as above, can anyone clarify this for me please

Yeah they are dimensionally the same, so they will fit. But there are some variations on the integrated anti-roll bar diameters across the range. Obviously you want the beam with the thickest bar really. Which was the 'sport' option fitted to some models in the range.

Some of them also had a ballast weight fitted to the centre of the beam, so that's another variant to watch out for.

But the main mountings, shock mounts, spring platforms and hub flanges should all be identical whatever you get.

Just measure the bar inside your beam, and make sure the new beam has the same diameter bar.

I looked all this info up before, so I'll try and find it for you.....

Here you are mate:

On the Octavia/Leon/Toledo/Golf/Bora/A3 there are beams available with 18mm or 21.7mm integrated ARB's. On the Beetle there was only ever an 18mm bar used, and on the TT there was only ever the 21.7mm bar fitted.

The standard 18mm beam is 1J0500051L, and the "sport" beam is 1J0500051J by the looks of things (VAGCAT). So I'm assuming the vRS has the stiffer "sport" beam already fitted. Need to confirm though.

so im assuming if i'm going to run an aftermarket ARB then it won't really make all that difference?

1) It may not need to make much difference.

2) A fairly common competition mod in classes where there is only one thickness of arb available is to run 2 of them clamped together.

3) The vRS has a bit of a reputation as an understeerer, and more rear roll stiffness is a usual way of sorting this.

the vRS rear beams are also different depending on the year.

The one I bought and broke down was a 51 plate and had the weight in the beam, mine is a 05 plate and doesnt have the weight.

imo the older the vRS the better made it was.

from what Ive read on reviews of the LCR that is the one to go for. might be wrong tho?

billy

LCR beam has better bushes in it, but you can always fit them to the normal one.

cheers boys