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Author Topic: Ride quality advice sought  (Read 3968 times)

Offline captainsherlock

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Ride quality advice sought
« on: September 14, 2015, 05:59:13 pm »
Hello to you all,

Purchased a 58 plate GTI last week. All standard (apart from heated leather), showing 77,000 documented miles.

Delighted with the car yet the ride is somewhat harder than I anticipated. (standard 17 inch wheels with decent tyres).  Smooth's out bumps very well with little in the way of tyre noise - I am sure that with time I shall become accustomed to the ride yet just checking this is the norm...

All the best to you all.


Offline Shoduchi

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Re: Ride quality advice sought
« Reply #1 on: September 14, 2015, 06:21:57 pm »
Check if the dampers are still from factory. If so, you should think about replacing them for new ones or to upgrade them (Bilstein B8 is a good option). :smiley:

Offline ROH ECHT

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Re: Ride quality advice sought
« Reply #2 on: September 14, 2015, 06:36:26 pm »
Assuming the springs and ARBs are stock...must be dampers. Both springs and ARBs will stiffen and harsh your ride...so if turns out your's were upgraded, you may opt for switching back to oem because the ride should be quite smooth when stock.
K04 PLAY...K04 turbo/S3 INJ. & FMIC/FORGE FMTC, TB hose, & WG actuator/GIAC's H.O. K04 & DSG TUNES/AWE DV/NEUSPEED P-FLO,TURBO OUTLET & TB pipe/AUTOTECH hpfp/BSH Eng.&Trans Mounts/H&R ARB's/Whiteline Performance springs & W.A.L.K./ECS stage-3 BBK/BILSTEIN B8's...ZOOM'DIS...GIAC K04 tune-2007 Volkswagen GTI: 12.823 @ 112.050 MPH__Voting for my Dragtimes link: http://www.dragtimes.com/Volkswagen-GTI-Timeslip-25700.html?r=1

Offline AJP

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Re: Ride quality advice sought
« Reply #3 on: September 15, 2015, 07:01:58 pm »
You say it's firm, but smooths out bumps well? That sounds about right to me.

What car did you own before the GTI?

Offline Gmaster

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Re: Ride quality advice sought
« Reply #4 on: September 15, 2015, 08:43:25 pm »
Yeah I would agree with that with my standard set up .

Offline captainsherlock

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Re: Ride quality advice sought
« Reply #5 on: September 16, 2015, 09:46:34 am »
Previous cars Lexus IS200 and Toyota MK3 MR2.

I think it might be me yet would value someone local taking the car for a spin.

Offline pudding

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Re: Ride quality advice sought
« Reply #6 on: September 16, 2015, 10:02:08 am »
They are firmer than expected if you're new to a MK5.   The Edition 30 is even harsher because of the 18" lumps of pig iron in each corner, but it's bearable.  I wouldn't want it any stiffer personally.  I see tonnes of MK5s around my way that are slammed, have no suspension travel what so ever and look ridiculous bouncing over tiny bumps that every other car doesn't even register.


2007 ED30 | 2009 TDI 140 | 2016 BMW 330D

Offline captainsherlock

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Re: Ride quality advice sought
« Reply #7 on: September 16, 2015, 01:21:41 pm »
Had a breakthrough of sorts. Tracked down a local VW GTI specialist garage who is happy to drive and advise - hopefully next week, will let you know how this goes.

Offline AJP

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Re: Ride quality advice sought
« Reply #8 on: September 16, 2015, 05:14:48 pm »
They are firmer than expected if you're new to a MK5.   The Edition 30 is even harsher because of the 18" lumps of pig iron in each corner, but it's bearable.  I wouldn't want it any stiffer personally.  I see tonnes of MK5s around my way that are slammed, have no suspension travel what so ever and look ridiculous bouncing over tiny bumps that every other car doesn't even register.
Whole new debate that, but it depends what you want from the car in terms of comfort/looks/performance.

The more focus on one of those three factors the more one or both of the other two suffer.

Incidentally, the older I get the more I'm going for a mix of the three. Done the slammed thing with my old mk4 - looked great, handled ok, rode rather firm. Happy with my H&R 30mm on the mk5. For now.


Offline xjay1337

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Re: Ride quality advice sought
« Reply #9 on: September 16, 2015, 05:24:00 pm »
Entirely depends on personal preference.
i find a nissan Gtr comfortable
others are like "ride hard as rock"

personally i prefer firmer bodymovements that are well controlled over a wallowy body. depending on what you prefer or are used to then this will effect how you determine ride quality .

Offline ROH ECHT

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Re: Ride quality advice sought
« Reply #10 on: September 16, 2015, 05:58:22 pm »
Could be the dampers are worn if all bits are stock. I believe this has already been said. Agreed here, it is a sub-sport compact and will be somewhat firmer than common commuters. Perhaps you can get a look at the dampers and check for fluid leaks at the top of the damper cylinders.
K04 PLAY...K04 turbo/S3 INJ. & FMIC/FORGE FMTC, TB hose, & WG actuator/GIAC's H.O. K04 & DSG TUNES/AWE DV/NEUSPEED P-FLO,TURBO OUTLET & TB pipe/AUTOTECH hpfp/BSH Eng.&Trans Mounts/H&R ARB's/Whiteline Performance springs & W.A.L.K./ECS stage-3 BBK/BILSTEIN B8's...ZOOM'DIS...GIAC K04 tune-2007 Volkswagen GTI: 12.823 @ 112.050 MPH__Voting for my Dragtimes link: http://www.dragtimes.com/Volkswagen-GTI-Timeslip-25700.html?r=1

Offline captainsherlock

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Re: Ride quality advice sought
« Reply #11 on: September 23, 2015, 01:47:07 pm »
The GTI specialist chap has given the ride quality a clean bill of health. This is fantastic news.

Cheers.

 :smiley: