MK5 Golf GTI

All Things Mk5 => Mk5 General Area => Topic started by: GTI-Ross on January 17, 2014, 08:53:12 pm

Title: S3 Control arm Bushes - Worth the upgrade?
Post by: GTI-Ross on January 17, 2014, 08:53:12 pm
Hey guys, is it worth upgrading the standard MK5 / MK6 control arms bushes with new S3  control arm bushes for £40, or save a bit more and get WALK?

Also whilst your here, are the S3 Alloy control Arms a decent upgrade and good value at £100?

Thanks
Title: Re: S3 Control arm Bushes - Worth the upgrade?
Post by: martziniuk on January 17, 2014, 09:34:08 pm
I have the solid TT ones which are a massive improvement over stock. Don't the S3 bushes have slight voids in them?
Also consider the super pro anti lift kit.
Title: Re: S3 Control arm Bushes - Worth the upgrade?
Post by: flashp on January 17, 2014, 10:00:24 pm
If you fit the alloy arms from the S3 at the same time you'll get a slightly improved geometry and a weight reduction. WALK may be the better option, I never tried standard bushes so couldn't comment on them.  :happy2:
Title: Re:
Post by: Trekmeister on January 17, 2014, 10:04:02 pm
Are the alloy arms a straight swap. I was under the impression they cost more than £100?
Title: Re:
Post by: GTI-Ross on January 17, 2014, 10:07:38 pm
Are the alloy arms a straight swap. I was under the impression they cost more than £100?

They are a nearly new set (second hand) - so not from dealer
Title: Re: S3 Control arm Bushes - Worth the upgrade?
Post by: OEM+ DUB on January 17, 2014, 10:21:01 pm
I undertook this modification to my 2005 GTI DSG summer last year and have been really pleased with the upgrade.

I fitted brand new S3 alloy wishbones that came complete with the console bushes.  The weight saving over the standard cast steel wishbones is significant as a starter for 10, improving unsprung weight and therefore the quality of the ride, and the solid S3 console bushes are a notable improvement in terms of steering/handling precision without any compromise in terms of noise, vibration or harshness.

Hope this helps.
Title: Re: S3 Control arm Bushes - Worth the upgrade?
Post by: GTI-Ross on January 17, 2014, 10:46:14 pm
I undertook this modification to my 2005 GTI DSG summer last year and have been really pleased with the upgrade.

I fitted brand new S3 alloy wishbones that came complete with the console bushes.  The weight saving over the standard cast steel wishbones is significant as a starter for 10, improving unsprung weight and therefore the quality of the ride, and the solid S3 console bushes are a notable improvement in terms of steering/handling precision without any compromise in terms of noise, vibration or harshness.

Hope this helps.

Yeah thats helps, so if i could get get S3 arms and bushes for £130 - £140 worth the money?
Title: Re: S3 Control arm Bushes - Worth the upgrade?
Post by: martziniuk on January 17, 2014, 10:53:28 pm
I undertook this modification to my 2005 GTI DSG summer last year and have been really pleased with the upgrade.

I fitted brand new S3 alloy wishbones that came complete with the console bushes.  The weight saving over the standard cast steel wishbones is significant as a starter for 10, improving unsprung weight and therefore the quality of the ride, and the solid S3 console bushes are a notable improvement in terms of steering/handling precision without any compromise in terms of noise, vibration or harshness.

Hope this helps.

Yeah thats helps, so if i could get get S3 arms and bushes for £130 - £140 worth the money?
+ a complete geometry setup.
Title: Re: S3 Control arm Bushes - Worth the upgrade?
Post by: Matto on January 17, 2014, 10:57:53 pm
You could also add Superpro ball joints aswell to allow you to run abit more camber. This is what I'm planning sometime this year along with the S3 alloy arms. I already have the Superpro Anti Lift kit fitted.
Title: Re: S3 Control arm Bushes - Worth the upgrade?
Post by: rob_e on January 17, 2014, 11:21:04 pm
s3 arms and console bushes won't affect your geometry.  TT arms will, but s3 arms are the same dimensions as a regular gti/vrs I believe.

I had TT arms previously but now run s3 arms and bushes with superpro camber adjust ball joints.   The arms give you a weight saving, the bushes are stiffer (non voided) and with adjustable camber ball joints you can run whatever geo you want.   It's a very good setup.

I got my TT arms from a breaker, but the s3/cupra arms i have now were bought new - i got these from AKS, can't remember exactly but I think they were only about 110 each (arm + console and bush).   
Title: Re: S3 Control arm Bushes - Worth the upgrade?
Post by: xjay1337 on January 17, 2014, 11:23:13 pm
You could also add Superpro ball joints aswell to allow you to run abit more camber. This is what I'm planning sometime this year along with the S3 alloy arms. I already have the Superpro Anti Lift kit fitted.

Yes the Super pro Ball joints are a forthcoming upgrade for me too. The extra camber will mean I can run a more aggressive fitment.
I have the solid TT bushes in my consoles and they are very good. To be honest not having tried the WALK kit I can't really compare but price per £ upgrade the TT console bushes on their own would make a huge difference.

The biggest problem with a Mk5 in my opinion is how sensitive it is to Camber changes so I would hope the WALK kit can help that ... but hey.
Title: Re: S3 Control arm Bushes - Worth the upgrade?
Post by: GTI-Ross on January 17, 2014, 11:27:26 pm
whilst we are talking set ups, does anyone have a wheel alignment print out I could look at. Im looking to get one done soon but I have no idea what values are good for fast road set up

Thanks
Title: Re: S3 Control arm Bushes - Worth the upgrade?
Post by: Matto on January 17, 2014, 11:34:27 pm
This was mine after having springs, SALK and rear ARB fitted. Alex did the geo setup.

(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2F1003%2FMatt.H%2FInternet%2FIMAG0302.jpg&hash=04c93c39f337105d535c2c43f033c6652c7f1f1a)
Title: Re: S3 Control arm Bushes - Worth the upgrade?
Post by: GTI-Ross on January 17, 2014, 11:52:37 pm
I wish i knew if that was the kind of set up i want or need.   :chicken: :ashamed: :chicken:
Title: Re: S3 Control arm Bushes - Worth the upgrade?
Post by: Matto on January 18, 2014, 12:00:37 am
I think this is very close to stock setup which I'm told is good out the box. Obviously if you add some of the mods you're thinking of/suggested above it will allow you to play with the geo to however you want. I find the handling of mine currently very good but believe it could be made even better.
Title: Re: S3 Control arm Bushes - Worth the upgrade?
Post by: dan930 on January 18, 2014, 12:24:21 am
I've heard a lot of good reviews on the superpro adj ball joints on the golfR forum...I will be doing then soon with WALK
Title: Re: S3 Control arm Bushes - Worth the upgrade?
Post by: rich83 on January 18, 2014, 01:17:41 am
You could also add Superpro ball joints aswell to allow you to run abit more camber. This is what I'm planning sometime this year along with the S3 alloy arms. I already have the Superpro Anti Lift kit fitted.

Yes the Super pro Ball joints are a forthcoming upgrade for me too. The extra camber will mean I can run a more aggressive fitment.
I have the solid TT bushes in my consoles and they are very good. To be honest not having tried the WALK kit I can't really compare but price per £ upgrade the TT console bushes on their own would make a huge difference.

The biggest problem with a Mk5 in my opinion is how sensitive it is to Camber changes so I would hope the WALK kit can help that ... but hey.

Walk has nothing to do with camber jay.
Title: Re: S3 Control arm Bushes - Worth the upgrade?
Post by: Trekmeister on January 18, 2014, 07:43:54 am
Are these the part numbers of the alloy control arms (1K0 407 151/152 AK) or do they do a cast version also?
Title: Re: S3 Control arm Bushes - Worth the upgrade?
Post by: xjay1337 on March 25, 2014, 12:19:46 pm
You could also add Superpro ball joints aswell to allow you to run abit more camber. This is what I'm planning sometime this year along with the S3 alloy arms. I already have the Superpro Anti Lift kit fitted.

Yes the Super pro Ball joints are a forthcoming upgrade for me too. The extra camber will mean I can run a more aggressive fitment.
I have the solid TT bushes in my consoles and they are very good. To be honest not having tried the WALK kit I can't really compare but price per £ upgrade the TT console bushes on their own would make a huge difference.

The biggest problem with a Mk5 in my opinion is how sensitive it is to Camber changes so I would hope the WALK kit can help that ... but hey.



Walk has nothing to do with camber jay.

Bit late but I know that
But I meant if it would resist against the camber steer the mk5 suffers from..
Title: Re: S3 Control arm Bushes - Worth the upgrade?
Post by: Dallen75 on March 25, 2014, 01:23:24 pm
Can anyone give more detail on the geo set up for fast road as I have a bilstein b12 kit, WALK and RARB all to go in at the same time, and was gonna get full Geo setup reset to factory spec, but if anyone knows what's better please let me know as I'd rather get it done once !