bmwM5power
Veteran Member
- Joined
- May 3, 2007
- Location
- Rochester NY
- TDI
- 15 GSW TDI S 6MT 02 JETTA TDI GLS 5MT 15 GOLF TDI SE 6MT 15 GOLF TDI SEL DSG
for those of you who might wonder how TDI looks on GTI springs, here you go
yes, they will. they might even fit better because wagon is slightly heavier in the back, and i wish these springs were a tad lower in the rear on golf. The ride didnt change significantly, stock shocks, maybe a little stiffer and less roll, i think the car got a little more nimble when manuevering, but it might me in my head as well. Aestetically it got better in my opinion. It is a good alternative to VW DG springs, especially if you can get them for freeLooks good! Correct me if I'm wrong, but GTI springs will fit a wagon too, right?
How noticeable is the ride difference?
Looks good! These fit even though the TDIs have the torsion beam rear? I wasn't aware this was a direct swap. This is springs only and not dampers? Thanks!for those of you who might wonder how TDI looks on GTI springs, here you go
i was thinking the same thing about the IRS vs torsion beam at first, but looking at the GTI crowd that is widely using the Driver Gear springs 5G4-071-677-E , which is technically designed for Golf and not the GTI, it made me believe there no really significant difference in them.Looks good! These fit even though the TDIs have the torsion beam rear? I wasn't aware this was a direct swap. This is springs only and not dampers? Thanks!
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plus theyre "designed" for the torsion beam
Would these be the spring set your referring to that are designed to go with a rear torsion setup?Exactly.
Would these be the spring set your referring to that are designed to go with a rear torsion setup?
IDParts
The springs are all just linear coil springs of diffent firmness levels so it's trial and error to see what works best ...
I just ordered a set of rear Koni Special Actives from Peter to try with the rear MK7 GTI, and MK4 Jetta springs I have.
My exact issue as well. Mostly at high speed on our slabs in LA. I can’t wait to get rid of this!The stock TDI springs are horrible to me, the rear end bounces around entirely too much .
The Koni Special Actives are better in every way including comfort than the stock shocks with the stock MK7 TDI springs and every other spring I tried. There is no comparsion. I thought the stock rear shocks and springs were horrible rough riding. The Koni Sports were also better than the stock shocks, just not quite as soft as the Special Actives, but also very good on their softest setting.
I ended up trying MK4 GTI springs (2 orange 2 silver) with the Koni Special Actives, and then tried the stock Golf springs from my 2002 MK4, (2 Green 2 Silver). I like the stock Golf springs the best. This is the most comfortable setup yet and I'm very happy with it. Not quite as soft as the MK4 was with Koni Reds and the same springs, but close enough.
In the front I have Koni Sports set to one full turn paired with stock MK7 GTI springs from a manual transmission GTI. Front eventually settled and dropped 1.375" from 27.125" to 25.75" and the rear dropped 1.25" from 27.25" to 26". I didn't want to lower the car, just wanted better handling and a lot more comfortable ride. The mild lowering does not bottom out anywhere even on the worst roads in Western PA, which are some of the worst roads anywhere.
If I was starting from scratch, I would probably try the Special Active's in front with the GTI springs, but since I'm happy with the sports, I'm not messing with it anymore.
My wheels are 17" VW Goals with Michelin Pilot AS3 Pluses. The stock MK7 TDI rear springs suck, doesn't matter what shocks you pair them with. The Special Actives will make them a lot better though.
I had some MK7 Golf R springs and wanted to try them in the front, but was afraid of it dropping it too much. A stock GTI sits 26.625" - 26.75" from the factory. Our MK7 TDI's sit one inch lower on the same factory GTI springs. The Golf R sits 26"-26.125" from the factory. The GTI fronts springs are rated at 175lbs, and the R springs are 195 lbs. Since the R springs are sitting .75" lower with the same motor as a GTI, I was afraid of them dropping too far even though they are a little stiffer. I feel I could get away with a firmer front spring, but I wasn't able to figure out what spring would be the right one to increase to the R firmness without lowering the car any further.
I would say the rear dampers are too soft on compression with too much rebound. In the stock configuration, the rear end was constantly bouncing and unsettled. The MK4 springs I'm running now are softer than the stock springs, but paired with the special actives, are much more comfortable and controlled. The bumps register and the rear end regains composure immediately. I'm not a fan of the gas pressurized shock in general, they rebound like a pogo stick and always seem rough to me. The Koni's just absorb the bump and compose themselves without any bouncing around or fuss. My experience with my MK4 and Bilsteins proved that out also. The Koni's were 1000% better than the Bilsteins on the MK4.Could you expand on that? Are the rear springs too soft, too short, too long, or too firm? (I bet it's not the last one) Or are the stock dampers inappropriate for the stock springs?
Maybe a 1" spacer between the spring and its perch? That would raise the ride height while still keeping the 195 lb/in spring rate.
It seems unlikely that we'd see coil bind, so the extra preload is safe (assuming the spacer keeps the spring located properly.)
I don't suppose you measured the free length of the stock TDI / GTI and Golf R springs, that would be helpful toward comparing alternatives.
I would say the rear dampers are too soft on compression with too much rebound. In the stock configuration, the rear end was constantly bouncing and unsettled. The MK4 springs I'm running now are softer than the stock springs, but paired with the special actives, are much more comfortable and controlled. The bumps register and the rear end regains composure immediately...The Koni's were 1000% better than the Bilsteins on the MK4.