Hi all

Does the mk1 vrs estate have uprated suspension to the l&k?

Yes, MK1 vRS suspension should bolt straight onto the L&K. The only suspension you cannot fit is from the 4x4 as the rear end setup is different. Fitting the vRS suspension to your car will give it a slightly lower stance.

Great. My L&K estate is a bit sloppy and i was just thinking of potential handling upgrades. I didnt want to go for the gary boy look, had my years of that. I want it to be 'standard' So standard VRS Estate suspension is what I will keep an eye out for.

 

Is estate different from hatch?

Are you comparing the vRS (petrol) suspension with the L&K (diesel) suspension? I think at least there would be different spring rates at the front because of the different engine weights.

 

FWIW when our L&K (diesel) felt a bit wallowy I had the dampers replaced with Koni FSDs and this was a great improvement.

Have just done this to my 130PD L+K estate.

 

I took a chance on an end of line Bilstein kit for a KK 4 Golf.

 

Dampers are fine, nice and firm compared to the worn out standard oem dampers i inherited, also a bit shorter in stroke which allows it to sit lower and remove some pitch movement.

 

However the Golf specific springs with the kit i was not able to use as they would have been too short for an estate.

 

they were also a bit softer in rate compared to oem.

 

So i fitted a set of used vRS springs all round.

 

The rate was at least the same as oem springs.

 

I have a basic spring rate tester so was able to compare.

 

I checked out a parts list for Ocatvia MK1 springs......blimey, so many different variants, all marked with a coloured dot system.

 

So, even more important to change springs in matched pairs.

 

Incdentally, when i removed the rear oem springs, i noticed one was newer than the other and after market......it was also 25mm shorter !!!!

 

I also fitted a Whiteline adjustable Rear anti-roll bar, infact i did that before the suspension kit.

 

It hangs a bit low (the bar that is), so beware if driving on uneven ground, but made a big difference.

 

So, in my view, the vRS springs are at least as stiff as oem and a damper change along with bushes and top front brgs is essential to get the fulll benefit, in fact its probably more the dampers that give the wallowy feel.

 

The Rear Anti-roll bar is icing on the cake.

 

The overall drop is about 25mm front and 30mm rear, so its helped with that "arse in the air" look that some MK1 estates seem to have.

Great. My L&K estate is a bit sloppy and i was just thinking of potential handling upgrades. I didnt want to go for the gary boy look, had my years of that. I want it to be 'standard' So standard VRS Estate suspension is what I will keep an eye out for.

 

Is estate different from hatch?

Given the price you will pay for a complete new set of vRS shocks and springs, I'd go for something different, like an FSD kit, or H&R springs with Bilsteins. Mostly because, even new, stock vRS suspension is not that great. Mine got replaced all round as it was completely knackered, but I was far from impressed when I refitted it all.

Edited 8 January, 201412 yr by demonufo