.t shocks.

[Remedy]

?

[VR64ANT]

Bearings are brand new and torqued to spec. Not sure what that would have to do with bottoming out.

[Uncle Wiggley]

Bearings are brand new and torqued to spec. Not sure what that would have to do with bottoming out.

Nothing, but That's funny.

I originally wanted to run a spring and damper kit, no company has made one. Owner in my area with MKV R32 running Bilstein Sports H&R spring has had the dampers rebuilt, under warranty to finally match our girth.FYI

Unfortunately my coils blow, now I must find a new solution. Good Luck

[sixteen10]

I hate to break it to you but these shocks are available for the R32 :

http://www.koni.com/index.php?id=254

I think you may have a faulty kit though as I am rolling on 19" wheels , 225/35/19 tyres and I have zero rubbing with 5 people in the car. Our roads in South Africa aren't even that great and I haven't experienced what you have I do however get SOME compression rub but that is rare.

I hope you come right because this IS a great setup and the adjustable suspension is great. I have my damping set to the softest .

[Uncle Wiggley]

I hate to break it to you but these shocks are available for the R32 :

http://www.koni.com/index.php?id=254

I think you may have a faulty kit though as I am rolling on 19" wheels , 225/35/19 tyres and I have zero rubbing with 5 people in the car. Our roads in South Africa aren't even that great and I haven't experienced what you have I do however get SOME compression rub but that is rare.

I hope you come right because this IS a great setup and the adjustable suspension is great. I have my damping set to the softest .

Just make sure Koni stands by that(MKV R32 application) or else there will be tears. Koni said the same thing with FSD's, then issues came cropping up. Just looking out for the peoples

[sixteen10]

Just make sure Koni stands by that(MKV R32 application) or else there will be tears. Koni said the same thing with FSD's, then issues came cropping up. Just looking out for the peoples

Dunno why my link didn't work but they were definitely listed as an R32 specific part.
Something to note with the FSD's is they are designed for use with the OEM springs , not lowering kits.

[Slave IV]

I thought FSD could be used with slightly lower spring but I would want to know my spring rates before doing any of this...

[sixteen10]

I thought FSD could be used with slightly lower spring but I would want to know my spring rates before doing any of this...

Nope , you want Koni Sports for that

[Remedy]

Bearings are brand new and torqued to spec. Not sure what that would have to do with bottoming out.

My bad, just trying to help.

[VR64ANT]

Just make sure Koni stands by that(MKV R32 application) or else there will be tears. Koni said the same thing with FSD's, then issues came cropping up. Just looking out for the peoples

In that link is see koni sport, sport kit and fsd. I have koni str.t shocks.

[VR64ANT]

I hate to break it to you but these shocks are available for the R32 :

http://www.koni.com/index.php?id=254

I think you may have a faulty kit though as I am rolling on 19" wheels , 225/35/19 tyres and I have zero rubbing with 5 people in the car. Our roads in South Africa aren't even that great and I haven't experienced what you have I do however get SOME compression rub but that is rare.

I hope you come right because this IS a great setup and the adjustable suspension is great. I have my damping set to the softest .

Oops. I meant to quote this post

[VR64ANT]

Here is koni's response directly to me. I am using H&R sport springs and factory uncut bump stops with only 34k miles on them.
----------------------
We have not authorized the KONI STR.Ts on the R32 so we do not list or sell it that way in the US or in Europe. ****Although the KONI Sport shocks and the FSDs are listed *the same for a Golf Mk V as the Mk V R32, there are some differences in the weight *and so on like that. *Although dimensionally the same or similar meaning that they can be physically installed, the STR.T shocks are softer valved and not adjustable compared to *the Sports and FSDs (also not adjustable but firmer valving) so it is not a recommended fitment.

Normally a bottoming and "crashing down" issue is going to be more weight related (the R32 is quite heavy with the VR6.DSG/AWD driveline) so the first thing that I would check is to confirm that the springs that you have are correct for the R32 (springs carry the weight of the car, not the shocks). *Next I would make sure that the bump rubbers are in proper condition and length as many spring companies rely on some amount of bump rubber function to hold the car up on deep impacts. **The softer valving of the STR.Ts could be one of several contributing factors to your issue but the springs and bump rubbers are going to be the first. *I would look into that first then discuss the STR.T issue with ECS.

[Slave IV]

If those are not made for the car, I'd take that up with ECS for selling them to you in the first place. Then, I'd see if you can get some spring rate numbers from H&R just because...

[VR64ANT]

Yeah ecs is being helpful and I'm confident they will fix this.

[Uncle Wiggley]

In that link is see koni sport, sport kit and fsd. I have koni str.t shocks.

I should say ALL Koni products across the board.

[VR64ANT]

I thought FSD could be used with slightly lower spring but I would want to know my spring rates before doing any of this...

According to konis website fsd can be used with 1"-1.5" lowering springs and they recommend eibach. Dont think eibach makes anything for our cars. I've heard of a couple a4 that use these shocks with h&r springs successfully.

[ECS Tuning]

Yeah ecs is being helpful and I'm confident they will fix this.

We are in contact with Koni and you do in fact have the wrong part, we will get this taken care of for you! Only Koni Yellow/FSD are the only correct struts for the MKV R model, site is all updated now.

Another PM coming your way.


Andy

[oidoglr]

Ecs might be more on shipping than a lot of vendors, but I really appreciate seeing that they go a long ways with the enthusiast community to communicate with us.