Comfort + coilovers ... possible?

[wattso]

Hi All,

I've been reading so much lately about different coilovers my head is spinning!

Basically coming from a clio 182 to the golf gti one of the things I've enjoyed the most is the comfort and refinement on offer.

I want the car lower for cosmetic reasons mainly, I don't do track days ( although would really love to this year ) and aside from the motorway there's not much in the way of 'fast road driving'

I was originally looking at the bilstein b12 setup as I assumed I'll be able to keep lots of comfort and go lower at the same time. However reading around I'm not sure if I'll be able to achieve the same thing with coil overs, problem is it's such a subjective topic I guess and one mans 'comfortable but firm' is another mans spine breaker!!

From reading around on edition 38 most people say the fk highsports can give lows but the AP's are a good balance with comfort.

Basically what I want is to lose a bit of the arch gap and retain as much comfort as possible... has anyone achieved this?

On an extreme, there's a set of H&R ultralows for sale locally, I realise these are overkill for my needs but the price is ok and the guy selling them says they're comfortable, but again, not sure weather to believe him Plus for 200 less than the asking price I could get some brand new APs.

Perhaps H&R springs will do the job just fine? 

Confused  Anyone got any input would be great.

Thanks

[Janner_Sy]

In your case id go for the bilstein B12 spring/damper kit.  Best combo of ride/handling IMO 

[RENNTAG]

I have the AP's. They go low enough for me and give a comfortable ride. I think they actually ride a bit better than the standrd suspension as is less crashy.

Here is a picture of mine

[danishmkvgti]

B12 will be a good solution, or opt for the Bilstein B16 PSS10 best roadgoing suspension on the market 

[RetroRaz]

Weitecs are also very good. Every time i came off a speed bump the car was comfy, unlike my previous coilovers such as Raceland and FK. Harsh as foook they were!

[wattso]

Thanks for all the input guys.

Bendy, I really like your car looks ace, and is plenty low enough for what I'd want. Encouraging to hear that you consider the comfort similar to stock!


Heavily leaning towards these second hand H&R ultralows, I won't be going 'ultra low' on them at all but I've heard they're well made and the price would only be a bit more than the APs ..... HRMMM

Hope they're comfortable and improve performance rather than just being for super duper lowness...

[Shorty]

KW V1's, I really think they ride better than standard!

[JoeDarKa]

Iv got KW V1s waiting to go on

[Grande_GTi]

H&R's UltraLows, are very comfortable and great quality and if you wanna go lower then H&R UltraLow Stilstatic specials

Thats what il be upgrading to soon. Little bit dear than entry level but theres no price on quailty

[rob_e]

For ride comfort I'd rate the weitec hicon gt coilovers i had on my old car over the bilstein b16's I have on the new one. 

Btw weitec hicon gt has same spring and damping rates as kw v1 and they're made by the same company - only difference is the kw is stainless where the weitec is galvanised (and therefore cheaper).

 

[ell.s]

Another vote for the KW v1 or weitec gt (exactly the same and made by kw) the ride is great in my opinion it's better than standard as it seems less crashy I'm all the way down as well.

[simonp]

I've been in a Golf with Weitecs and it amazed me. It was a good 20mm lower than mine but more comfortable. KW make some suspenders called Street Comfort which are like a softer V2 I'm led to believe.

[Betty jnr]

Koni coilovers get my vote when people get in my car they don't realise it's on coilovers and the backs are all the way down

[E30Dom]

Just fitted AP APX Coilovers, and like the KW v3's I had on my mk5 R32, they make the suspension firmer yes, but ALOT plusher and not as crashy as standard...

[the bruce]

In your case id go for the bilstein B12 spring/damper kit.  Best combo of ride/handling IMO 

agree 

Preferably the B12 Pro Mk.VI version (softer).

Definitely better ride comfort than ANY coilover !!