Hi, I have had my vRS estate for just over 2 years (2006, 85000 miles) now and think it has got a bit soft lately, it seems to roll more in corners than before, I'm wondering what improvements to make to get it feeling like it used to, would it be new shocks/springs or anti roll bars?

 

I have around £4-500 to spend on improvements, any advice appreciated.

If you think the dampers are on their way out, which is possible given the mileage, then a once over in that direction may be best first. They may not be leaking but they do just get tired.

The appropriate suspension bushes and bump stops can be victims of high mileage too and tend to give a car that soggy feeling. There are stiffer ones from other VAG vehicles which firm things up.

VAG springs are not the most durable in the world, although you often hear the clanking first.

A rear anti roll bar should certainly improve the handling. I am very pleased with mine, but you need the other stuff right first.

An alignment will likely improve things such as grip and feel, tyre life and fuel consumption too.

This is my problem atm. Mines only done 52k and either my dampers are on their way out our I've just got used to the handling (coming from an aygo lol) next year I'm definitely going to be modifying it- I just got to decide what I want to do. I quite like the sound of ap coilovers and I also like arbs, im just not sure its worth doing both for an everyday driver? If I stick with original setup, id change the lower control arms and allignment, I'm a big fan of fairly stiff, direct feeling cars......aarrrgghhh choices!

If you don't want to lower you car then a set of bilstein b6 shocks would make a nice upgrade

@tequilan, imo the best bang for the buck is a RARB, a front is pointless, as the octavia needs the F/R balance changing, not just loads of extra stiffness. Improves the handling a LOT. Makes the steering much better and more responsive, with no compromises as far as the ride is concerned.

New bushes if necessary, of course.

Anyway, try the RARB. The popular Whiteline adjustable is <£200 so a cheap starting place to how you like it.

Plenty of threads on the subject in general.

My money would be on a H&R cup kit... Was nice on mine. Better ride than current coilovers... But stiffer and more responsive than standard.

I did the RARB and control arm consoles. Steering is as tight as a ducks bum now but used to feel lethargic, wayward and particularly sloppy on poor road quality corners.

TsvRS - did you use tt or S3 control arms? and where is best place to get them from? breakers yard? direct from audi?

thanks in advance, 

 

Dazzle - im sorry if i have hijacked your thread! ( i guess what people have been saying is related to your opening post tho  

TsvRS - did you use tt or S3 control arms? and where is best place to get them from? breakers yard? direct from audi?

thanks in advance, 

 

Dazzle - im sorry if i have hijacked your thread! ( i guess what people have been saying is related to your opening post tho  

I used these off Amazon of all places: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Febi-33973-Control-Arm-Mounting/dp/B006DHY58W/

They are completely solid so I assume equivalent to the TT ones.

Edited 4 August, 201411 yr by TsvRS

Ahh I see, you are just talking about the bushes. I'm thinking of getting the arms as well so the geometry is changed too. I've read lots of people have done it. I'm assuming it's the mk2 tt they are off.

my tt arms were from a breaker, £100 for both incl consoles and bushes.  the consoles are a different shape though so you have to push out the tt bush and fit it into your oe console.

 

my s3 arms were new from TPS i think (got them via AKS tuning) and came with new consoles and what look to be the same non-voided bushes as the tt has.  IIRC they were 110 per side plus vat.

Ahh I see, you are just talking about the bushes. I'm thinking of getting the arms as well so the geometry is changed too. I've read lots of people have done it. I'm assuming it's the mk2 tt they are off.

Yes I bought the wrong control arms. They are the same as the Superpro ones I think but will only fit with customized console housings so I just fitted the bushes. I will sell the control arms as they are OEM fitting for a Passat.

gotcha. i think i will just plump for the solid bushes and an anti lift kit and not bother with the actual arms as I probably wont feel the full benefit. h and r cup kit sound good too....and cheap (ish) from germany as well!