Harsh Ride

[u01atc8]

Just like i said.. the ride of my Mk5 seems to be alot harsher these days..

I just feel all he little bumps and cracks etc.. Am i just going nuts.. or is there someothing wrong with my car? Do i need to get the doctor out? Ok over priced VW Dub Mechanic? Could this be the shocks? I dont know enough about the mechanics to even know what they are.. So any ideas?

[BeezerDiesel]

Hard to make a diagnosis from the sketchy info but GTIs certainly aren't noted for their absorbtion of sharp bumps and potholes. That's the price we pay for the class leading chassis away from the city centre and onto proper roads.

Things that can make the car ride badly vary from worn bushes, over/under inflated tyres, knackered shocks and snapped springs.
The Golf is a lardy car and the roads are terrible in the UK so you're going to see wear and tear down below.

Can you give us some specifics of when the ride is at it's worst, mileage the car has covered, type of roads you use and speeds you drive at.........etc

[Harm]

I was actually shocked driving the GTI for the first time, couldnt believe how much you felt the bumps etc, the roads aren't fantastic round London though!

[Hurdy]

Have you done anything to your car recently?

Bought bigger alloys, heavier alloys
Hit any potholes hard?

If not then I'd suggest trying an upgrade to coilovers if you can afford it. They tend to meter out the harshness of the ride between undulations, potholes and CAN make for a more comfortable ride (if set up right).

[bacillus]

I just feel all he little bumps and cracks etc..

Lucky man!   

I would check to make sure your tyres aren't over-inflated.

[u01atc8]

see ive only just oticed it over the last week or two. Never used to notice it.
 The car is a TDi and has done 90k miles, Just normal town driving. At first i thought i had a puncture or something. But it could just be my mind playing with me.. Tends to be a bit over analytic does my mind.

Hurdy: Im going to put new springs on her. But if you can point me in the direction of coilovers for round the same price then i wouldnt complain. As i have no clue what are good and what are bad ones.

And i will be putting some larger alloys on her in a week or so. So got to get used to this harsh ride me thinks.. lol

[tony_danza]

Do you know what's been replaced over its life?

I'd have thought all bushes/springs/shocks/topmounts want a good coat of looking at.

[winrya]

our other car is a cooper s and the golf feels limo like in comparison

[Rich]

If your getting springs,

Definately get Eibach springs or coilovers.

[182_blue]

I was actually shocked driving the GTI for the first time, couldnt believe how much you felt the bumps etc, the roads aren't fantastic round London though!

me too