Which Coilovers

[alastairc]

I do 400 miles of A1 and M25 every week plus some local B roads.

Trackday twice a year so would like to get some better suspension.

BUT i have no idea which ones, they all look the same, the reviews are similar - has anyone got any experience with these:

http://www.awesome-gti.co.uk//product.php?xProd=12236

compared to

http://www.awesome-gti.co.uk//product.php?xProd=11551

or any other advice or suggetions....

Much Appreciated.

[Top Cat]

Both are great choices, but can be found a lot cheaper than that. 

The more adjustability the better really, but in reality once you have them on the car, you wont be doing too much adjusting if any.  I used to have KW V2's on mine, and the ride was great just as comfortable as stock ride but with added track day grip. The V3 version gives you a slightly firmer ride as it is a little bit more track focused but you also get the extra compression adjustability, so if you can find someone who knows how to adjust the compression and rebound correctly you should get a very comfortable ride. 

[alastairc]

So, i need to keep it (fairly) comfortable for the long miles but get some lowering and a little extra grip for trackdays?

So V1 or V2?

And is there anywhere where a comparison of the different types has been written?

ta

[Hurdy]

Neither of those in my opinion.

Bilstein PSS10's, much better design (monotube) and much easier to alter the set-up compared to the V3's. 

[Janner_Sy]

you do trackdays twice a year, so in that case id say you really dont need coilovers at all.  you would be much better off with a good performnce set of shcks and lowering springs.

99% of your driving is on the roads,

[danishmkvgti]

Neither of those in my opinion.

Bilstein PSS10's, much better design (monotube) and much easier to alter the set-up compared to the V3's. 

X2 

I have V3 myself, but want the PSS10 instead

[PDT]

Neither of those in my opinion.

Bilstein PSS10's, much better design (monotube) and much easier to alter the set-up compared to the V3's. 

X2 

I have V3 myself, but want the PSS10 instead

x3 Bilstein is in adifferent league.

[Janner_Sy]

you cant all truly believe that a guy who drives on the motoray 400 miles a week,  and does only 2 track days a year needs coilovers.

a good set of bilstein B12 dampers matched to some lowering springs will easily be all he requires.  and save him a considerable amount of money.   that way he gets much improved cornering performance, and above stock comfort, something you dont get with coilovers.

if your not doing alot of track days you really do not need coilovers unless your after dropping the suspension really low.  i had coilovers myself and also do alot of track days, however id probably not do them again, as the trade off for normal driving isnt worth it i comparison to good dampers/spring combo

[PDT]

Hence the reason I bought the B12 kit myself. 

Coilovers are overhyped with the only benefit being that you can set the ride height to change the look of the car, no real handling or performance gains to be had on an every day car.

[Janner_Sy]

Hence the reason I bought the B12 kit myself. 

this is what im trying to get at it.  people say the want to lower a car so everyone says coilovers immediately, and there is no need for it.

same as if someone wants to go stage 2, so loads of people chirp in saying they need a full TBE..which you dont, a downpipe will suffice.  both of the above could potentially waste £500 more than needed.  i

[Top Cat]

Coilovers are overhyped with the only benefit being that you can set the ride height to change the look of the car, no real handling or performance gains to be had on an every day car.

Possibly the biggest load of rubbish i have read this year. Are you seriously suggesting that the handling is not improved over stock  after fitting coilovers. 

[stealthwolf]

I think he means for everyday use, it's over the top. If you're not gonna do tracks, it may not be the best in terms of most cost/performance.

[RedRobin]

a good set of bilstein B12 dampers matched to some lowering springs will easily be all he requires.  and save him a considerable amount of money.   that way he gets much improved cornering performance, and above stock comfort, something you dont get with coilovers.

if your not doing alot of track days you really do not need coilovers unless your after dropping the suspension really low.  i had coilovers myself and also do alot of track days, however id probably not do them again, as the trade off for normal driving isnt worth it i comparison to good dampers/spring combo

....I totally disagree with you about comfort - Coilovers, if setup right, are totally comfortable. And the point about coilovers is as TC posted earlier: You have the adjustability to setup well. Same applies whether KW or Bilstein - Both are excellent.

And what's "nomal driving"? - Some of us love to drive hard on the roads too when the circumstances are safe. A car's suspension doesn't differentiate between road and track, it reacts.

Sure, not everyone wants coilovers but it's their money to spend as they like. There's much more to life than being a slave to minimising what you spend.

[Janner_Sy]

here we go

robin

As for comfort i agree, if you have fully adjustable suspension you can have it set up more for comfort, but then if he wants to go on track, he'll be wanting to change it, otherwise why have them, So its either pay for it to be done, or have a go himself.  chassis and damper tuning is a real art and not something the average guy could/should do.

Coilovers would be a waste of money on a car that is doing the amount of motorway miles he does.

On your car it makes sense, you do quite a lot of track days and drive very enthusiastically an enjoy putting only the top kit on your car .

this is of course just my opinion and your car is also the best in the whole wide world.  I'm just giving a more cost effective and realistic option for him, however if the OP wants the best then as previously stated, get the bilstein PSS10s

[Top Cat]

If you look at the list of mods on the ops car, it is clear he likes to modify/ and personalise his car.  He didnt ask which are the best, he just posted 2 possible suggestions, that were in his budget. There is nothing wrong with the advice you have given, but equally if the chap wants coils then whats wrong with giving advice on what he asked.