WTB: Bilstein & H&R Sports

[Moose]

Okay folks. I'm looking to by a set of Bilstein & H&R Sports for my 1.8T GTI. Can anyone give me a shop in your area with great prices? I was quoted, and this is nuts, $1200+tax CDN for just a set of Bilstein from a local shop(Toronto). I was hoping to pay a whole lot less than that for shocks/struts. I also got a price of $320+tax CDN for the H&R Sport Springs. So, can anyone help me out?

[Moose]

I just read up on those FK's. They look like a good suspension but I do have a question. For anyone that may have them; how is the ride quality versus stock? I don't want an overly stiff ride. I want to tighten up the suspension and get rid of that wheel gap; but I have no intensions of going to the track with my car. So the 40mm setup looks good to me. So can anyone give me a quick review on how they like/dislike this setup? Thanks.

[CalgaryB5]

[quote]Originally posted by Moose:
I just read up on those FK's. They look like a good suspension but I do have a question. For anyone that may have them; how is the ride quality versus stock? I don't want an overly stiff ride. I want to tighten up the suspension and get rid of that wheel gap; but I have no intensions of going to the track with my car. So the 40mm setup looks good to me. So can anyone give me a quick review on how they like/dislike this setup? Thanks.

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This is just depends on personal taste. You should expect the sport kit you put on will be slightly stiffer than stock. Some people can take up more bounce, some don’t. The kits you can get off the shelf are all streetable. Trying out those sport kit is a good start of learning what sport suspension setup is.

[Moose]

Agreed. I think this kit maybe what I'm looking for. It has a good drop and the manufacturer is well know. Also, the price is right. One last question. I can now hear a sqeeking noise coming from my suspension at the front passengers side. Is that due to the rubber bushings used in the stock suspension? If so, should I get polyurethane(sp?) ones while having my new suspension put in? What are the benefits from those poly bushings? Or should I just go to my mechanic and have it looked at? Sorry for all the questions but I want to make sure everything is in order before doing all this. Thanks..

[CalgaryB5]

The squeaky noise is not always coming from the moving part like suspension. The vibrations from side fenders or the bumper might also make some noise if they were loose. The stock bushing on the suspension is good if they are not wear out. Again, the personal preference on performance handling may very. Some people utilize the system that they put in and some don’t. The polyurethane bushing is suppose to be last longer/stiffer than the regular stock and also they must be tight fit, therefore, less movement variation compare to a softer stock rubber bushing. The stiffer bushing can help the handling of your car. The only polyurethane bushing I have on the Jetta is on the ABD front swaybar.

Best wishes

[Moose]

I'm gonna have the squeeking looked at, at my first oil change with synthetic oil! Can't wait. Also, I just ordered a set of FK's from C1 in Calgary. I spoke to Dale and I must say, great customer service! I should see them here by the middle of next week. I'm too excited! Anyways, thanks to everyone for their help on this, its much appreciated!

[Khyron]

I'm having the FK kit put in my Jetta on Fri afternoon - I'll give you a brief review then. Tho with the weather right now I dunno how much I'll be able to tell. Also putting in a ABD rear sway at the same time.

Khyron

[Khyron]

The kit is much firmer than stock, the front is a bit lower than the rear. So far I like it, but it might be a bit to harsh - have to do more tests

Khyron

[Moose]

I'll make sure to take some pics when it arrives and I'll also post my reactions to the new suspension. Thanks for posting your reactions, I'll make sure to do the same!

[Khyron]

The rake is not too bad - 26.25 inches from fender to ground in the rear, 25.5 in the front. I like it.

Also, I lowered my tire pressure from 35 to 32 - smoother. I guess I hardened my tires to make the stock susp more tollerable but with this new one, those 3 PSI make hella difference.

Vortex thread with all my pics is here:

http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=785090

Might want to move this thread now

Khyron

[Kor]

I think thats the perfect drop for Calgary... more and I wouldn't be able to drive without the constant fear of bottoming out. Looks great, really.

[CalgaryB5]

Originally posted by Khyron
The rake is not too bad - 26.25 inches from fender to ground in the rear, 25.5 in the front. I like it.

Also, I lowered my tire pressure from 35 to 32 - smoother. I guess I hardened my tires to make the stock susp more tollerable but with this new one, those 3 PSI make hella difference.

Vortex thread with all my pics is here:

http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=785090

Might want to move this thread now

Khyron

The stock tire pressure standard for half load, I would say the pressure is quite low. I am not telling you what pressure you should run on your car but I just want to bring you a theory you might want to consider.

If the tire runs at a lower pressure, the sidewall will twist the most. Which means the contact patch of the tire is going to be at an unstable stage. Also, the constant change of the sidewall will make the steering responds not as sharp as high pressure. It may seems like the contact patch area is bigger when the car stand still then, when the car is in motion then this will not be the case.


When you make some fast turn-in then you might see your suspension setup is doing its job but it is canceling because of the lower tire pressure, the secondary suspension( the tire) is absorbing the bumps off the road, has its own motion. Therefore, with that much of twists, you might not get any benefits on handling.