Since I bought my car (a '98 FWD 1.8T) I have been driving around on a combination of factory shocks and lowered springs fitted by a previous owner. At least, I assume they were springs because they might as well have been concrete blocks. The ride was appalling - even the tiniest bump or dip in the road was teeth-shatteringly awful. I mean, good-god-did-that-pothole-break-my-wheel-in-half dreadful.
Although some of the problem was due to a loose suspension arm I figured the only way to truly sort it was by changing everything. My budget was non-existent and anything I did would bash a credit card already nearing it's limit.
After toying with the idea of refitting new factory springs (which would cost in the region of £150 from Eurocarparts) I instead opted for JOM coilovers. I hadn't read any horror stories but was warned I could get what I paid for...
Now, after £160 for the coliovers (from DPM - thanks Damian, who was extremely helpful), £200 for a local specialist to fit and £30ish for new top mounts and bearings the ride is transformed.
True, I asked for them to be set at their highest setting (around 30mm lower than standard) and you could argue that defeats the purpose of such suspension but to be honest I couldn't give a monkeys.
The ride is still firm but the car feels transformed - I can feel actual damping over bumps, the car doesn't rock like a fairground ride when I brake and I can now actually use my driveway without being grounded on the pavement. Best of all, I will actually be able to drive about a newborn passenger (when they arrive) without firing them out the sunroof should I ever go over a speedbump. If I wasn't on 17in alloys with relatively low profile tyres it would no doubt be more confortable still.
So, rather than my usual posts moaning that something is broken (although, I am still trying to rectify boost problems) I thought I would share my opinions and hopefully answer any fears other forum users might have about fitting such cheap kit. Okay, so I'm only a week in but a new set-up for less than £400 is certainly an option others will have considered. For the light use the car gets, I'm sure it should hold up fine.
So, not quite in the words of Katy Perry - I fitted JOM and I liked it...
Although some of the problem was due to a loose suspension arm I figured the only way to truly sort it was by changing everything. My budget was non-existent and anything I did would bash a credit card already nearing it's limit.
After toying with the idea of refitting new factory springs (which would cost in the region of £150 from Eurocarparts) I instead opted for JOM coilovers. I hadn't read any horror stories but was warned I could get what I paid for...
Now, after £160 for the coliovers (from DPM - thanks Damian, who was extremely helpful), £200 for a local specialist to fit and £30ish for new top mounts and bearings the ride is transformed.
True, I asked for them to be set at their highest setting (around 30mm lower than standard) and you could argue that defeats the purpose of such suspension but to be honest I couldn't give a monkeys.
The ride is still firm but the car feels transformed - I can feel actual damping over bumps, the car doesn't rock like a fairground ride when I brake and I can now actually use my driveway without being grounded on the pavement. Best of all, I will actually be able to drive about a newborn passenger (when they arrive) without firing them out the sunroof should I ever go over a speedbump. If I wasn't on 17in alloys with relatively low profile tyres it would no doubt be more confortable still.
So, rather than my usual posts moaning that something is broken (although, I am still trying to rectify boost problems) I thought I would share my opinions and hopefully answer any fears other forum users might have about fitting such cheap kit. Okay, so I'm only a week in but a new set-up for less than £400 is certainly an option others will have considered. For the light use the car gets, I'm sure it should hold up fine.
So, not quite in the words of Katy Perry - I fitted JOM and I liked it...
