Planning new suspension [Archive]

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creanium

08-08-2004, 02:07 PM

Okay, so going on the last Julian run made it painfully obvious that my car is not the best handling car in the world. I was rolling a bit more than I would have liked and I didn't quite have full confidence in my handling abilities. So I'm looking to upgrade my suspension. (And if you don't know already, I'm driving an '03 Jetta 1.8T on 17" Monte Carlos and Michelin Pilot sport tires)

I want something that will improve my handling, but at the same time won't degrade my ride quality too much. I'm not looking to dump my car or anything drastic; just a decent lowering and improved handling, without making my ride too harsh.

So I've been looking around, and the best setup I've heard about is the H&R Sport springs with Bilstein Sport shocks and a 28mm Neuspeed adjustable rear sway.

I can get all that for about $650 (not including install).

Does this setup sound pretty good? Comments and suggestions please.

Monster8V

08-08-2004, 03:03 PM

Sounds like a winner, get it!
For what you want, go for it.

Damon

08-08-2004, 03:41 PM

I have the springs/dampers that you're looking at on my GTI, and they are absolutely amazing. That, combined with the rear sway, will give you everything you want and more.

Get it!

bugzy

08-08-2004, 04:05 PM

i think that setup is very good for a street car ... go for it

creanium

08-08-2004, 07:49 PM

Great ... thanks for the opinions guys! :tup:

Now, which one of you wants me to help them install it on my car when the time comes? :D

SYNYSTAGLI

08-08-2004, 08:02 PM

Great ... thanks for the opinions guys! :tup:

Now, which one of you wants me to help them install it on my car when the time comes? :D
I'm sure you can get all the stuff from Mike Kim @ http://www.purems.com
he is a member of socaleuro and he can do installs as well, I just bought the HR cup kit from him and a bunch of other stuff. He lives in Temecula so i didn't have to spend the 92.00 to ship to my house. Good luck and you will definately see a difference with the setup you chose :tup: :tup:

I thought it pretty funny that you realized after a Julian run....I bought my setup right after a Julian run myself :D

GTISurfer

08-08-2004, 08:55 PM

I think its a good choice.

Also take some time to research some tires. It is the only thing that connects your car to the pavement. Stockies are terrible. Any upgrade will make a huge difference.

creanium

08-08-2004, 10:49 PM

I'm sure you can get all the stuff from Mike Kim @ http://www.purems.com
he is a member of socaleuro and he can do installs as well, I just bought the HR cup kit from him and a bunch of other stuff. He lives in Temecula so i didn't have to spend the 92.00 to ship to my house. Good luck and you will definately see a difference with the setup you chose :tup: :tup:

I thought it pretty funny that you realized after a Julian run....I bought my setup right after a Julian run myself :D
I checked out PureMS' website and the springs are a good price, but I've been able to find the shocks for much cheaper elsewhere (including shipping). Think Mike would be willing to match the prices I find elsewhere or are they pretty firm? I'd like to give all my business to Mike, but if I can get the parts much cheaper elsewhere, why not get them there?

When the purchasing time comes, I'll definitely have to hit him up.

creanium

08-08-2004, 10:53 PM

I think its a good choice.

Also take some time to research some tires. It is the only thing that connects your car to the pavement. Stockies are terrible. Any upgrade will make a huge difference.
Thanks Donnie. Well tires will be a bit of a ways off since I just replaced my fronts last month with the same type that were on there. I didn't get the tires rotated like I should have and so the front got much more worn than the back and that's why only the two got replaced.

When it comes time to replace all 4, I'll definitely look into better tires; but as of now, I'm pretty happy with what I've got.

creanium

08-08-2004, 11:56 PM

Is there much difference between the Neuspeed 28mm rear anti-sway and the H&R 28mm rear anti-sway, or are they pretty much the same?

I can find the H&R much easier and at a better price than the Neuspeed and if they're pretty much the same, then I'll go with the H&R.

Damon

08-09-2004, 07:36 AM

Both bars are pretty much the same. Just differs in installation method and hollow/solid constuction. But I think H&R and NS both have the same of both. :)

I did my own suspension install (what a b!tc|4), so I can help you with yours when the time comes. Assuming you don't live in Egypt and have someplace to do the deed. :)

creanium

08-09-2004, 11:02 PM

GTISurfer

08-09-2004, 11:17 PM

What do you guys know about the Vogtland/KONI sport setup compared to the H&R/Bilstein setup? Are they pretty much the same, or are there notable differences? I haven't been able to find much info about the Vogtland/KONI setup, so I'm not sure what people think of it.

TIA! :tup:

I think Dan and Tracy have this setup but Im not 100% sure. I know for a while Mike Kim was selling the Vogtlands a lot. If you PM him or email him, he can tell you ride comfort differences, height, etc. The man is a suspension know-it-all.

creanium

08-09-2004, 11:29 PM

I think Dan and Tracy have this setup but Im not 100% sure. I know for a while Mike Kim was selling the Vogtlands a lot. If you PM him or email him, he can tell you ride comfort differences, height, etc. The man is a suspension know-it-all.
He and I have been talking a little bit and he's recommending the Vogtland/KONI setup. I've heard so many good things about H&R/Bilstein that I wanted to see what other people felt about the V/K as opposed to the H/B. The V/K setup is significantly cheaper than the H/B, so if it's a good setup, then I'll probably go that route instead.

I tried the 'tex, but most of them aren't helping much.

GTISurfer

08-09-2004, 11:30 PM

I tried the 'tex, but most of them aren't helping much.

haha "use the search" right?

creanium

08-09-2004, 11:33 PM

All I did was search and didn't really find much, so I don't care enough to try a new post.

Plus, I trust Socal much more. :D

Damon

08-09-2004, 11:36 PM

I can only attest for the h&r's... sorry.

But, man do I love em!

SlowDalPangEe

08-10-2004, 02:06 AM

i know this is much more than the suggested 650.. but what info can u guys give me on JIC Magic coilovers for the mk4? they retail at 1480, the spring rates are pretty high, but how are they? ride comfort isn't that big of a thing to me.

K

FunkTron

08-10-2004, 04:48 AM

i've done a lot of "asking around" and have heard lots of good about the Vogtland/KONI setup.

but as you know.......i'm lacking in the first hand knowledge dept.

creanium

08-11-2004, 11:48 PM

Well after talking to Mike Kim, and talking to Dan about the setup he has on the GTI, I've decided to go with the Vogtland sport springs and the KONI adjustable shocks. Mike and I have tentatively set up an install date next weekend (8/21-8/22), so should everything go smoothly, looks like I'll have a nice new suspension soon enough. :D

I also just purchased a brand new Neuspeed 28mm rear sway from the 'tex, and if all goes well there, I should have that in my hands and installed this coming Friday.

WHOOT! :tup: :smokem:

H2ovwdrvr

08-12-2004, 12:48 AM

I have konis on my rocco like them. have had hr race on my jetta and they were to soft for my taste. Bilstens are on the rear of my other rocco like them more than tokicos but they are not near the konis also have installed them on a mk4 and did not like the spring perch height on the bilstens. My favorites are my Kw Inox coilovers they are still to soft for my taste but they are very streetable and don't roll as much as I expected with the soft ride.

As for a 28 mil bar depends on your driving style if you trail brake I would go 25mm. I have a 28mm bar and find the car to be too tailhappy with it go back to a 25mm bar. I do trailbrake and have found myself sideways at 80 plus mph

Damon

08-12-2004, 07:14 AM