Hi all,

 

My Octy (2.0TDi vRS estate) is feeling decidedly baggy these days. It's covered the best part of 110k on the original suspension (AFAIK anyway) so time for some new stuff

Primarily I want to replace the dampers, but doing so gives the opportunity for springs as well to sharpen up the handling a bit. From what I can gather, the Bilstein B12 kit seems popular.

 

My slightly different requirements are:

1) I do a lot of biking, climbing, surfing, camping etc so I am often driving a long distance with a fairly full boot/heavy load. So I want something that will stand up to the load and will not wreck the ride comfort when driving say 200+ miles down the M5 to Devon or going down to the Alps

2) As a result of these hobbies I often have to drive down tracks, park in rough laybys, etc. So I want to preserve ground clearance as much as possible - I've picked up enough scuffs as it is! Therefore I don't really want to lower the car if I can help it, though I realise that improving the handling generally involves a lowering even if it is only slight. One option to meet this criteria would just be to get some stock replacement dampers from the stealers

 

So, anything else to suggest other than the B12s?

 

Thanks

 

Dan

*decent coilovers that the vendor knows will maintain your ride height

 

*Koni Sports adjustable dampers with new OEM springs off the 4x4 TDI wagon

 

*Koni Sports adjustable dampers with custom made springs of similar height but a bit more spring rate.

B12 doesn't lose much clearance, hardly noticable tbh.  It certainly won't stop you using the car like you need.  I ran mine a lot lower and it was never a problem, camping, skiing etc  fully loaded, long trips - yes you have to be aware of the height and drive accordingly but that's true of any sporty car incl a stock vRS.

 

If you wanted to keep it stock height, you could keep your OE springs and team them up with some b6 bilsteins?  That way you'd have improved damping/ride and stock height.  New oe springs might also be worth considering if yours are baggy/droopy.

 

Just thinking out loud.. you may also be able to work out some sort of spacer for the b12 kit that gave you 10mm or so additional height - shouldn't be too hard to engineer.