I've had my vRS (FL petrol estate) for a couple of months now.

 

I find the handling to be a bit vague with a fair amount of body roll, and the ride height is ridiculous - looks like it is on stilts!

 

What would the recommendations be to reduce roll, slightly firm it up, lower it (a bit, it still needs to be a practical family car) and get rid of some of the bounciness?

 

Would a 35mm lowering kit and rear ARB be enough?  Are (affordable) coilovers just going to give me a harsh ride with rubbish handling?

 

My budget for this would not be massive - would like to keep it under £500 if possible, is this being over optimistic?

Thanks!

30mm Pi lowering springs and Whiteline Rear Anti Roll Bar = Problem sorted. Look on Ebay for both. Springs (£105) Rear Anti Roll Bar (£178).

 

Have a look at mine with the 30mm lowering springs fitted in my gallery pictures.

Edited 19 June, 201412 yr by radders567

30mm Pi lowering springs and Whiteline Rear Anti Roll Bar = Problem sorted. Look on Ebay for both. Springs (£105) Rear Anti Roll Bar (£178).

 

Have a look at mine with the 30mm lowering springs fitted in my gallery pictures.

 

Your looks just about the right height. Do you find it is still OK with a full load?  Most of the time there is only two of us plus a dog in the car, but occasionally I have a full load (had an interesting return trip from the continent recently in my previous car  (Alfa 156) - 5 people, boot full of beer and a roof box full of luggage - I reckon a well placed piece of grit could have taken the sump off!)

Mines lowered 35mm on H&R springs only. Make irrelevant, I can answer your question about what it's like with full load!

I'm on holiday in Devon, dog, two teenage kids, missus, boot full of cases, bags and my bike! It's sat a bit lower again, just about in the arches. Feels solid, and corners fine. IMO standard VRS shocks with ant of the 30-35mm lowering kits are fine, and don't compromise lifestyle. They give only benefits..

Edited 19 June, 201412 yr by MCD

Does anyone have any experiance with poly bush kits? My previous Fabia 1 was fully poly bushed and it made a superb difference. 

I will have a H&R cup kit up for sale soon. Only few months old. Not looking for silly money either.

Another vote for the pi lowering springs. Ok so you compromise a little bit of comfort over uneven road surfaces but the handling difference is incredible for such a small price. £105 well spent as far as I'm concerned!

ive used eibach lowering springs in the past how do thay compare for the vrs ?

Your looks just about the right height. Do you find it is still OK with a full load?  Most of the time there is only two of us plus a dog in the car, but occasionally I have a full load (had an interesting return trip from the continent recently in my previous car  (Alfa 156) - 5 people, boot full of beer and a roof box full of luggage - I reckon a well placed piece of grit could have taken the sump off!)

 Yeah they will be fine, Even with the boot ful and four people in the car it is ok.

I'm on bilstein b8s with -50mm h&r's. Two kids and a boot full on long trips and all ok. Mind you the kids are skinny as dad keeps spending shopping money on more mods haha

 Yeah they will be fine, Even with the boot ful and four people in the car it is ok.

 

Cheers, sounds like this will be the way to go then

Is there much difference between the H&R and Pi springs?

Does anyone have 'real life' measurements of before and after?  Especially on a vRS estate?

Don't know about the difference between the springs but for the difference in cost, for me that extra 5mm was not worth it. Also my car sits right where I wanted it.

what mileage has the original shocks done? as if they are shot it will also make a big difference to the handling

what mileage has the original shocks done? as if they are shot it will also make a big difference to the handling

33,000 miles, so hopefully should be OK?

your budget is pretty low tbh.  springs only and keep your original shocks would be bottom of my list - my recommendation would be the H&R cup kit above (dohboy) if its a good price + H&R rear arb.   or spend a little more and get a B12 kit (or go b8 shocks and h&r springs like dallen for a slightly lower ride height).

 

the oe shocks are not great tbh - you only realise this when you experience something better   not knocking the guys who've put PI springs on oe dampers but have you chaps tried these back to back with something like the H&Rs or bilstiens?

shocks should be fine at 33k but as rob mentioned  something like B12 kit would be superior to your stock set up as the mono tube dampers make a big difference to the ride and handling but it is probably slightly out of your budget

 

if dohboy's H&R cup kit is reasonably priced will make a nicer upgrade than just springs alone as the springs and shocks will be perfectly matched

My shocks were replaced under warranty at around 40K IIRC because they had leaked so might be worth checking them carefully - oh and put a stronger RARB on !

Edited 20 June, 201412 yr by TsvRS