Suspension for lowering, and comfort, does it exist?

[cdi320]

Hi all, looking for some opinions. I'm currently still on stock suspension on my 13 wagon, and at 110k miles, have been thinking of a refresh. There's nothing wrong with the current stock setup, and the ride comfort on the stock 16s is pretty good, but in the summer I run 18s and it's definitely on the firmer side, which will happen only any car with larger wheels... having said that, the wheel gap is quite noticeable running 18s, so would definitely like to lower the car just a bit, but don't want to compromise the stock ride quality

Is there such a thing as lowering without comprising ride quality? To date I have yet to change the suspension on all the cars I've owned for anything other then stock... I know there's a plethora of different coil over setups out there, but from what I've read, everything more or less causes a firmer ride then stock, at least anything within a decent price range... I'm sure there's probably something but it likely involves more money then most would want to spend.

 

[lemoncurd]

subscribed, i too would like to know..
i just want a 1ish inch maybe 1.5inch drop front / rear, without ruining ride quality.

@cdi320 i've been thinking about getting mk6 golf R OEM suspension to throw on, or GTI or something sporty from VW themselves

 

[cdi320]

subscribed, i too would like to know..
i just want a 1ish inch maybe 1.5inch drop front / rear, without ruining ride quality.

@cdi320 i've been thinking about getting mk6 golf R OEM suspension to throw on, or GTI or something sporty from VW themselves

Hmmm that's an idea I've never thought of acutally... This may actually be one of the best solutions without braking the bank, definitely going to look into this

 

[lemoncurd]

Hmmm that's an idea I've never thought of acutally... This may actually be one of the best solutions without braking the bank, definitely going to look into this

my concern is, i have found conflicting reports on if the mk6 golf suspension components are actually interchangable with the jetta sportwagen (golf kombi)

i want to say yes, but without having actually tried this i cant know for certain.

 

[Garrison]

my concern is, i have found conflicting reports on if the mk6 golf suspension components are actually interchangable with the jetta sportwagen (golf kombi)

i want to say yes, but without having actually tried this i cant know for certain.

If I understand correctly it's Mk6 front, Mk5 rear

 

[lemoncurd]

If I understand correctly it's Mk6 front, Mk5 rear

to throw a stick in your spokes.... mk6 golf r rear subframe with differential and control arms bolts up to the JSW........... soooo if JSW rear end is mk5, is mk6 interchangeable with mk5?

 

[cdi320]

to throw a stick in your spokes.... mk6 golf r rear subframe with differential and control arms bolts up to the JSW........... soooo if JSW rear end is mk5, is mk6 interchangeable with mk5?

It should be, the mk6 is really a Mk5.5... it's more of a facelift then anything else... otherwise everything else on a mk6 is essentially a mk5 from everything i've read/heard

From a European parts vendor, the front strut from a Golf R will fit a wagon no problem, even taking the part number for the shock and throwing it on an official VW parts catalogue says it will fit. The rears however, when you input them on a vw part catalogue, or any vendor that sells OEM parts, says it fits only Golf R... that said, take a look at this

Golf R rear components

Catalogs

www.e-acca.com

Golf Wagon rear components

Catalogs

www.e-acca.com

Other then the strut and spring, all the other parts seem to be the same... the only thing is, there is no part number for the spindle assembly. The only question mark is that of course the R is 4motion, so I would imagine it's slightly different, but that shouldn't matter so long as the where the mount points for the strut are the same

 

[lemoncurd]

It should be, the mk6 is really a Mk5.5... it's more of a facelift then anything else... otherwise everything else on a mk6 is essentially a mk5 from everything i've read/heard

From a European parts vendor, the front strut from a Golf R will fit a wagon no problem, even taking the part number for the shock and throwing it on an official VW parts catalogue says it will fit. The rears however, when you input them on a vw part catalogue, or any vendor that sells OEM parts, says it fits only Golf R... that said, take a look at this

Golf R rear components

Catalogs

www.e-acca.com

Golf Wagon rear components

Catalogs

www.e-acca.com

Other then the strut and spring, all the other parts seem to be the same... the only thing is, there is no part number for the spindle assembly. The only question mark is that of course the R is 4motion, so I would imagine it's slightly different, but that shouldn't matter so long as the where the mount points for the strut are the same

awesome.

just re-read the golf R swap on a jetta sportwagen, golf R rear suspension will fit fine

My Golf R Sportwagen 4motion Swap story and lots of pics

www.vwvortex.com

so it looks like to achieve what we want, we just need mk6 golf r OEM suspension

this forum seems to show the differences between normal golf, gti, and R

Difference in ride height between MK6 Golf GTI and MK6 Golf R?

Is the a difference in the ride height between a MK6 Gti and a MK6 R? I am looking at getting the stock suspension from either of these from a wreck o

www.vwwatercooled.com.au

 

[borninabus]

i went with the VW driver gear springs for an automatic golf on my JSW.
lowered about an inch in the front.
had to fab up a wagon spacer for the rear springs to get my 1/2" rake.

i was not happy with bilstien B4 shocks and have since changed to konis.
red in the front, yellow in the back. now that the bilstiens are gone, i wouldn't call it harsh at all.

if i had to do it again, i would do the golf R springs with koni sports all around.
i would recommend to the OP to ditch the 18s.....that's a losing battle.

 

[lemoncurd]

i went with the VW driver gear springs for an automatic golf on my JSW.
lowered about an inch in the front.
had to fab up a wagon spacer for the rear springs to get my 1/2" rake.

i was not happy with bilstien B4 shocks and have since changed to konis.
red in the front, yellow in the back. now that the bilstiens are gone, i wouldn't call it harsh at all.

if i had to do it again, i would do the golf R springs with koni sports all around.
i would recommend to the OP to ditch the 18s.....that's a losing battle.

excellent advice.

im current making a list of parts,

i am looking at doing these: (OEM Golf-R struts, with RacingLine VWR springs. from what i've read theyre a solid spring, only 5% stiffer with max 30mm drop! so only 1.1inches)

VW Shock And Strut Assembly Kit - Sachs KIT-00032

VW Shock And Strut Assembly Kit - Sachs KIT-00032

www.fcpeuro.com

with these springs:

VW Lowering Spring Kit - Racingline VWR31G60R

VW Lowering Spring Kit - Racingline VWR31G60R

www.fcpeuro.com

then also getting sportline bump stops, im compiling a list in my notepad right now.

i'll post the full shopping list when im done making it. going to run out for lunch

 

[Dalon]

You wont get lowered and comfort in the same sentence...one of them has to give. You can find a good balance between the two though. Most people in this area go with the H&R OE sport springs and then upgrade their shocks and struts. H&R OE sport springs give about a half inch drop I believe.

 

[lemoncurd]

You wont get lowered and comfort in the same sentence...one of them has to give. You can find a good balance between the two though. Most people in this area go with the H&R OE sport springs and then upgrade their shocks and struts. H&R OE sport springs give about a half inch drop I believe.

i somewhat disagree, having ridden in a golf R; the comfort is about the same as my wagon. it's why im considering using golf R suspension as itll lower the car slightly and retain most of the OEM ride quality.

now when taken to the extreme, and slamming a car to the ground, yeah one of the metrics has to give. height or comfort

 

[lemoncurd]

Alright, my list is done.

Option 1:
Both:
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/vw-shock-and-strut-assembly-kit-sachs-kit-00032
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/vw-lowering-spring-kit-racingline-vwr31g60r (any other golf R spring set will work too, OEM, H&R, Bilstein, etc)

Front:
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/audi-vw-strut-mount-kit-sachs-kit-6n0412249ckt1
2x https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/audi-vw-strut-dust-sleeve-febii-6n0413175a
2x https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/vw-bump-stop-vaico-1k0412303f
2x N90954802 - Lower Strut Bolt
2x N10106402 - Lower Strut Nut
2x N10127707 - Upper Strut Bolt
2x N91021601 - Upper Strut Nut

Rear:
MK6 JSW: 2x https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/vw-bump-stop-vaico-1k0511353n
MK5 JSW: 2x https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/vw-suspension-strut-bumper-stop-febi-39011
2x https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/vw-suspension-strut-mount-rabbit-jetta-gti-golf-802-340 (MK6 only, MK5 JSW has different PN)
2x 1J0512135A - Shock Mount Cap
2x N10304102  - Shock Lock Nut
2x N90648402  - Upper Shock Mount Bolt
2x 1K0513425A - Shock Bellow
2x WHT003467  - Lower Shock Bolt
2x 1K0512149B - Upper Spring Seat
2x 1K0512297D - Lower Spring Seat

Misc:
Need front axle bolts
Strut removal tools / wrench: MN2122 | MN3424


Option 2: (MK6 only)
Both:
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/vw-shock-and-strut-assembly-kit-sachs-kit-00032
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/vw-lowering-spring-kit-racingline-vwr31g60r (any other golf R spring set will work too, OEM, H&R, Bilstein, etc)
https://www.urotuning.com/products/suspension-installation-kit-vw-audi-a3-8p-beetle-mk5-mk6-golf-jetta-r32-b6-passat

Front:
2x https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/audi-vw-strut-dust-sleeve-febii-6n0413175a
2x https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/vw-bump-stop-vaico-1k0412303f

Rear:
2x https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/vw-bump-stop-vaico-1k0511353n

Misc:
Strut removal tools / wrench: MN2122 | MN3424

personally, im going with option 2

 

[turbobrick240]

Soft lowering springs don't really exist because people would be bottoming out their cars too much. The drivers gear springs may be the closest to what you're looking for.

 

[lemoncurd]

Soft lowering springs don't really exist because people would be bottoming out their cars too much. The drivers gear springs may be the closest to what you're looking for.

not entirely true... progressive rate springs are nothing new

you can keep stock, or close to stock spring rate until deeper compression where the higher spring rate begins to take hold preventing a bottom out.

though generally yes, when lowering a car, comfort is largely an after thought. however i think if done right it can be nice

reviews like: https://www.reddit.com/r/GolfGTI/comments/uhqbv1 are pretty common on the VWR springs..

 

[turbobrick240]

Do you think the R springs would lower the car, though?

 

[oilhammer]

The springs never "prevent" the car from bottoming... that's what the bump stops are for. There is only so much travel in the suspension, and when you lower it, you take some of that travel away.

 

[turbobrick240]

That's what I meant by bottoming- bottoming out the suspension. Not very comfortable.

 

[lemoncurd]

someone here has done exactly what i just posted above: VWR racingline springs with golf R struts, on a JSW TDI

Golf R Suspension on '11 JSW TDI

Definitely looking forward to it! GL on the exam! Thanks! I'm studying for physics 2 and the GRE at the same time. :(

forums.tdiclub.com

even included a photo. OP, i think this is the best option
also, it isnt terribly expensive. basically a whole suspension refresh too..

 

[IndigoBlueWagon]

Soft lowering springs don't really exist because people would be bottoming out their cars too much. The drivers gear springs may be the closest to what you're looking for.

MKIV Golf 337 and 20AE had Eibach sport springs and were designed to use the bump stops as a supplemental support in hard cornering. The springs were quite soft and the cars were significantly lower than stock, limiting suspension travel.

 

[oilhammer]

The Golf R uses these fancy active Monroe sourced shocks:

Some of the big fancy Audis use them, too.

 

[lemoncurd]

The Golf R uses these fancy active Monroe sourced shocks:

A golf R uses those fancy active shocks. 5q0 gives it away that this is from a mk7

mk6 shocks are simpler, and are just heavier duty than the normal golf / TDI shocks. why i want to use them with the VWR springs

active shocks = DCC, a feature mk6 golf R's did not receive in NAR afaik..

 

[cdi320]

All great info guys, thanks for the replies

@borninabus I generally agree that 18s is a losing battle, that said, it's not bad enough to make want to go down to 17s.

@lemoncurd thanks for the list! I'll have a look at both options and see what the pricing is like in Canuck land, then decide if there's a large enough hole to burn in my pocket

 

[oilhammer]

Oh I know what it is, I have it up in the air right now, LOL. Plastic oil pan and all, LMAO.

I'm just pointing out there are a lot of variations on things, and handling is at odds with comfort much of the time.

Most lowered cars I experience through here ride like crap. They are constantly bashing off the bump stops. Terrible for something outside of a race track. The A4 cars are the worst... and they'll still handle poorly compared to the newer IRS cars.

 

[turbobrick240]

MKIV Golf 337 and 20AE had Eibach sport springs and were designed to use the bump stops as a supplemental support in hard cornering. The springs were quite soft and the cars were significantly lower than stock, limiting suspension travel.

Yeah, I've heard the Eibach sport springs are among the softer sport spring options. Still a bit firmer than OE, I think.

 

[cdi320]

someone here has done exactly what i just posted above: VWR racingline springs with golf R struts, on a JSW TDI

Golf R Suspension on '11 JSW TDI

Definitely looking forward to it! GL on the exam! Thanks! I'm studying for physics 2 and the GRE at the same time. :(

forums.tdiclub.com

even included a photo. OP, i think this is the best option
also, it isnt terribly expensive. basically a whole suspension refresh too..

Just saw this, and I think you're right, setup looks pretty good

 

[Dalon]

i somewhat disagree, having ridden in a golf R; the comfort is about the same as my wagon. it's why im considering using golf R suspension as itll lower the car slightly and retain most of the OEM ride quality.

now when taken to the extreme, and slamming a car to the ground, yeah one of the metrics has to give. height or comfort

fair enough, Mr. Curd. <3

 

[ezshift5]

'17 Jetta 1.4L turbo 5M here: - - - Rather than using visual (lowering) approach, I'd rather use a non visual (ride comfort) and move on to savings - then I can buy more Tecate................

A fully sprung independent suspension goes a LONG way for this sailor.

Ciao!

ez

 

[Speedmaster_102]

PXL_20240523_154848385.jpg

• Speedmaster_102
• May 30, 2024

koni special active paired with golf r springs.

I took a pic of my car last Wednesday. It is a 2014 Golf Wagon TDI Wolfsburgh Edition (Canadian Spec Car) and it has Koni Special Active struts with MK6 Golf R springs. It lowered my car by half an inch and it is comfortable to drive, but fun! I am also running a mk6 GTI Rear sway bar.

Next week I'll get the S3 solid control arm bushings pressed in to firm up the suspension on turns. (https://www.ecstuning.com/b-febi-parts/front-control-arm-bushing/8j0407183~feb/)

 

[cdi320]

PXL_20240523_154848385.jpg

• Speedmaster_102
• May 30, 2024

koni special active paired with golf r springs.

I took a pic of my car last Wednesday. It is a 2014 Golf Wagon TDI Wolfsburgh Edition (Canadian Spec Car) and it has Koni Special Active struts with MK6 Golf R springs. It lowered my car by half an inch and it is comfortable to drive, but fun! I am also running a mk6 GTI Rear sway bar.

Next week I'll get the S3 solid control arm bushings pressed in to firm up the suspension on turns. (https://www.ecstuning.com/b-febi-parts/front-control-arm-bushing/8j0407183~feb/)

Looks good, the half inch is honestly really subtle, can't really tell it's even lowered, and looks you're running 17s also