I've now had my octy elegance 1.9 estate for 3 months. With my job I carry around a lot of kit in the boot all of the time (I'm a vet so lots of liquids, glass bottles and even a car battery (for a stomach pump)).

I've fitted the rubber inserts to help increase the spring rate but they are not up to the job (gap from top of wheel to wheel arch for the rear is only half the gap for the front). Also the suspension has now got a groaning sound when moving

Is it safe to add another insert or should i be looking at new shocks and springs? thanks for any help andrew

Might be worth getting onto someone like Rayvern hydraulic and see if you can get them to do a rear air kit. They do kits for the MK4 Golf which is identical.

Never had a problem with the rear of my MKI vRS Combi regarding load level.

I would be looking at new springs TBH...

First off, get the rear beam bushes replaced with powerflex poly bush ones. They are woeful as stock and likely the groaning. Just do it.

Then, either get progressive rate uprated springs if you can find someone to do them, or I'd be looking at one of the aftermarket self leveling shocks. You just replace your shocks with these, they 'pump' up the suspension to keep it level.

Unload the car and see if it sits right, if still low then when you get the shocks new standard springs as yours have sagged.

If getting uprated springs you'll have a harded ride as standard. You will also need new uprated shocks.

There are your options, unless you want to get expensive with air or hydraulic, which is also more complicated.....

Greg.

If you can get them, I'd go with air assists.

Basically, because they're progressive, so you get soft on small bumps, and harder on big ones (ooh er missis).