Coilovers: Any recommendations for a first-timer?

[K-Dub]

Hello All,

I want to have coilovers & wheels done to kick off spring '09. This'll be my first set ever so I don't need the best (i.e. most expensive) coilovers, but I def want to spend enough to get good quality & a good ride. Anyone out there with a Jetta:

What setup are you running?
Are you 100% happy with it?
Did you install them yourself or have it done at at shop? (I have a couple volunteers to help me get 'er done)

Thanks!

[GINCH]

Re: Coilovers: Any recommendations for a first-timer?

I bought my koni's from a special on Vortex. Ended up costing around $875 shipped to my door. That was back when the dollar was really strong however. No regrets with the Koni's. Very nice ride and low enough for my liking.

Used to have H&R's on my last GTI and also liked them a lot. More money though!

Derek

[nismodrifter]

Re: Coilovers: Any recommendations for a first-timer?

Seems that people are using B&G's to go SUPER low. So if that's your goal I would look into those.

[turbomeyers]

Re: Coilovers: Any recommendations for a first-timer?

if you want a nice lower and later plan on changing up to air . i would just spend a small amount and get some drop springs for the time

[Kor]

Re: Coilovers: Any recommendations for a first-timer?

1. Be really, REALLY sure you want coilovers. Know that the ride will not be as good and be okay with that.

2. Decide what you want the coilovers for. The track? Going super low? Daily driving? You will want a different setup depending on your focus.

3. Buy a proven name brand and do not cheap out. Going cheap on coilovers is something you can only regret. Be prepared to spend over $1000.

[Canadian Turbo]

Re: Coilovers: Any recommendations for a first-timer?

I would also suggest talking with some people here and maybe convincing them to give you a ride in their car to see what you like.

If you are not super concerned about being low low I would always look at an H&R Cup kit, decent drop, quality and a nice ride.

[MusicalGenius]

Re: Coilovers: Any recommendations for a first-timer?

Alright on that note what the hell is the difference between coilovers and a cup kit? I've been trying to self educate myself but have yet to come across a basic explanation of it. Granted I haven't been looking that hard, hah.

I'd also like to look into a lowering kit, I'm not talking super low, just a fair drop since my car is my only one and of course is a DD.

[nismodrifter]

Re: Coilovers: Any recommendations for a first-timer?

Coilovers = height adjustable and can also adjust dampening.
- Main benefit is that you can raise up your car in winter time.
- Only negative side I see here is that seizing is NOT uncommon so maintainence/keeping them clean is important.

Cup kit = lowering springs with matched struts.
- One height all year round

A good read:
http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=585393

That said....I picked springs because I have no need to adjust ride height and tune my suspension in anyway. Sure it would be nice to raise it up for winter but despite being pretty low I get around fine with my trusty skidplate and some careful driving.

[blackradon]

Re: Coilovers: Any recommendations for a first-timer?

Um, well i have k-sports..they were cheap..700 too me. They are nice. good ride and can go HELLA low. it was the first set i ever bought and did the work myself. Pretty easy to do(Pretty much just took my laptop to the garage and did it all from a sticky in the vortex forums)

If you want to go really low..air fosho. When are you looking to buy?

[Compton]

Re: Coilovers: Any recommendations for a first-timer?

I got Konis...the ride im really happy with, they are not too stiff and not too soft! They are right dab in the middle, plus u can adjust the dampening whenever you want!

However they do not go low enough for me...my front lip is scraped to the max but if i could do it all over again id go with something else! I pretty much get stuck on everything and everywhere! I guess it all depends what you consider low!

Be aware that you will have to get alignment done everytime you raise them up and down for winter/summer!

Go LOW or go HOME!

[Klobi-One-Kinobi]

Re: Coilovers: Any recommendations for a first-timer?

[QUOTE=Kor;161139]1. Be really, REALLY sure you want coilovers. QUOTE]

Lol this sums it up best imo. They're neato for "slammin" your car, and offramps slightly smoother than a pool table are lotsa fun. Dont forget you have to live with them on calgary roads, and raising them back up every winter is a nuisance.

[calgarydub]

Re: Coilovers: Any recommendations for a first-timer?

Hi there, I have a 2002 Golf GTI, however the install and coilovers, if i remember correctly, are the exact same, here is my experience with Koni's.

I have Koni Coilovers that I also bought on the vortex summer of 2007. I did a fair amount of searching and Koni and H&R seem to be the most popular, but I went with Koni because they were a bit cheaper with the strong dollar and a special on them.


My set up
I have mine slammed all the way down to the bottom threads, and i have removed the rear perch they sit on in the back so that the spring sits lower thus going lower in the back which is quite popular with Koni users, as I have observed on the Vortex.

The Install
The install was a good learning experience for the first time, I had 2 other buddies help me who had only worked on nissan and it took us about 4 hours including breaks to eat and rest. ALWAYS have time for the unexpected because surely there will be something. For me, when I installled them I picked up some new strut mounts and bearings, and a splitter tool from Concept-1 for $10 as well as some Anti-Sieze to coat the threads from harsh weather (rain,dirt,snow). Concept-1 wanted around $400 to install these... yikes! Take a look on the Vortex for some DIY they have detailed instructions and pictures that help out TONS!

Am I satisfied?
Yes. Koni's are just the right mix of quality, looks, performance,comfort, which justifies the price, for me. The stiffness is adjustable with a tool supplied with the coilovers, I'm slammed so I leave it pretty stiff although I'm sure I could stiffen it up i haven't really played around with it. My ride IS pretty bumpy if your on crappy roads with cracks and irregular dips. Cornering specifically body roll is significantly improved from stock which absolutely love. I wouldn't want to go any lower than I am, with the 337 lip i have to take things pretty slow and I still scrape on occasion, this is the perfect height i think.

Cliff's notes version
-I am low as you can go
-I drive with them on the stiff side but I could probably make it a little more comfy.
-They are good quality and are what I expected, and the price was good.
-Take your time installing, have buddies, have beers, have pizza ready.
- Allow time and patience for the unexpected
-I have about a finger width in the back and less than a finger in the front, my fenders aren't rolled and I don't rub at all
-Whether its for performance, daily, or looks, you'll surely enjoy them.
- I have read some people require to change their sway bars, I got lucky and didn't have to.
-Only complaints are that it sometimes is too stiff in areas that have poor roads (my choice)
- My dumb ass didn't raise it up when I should have and now my stock lip is a snow plow (my choice)
-Here are some links that might be helpful:
Coilover Discussion
Springs&Dampers Vs. Coilvers
Coilover install(They are for H&R but Koni is very close and this is the guide I used)

Here are some pictures of mine alllll the way down August 2008:






This was taken july 2008, notice i have some wood on the lip of my drive way so i can drive straight up, otherwise I would have to go at an angle.

[Duby T]

Re: Coilovers: Any recommendations for a first-timer?

As Kor mentioned, don't cheap out if you decide to go with coils....or any suspension for that matter.

Im currently rocking H&R coils and I love them.

[MusicalGenius]

Re: Coilovers: Any recommendations for a first-timer?

Coilovers = height adjustable and can also adjust dampening.
- Main benefit is that you can raise up your car in winter time.
- Only negative side I see here is that seizing is NOT uncommon so maintainence/keeping them clean is important.

Cup kit = lowering springs with matched struts.
- One height all year round

A good read:
http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=585393

That said....I picked springs because I have no need to adjust ride height and tune my suspension in anyway. Sure it would be nice to raise it up for winter but despite being pretty low I get around fine with my trusty skidplate and some careful driving.

Okay that's awesome, thank you!

[Lars]

Re: Coilovers: Any recommendations for a first-timer?

Hi
I dont have my mk4 dropped but my mk3 is. I went with koni str.t (www.koni-na.com) shocks/struts and hr springs (decent price for what I wanted) very happy with the ride and handling, pretty easy to install yourself if you are mech. inclined (close to mk4 ). Didnt go with coilovers as car is a daily and only to go to work and back .
Will have to do something for the wifes car now.