Help Me Choose Suspension

[B Dubbin]

I know this is has be hashed and re-hashed thousands of times but I'm looking for an Alberta perspective.

Here's what I want:

- a moderate drop to make a set of 18s look good. (about 1.5")
- slightly tighter handling but very moderate. The factory suspension is actually good enough for me - but I need to be lower.
- no need for an aftermarket front swaybar
- to be able to drive around the city without constantly judging whether or not I'll rip the oil pan off.
- quality. I don't want some no-name spring that lowers the car but handles like crap.
- an even drop front and back
- to spend around $700 done, at my door, ready to be installed (crosses fingers)

I've seen on here a few people have FKs, there's always HR and Neuspeed. What about the KW sport suspension? Eibach Pro-System?

What do you recommend? And why?

Thanks!

[R_Ethug]

Re: Help Me Choose Suspension

ballz deep

bilstein shocks/struts and H&R race springs.. on my 1.8T 2" drop no need for a new front sway

or the H&R cupkit.. basically the samething as above. same deal 2" drop no front sway needed.

[Simon]

Re: Help Me Choose Suspension

ballz deep

bilstein shocks/struts and H&R race springs.. on my 1.8T 2" drop no need for a new front sway

or the H&R cupkit.. basically the samething as above. same deal 2" drop no front sway needed.

For $700 your best bet is probably what Ryan said, Bilsteins and H&R Combo. The H&R come in two flavors, the Sport springs which are 1.4" drop I believe, and the Race which are 1.8"-2". The 2" might make you weary about stuff on the road though, I know I can't clear a lying down bottle of snapple on the road. (I smashed one to a million pieces).

edit: you *might* be able to get these for $700 if they're on supersale, but will most likely be a couple hundred more. (not installed, either)

[R_Ethug]

Re: Help Me Choose Suspension

yes this is true with a body kit and a 2" drop you will be scraping all the time on driveways,etc if your not careful and you have to dodge cats, dogs, bottles cans, hobos, and chunks of snow

[nismodrifter]

Re: Help Me Choose Suspension

FK Hightec Yo

[Aleks]

Re: Help Me Choose Suspension

/\/\ agreed, FK hitek is good for the money, I paid under $500 for the 55mm kit, and installed ourselves(there were 2 of us, did both at the same time) in about 6-8 hours, ride is good, not too rough but notably stiffer, handles good.....

[Kor]

Re: Help Me Choose Suspension

H&R Cup kit would be my #1 suggestion

FK would be #2 - I think it has a slightly harsher ride, so you will probably like the H&R kit more.

I don't think you need to buy the springs/shocks seperately (H&R/Bilstien) from the description you've given.

[BadKenny]

Re: Help Me Choose Suspension

I agree with Kor....a lot of people love the cup kits (nice drop, moderate handling....a little warning though, in *very* aggressive manuevers I've heard complaints that the setup is not quite stiff enough for the amount of lowering. Mind you this was on an A4 2.8 Quattro so its like 600lbs heavier than a jetta/golf).

I have the fk kit. Sorta. C1 didn't have the hitek springs so they lumped in the race springs with the hitek shocks. Works ok for me. Yes it can be sorta harsh because the rear seems really stiff with no stereo in it but good all around.

Plus, the FK is CHEAP, like my crackwhore ex gf cheap....

[R_Ethug]

Re: Help Me Choose Suspension

thats the reason i stay away from their suspension.. i'm sure it works great but i'm weary of stuff that costs 1/3 less than most companies..

[Boy Racer]

Re: Help Me Choose Suspension

I have done a lot of riding around in cars with various suspension and I do really like the H & R cup kit setup. I can get you a good price on them but it is more like $950 but it really has a much nicer ride than any FK I have experienced. Less crashy, harsh etc.

[B Dubbin]

Re: Help Me Choose Suspension

So, once again, I'm hearing one really can't go wrong with the H&R (either kit or Bilstein combo.) I remember reading on the Vortex there was some sort of issue people were having with the Cup kit, though?

The FK Hitek does sound good - it's tough when some people seem to really like it but others not so much.

So, like Boy Racer, have the FK guys swapped cars with the H&R guys? Any direct comparisons between the two? One against the other?

The CupKit is $950 Cdn? I thought it was going for around $550 +shipping (US) on the vortex.

Keep the comments coming,!

[B Dubbin]

Re: Help Me Choose Suspension

Oh yeah - I've got a 99.5 GTI VR6 if that makes a difference...

[Derick]

Re: Help Me Choose Suspension

I have the H&R cup kit, and if memory serves me right, Boy Racer drove my car to get a feel for the cup kit, so he speaks from first hand experience. I too, have driven both H&R and FK setups, with a preference towards the H&R hardware.
I think if bang for your buck is what you're going for, you can't go wrong with the FK kit - Solid performance for a reasonable price. But like many others here, I think the H&R has a bit more refined feel (which suits my daily driving habits nicely) and also comes with the comfort of brand recognition. As for the problems that you probably read about on Vortex (bent struts) it seems like it only affected a limited batch of the cup kits and I haven't heard (or experienced) any problems myself.

Go with the H&R setup .... my $.02

[Boy Racer]

Re: Help Me Choose Suspension

I will see what I can do about the price, it seems a few people have dropped their prices. Time to call my suppliers...

[Kor]

Re: Help Me Choose Suspension

I have driven both setups, and like Boy Racer I think the H&R has a softer ride at the same height. It is much nicer for any passengers. However, the FK is a very good setup, and handles excellent. Bart has tracked his FK suspension and it has kept up.

I run 19" wheels and I suspect that the FK keeps me from rubbing but I might be hitting my fenders more often if I had the H&R. That may be something else to consider, a stiffer setup will have less movement which can translate to less rubbing.

The FK kit is 1/3 cheaper though, so you have to decide if spending several hundred dollars elsewhere will make a bigger difference or not.

The complaints on Vortex are usually unfounded, I think one person had a problem and it got blown out of proportion. You can rely on the H&R products.

Basically I advocate both setups but you need to decide which suits you better. If you want bang for the buck and a firmer ride, FK. If you can afford H&R and want a comfy ride, do that.