I am looking for replacement suspension on a really tight budget and have been offered some r32 bits but how much lower/stiffer is the r32 suspension than the standard Octy 4x4? Is it the same on the S3? As I have to strip it down to change the top mounts I was wondering if it would be a worthwhile improvement if the price is right. Dont get me wrong, I would love to get a set of nice new KW's but just need to know if it is a move in the right direction or not.

Don't think it's the same as the S3 as i've been reading some audi forums and the S3 owners also seem to upgrade to R32 stuff.

Incidently I'm also looking into using the R32 suspension as I can't afford coilovers yet but haven't found anyone thats tried it on the octy yet

dont think its a good idea mate, as the fronts might be ok but the back will be out due to the rear weight of the octavia.

Im sure son#meone will be able to tell you if thats true or not tho.

billy

Front end ain't a good idea either, they will be sprung and dampened for a 3.2 V6 with a bigger gearbox rather than a 1.8t.

i agree with techie karl, however graham uses r32 v3s on his car without issue....

This topic has been touched on in this thread: R32 arb doesn't fit 4x4!help

The weight difference between the Octy 4x4 and the R32 isn't huge.

Don't think the Octy estate weighs much more than the hatch ?

I'd give it a go, if the R32 stuff where cheap - then just be really carefull till I knew how it was going to handle - but then that should be the case with any suspension change

I already have the extra weight of the 02M box and if I am to believe what I have been reading the v6 ain't a lot heavier than the 1.8T anyway, there is however a bit more weight with the disks and calipers on the R32

Does anyone know how much of a drop it would be though? As the Octy 4x4 is quiet a tall car.

I'd guess whatever stock R32 is

I guessed that Graham :p was looking for figures though

Wouldnt worry about the spring and damper rates on the R32 compared to the 1.8T!

There wont be much difference in axle weight and if there is then its not going to be an issue.

Mk4 r32 is front= 36cm's and rear= 36 cm's - allegedly ~ not confirmed

( wheel centre to top of arch: source )

Wouldnt worry about the spring and damper rates on the R32 compared to the 1.8T!

There wont be much difference in axle weight and if there is then its not going to be an issue.

Could well be the case but there is around 60kgs different between the 100pd Fabia and the vRS and the ride is awful if you fit PD springs to a vRS.

Also there was mention about brakes, that's unsprung weight so will make little difference.

R32 front axle weight 1110kg

Octavia 4x4 front axle weight 1000kg

So the front is going to be stiffer than the rear due to less weight on the springs in the Octy? I do have the 02M gearbox and 312mm disks in place of the 288's that would be original so mine might be a little bit heavier than the 1000kg. So from a handling perspective is that going to induce under or oversteer? Also bearing in mind that my boot is always full of parts and spare wheel and 50+ litres of LPG so the rear end is heavy anyway.

As said brakes are unsprung weight.

But yes it is stiffer which is the right way around, if they are cheap then iirc they are Bilstien so a worthy upgrade.

The only problem will come if you fit the springs and not the dampers as the spring rate could be too high for the damper

Axle weight is one thing and unsprung weight also but the real issue to be fair on a road car at least is how much weight, more or less?

The spring has to support!?

For example if you put VRS front shocks complete onto a diesel, its awe full, bouncy and uncontrolled, plus it sits lower due to the extra weight of the block

The unsprung weight difference wouldn’t be an issue on the road car, I mean guys put R32 calipers and discs on lesser cars with no issues and they are sooo heavy they would probably work better as anchor.

Vrs calipers are heavy but you put Porsche ones on and that’s a massive saving on unsprung weight, but you wouldn’t really notice.

At the end of the day the R32 dampers and springs should have a higher rate for both, which is the right way to go, would be worse if it was going the other way!!

So all it will mean is that your ride could be slightly higher, if the spring is of a higher rate and your ride firmer due to dampers being a higher rate also.

And to be fair they are not going to be as stiff as the SPAX coilovers ive got fitted to my car and they are not and issue

Mk4 r32 is front= 36cm's and rear= 36 cm's - allegedly ~ not confirmed

( wheel centre to top of arch: source )

Standard height for 4x4 is about 39cm's from centre of wheel to the arch. Measured mine.

So should be about 30mm drop if the weight is roughly the same so it sits at the right height

Standard height for 4x4 is about 39cm's from centre of wheel to the arch. Measured mine.

So should be about 30mm drop if the weight is roughly the same so it sits at the right height

So not too severe then, thats good as I have to drive on some of this countries sh1tiest roads and if I am looking at getting back into 1000 mile a week mode it is going to need to clear some speed bumps :D

If you fit the R32 suspension make sure you also get the rear track control arms and the drop links for the anti-roll bar.

If you fit the R32 suspension make sure you also get the rear track control arms and the drop links for the anti-roll bar.

+1

Forge Adjustable Rear Tie Bar

CompBrake VW Golf R32 (Mk4) Stainless steel tie arms

looking on Etka the rear tie bars and drop links seem to be the same only the front shows a different part number? Is this why I have read about issues with scrubbing on the rear of r32's and therefore even though the drop is not major (30mm) adjustable bar would be better?

Yes, that's exactly what happens. You scrub the rear tyres inside edge.

The lower you go, the quicker they get scrubbed.

sorry to hijac

what size is a R32 front ARB? is it 21mm or 23mm?

cheers

looking on Etka the rear tie bars and drop links seem to be the same only the front shows a different part number? Is this why I have read about issues with scrubbing on the rear of r32's and therefore even though the drop is not major (30mm) adjustable bar would be better?

The rear tie bars on the R32 have a slotted hole so have some adjustment unlike the standard bars on a 4x4. I had to change mine because of the tyre scrub. Also the drop links are shorter on an R32.

sorry to hijac

what size is a R32 front ARB? is it 21mm or 23mm?

cheers

23mm buddy.

none R32 4motion and some other variants are 21mm