OEM sport springs: Bilstein HD or Sport?

I have a 2001 NB with the OEM sport suspension and I want to replace the struts/shocks.

The TC series have 2 diffrent models listed: One for the factory sport springs and the other for the standard springs. I don't want the TC's.

I want them to last so I am going to invest in the HD's. Since the Sports are just shortened HD's which ones do I get for my setup?

HD or Sport?

How much shorter are the springs? If they are 1/2" or more shorter get the sports.

I have nothing to compare the springs to, not to mention they are still on the car.

Sport springs lower about 1/2"

Use sport dampers.

i didn't know 2001 Beetles came with sport springs. i have had the hd's for several years on my 2000 Bug with oem springs and they have worked out great.

I'm in the same boat with VelvetFoot I've had the HDs with stock springs for a while now and really like the ride. Plus I thought, as he does, that all NBs, at least TDI NBs came stock with plain Jane springs (not Sport). I was under the impression VW doesn't believe the TDI needs Sport springs with its relatively anemic stock engine.
YMMV Can you see the colored spots on the springs and relay that here for comparison?

OK, I made a mistake.

When I bought my NB used I was told it had a sport suspension from the factory. I didn't ask questions and just assumed the guy I bought if from was right.

So when I decided to replace the struts/shocks I began searching the forums and spent days researching the different options but found nothing on the OEM Sport suspension on the NB.

So I made this thread......

and then Velvetfoot questioned that the NB even had the option for sport suspension.

I started looking through my owner’s manual and I found the original sticker.

No sport suspension. Boy I feel stupid.

So don't always believe what people tell you (unless it is on TDIclub forums.)

Thanks Velvetfoot and Mark of Diesel for clarifying my ignorance.

They ARE lower though. I have 98' Beetle springs and they are 1/2 lower even with new strut bushings on a Jetta. Also they are 170 in lbs VS the 133 of the Jetta and Golf.

I am going to go with the HDs.

moved2tdi said:

I started looking through my owner’s manual and I found the original sticker.

Click to expand...

are you referring the white sticker under the trunk liner that has all the numbered/lettered codes on it?

The sport suspension on a stock VW is a couple of percent stiffer than non sport. A bit shorter as well. Use Bilstein HD's and the car will be a bit taller. Which on a Beetle is good because they are WAAAAAY too low without sport, and with, you hit everything!

No the actual Dealer window sticker was the one I found.
If by chance they were sport springs, I wouldn't mind if it raised it.

Hd's are the way to go. I was so impressed i bought a set for my toyota4R. My HD's outlasted my buddies Koni's, his only lasted a year.