Author Topic: lowering springs, rough ride? (Read 3905 times)

superman293 · « **on:** March 15, 2006, 11:33:42 pm »

i was wonderin how much ride comfort i would lose if i were to put a set of lowering springs on my 2000TDI, 1.8 inches in front and rear, with no aftermarket shocks. any body know or try it?
thanks

vwmike · « **Reply #1 on:** March 16, 2006, 02:33:06 am »

It has been my experience that lowering springs by themselves do not do a whole lot for handling or ride. A matched suspension kit with short piston shocks and struts is a good way to go. Generally, the stock dampers will go bad in short order. Also, be sure to cut the bump stops. Many people seem to forget about that.

RabbitGTDguy · « **Reply #2 on:** March 16, 2006, 06:58:16 am »

What were you looking at getting?

In general..."Sport" springs lower by about 1.25" or so depending on who you go through and retain alot of the stock ride quality but some improved handling on stock dampeners...

"Race" lower by about 1.5-1.75, on an OEM dampener your going to feel the chance to "bottom " it out with the drop.

Shorter shaft Koni's (all made for lowering) or Bilstein Sport units would give you a nice feel. From there though...the best upgrade is a truly balanced, quality kit with dampeners and springs...

Joe

superman293 · « **Reply #3 on:** March 16, 2006, 06:31:59 pm »

im not really looking for any performace upgrades, whats going on is i put 18" GLI bbs wheels on my 2000 TDI and it raised the car up maybe 1.5 inches, i just wanted an inexpensive way to get it back down without making my ride rough.

RabbitGTDguy · « **Reply #4 on:** March 16, 2006, 06:44:48 pm »

Go with say a set of "sport" springs...like I said, they lower by about 1.25" or so... That'll give it a still decent ride even on the stock dampeners...
Also... the GLI and the GLS (i have a 2002) came with more of a "sport" style supension setup altogether... you could use a set of springs off of one of those two as well and probably get the gap to close. VW Vortex probably has sets up all the time in the MKIV classifieds...with all the guys that change suspension...shouldn't be too hard to find...and fairly cheap...

Ride still will be a little bit rougher either way around, especially with the 17" and 18" rims... I notice it quite a bit on our 1.8T, low profile tires, short side walls....larger wheel... rougher ride than a stock 14 or 15" GL alloy or steelie...

Joe

superman293 · « **Reply #5 on:** March 16, 2006, 07:04:07 pm »

what site did you say i could fine used springs?
thanks

RabbitGTDguy · « **Reply #6 on:** March 16, 2006, 07:21:09 pm »

www.vwvortex.com under the classifieds for MKIV...

superman293 · « **Reply #7 on:** March 16, 2006, 10:03:20 pm »

now im worried about the BBS wheels rubbing the fender if i lower it 2 inches, i have the stock 18VW wheels and it looks close to weather they will tuck or not

vwmike · « **Reply #8 on:** March 16, 2006, 11:59:38 pm »

Rubbing is racing.

superman293 · « **Reply #9 on:** March 17, 2006, 08:57:00 pm »

i dont mind as long as it doesn't bend the fenders outward