Lowering Springs or Coilies?

MrTackalakalaka

MrTackalakalaka

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Hello everyone

As some of you may have seen I got my new wheels the other day.
Rota Grid Drift 18" 8.5 et44......came with 20mm spacers all round but will definitely have to get bigger spacers on the back, probably 30mm spacers.

IMG_1632.jpg


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Now I want to lower it......

Im not sure wether to just get lowering springs (i just want the car to sit over the wheels a bit better, not slammed)

I had JOM coilovers fitted on my MK4 Golf but I wasnt that keen on them.......probably didnt help that the place that fitted them for me were a bit dodgy and I had a few problems with knocking noises and metal on metal noises. I later found out that the metal on metal noise was the rubber mounts at the back that go between the spring and the car was missing on both sides.
If i was to get coilovers im not really sure which ones to go for.

Any advice?
Springs or Coilovers?

Cheers
 
go coillovers.

i've got JOM's on my A3. i've had no problems with them (once replaced the ARB for the TT)
 
I've got h&r springs and b8's and it sits nicely.. I'll take a pic for you later after work but it's a nice setup! Handles great and with your runs would look nice!
 
i got a set of JOM coilies not fitted but been told there well worth the bargain price... my mate has his JOM's on his golf over 2 years now with no problems at all!!
 
Ha just reply'd to your pm & just seen this!
I'd go coilovers

Pat
 
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Hi,

If I put coilovers on my A3T when do I need to replace the arb, or is it only after I lower it past a certain point?

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atr1g1978 said:
Hi,

If I put coilovers on my A3T when do I need to replace the arb, or is it only after I lower it past a certain point?

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Click to expand...

got told its after 50mm!
 
Thanks so after a 50mm drop what do I replace the arb with?

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photo16b.jpg
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Its on the curb and tbh looks higher than it actually is but gives you the jist.. not too low so it scraped the crappy bumps near my area but low enough to know its lowered. If your going for springs then it may seem lower as S3 Rav has these springs and his is much much lower than mine!
 
I just fitted some AP coilies from venom sport (£460) it looks absolutly great and it handles great not harsh but still stiff.
The arb doesn't need replacing at any drop, what does need replacing is the front drop links, the fwd a3's are different to the quattro/s3 as they have different ARB's all together, on the Quattro/S3 you need to buy 262mm shortend drop links and on the FWD a3's there are some adjustable drop links from JOM which do the job nicely.
 
adjustable drop links are worse then standard. as they are longer.
 
you can cut the adjustable drop links down as the half which moves is threaded all the way along the shaft so you can chop it down.
 
i been told once i lower the car to 70mm which is prob wat ill be going down to i shud replace the ARB and some adjustable drop links
 
So the time has finally come to get this done........im gonna go for coil overs.........the question is, which ones?
I haven't got silly amounts of money to spend on coil overs but I want some that won't make the ride quality really harsh........JOMs?

Also my Brake discs are warped and are knackered so need new ones. Atm I have drilled and grooved (can't remember what make) with Mintex pads......need new pads as well. I don't really need special discs as i only use my car for general every day use.

Thinking of going for standard vented discs with Mintex pads.

Anyone got any other preferences?

Cheers
 
MrTackalakalaka said:
So the time has finally come to get this done........im gonna go for coil overs.........the question is, which ones?
I haven't got silly amounts of money to spend on coil overs but I want some that won't make the ride quality really harsh........JOMs?

Also my Brake discs are warped and are knackered so need new ones. Atm I have drilled and grooved (can't remember what make) with Mintex pads......need new pads as well. I don't really need special discs as i only use my car for general every day use.

Thinking of going for standard vented discs with Mintex pads.

Anyone got any other preferences?

Cheers
Click to expand...
If it's your daily I recommend normal discs that can be had off fleabay for peanuts or if you want to pay a tiny bit more for quality piece of mind then I would suggest looking no further than the basic mintex offerings. I would however would recommend the Mintex M1144 pads for better performace. Although these are £80-90(best bet Camskill)they are much bigger upgrade than sticking grooved/drilled rotors on with standard de facto pads. All IMHO of course!
 
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MrTackalakalaka said:
My good ol' mum has offered out of the blue to pay for some coilovers for me!
Click to expand...

Best I get out of my old dear when I go to visit her is unlimited tea/coffee and vienesse whirls! maybe the odd chunk of manor cake!
 
I've had my joms on for around 2 and a half years all good with me.
I got them seconds hand, the owner had them on for a lot more years than me. all good though
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Got JOM on my A3, comfiest coilovers I've been in and handles like a go kart, they go stupidly low too. However I didn't think they make JOM for the S3 but apparently FK AK street are exactly the same as JOM. also you gotta think, for four times the price are those eibach ones going to be four times better?
 
One problem I've had with JOM's is after six months the paint has come off all of the springs, now they are a rusty orange colour instead of blue.

Maybe this is why they're so cheap!

Other than that they're not bad but, if I was after looks as well as function I'd go for something of a better quality.

Mine could be a one off so maybe they don't all do this so soon.
 
I do agree and kinda think whats the point in spending a load of money on coil overs that probably aren't much better than cheaper coil overs that will do the job just fine. Its just after having cheap coil overs on previous cars that its made me think maybe its time to get more expensive coil overs that have a bit better quality to them.

I did have some good advice earlier............."£200 coil overs have their place........but not on an S3"
Im still a bit torn but I was also recommended these which have made it even harder to make a decision! haha

Weitec Hicon TX Coilover Suspension S3 8L 1.8T Quattro (01/99-) - GNJ Motorsport
 
It's up to you mate,when I got mine everyone was sayingbdont get jom coilovers but after a while, pretty much everyone has them.mines rusted on the rear springs but nothing to worry about. May take them off and give them a lick of paint if I get bored
 
£200 for a set of coilovers!? Thats not far off the cost of just a set of eibach springs!

Dont pikey it up on an S3! do KW do coilovers for an S3?

Personally I would go with a new set of decent shocks (Bilsteins) and a good quality set of springs (Eibach)

Leave coilovers to track day cars or people that want their car stupidly low / want to faff around with the heights all the time
 
Yeah, KW do some coilovers for the S3 :icon_thumright:. Apparently Weitec are made by KW so are exactly the same.
I was tempted by shocks and springs but i like the fact you can change the height with coilovers. I may have to as my drive is a bit of a pain to get in/out of. Would not be fun if i had uprated shocks and springs installed and then can't get it on my drive
 
MrTackalakalaka said:
I did have some good advice earlier............."£200 coil overs have their place........but not on an S3"
Click to expand...

And whats the reason for this? they wouldnt come with a 2 year warranty if they were crap.

I was also torn between coilovers or shocks and springs, my thought was "what if its too low or not low enough". You have to put up with it, Still love the coilovers and being able to change the height whenever. Obviously the lower you go, the harder it is.
 
Thanks Damian!! Ive been looking at Weitec Hicon TX coilover (posted a link couple of posts up) pretty sure thats what I'm going to go for.
 
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