Passat Suspension

**SwissChris** · 19-06-2007,10:30 PM

Hi, this is my first post, so go easy.

I got my 03 Passat estate just over a month ago and so far i'm loving it.

Only problem I do have is that the suspension seems pretty squishy. Cornering is a bit unnerving as it doesnt feel all that planted on the road. Even on a stright bit of road with small dips it feels a bit jumpy. I've come from driving a pug 406 if that helps give a reference point

Is this normal? Should I get it over the garage.

Thanks in advance for any advice

**Huweth** · 19-06-2007,11:36 PM

Unless it's the Sport model expect it to be squishy. The 406 is known as a decent handler, so you are comparing the Passat to something considered to have a sportier drive. My Estate Sport, while not agile, is predictable and does feel well stuck to the road and body roll is minimal. The only time it feels dodgy is in fast tight corners that have negative camber or are bumpy. The weight of the car really shows and wants to throw the car outwards. On smooth corners it just feels like the weight balance is slightly forward of the center.

**Sam** · 20-06-2007,09:44 AM

As Huweth says, it's a boat on stock suspension.

Welcome aboard too!

**SwissChris** · 20-06-2007,05:51 PM

Thanks for the help! Are there any upgrades that can improve the handling?

**Huweth** · 20-06-2007,05:56 PM

Change the springs, shocks and possibly roll bars, but of course thats a lot of money and work! There may be cheaper ways but I don't know of them as I've never looked into it, and they probably won't be very effective.

**MalcQV** · 20-06-2007,07:35 PM

I must be getting old and slow mine seems great

**new to vw** · 20-06-2007,08:06 PM

you could put a set of coil overs on it....see this months PERFORMANCE VW for kit's.....there is an aticle featuring a passat estate that has lowerd susspension......i hope this is of help..
cheers
lee

**Ronin** · 21-06-2007,09:12 AM

As a couple of you know, as a hobby I am track-side support for a small clubman race team, (Not VAG), we spend a lot of time setting up the car for the track.
The Passat is a safe handling car, it understeers! Personally I've tried hard to loosen the back up, even on diesel soaked wet roundabouts. It just won't shift. There is a lot of talk on forums about removing the front anti-roll bar to make the front bite a little, but I feel this the wrong way to go. Better to tighten the back up more.

Based on this I have decided that my set up will be...
Eibach Prosport spring set - Lowers by 35mm and stiffens up a little
Koni FSD shox - Dual valved, soft for general driving but tighten up on cornering
Neuspeed 28mm rear anti-roll bar - This should make the rear end work harder letting the front grip more.

This should change the cars balance a lot, but keep the comfort when I'm not trying hard. Only my opinion, but I've had a agreement from a couple of "Experts".

Kevin at www.awesome-gti.co.uk can supply all these parts.

Now just some saving up to do
--
René

**Sam** · 21-06-2007,09:25 AM

René is right.

I'm lowered on a full Koni Sport setup and I have a front strut brace. While the car isn't the fastest it handles like I always wanted it to handle.

Price wasn't too steep and it was the kind folk at Awesome-Gti (in my case Sarah) that helped me with the suspension. I made the brace from the Audi parts bin!