NEW Öhlins coilovers

[vag]

I'm running BC coilovers on my mk5 track car and can't fault them 

[pudding]

Which ones? RA or ER?

Some hefty spring rates available on the RAs!

[vag]

RA, yes i saw that. i'm a newb when it comes to track setup but 2 track days in and she handles well!

[Shoduchi]

RA, yes i saw that. i'm a newb when it comes to track setup but 2 track days in and she handles well!

What was the spring rates that you choose btw? Not that I know what are the ideal for my car, anyway. Just for reference.

[pudding]

Interesting.....

[pudding]

The good ship Ohlins has docked and offloaded some tasty treats 



Not entirely convinced these naff welds on the drop link bracket are going to hold for long. Not a lot of penetration there.  I guess the damper tube is pretty thin and they can't go mad in case it warps the tube or blows through, but we shall see if they hold up to some Millennium Falcon G forces in the corners.  Hopefully I can do the home to Tesco run in 2 parsecs.

[willni]

The good ship Ohlins has docked and offloaded some tasty treats 



Not entirely convinced these naff welds on the drop link bracket are going to hold for long. Not a lot of penetration there.  I guess the damper tube is pretty thin and they can't go mad in case it warps the tube or blows through, but we shall see if they hold up to some Millennium Falcon G forces in the corners.  Hopefully I can do the home to Tesco run in 2 parsecs.

Hey wait parsecs are a measure of distance not time!

Didn't want to leave you hanging there , interesting to see what you think of them and for your eventual review. Would've thought you'd have gone for something more along the lines of KW DDC ECU coilovers, essentially adjustable by electric.

[pudding]

That is a very good point sir!  My buddy Hans did the Kessel run in 12 parsecs, so I just stole his boasting methods

I thought I'd try something different this time buddy.  I've tried numerous coilovers over the years..... Bilstein, H&R, Gaz Gold, KW V3, Koni to name but a few.   They all had their merits....KW by far the market leader for corrosion resistance being (inox) stainless, and Gaz Gold had epic ride quality, so let's see what Captain Oliver Lhin has to offer 

I've researched them quite a lot.  Forums, youtube video reviews etc etc.  One comment from a youtube vlogger that stood out was he couldn't feel the impact of cats eyes at all.  You certainly can with the OEM suspension and the aforementioned kits.  That speaks volumes about how fast the DFV valves work.  You can also see that behaviour in action in that clip I posted above 

I was mega impressed with the RacingLine kit.  If I am equally impressed by this kit, that'll be me done with the suspension tuning, finally 

Oh and the rebuild frequency is 30,000 KM not miles    Not a cheap game this 

[willni]

That is a very good point sir!  My buddy Hans did the Kessel run in 12 parsecs, so I just stole his boasting methods

I thought I'd try something different this time buddy.  I've tried numerous coilovers over the years..... Bilstein, H&R, Gaz Gold, KW V3, Koni to name but a few.   They all had their merits....KW by far the market leader for corrosion resistance being (inox) stainless, and Gaz Gold had epic ride quality, so let's see what Captain Oliver Lhin has to offer 

I've researched them quite a lot.  Forums, youtube video reviews etc etc.  One comment from a youtube vlogger that stood out was he couldn't feel the impact of cats eyes at all.  You certainly can with the OEM suspension and the aforementioned kits.  That speaks volumes about how fast the DFV valves work.  You can also see that behaviour in action in that clip I posted above 

I was mega impressed with the RacingLine kit.  If I am equally impressed by this kit, that'll be me done with the suspension tuning, finally 

Oh and the rebuild frequency is 30,000 KM not miles    Not a cheap game this 

Lol could've got a higher profile tyres if you hated cats eyes that much :p , but that does sound seriously impressive for more "sporty" suspension albeit for every 30,000 km.

[pudding]

That is a very good point sir!  My buddy Hans did the Kessel run in 12 parsecs, so I just stole his boasting methods

I thought I'd try something different this time buddy.  I've tried numerous coilovers over the years..... Bilstein, H&R, Gaz Gold, KW V3, Koni to name but a few.   They all had their merits....KW by far the market leader for corrosion resistance being (inox) stainless, and Gaz Gold had epic ride quality, so let's see what Captain Oliver Lhin has to offer 

I've researched them quite a lot.  Forums, youtube video reviews etc etc.  One comment from a youtube vlogger that stood out was he couldn't feel the impact of cats eyes at all.  You certainly can with the OEM suspension and the aforementioned kits.  That speaks volumes about how fast the DFV valves work.  You can also see that behaviour in action in that clip I posted above 

I was mega impressed with the RacingLine kit.  If I am equally impressed by this kit, that'll be me done with the suspension tuning, finally 

Oh and the rebuild frequency is 30,000 KM not miles    Not a cheap game this 

Lol could've got a higher profile tyres if you hated cats eyes that much :p , but that does sound seriously impressive for more "sporty" suspension albeit for every 30,000 km.

I've got some 205/55/16 winters and they give a super plush ride, but they also remove the 'GTI' ness!  GTIs need a little thuggishness in the corners and over bumps....but not too much!

I'll play the 30K thing by ear.  That's 2 years of driving for me, so probably about right for servicing.  OEM struts are built to much higher tolerances because they have to last 100K miles....but that tightness increases friction, and friction is the enemy of performance....and performance = shorter life span.  Vicious circle!

[Shoduchi]

I can only drool over your new Öhlins, Pudding! I hope they meet or pass your expectations.

[pudding]

I can only drool over your new Öhlins, Pudding! I hope they meet or pass your expectations.

Thanks matey 

Well I fitted them today.  A nice leisurely 5 hours including replacing both outer CV gaiters as they looked a bit tired.

I went with TTRS top mounts up front and the rears lose both the rubber spring pads, but you don't get any noise in the cabin 

I will do a full review soon, but I am absolutely blown away by these coilovers     Everything is perfect.... the ride height...the damping....the spring rates.....the ride quality.....it's all exceptionally well judged by Ohlins for a road car 

A nice little weight saving up front vs VWR struts, and the rear assembly is approx 1kg lighter per corner.

I've had many sets of coilovers over the years but these are just something else entirely.  Think go kart firmness but with better than OEM ride quality, in fact, make that LOTS better than OEM ride quality.  Finally the suspension I've always wanted.   The Racingline kit is fantastic for the money, but this is in a whole different league 

[colesey]

Good work Pudding!

[splashalot]

They sound brilliant, Kev.  Now you've had the chance to have a good look, do you think they can be wound up to near standard ride height without affecting their attributes?

[pudding]

Good work Pudding!

Thanks mate.  That rubbery squeaking over speed humps we discussed has disappeared with the TT/RS3 top mounts