As mentioned above I believe the suspension on my car is a bit past it and is knocking, as part of replacing whatever is causing the knocking (top mount I am told) I would like to renew the suspension

 

what is the best budget suspension available? I am told coilovers would work out cheaper ?

Ap. A division of kw which are some of the best suspension kits available.

By budget are you meaning the £200 area?

 

Damian @ DPM Performance

Hi Damian, Yeah something around there - with the car being a 2000 plate and the engine only being a 1.4 16v I want something to replace the standard setup but not break the bank.

I'd say the Prosport or JOM kits are the best option for under the £200 mark.

Damian @ DPM Performance

Go ProSport purely for the warranty!

Before you go any further think about what you actually want. Coilovers allow for an amazing range of adjustment to suit application, they can fine tune to a specific requirement but 1/2 a turn either way can spoil that. You'll find multiple threads per week asking similar questions about which cheap kit is the best or least worst. You see asking about them or reporting ride issues/knocking/creaking after fitting them you'll see bugger all threads on how to set them up, the vast majority of people who buy them crank them low and assume they have a great handling car.

If you just want to refresh your suspension then do that, a set of Sachs shocks/springs will cost you slightly more than JOM's etc. A set of AP shocks/springs will be similar but lower, or a decent set of after market springs with new Sachs shocks. You wouldn't shove ditch finders on your car so think carefully before putting no name shocks on your car. Also ask your insurer how much extra they will charge as they're quite blatant and no assessor will miss them if you ever get involved in an accident.

I wouldn't go for the lowest priced bargain basement suspension set up. With your suspension playing such a big role in the driving experience, you end up with a poor ride quality that you will have to live with on a Permanente basis will seriously p you off.

 

Buy cheap, buy twice as the saying goes. Obviously you can only spend what you can afford but if you can stretch to it, buy some that have a good rep.

 

Just to add, I currently have Weitec hi-con gt's and while they are not the best or most expensive on the market, I think they are absolutely brilliant and couldn't' rate them highly enough. Not too harsh but firm enough. 

I had cheap coilies (JOM's) on a car for quite a few months. Loved the way the car looked but the ride really started to get on my nerves towards the end, so I was glad to see the back of them. The dash started to develop loads of creaks and squeaks because of the constant harsh ride too

Never again

Ive heard of quite a few drivers with prosport on with no complaints, they dont lower it to the ground and it handles better with a fairly comfy ride?

Hmmmmmm.................

 

No such think as a cheap set of coilovers...........without compromises!..............

 

Better of fitting OEM suspension components all over!...................& you will fell the difference!..................but if you have to upgrade then defo at least do the console bush to either Powerflex or Superpro as they operate in a different way to the standard bushes.

 

Also has it had the replacement FARB with the welded on collar stops?

I will be honest fabdavrav, I have no idea :/ ! Is there a way of checking? it is a 2000 plate !

 

Its not going to be used on a track but at the minute the coilover sets are around £200 whereas for springs and shocks its more £3-400, i did approach skoda for a set of original setups but if i remember right the price wasnt very cheap.

 

The console bushes were done about a year or so ago (however with standard ones), i didnt know about powerflex at the time.

Considering the age and value of the car, it's a thorny question.

I'd usually say £200 is too low, try £500. But then, my car was less than 2 years old when I changed the suspension for Eibachs. Even then, I got a group buy, fully fitted for £530ish.

 

I'd say either get the OEM suspension refurb'd or try to spend a little more on the coilovers. I've not heard the best things about coilovers used "high". And I'd have concerns regarding the quality of dampers in the cheap kits.

 

Start with OEM bits...

KYB shocks front and rear £225ish on eBay. Front top mount £25 per side. Set of springs, £80-£190...

Call it £350-£450 for coilovers.

 

Add labour to that lot at around £150-£300 depending on rates for around 3-4 hours work.

 

J.