suspension purchasing advise/opinions..

[R.O.R-2.0]

is it better to buy some cheap coil overs? (rokkor, raceland)

or is it better to just retain stock suspension, and install performance inserts and springs?

my mk2 needs suspension tho. i had some gas-a-justs in the front, and GR-2s in the back of my last GTI, and i liked it, but the front strut inserts need replacing, otherwise i would have just swapped that in..

i like having a car that handles nice. i dont care too much about how firm it is, but i dont want to get a bruised liver from hitting a grain of sand on the highway..

[rallydiesel]

If you are looking for performance I would stay away from Racelands. They are ok for a cheap drop. If you want performance go for an adjustable strut with a race spring or a decent coilover. Don't put race springs on the stock shocks cuz you'll blow the seals out quick since the stock shocks can't dampen the higher spring rate race springs.

[R.O.R-2.0]

im not looking at paying "top of the line" prices tho.. and raceland/rokkors are the only adjustable ones in my budget that im aware of..

i guess ill just probably end up buying some new strut inserts for what i have already..

my GTI handled real nice with regular suspension, some lowering springs, and decent inserts.

[rallydiesel]

I'm not against Racelands. They are great bang for the buck. I think they get a bad rep from people slamming their cars on them and saying the ride is harsh but that is the case with basically all slammed coilovers. If you don't lower or just go down an inch or so they should handle fine.

[R.O.R-2.0]

my a-arms were almost parallel with the ground. same with the axles. they were about straight. with the suspension i had on my 85 GTI..

im not going low. i hate low. i wish i could lift my car easily, cause i would do it. i hate tire rubbage too. if i bought racelands, i would probably leave them cranked all the way up, get as much travel out of them as i can. -1" from the stock ride height wouldnt be too bad..

its just kind of appealing to have a full new set of shocks/struts for not a whole lot more than good quality replacement strut inserts..

if you were a broke college kid, what would you do?

not looking for full out track suspension, just something that handles nicer than stock for not that much money. like i said, i dont mind a bumpy ride, but i dont want them to be really harsh.

i guess im more down to this:

either buy some bilstein sport/kyb gas-a-just inserts, or some rokkors/racelands..

[the caveman]

I always liked the old school rally setups. stock [or "soft"] springs with firm/good quality shocks. get some Koni reds and new OEM springs

[R.O.R-2.0]

I always liked the old school rally setups. stock [or "soft"] springs with firm/good quality shocks. get some Koni reds and new OEM springs

koni reds are like 500 bucks tho.. not a chance im going that route unless i only saw Koni reds on the most expensive websites..

[8v-of-fury]

Koni STR.T's are a fairly cheap strut for these cars iirc.. I was considering them myself.

http://www.koni.com/279+M51c1e998c22.html

If you want cheap Kevo have you considered Monroe Sensa-tracs? yeah yeah I know Monroe!? wtf that ishh will never be on my car, well consider this its just a name, a name that gets slandered by their touring line of struts. The Sensa-trac is a monotube Nitrogen charged strut. Something like 300+ psi. All in all a VERY good strut, and you guys can get em off Rock Auto for like $30 a pop. (I have all four on drop springs in my garage! ) Monroe has been in the Shock/Strut business for as long as some of the other big Import names.. no reason they aren't just as good. In fact if you want to get Technical Monroe was actual in the game a year prior to Bilstein lol.

Really all your paying for with a Bilstein is that name man.. The monroes have a LIFETIME warranty no matter what you do to them, as long as you have the bill of sale your covered. No Brainer.