Lowering Springs

[gti tim]

In need of some advice with lowering springs!

Im thinking of lowering my golf gti, contemplating on Eibach or H&R and either a 20 or 30mm drop. Does anyone have any experience with this already? Any known issues with rubbing? Will the arches need to be rolled?

Thanks! 

[Dan_FR]

Either will do the job without any issues, no rubbing etc.

I have H&Rs on mine

[pudding]

Depends how hard you drive it and what condition the dampers are in, negative camber amount, wheel offset etc.

I run -20mm VWR springs & dampers, standard geometry, standard ET51 wheels and I get slight rubbing on the front arches when I throw it into a tight corner at speed.

When I fit some camber plates, I'll knock the camber out to -1.5 or so, which should sort that.

[Shoduchi]

I have H&R -30 mm springs with Koni Sport dampers, H&R ARB (26/22 mm) and ET45 8x18 wheels and I can trow the car at corners at whatever speed without rubbing issues after removing the top front wheel arch liner screw.

It's still comfortable enough for daily driving.

[pudding]

Yeah I think mine is hitting that screw, although I can't see any witness marks under there.

Does the arch liner flop about if you take the screw out?

[Stig_gti]

I had same problem on my mk6.
When I removed the screw I bent the arch liner above the fixing where the screw would of originally went. Job done no sagging of arch liner. Nice and tight.

[Damian @ DPM]

As mentioned you'll be fine with either without rubbing. I'd say the Eibach's edge it in terms of comfort but not a great deal between the two, I'd suggest making your choice on the drop preference.

Damian @ DPM Performance

[AJP]

Yeah I think mine is hitting that screw, although I can't see any witness marks under there.

Does the arch liner flop about if you take the screw out?

You can tuck the liner behind the metal tab that housed the screw, then carefully tweak the tab up a bit to pinch it all into place.

I say carefully, because when I did mine I think I pushed the tab too far on one side and it made part of the liner near the front of the arch pop out, towards the tyre. I had to trim that, as it was catching the tyre once I was down on coilovers.

Also there's a little plastic nut/retainer behind the tab that you'll need to hoik out.

Point is, do it properly (unlike me) and you'll be fine! :)

[Shoduchi]

AJP explained it thoroughly.

[GTI8v]

Just had H&R fitted on mine. Love them, sits lovely, although I've read they might settle a little bit so will look even better 
Rides a tad firmer than standard but certainly not crashy

[RobC]

Ive found these online/eBay, seems like a steal compared to full H&R Cup Kit!

http://www.tdcautomotive.com/eibach-lowering-springs-bilstein-shocks-kit-vw-golf-mk5-1-9-2-0-tdi-1-4tsi-1-53.html

Anyone had any experience with this setup?

[pudding]

B4 dampers is Bilstein's OEM equivalent range, and they're not that great in my experience.  Seems like a good deal.  "Unbranded" further down the page is slightly off putting, mind.

[Shoduchi]

B4 dampers is Bilstein's OEM equivalent range, and they're not that great in my experience.  Seems like a good deal.  "Unbranded" further down the page is slightly off putting, mind.

Not sure but I think the OEM suspension being Sport has dampers more like the Bilstein B6 or B4 Sport. I'd never go for such low quality suspension. Eibach Sportlines springs aren't that expensive (H&R -30 mm are a fair bit more) but good dampers are also a must have to guarantee that the car handles well.

[RobC]

B4 dampers is Bilstein's OEM equivalent range, and they're not that great in my experience.  Seems like a good deal.  "Unbranded" further down the page is slightly off putting, mind.

Good to know about the B4's  I assumed it said unbranded as it was probably a selection box in the back end of the site and so couldnt pick BOTH Bilstein & Eibach.

Ill keep my sight set on the H&R Cup Kit then I think 

[ROH ECHT]

I'm lower(23-7/8" to 24.0" to top of wheel arch @ center) on H&R supersport springs with Bilstein B8's...I have 18x8 45et wheels with 225/40-18 tires mounted. I have Both Front & Rear H&R ARB's. There's no rubbing at all regardless how aggressively I approach and conquer turns. If rubbing at a 30mm drop...add ARB's because an 18x8 45et, or more, offset shouldn't rub at all. Maybe a wheel @ 8" width having less than 45et and with a 235 series tire on oem ARB's will rub....but it can be easily remedied.

I did not remove the front liner screw...but I did bend the tab up and out. Without doing anything you can just simply push upward, and outward, a bit forcefully and the tab will be clear with the screw intact...I didn't even see cracks in the paint at the tab when done.