New Member - From GTI to S3

[Coxybadman]

Hello

This is my first post, I have been reading the forum for a while and picked up some really helpful information.

I recently traded in my 2008 MK5 Golf GTI for a 2010 S3, was a bit sad to see the GTI go as it was my first brand new car, have had the S3 for a month now I am loving it!!!

So far I have had the windows tinted and am looking to get some spacers to fill the arches a bit. I would like to lower the car but don't want a really harsh ride.

Here's a photo of my new baby.

Coxy

 

[jungleman]

welcome to the site Coxy

good looking car, cant beat an S3 in black

if your wanting to improve the stance, the spaces, H&R are good options with 10mm per side on the front & 12mm per side on the back, with lowering if your only wanting to do springs, then H&R 25mm drop is the only option really, but as they arnt a perfect mach to the OEM dampers on uneven roads it can get a little bit bouncy, but they arnt harsh, only other option is coilovers, either Weiltec or KW but thats a more expensive option.

 

[S3Alex]

Welcome to the site.

The standard suspension on the S3 is a bit wobbly,but most of the aftermarket suspension upgrades will make it significantly stiffer,and you may not want this.

 

[S3RYE]

Phantom FTW!

 

[N8]

Good work, get some V2s on there and you'll be ballin

 

[Coxybadman]

I contacted DPM for a price on the spacers (10mm front 12mm rear) and with the bolts they are £224.31 delivered, thought they would be cheaper than that.
Can someone explain coilovers to me, when I was younger I lowered my Nova SR with Spax springs and struts, are coilovers a totally different setup?

S3RYE - Really love your car, I like the way it sits, looks great on the CH's.

 

[N8]

Coilovers are the full unit, and height and damper adjustable (depending on setup) but you want a top end setup like KW on your car.

 

[jungleman]

Good work, get some V2s on there and you'll be ballin

i still cant see the point in the V2's as they only do the damping adjustment along with the height, personally id either go V1's (height only) or V3's (height, dampening & rebound) it depends if you have any further development plans with the car, as in big power, if you like to drive spiritedly or if you will want to track the car
if your wanting quality coilovers ie KW let me know as i have a contact at KW and should be able to get you a good price

 

[jungleman]

I contacted DPM for a price on the spacers (10mm front 12mm rear) and with the bolts they are £224.31 delivered, thought they would be cheaper than that.

before i got my spacers, this place was about the cheapest for H&R's will be worth doing a comparison with them and see what they can offer


Tarox Extras - Discount Prices at Motorsport World

 

[N8]

V3s are perfect for track, V2s for road, my car handled superb on them.

 

[jungleman]

V3's as a mid range coilover are meant to be fantastic, i know a fair few guys running them on BMW M cars and they cant rate them highly enough, its what will go on mine when i fully address the suspension

 

[N8]

Mid range? What are top end coilovers? I'm refering to road, not for track brother.

 

[jungleman]

stuff like ohins, guess they are slightly more track biased to be fair but still a very good ride even on rubbish roads

 

[N8]

The KWs are the best of the road setups I'd say, build quality is fantastic

 

[jungleman]

The KWs are the best of the road setups I'd say, build quality is fantastic

agreed they are fantastic quality and as an over all coilover, Bilstein are also highly rated, but about 15% more expensive then V3s but ive not been in a car with them fitted so cant comment from experience

 

[N8]

From different mechanics I've spoken too, the KWs are build better, so I've always stuck with KW/promoted it, the saying goes "If it ain't broke, don't fix it"

 

[Farhan]

Bilstein are very good to they make alot of oem suspension set ups for some top end cars, Cant fault KWs either for the price i would go for the V2s, Sat in a different car with them and they are a great coilover for daily use.

Avoid anything with pillowball mounts like the plague for road use there far to stiff!

 

[jungleman]

I've always stuck with KW/promoted it, the saying goes "If it ain't broke, don't fix it"

haha like i said you cant fault KW for their value for money & quality, just need some spare cash to get them on mine lol

 

[PaulAr]

Or buy my H&R springs cheap

 

[S3Alex]

V3's as a mid range coilover are meant to be fantastic, i know a fair few guys running them on BMW M cars and they cant rate them highly enough, its what will go on mine when i fully address the suspension

Mid range? What are top end coilovers? I'm refering to road, not for track brother.

OK...for road use,I'd say things like kW v3 are about as far as most people would want to go without getting a bone hard ride,and compromising the road ride,for track ability.

They do have the advantage of having a very wide range of bump/rebound settings,but the ride is pretty hard.

Top end?...you'd be looking at Ohlins and Proflex.

Both are aimed mainly at the racing end of the market,and Proflex are quite honestly the best of all,but gob-smackingly expensive(about £1.5k per wheel upwards).
I've had this sort of stuff on one previous car and the range of damping,travel and control is light years removed from any other,but the maintenance costs make it unusable on the road.

 

[S3RYE]

I contacted DPM for a price on the spacers (10mm front 12mm rear) and with the bolts they are £224.31 delivered, thought they would be cheaper than that.
Can someone explain coilovers to me, when I was younger I lowered my Nova SR with Spax springs and struts, are coilovers a totally different setup?

S3RYE - Really love your car, I like the way it sits, looks great on the CH's.

cheers brother! plenty more plans for her too...

with the spacers try Forge ones.. they are hubcentric and have been great for me. no complaints! also cheaper and were reccomended by AMD! or try Paulos link as they seem pretty cheap tbh...

 

[N8]

Yes so to echo what I said, KWs are best for the road

 

[S3Alex]

Yes so to echo what I said, KWs are best for the road

You asked what the top end was!

kW are probably the best value overall.

 

[N8]

Yeh for the road, not track Al. Anyway who cares.

 

[S3Alex]

Yeh for the road, not track Al. Anyway who cares.

At that price......very few!

 

[N8]

I need a ride in your S3 bro

 

[S3Alex]

I need a ride in your S3 bro

Next AMD RR day perhaps?

 

[N8]

Nah too far for me, you going to Inters in the summer?

 

[Shane.]

Nice car mate, I agree spacers and Coilovers would really set it off. As for comfort I was taken out in an A4 with coilovers yesterday and was pleasantly surprised with how much smoother they were in comparison with my factory S line suspension. I think brands are all based on your budget really, from what I got for a lower budget V max or FK, going up a bit you have next model V maxx or weitec and at the top of budget KW or Billestein , that's just what I sort of get from a bit of research for a friend.

Thanks
Shane

 

[N8]

Good lad you are Shane.

 

[Bal_1985]

Hi, nice purchase!

Alternatively if you wanted to reduced the body roll from the car (if it is apparent to you) and retain everyday usability then I would recommend uprated anti-roll bars. I've used H&R in the past which were awesome both on an M3 and R32 and you could still take them over speed bumps.

Just thought i'd throw that out there...

Bal