Bit of S3 brake and Service advice.

[mkviken]

i must admit if i was going for the expense or trouble of fitting springs i would upgrade the shocks too but obviously its dependant on budget.

if you go for a good progressive spring like eibach your standard shocks will cope fine though. they're barely stiffer than OEM and not massively lower so the damper is still in its working range.

[ED30_jase]

Next on the list is ARBS front and rear and springs (have done quite a bit of research on
here as to the best combination etc)

imho not a good combination, Jase.   

Your shocks will have a very hard job to do with both stiffer springs and ARBs
(+ heavier brakes). First get a set of Bilsteins or go for a quality coilover.

The main reason for not upgrading the damper was I had an EP3 typeR before this and I used full coilovers and ARB's on there and it was rock hard and a bit too much for the British roads  but it handled amazing! hitting a small pothole was like hitting a breeze block!!! Would Bilsteins and say Eibach's with a subtle drop be a good intermediate option?


Thanks for the help mate! 

[mkviken]

The bilstein B12 kit seems to be the best compromise for performance and comfort or there is the H&R cup kit which is a bit cheaper

The bilstein/eibach kit comes in either pro kit or sport line which is a bit lower.

http://www.larkspeed.com/index.pl?a=i&k=s&p=4646194978

http://www.awesome-gti.co.uk/product.php?xProd=29133



I'm sure I've seen the eibach bilstein kit for the mk6 for about £500 bunt can't remember where.

[the bruce]

Luckily Eibach springs are NOT progressive. Progressive springs are even worse
for stock dampers.
The Eibach are almost linear rated like OEM springs. They're stiffer than stock though
and demand stiffer dampers to control them.
Stiffer ARBs icrease overall spring rate even more. So better shocks become even
more important.

Just my 2 cents:

First go for a complete suyspension kit like a Bilstein B12 or upgrade your Eibach
springs by adding the Bilstein B8.
Then later if you can afford it add a set of ARBs and don't forget the WALK or at
least S3 bushings.

[mkviken]

eibach springs ARE progressive 

http://www.eibach.com/prokit.html


the progressive spring will give a better ride as they increase spring rate effectively the more they compress so the initial compression is fairly soft then stiffens up

[ED30_jase]

This is all brilliant advice! so instead off adding ARBs at the moment would you say my money would be better spent on Bilstein B12 pro kit with the WALK

Thanks everyone for this advice! 

[mkviken]

well when i come to change the suspension on my mk6 it will be the bilstein b12 i go for. its the best compromise for the road from what i read and coil overs are high maintenance (threads can become corroded etc) and are usually stiffer.

though the h&r cup kit gets very high praise too, but i have always had great experience with eibach springs.


i already have the WALK fitted and i also have the whittling bump steer kit which i will fit next week.

the WALK is around £170 and bump steer kit around £140.

the WALK seems to improve steering feel/weight a bit and definitely improves traction when accelerating hard and turning at the same time, especially in the wet.


i haven't tried the bump steer kit yet but its supposed to improve turn in and reduce understeer even more so looking forward to trying it.

[the bruce]

eibach springs ARE progressive 

http://www.eibach.com/prokit.html

the progressive spring will give a better ride as they increase spring rate effectively the more they compress so the initial compression is fairly soft then stiffens up

Wrong picture, mate, and wrong information based on marketing. 
It dosen't help reading the manufacturer's or retailer's websites.
Have a look at real springs and you'll know I'm true. I had many
of them in my hands.

The Eibach springs for the Mk.V/VI are (almost) pure linear.

And I don't see any need for progressive springs. Linear springs
provide better steering response and turn in.
Progressiveness sounds nice to many customers and that's all about it.
They have a comnplex behaviour and so cause problems to the dampers
that can not handle the high spring rates when compressed.

[mkviken]

my latest addition. will be fitted next dry day!

[the bruce]

Great piece of kit !!

 

Waiting for a set of these as well.