Not as good as i hoped.....ideas?

[Matt-h]

Hi all,

For the first time last last night i took my golf out for an enthusiastic drive.


I was a bit shocked as too how poor the handling is, it rolls bad, it nose dives under heavy braking and just doesnt inspire confidence at all.

Does anyone have any suggestions as to sort this?

I am not the sort of person to thrash a car too much and still need it as a daily driver, so i need to be realistic with any modifications.

Whats been your past experience with getting the car to handle the way you want? pro's and cons

oh, and its a gt tdi 130 3door (53).

Many thanks

Matt

[dessimpson]

My experience exactly. I put it down to having an EVO beforehand but even now after 8 months i still hate the handling and the big heavy engine. I'm actively looking for another evo now but if i find a good cheap set of shocks & springs i may give that a go before abandoning it as I really love the economy (Scottish!!)

Keep us informed of what you do or get.

Des

[PPP Wagon]

And me! I put it down to havin a PPP Scooby beforehand! & mines a 4 motion!!!
Not as bad some say, but nothing compared to my scooby or mates evo.
It needs to be hammered to get the best out of the handling.
I think the handlings the main down side to the car, otherwise nice alrounder.
V6 sounds decent, quite quick (not scooby quick), alot alot alot more comfortable, the gf much prefers it, its a sleeper etc... Anywayz
bk to the point. As Des says shocks & springs / coilovers shud do the trick.

[Matt-h]

Cheers for the imput - Glad i'm not alone then.

Problem with putting the shocks/coilovers on is that i dont want to ruin the ride.

Where i live is full of crap roads.

Was thinking of eibach anti-roll bars (had them on a scirocco and were great!), but that wont stop the car from diving under braking.

Has anyone used a decent set of coilovers that doesnt make the ride impossible as a daily driver?

Matt

[ini]

The idea of coilovers is good, but most people only ever adjust them once, and never touch them again.

I would go for a slightly lower set of springs and shocks, 30-35mm for comfort, maybe a bit lower on the front, and a nice meaty anti-roll bar.

Not sure if a front or rear antiroll bar is best on a Golf, but it is probably 'rear' to stiffen up the front end. (combat understeer)

[bora(ing) nick]

Has anyone used a decent set of coilovers that doesnt make the ride impossible as a daily driver?

Matt

.....And so the search for a comfortable, yet sporty suspension continues.....

Problem is... people are used to different levels of comfort.

Good luck

Nick

[onzarob]

Don't put coilovers on, unless you have adversion to dentistry.

I found theese, good reviews, ie improved handling...not the usual..look great but my physio bill is so big i must sell them

http://www.europerformance.co.uk/pag...html?id=435903

Koni FSD, not a bad price either.

[Matt-h]

Thanks for the feedback guys,

I'm not expecting to have suspension like a lexus, after all, that why i bought the 130.

Any particular brand shocks/coilovers to go for?

Eibach sell the anti-roll bar kits in pairs, so i assume its best to have both.

Maybe its worth matching the Shocks to the anti-roll bars?

Decisions decisions......i havent even started with the wheels yet


Matt

[Matt-h]

Thanks,

They do seem great, however i would need to change the springs as well, due to the shocks actually raising the ride height.

seen some eibach pro sport, this lowers the car by about 15mm with Koni FSD shocks.

The KW's would lower it by about 30mm with the Koni FSD's.

If i'm putting on slighly bigger VAG wheels, what would i be best to do?


Matt

[Super-G]

A mate had H&R springs. They were really smooth over bumps and only dropped the car a small amount.

In my experience the springs and shocks should be matched.

An Anti-roll bar will affect the body lean in the corner, shocks will change dive under braking.