Finally got my new company car list through and although I am tempted by the Black Edition A3 Sportback I am going to stick with a DSG Diesel Hatchback vRS. I went to my local dealership in Birmingham yesterday to discuss supply and extras.

My company car system is great really. With my current Leon FR they allow any modifications (within reason, i.e no remaps) as long as the car is returned standard or with the modifications given FOC at the end of its 3 year / 90,000 mile term. My issue relates to the Skoda 20mm on vRS Eibach upgrade. I was quoted a price of £450 to have these fitted and IMO of the cars I have seen with this option they don't look very different.

My temptation is to go the full hog and get a damper and spring upgrade then return them back to OEM at the end of the term. I'm not sure of cost of this but I'm guessing it would only be about £100 on top of the Skoda price.

The obvious advantage of the Skoda way is a fuly covered warranty. The chap at Skoda confirmed that by chaging the dampers and springs I may also invalidate the whole supension system which seems very harsh to say the least.

So, going on that advice I'm happy to progress but only with a system that can live up to 90,000 miles and give me that planted, sporty look without a chav factor. A few questions

1) Could I stick with OEM springs and just add dampers or is the drop determined by the springs only not the shocks?

2) AP dampers seem to be a good choice with Eibach springs on this site, but whats the best same brand packages? I would like both dampers and springs the same.

3) What drop would I need to get a good planted look and drive. I would like a '2 finger' gap around the wheel as I don't want to lose my bumper on speed bumps. What is the maximum drop people have got that means everyday driving is fine?

Thanks

Ride height on MacPherson struts is governed by the spring rate and legnth. Springs have different amounts of "sag" as well which is why its improtant to get the correct springs for the model weight. 1.4 springs may fit a 2.0tdi but the ioncreased weight of the diesel will result in a lower ride height but compromised susepsnion due to reduced travel as the coils in the springs are now closer together.

Coilovers are of course different as (assuming the manufacturer has designed them correctly) the adjustable spring platforms allow ride height change without too much compromise on suspension action but coilovers will gve you grief with maintenance over 90K. It is imperative to keep coilovers clean and greased otherwise the platforms and lock rings seize.

If it was me I'd stick with MacPhersons but not get hung up on the single manufacturer issue. On other vehicles I've run Koni Shocks/Eibach Springs and Bilstein/KW but only because these were the best combination.

Thanks. I think you are right about not worrying about mixing different makers. What would your advice be for exact spring & coilover setup on the diesel vRS ?

Or I wonder if in fact I should just go with some H &R springs I spotted that would drop the vRS 25mm rather than the OEM Eibach 20mm, but would this cause issues over 90,000 with OEM shocks

Edited 18 April, 201016 yr by Moley RUFC

to be honest IMHO by 90K the shocks will probably be pretty tired and 25mm is a fair drop on standard shocks so I would think its a risk. I would probably go for Koni FSD's with Eibach as they are a tried and trusted combo and not worry about the 5mm - you ain't gonna notice. Keep the standard shocks and springs for sale time. H&R are excellent springs but no idea on how they ride compared to the Eibachs.

Edited 18 April, 201016 yr by wardth

i would recommend you try to get a ride in some cars with a few different modded suspension(s) before you make your choice. No substitute for first hand experience.

No problem to have a ride in my vrs (koni, eibach) if you're near oxford.

As has been said before, springs determine the ride height. Spring and damper combination will determine the ride quality. hth.