I really like my vrs except when it comes to corners, the car feels like a barge or a bull in a china shop. I'd rather not mess about with coilovers if i can help it.

I've been doing alot of searching on here and have come up with the following for starters

whiteline rarb

S3 upper and lower struts

I've also read you can fit a R32 arb, is it just a straight swap for the original part?

Is there anything else i can try like uprated bushes?

Cheers

Hari

R32 arb will fit but is thicker so you'll need new bushes and maybe mounting brackets. A lower front arb is better than the top one.

do you know what bushes i'd need?

I'd start with the RARB however the only sure fire way of sorting it is the suspension IMO. What about some lowering springs instead of coilovers? Won't be as good but will help.

John

You could stick with the standard VW items (assuming you are going down the R32 route). If you want polybush then any of the well known brands should do. Howvever you may start to hear creeks with the harder bushes.

You could stick with the standard VW items (assuming you are going down the R32 route). If you want polybush then any of the well known brands should do. Howvever you may start to hear creeks with the harder bushes.

what other r32 parts would work?

I'd start with the RARB however the only sure fire way of sorting it is the suspension IMO. What about some lowering springs instead of coilovers? Won't be as good but will help.

John

could give it a try, wouldnt want anything too crashy and bumpy tho

Stick with standard rubber items then for the R32 arb.

Personally I think strut braces are a waste of time/money, but that's just my opinion. Maybe start out with a RARB, and see if you like it. Then the next step would be more sporty springs and dampers, and maybe go adjustable. I also don't think there's much point in fitting a stiffer FARB if your running standard springs and dampers.

After snapping a standard spring recently, I've taken the opportunity to get some Weitec height adjustable coilovers (£488). I'm expecting a pretty decent reduction in body roll. I'm beginning to get tired of the rolly polly handling anyway!

After snapping a standard spring recently, I've taken the opportunity to get some Weitec height adjustable coilovers (£488). I'm expecting a pretty decent reduction in body roll. I'm beginning to get tired of the rolly polly handling anyway!

can you let me know what the ride quality is like please

can you let me know what the ride quality is like please

Will do!

I'm fitting them this weekend, then I'm driving 240miles straight away, so I'll put up a little review next week.

First thing to do without question is fit a rear arb! This will stop alot of body roll and reduce understeer, and it's fairly cheap too with the whiteline one being about £180.

First thing to do without question is fit a rear arb! This will stop alot of body roll and reduce understeer, and it's fairly cheap too with the whiteline one being about £180.

Second that one.

Don't even think about the R32 FARB until you have sorted the RARB, suspension and better wishbone bushes, else you will have an even worse handling car. The R32 FARB will be too severe for the rest of the cars set up.

First thing as been stated, fit a RARB. That mod alone is like night and day.

Then change suspension if the suspension feels soft and none positive. Koni FSD's and H&R are a great set up. Then coilovers are also ok but expect harder, firmer less forgiving ride.

If suspension feels ok and not done many miles then go for front wishbone bushes and ARB bushes on standrad ARB.

If you are flush do this alongside suspension change

S3 front upper and lower strut braces have been done by a few folks (including me) and some say provide a tighter turn in as suspension is kept level and upright. Some folks also say that it over compensates the natrual movement of the front chassis. Personal choice really.

i have just fitted the RARB, the whiteline 22m adjustable one

nice and easy to fit and reduces the body roll like you wouldn't belive

best mod to date and for 150 quid you cant go wrong

Am in a similar position and contemplating the Front and Rear ARB's for my Octy. CUrrently have FSD Koni Dampers and Eibach Pro Kit supplied and fitted by jabba but it is still a little rolly for my liking.

Been quoted by DemonTweeks to fit front and rear ARB's, I think it was for 22mm but can't recall.

Question is, will this be ample? Will it ruin the car? Should I just put the rear ones on for now and try or is this a route that is tried and tested and are their other options I should be looking at?

Just want it to be 'tight'

Steve R

Well, it'll be tighter, whether it is tight enough for you is another thing.

Here's a thought though:

You can fit the rear anti roll bar yourself. It is child's play.

The front though needs the sub-frame to be dropped, it's not hard but it is a lot more work.

You could do the rear yourself and see if that is enough...

CUrrently have FSD Koni Dampers and Eibach Pro Kit supplied and fitted by jabba but it is still a little rolly for my liking.

I think this may be your problem. I am fairly sure that Eibach don't make suitable springs for the vrs.

Well, it'll be tighter, whether it is tight enough for you is another thing.

Here's a thought though:

You can fit the rear anti roll bar yourself. It is child's play.

The front though needs the sub-frame to be dropped, it's not hard but it is a lot more work.

You could do the rear yourself and see if that is enough...

Don't suppose you know if there is a fitting guide anywhere???

Cheers

Bodge, it's not just you that thinks that strut and body braces are a waste of time and money. In fact, given that you have to drill mounts for a top brace on the Octy, I think they can make matters worse by locking in a pre-existing twist!!

Everyone else who's saying "RARB first" is right too.

I think this may be your problem. I am fairly sure that Eibach don't make suitable springs for the vrs.

Agree Lex, this as been covered many times about Eibach springs, do a search Uncle8ill and you may be shocked!

Agree Lex, this as been covered many times about Eibach springs, do a search Uncle8ill and you may be shocked!

Being a man who likes to be in control.... not a fan of shocks! Bit disappointed as they were fitted by Jabba, any reason why they would fit springs which aren't suitable?? Perhaps Jabba could comment.

I think it might be a case of Coilovers all rounds and RARB then.... Open to opinion on which are decent to get hold of. I will fit the Rarb myself was looking at 26 or 28mm tbh to really stiffen it up

Regards to the Eibach springs, jabba are'nt the only one's who have done this many others have too with always the same outcome, they are listed for mk1 octavia 1.8t but do not include the vrs if you look on Eibach website you can see that the vrs is not listed. Trouble with the eibach springs you have on your vrs is that they are the wrong poundage.

Why not get some new springs mate, H&R or Weitec do springs for the vrs, as the fsd's do work well with the right spring. You could always sell your eibach springs on to someone with a 1.8t (not vrs)

When did you have the springs fitted?

Just to add what gmaster says Eibach DO NOT make springs for the vRS. The ones you have will be for the 150bhp 1.8T. I believe the rears are rated at 1000kg instead on being 1070kg.

If you check the forums you will see that I have had a hell of a job over the last several months with Koni FSD's and Eibach lowering springs. After much haggling Eibach have taken the springs back as have Koni with the FSD's.

I now have a full Eibach pro-street coilover kit which IS specific for the vRS.

According to Koni the FSD's should not be used in conjunction with lowering springs of any kind. I'm not an expert but can tell you from personal experience that FSD's and Eibach springs DONT work.

Cheers,

Darren

Sweet Jeebus get some coilovers!!

Fitted mine at the weekend, and I've done 240miles on them already. They are amazing! The car stays flat and solid around corners, and makes you feel like you can take any corner at any speed (this may be my downfall)! Really really impressed with them. It just makes taking corners so much fun! The car is also more stable under braking due to the lack of nose dive, and it no longer rocks back and forth as your changing gear hard. The ride is obviously harder, and you can feel the road more than the standard setup. But it's not uncomfortable to me. I have mine set at what looks like a bit lower than standard, so no clearance issues yet. I need to measure it tonight to get the actual height change.

Other than the coilovers my suspension is standard. I have replaced all the bushes and joints/links on the front end with OE items recently though, so it's nice and tight!

Coilovers FTW!

ive just had the kw v3 coilovers fitted with them being german make thought they would be a better fit? havent driven the car yet waiting to get it back. ive been told theyve lowered it 50mm from standard. anyone had kw suspension fitted i was told there very good can alter ride height damper and rebound rates. please send any feedback :-)

The KW3s are pretty much the best you can get, and really designed for track use.

I think Delcac has them on his, and Beretta used to have them too.

There are quite a lot of things to adjust on them - try a search on here as I'm sure there've been some posts in the past with the settings in them.