A few questions about the standard 15mm lowered suspension - any answers will be VERY gratefully received. The car I am specifically interested in for this is a Fabia Estate 1.9TDi - see separate thread to be posted soon regarding this!

1. Does the factory-standard 15mm lowered suspension use the same dampers as the non-lowered suspension?

2. Is it available for the 1.9TDi engine (presumably different parts than for 1.4TDi as different engine weight)?

3. Are the parts available separately for retrofitting? If so (and I would think they surely should be available, if only for repairs), roughly how much should they cost?

4. I assume fitting is relatively straightforward in the way of most basic suspension work - how many hours would Skoda allow for the job?

A few questions about the standard 15mm lowered suspension - any answers will be VERY gratefully received. The car I am specifically interested in for this is a Fabia Estate 1.9TDi - see separate thread to be posted soon regarding this!

1. Does the factory-standard 15mm lowered suspension use the same dampers as the non-lowered suspension?

2. Is it available for the 1.9TDi engine (presumably different parts than for 1.4TDi as different engine weight)?

3. Are the parts available separately for retrofitting? If so (and I would think they surely should be available, if only for repairs), roughly how much should they cost?

4. I assume fitting is relatively straightforward in the way of most basic suspension work - how many hours would Skoda allow for the job?

I think i can only answer your question 2: the lowered suspension is standard now on Sport spec, which includes the 1.9TDI. However, although I think you can order the lowered suspension as an option on other specs (some internet sites list as an option, and I recall a posters mentioning a price of about 90 I think), the Fabia brochure does not mention this.

I hope this helps

Good point, although I don't know whether the suspension is the same for hatchback and estate versions. It is possible that it is the same, as the brochure actually says (surprisingly) that the estate is slightly lighter by a few kgs than the hatchback for the same engine.

Here are a couple of pictures which show very clearly how the wheels are not by any means centred in their wheelarches - the difference is about 20mm at the front and 30mm at the back. 15mm lowering would go a long way to address this - plus it would reduce the C of G and hopefully fix the slightly "tippy" feeling that you get when driving the car. Of course the suspension may settle a little bit as the months go by, but I wouldn't expect that it would be by as much as 15mm.

I must admit to being slightly disappointed by the feel of the steering - it's lighter than I would prefer, somehwat lacking in feel, and there is more roll than in the Greenline models I have driven and indeed in another 1.9TDi estate I drove recently - is there any likelihood that some examples are already coming through with 15mm lowered suspension as standard?

Edited 22 December, 200817 yr by nickcoll

blue line has 15mm lowered suspension as standard

@ Fabman - could you take some pics like mine of the wheelarches so that I can compare them? Would be very helpful!

TIA

Here are a couple of pictures which show very clearly how the wheels are not by any means centred in their wheelarches - the difference is about 20mm at the front and 30mm at the back.

Two points: 1) check the angle of the front strut - as the wheel moves, the gaps equalise. 2) I guess you were not sitting in the car when you took the picture - your weight would have lowered the car.

ive got mine on 40mm springs, and it looks alot better than standard springs,(doesnt look like its on stilts) plus i think it helps on cornering, doesnt roll so much!

If your thinking about changing the springs just got for a set of Eibachs, well worth it.

Two points: 1) check the angle of the front strut - as the wheel moves, the gaps equalise. 2) I guess you were not sitting in the car when you took the picture - your weight would have lowered the car.

Maybe, but I am comparing it with other cars when they are similarly empty - most other cars have a fairly equal gap all round the tyre, whereas the Fabia looks like it's "jacked up" in comparison. Feels a bit like it too!

ive got mine on 40mm springs, and it looks alot better than standard springs,(doesnt look like its on stilts) plus i think it helps on cornering, doesnt roll so much!

Would be great to see some pics!

I would be a bit concerned that 40mm springs would make it look a bit "boy racer" and I am much more concerned about how it drives than how it looks - ideally it will look as factory standard as possible.

Reduction in roll is a key objective, although it feels to me like it's a bit more than that. The initial turn-in is a bit too eager as well, making it feel like it rolls even more than it does. This might be improved by a combination of lower C of G and improved damping, but maybe it could be down to soft bushes as well?

I would still be very interested to hear from someone who knows or can find out what the differences are with the 15mm lowered suspension, and whether this involves firmer dampers as well as different springs. The 15mm lowered versions I have driven do definitely feel more "planted" than this car.

If your thinking about changing the springs just got for a set of Eibachs, well worth it.

I don't rule this out, but I'd prefer to keep the car as factory-standard as possible, using Skoda sourced components where possible.

Do the Eibach kits include dampers as well as springs? And are they available with moderate height reduction?

I am comparing it with other cars when they are similarly empty - most other cars have a fairly equal gap all round the tyre, whereas the Fabia looks like it's "jacked up" in comparison. Feels a bit like it too!

I agree about the space above the tyre, but the spaces in front and behind are not much different. The high position and the lurching around corners is the main reason that I am not part-exchanging my Mk1 for a Mk2 (the other reason is lower engine power - I have a 2.0i). When I get in my Mk1, I sit down into it. In the Mk2, it seems I just move my butt sideways onto the seat. It is more comfortable to get in, but less comfortable to drive. I think more than 15mm would be required to be on a par with a Mk1 (non-VRS, that is).

one from a distance, if you want closer pics it might be a day or two.

Would be great to see some pics!

I would be a bit concerned that 40mm springs would make it look a bit "boy racer" and I am much more concerned about how it drives than how it looks - ideally it will look as factory standard as possible.

Reduction in roll is a key objective, although it feels to me like it's a bit more than that. The initial turn-in is a bit too eager as well, making it feel like it rolls even more than it does. This might be improved by a combination of lower C of G and improved damping, but maybe it could be down to soft bushes as well?

I would still be very interested to hear from someone who knows or can find out what the differences are with the 15mm lowered suspension, and whether this involves firmer dampers as well as different springs. The 15mm lowered versions I have driven do definitely feel more "planted" than this car.

RE: the light 'feel' of the steering, it may be worth getting somone with a VAG - COM to check what setting the steering assitance is set to for eg there are different set ups available from the module, GTI , Normal, and disabled (from memory) the GTI setting for eg may reduce the assitance and make the feedback a little more to your liking..

My 2p worth anyway

RE: the light 'feel' of the steering, it may be worth getting somone with a VAG - COM to check what setting the steering assitance is set to for eg there are different set ups available from the module, GTI , Normal, and disabled (from memory) the GTI setting for eg may reduce the assitance and make the feedback a little more to your liking..

My 2p worth anyway

That's enormously helpful. I had wondered whether the assistance could be reduced but I thought it was hoping for too much. How much is a VAG-COM setup, and where is the best place to get one from?

Alternatively, does anyone know of any garages, preferably in Hertfordshire, who have one available?

one from a distance, if you want closer pics it might be a day or two.

That picture's great. However the car looks too low to me personally - it's very obvious that it's been lowered from standard. If that's the look you're going for, then that's fine, of course!

Did you up-rate the dampers at the same time?

I think that something up to 25mm would probably look OK for what I am looking for on the basis of how 40mm looks - are there any spring/damper kits available that will suit?

That's enormously helpful. I had wondered whether the assistance could be reduced but I thought it was hoping for too much. How much is a VAG-COM setup, and where is the best place to get one from?

Alternatively, does anyone know of any garages, preferably in Hertfordshire, who have one available?

Might be worth checking the VAG-COM members (in the VAG com section) who may assist list then dropping a PM someone may be kind enough to help for beer tokens