Hi All

 

It seems that suspension kits only lower the VRS by 20mm and to go lower a coilover kit is recommended by some of the manufacturers.

 

I have seen some posts mentioning that coilovers can cause a "crashy" ride.

 

I was looking for a 30mm drop but wondered if a 20mm drop would suffice.

 

What are peoples thoughts on this?

 

Also, when changing the suspension, I will change the top mounts/bearings and probably the drop links also. Is there anything else worth changing like adjustable suspension bolts etc?

 

Cheers

 

Dave

 

crashy?  depends on the quality of the kit and the spring and damper rates. 

 

for a spring+shock kit or coilovers you've effectively got the same basic variables, a coil spring and a damper - for the coilovers the only difference is that you can move the spring perch up and down on the damper body. 

 

the reason coilovers get that reputation is in my view based on:

- some people run them on a very extreme drop, which may mean other suspension components are at the limit of tolerances, or in some cases the damper is actually out of its 'core' range of movement which can limit its effectiveness.

- coilovers cost more to produce so for equivalent price items the coilovers will be of lesser quality, and crap stuff is more likely to ride like crap.

 

i've had aftermarket suspension kits on lots of cars and i can remember some cheap ****ty kits i put on my mk3 gti's back in the day that were truly shocking (excuse the pun), cheap, looked good but rode like crap and that was with springs and dampers not coils.

 

My current setup on the vrs is H&R monotubes; very good quality kit that rides better than OEM. 

 

Other stuff to change?  Depends on condition /mileage really. 

I lowered mine using a bilstein b12 kit which drops appx 20 mm in my opinion it's not enough

Ride is massively improved tho

In my opinion a 20mm drop gives the VRS a good stance but the advantage with coilovers is you can adjust to suit how you personally want it to sit.

 

Things like top mounts and bearings are worth changing whilst doing the suspension.

Damian @ DPM Performance

Yep as above i've had eibachs (same springs as a b12 kit) and the drop was minimal, like 15mm or so. 

There are some spring and shock kits that will go lower though - H&R do a "comfort" cup kit that has their -50mm springs;  that would equate to a 35mm drop on a vRS as its already 15mm lower than a regular octavia.  Or as Damian says, go coilovers and you can adjust as you need.

FWIW for the first time ever over the winter i raised mine UP to cope with the heavy load needed for family+gear for my recent snowboard/ski trip to the alps.  You can't do that with a shock+ spring kit

Hi All

 

Thanks for the responses. I have eibach springs on my astravan and they have been good but I wanted a wee bit lower on the VRS or as seems the way to go, adjustability.

 

What about coilovers from AP??

 

http://www.ap-suspensions.co.uk/shop/coilover_suspension/

 

http://www.ap-suspensions.co.uk/ap-coilover-suspension-galvanized-steel-64.html

 

Are these any good??

 

Whats the script with the axle weight? Do they have to support 1100kgs or over?

Edited 9 April, 201412 yr by FatblokeVRS

any suspension you fit needs to be in line with the axle ratings of the vehicle - there's a sticker (in the door shut i think?) that tells you which you'll need.

 

a couple of people on here have had APs (nickp?) so you can prob search and get some first hand feedback on them.  They are made by KW but are at the budget end of the kw range of brands.  Given their origins i'd guess they would be very similar in ride to the weitec hicon gt's i had on the last car.  They were a bit stiffer than stock but not uncomfortable - i had those on the old vrs for 80k miles no issue.

Cheers for that.I dont want to spend too much as may get a RARB also.

SWMBO drives it most of the time. I don't do track days or scream it about everywhere, I just want it to be a bit better on the back roads and for it to look a bit better as it sits a wee bit high and rolls a bit on the corners. Got to keep some ride quality as wife and daughter in it mostly.

Any other suggestions for suspension kits or coilovers?

Where's best to get them?

Or these....??

http://www.pi-suspension.co.uk/pi-coilover-kit-skoda-octavia-2005-20t-dsg-rs-19tdi-dsg-20tdi-dsg-2wd4wd-front-shocks-55mm-diameter-picoskoda06_p1284064.htm

I like my Ap coilovers. On my last Octy I had FSD Shocks and H&R springs which was an awful bouncy ride. I was reluctant to try coilovers as I didn't want a harsh ride living in the countryside. The AP's are great, a little harsher than standard but not that noticeable. Obviously it depends how low you go with them but I'm certainly a coilover convert.