Lowering springs with standard shocks

[jakemower94]

Really need some lows on my Edition 30... Don't really have the funds for shocks though. Are H&Rs and Eibachs generally okay with the standard shocks or is it worth forking out some more dough for a proper set up?

[AJP]

They're both good with standard shocks, as long as the shocks aren't already worn. And bear in mind a shorter spring will wear standard shocks faster than standard height springs.

I'm on H&R with standard shocks, it's still a good ride on 77k, and the H&Rs have been on for 8k or so. I will be looking to replace the shocks within a couple of years, either with oem again, or the new VWR dampers. Bilsteins are an option, but they're a few more quid than the VWR shocks.

[jakemower94]

They're both good with standard shocks, as long as the shocks aren't already worn. And bear in mind a shorter spring will wear standard shocks faster than standard height springs.

I'm on H&R with standard shocks, it's still a good ride on 77k, and the H&Rs have been on for 8k or so. I will be looking to replace the shocks within a couple of years, either with oem again, or the new VWR dampers. Bilsteins are an option, but they're a few more quid than the VWR shocks.

Nice one, just what I was looking for pal. How do you find the ride? I don't often do long journeys but don't really want the ride to be tooo harsh

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[AJP]

It's hardly any firmer than stock. You'll be pleasantly surprised. But again, this is assuming your shocks are in decent health.

How many miles is your car on?

[jakemower94]

It's hardly any firmer than stock. You'll be pleasantly surprised. But again, this is assuming your shocks are in decent health.

How many miles is your car on?

Nice one. Well, the cars done just over 60k so they should be alllright... I'll probably get someone to give them a once over first though

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[AJP]

Yeah they should still be good at 60k. Obviously no two cars are the same, you could have one that's done 40k of town driving over potholes and speed bumps, and one that's done 90k on smooth dual carriageways and motorways, but in general the shocks will only really get tired towards 80k or so of varied driving.

New oem shocks aren't that expensive anyway as far as I know, and the VWR shocks I mentioned sound excellent, so there's plenty of scope for tightening things up in the future if you keep the car for a while.

Just get topmounts, bushes etc checked like you say, and you'll be fine.

I can't vouch for Eibachs, but the H&Rs give a nice balanced drop. I know from experience that fitting a spring kit is often a bit of a punt - you might end up with an odd looking rake or rear rake - but that's not the case with H&Rs. The car sits spot on.

[jakemower94]

Yeah they should still be good at 60k. Obviously no two cars are the same, you could have one that's done 40k of town driving over potholes and speed bumps, and one that's done 90k on smooth dual carriageways and motorways, but in general the shocks will only really get tired towards 80k or so of varied driving.

New oem shocks aren't that expensive anyway as far as I know, and the VWR shocks I mentioned sound excellent, so there's plenty of scope for tightening things up in the future if you keep the car for a while.

Just get topmounts, bushes etc checked like you say, and you'll be fine.

I can't vouch for Eibachs, but the H&Rs give a nice balanced drop. I know from experience that fitting a spring kit is often a bit of a punt - you might end up with an odd looking rake or rear rake - but that's not the case with H&Rs. The car sits spot on.

I got the car after about 55k miles so I don't know exactly what sort of a life she's had. All I do know is, there's some rather bumpy roads out here in the countryside!

Like you say, it's not really an issue because you can just run stock shocks and, if they give up, just replace with OEM ones.

[bonelorry]

If you cannot afford to do it properly then dont do it all! An Edition 30 is by no means a cheap car so why do half a job just to get the lower?

Personally I would hold off and replace the Shock Absorbers at the same time, Bearing in mind they will be 10 Year old and although they might not be leaking and visibly OK they will be worn after 60K Miles! You never really notice as its such a gradual deterioration on a Shock Absorber.

The Bilstein B12 kit is the One I would go for, B8 Dampers with Eibach Springs and the get the Geometry set up properly after 

[rich83]

Going from OEM to H&R springs I noticed a difference in ride. Its noisier and harder. And your shocks will die.... mine did and the car felt horrible

[bonelorry]

Going from OEM to H&R springs I noticed a difference in ride. Its noisier and harder. And your shocks will die.... mine did and the car felt horrible

Yes the Stock Dampers don't work very well with Lowering Springs, I had a car back in 2011 which had covered 60K miles as it happens. Standard Sachs Dampers with Eibach spings, It was very skittish and did not inspire confidence at all.

I fitted some brand new Bilstein B8's and the ride quality was improved no end, Infact it transformed the car.

[jakemower94]

Fair comments chaps. Perhaps I'll save some pennies before worrying about changing my current set up

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[AJP]

Surprising comments.

There's nothing skittish about H&R springs with standard shocks. I have heard that specifically about the Eibachs though.

And if your shocks are knackered, it'll be horrible whether you've got standard springs or lowering springs.

One thing I do agree with is that in an ideal world you'd use a damper better suited to a shorter spring, like B8s, VWR etc. But we're not talking about fitting 60mm springs to a mk4 on standard soggytastic dampers here. Mk5 dampers are hardly pushed out of tolerance with a 30mm drop.

I'd suggest doing a good search on the subject before you make your mind up anyway. There are only 3 opinions involved here and none of them are more right or wrong than the other!

[Matto]

Going from OEM to H&R springs I noticed a difference in ride. Its noisier and harder. And your shocks will die.... mine did and the car felt horrible

I'd echo what @rich83 said. Definitely felt a difference with the lowering springs on but I did do springs, RARB and SALK at the same time. Oh and my dampers are all dead 

[Mitch H]

ive just fitted h and r 30mm springs and replaced all shocks with new sachs shockers (who make the oe ones)
rides spot on.
worth noting my car has only done 54k miles and my dampers were pretty knackered especially one of the rears. iknow no 2 car are the same but if your around 60-70k miles it wont be long before they go especially after fitting lowering springs so probs worth doing it in one go. think my dampers cost about 140 to go all way round it

[Dan_FR]

Lowered mine on H&R the other day. Definitely firmer but the ride certainly hasn't been ruined.

If the shocks do go then I'll probably go down the Bilstein B8 route, can get shocks for sub £400 from Eurocarparts with the right discount code