Sportline suspension upgrade

[Bejam]

I’ve ordered the H&R as well - due to be fitted by a local specialist, once it arrives hopefully this next week.

 

Looking forward to comparing notes. 

[JR RS]

17 hours ago, newbie69 said:

Update: Just ordered the H&R rear arb  , to heII with procrastination. I had this upgrade in mind since before even picking the  car up, it's cheap, easy to install (I think, haven't done the installation on AWD cars and not sure whether I'll need to remove more parts than usual) and huge bang for your back in the cornering department.

So I guess stay tuned for the findings of its impact...


 

Watch out as the quoted front & rear set is not the correct one for the 4x4 models. According to H&R's catalog the model numbers for the 2.0 TSI 4x4 (both hatch and estate) are:

33784-4   - FRONT only

33784-5   - FRONT & REAR

33851 HA5 - REAR only    <<< That's what I got





 

 

I've encountered the same issue - trying to source rear bars only, but I can only find both the H&R and Eibach ones being sold as a kit (front + rear).

I don't want the front.

I'm waiting to hear back from Eibach for the rear bar only, but I gotta a feeling it won't b cheap.

 

Where did u order the H&R rear bar only?

 

Given mine is a 220 FWD, I should b looking at the 33851 HA2 yes?

 

Do keep us posted on how u go with urs and the install.

Edited 22 April, 2020 by JR RS

[newbie69]

1 hour ago, JR RS said:

 

I've encountered the same issue - trying to source rear bars only, but I can only find both the H&R and Eibach ones being sold as a kit (front + rear).

I don't want the front.

I'm waiting to hear back from Eibach for the rear bar only, but I gotta a feeling it won't b cheap.

 

Where did u order the H&R rear bar only?

 

Given mine is a 220 FWD, I should b looking at the 33851 HA2 yes?

 

Do keep us posted on how u go with urs and the install.

I know and it doesn't make sense from a tuning point of view for our cars especially to upgrade the full pair. For reference, the Eibach pair was around 550 eur and the rear alone close to 400eur  which made it unreasonable. I found the H&R on ebay for 210EUR delivered from Germany and that is a pretty fair offer. In the end I happened to come across a Swedish shop offering it for a similar price so I went with them and they are shipping it today. You might want to check Bejam's link in the previous page for a UK shop, if they had the AWD variant they most probably have/can get the FWD too.

Yes, according to the catalog, for your FWD model  you need to go with either "33851 HA" or "33851 HA2", the difference being the HA2 is 26mm instead of 24mm for the HA. None of them is adjustable otherwise.

There will of-course be the appropriate  installation + review follow-up as with most of my mods 


Update: A link for the FWD 26mm one from Germany:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/H-R-Stabilisator-Stabi-Hinterachse-hinten-Blau-33851HA2/362964303314?hash=item54825bbdd2:g:dc8AAOSwdXhei2UZ

Edited 22 April, 2020 by newbie69

[Bejam]

FYI and for UK people, the H&R ARB I've ordered is being supplied and fitted for £260 (I assume + VAT).

 

In the meantime, my Racechip stuff should be arriving this afternoon...

 

Will post some thoughts when I get a chance.

[Bigeater]

1 hour ago, Bejam said:

FYI and for UK people, the H&R ARB I've ordered is being supplied and fitted for £260 (I assume + VAT).

 

In the meantime, my Racechip stuff should be arriving this afternoon...

 

Will post some thoughts when I get a chance.

i'll have to come and look at this 🙂

[shyVRS245]

1 hour ago, Bigeater said:

i'll have to come and look at this 🙂

It's a 272 it's bound to be better than a 280.

[penguin17]

7 hours ago, JR RS said:

 

I've encountered the same issue - trying to source rear bars only, but I can only find both the H&R and Eibach ones being sold as a kit (front + rear).

I don't want the front.

I'm waiting to hear back from Eibach for the rear bar only, but I gotta a feeling it won't b cheap.

 

Where did u order the H&R rear bar only?

 

Given mine is a 220 FWD, I should b looking at the 33851 HA2 yes?

 

Do keep us posted on how u go with urs and the install.

You could try Superpro or Whiteline.  Both Australian companies. 

 

I've ordered a Superpro 22mm rear ARB today and a set of Eibach pro springs too. 

 

[newbie69]

39 minutes ago, penguin17 said:

You could try Superpro or Whiteline.  Both Australian companies. 

 

I've ordered a Superpro 22mm rear ARB today and a set of Eibach pro springs too. 

 

Everybody is going for a rear arb upgrade it seems 

Lots of comparisons coming up then!

[JR RS]

  

11 hours ago, newbie69 said:

You might want to check Bejam's link in the previous page for a UK shop, if they had the AWD variant they most probably have/can get the FWD too.

Yes, according to the catalog, for your FWD model  you need to go with either "33851 HA" or "33851 HA2", the difference being the HA2 is 26mm instead of 24mm for the HA. None of them is adjustable otherwise.

There will of-course be the appropriate  installation + review follow-up as with most of my mods 

 

Update: A link for the FWD 26mm one from Germany:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/H-R-Stabilisator-Stabi-Hinterachse-hinten-Blau-33851HA2/362964303314?hash=item54825bbdd2:g:dc8AAOSwdXhei2UZ

 

i checked Bejam's link, it appears they only have the rear bar alone for the AWD version 😞

no FWD versions (33851-HA or 33851-HA2) in sight.

 

i also checked the ebay link u posted - that bar looks very "straight" - seems different to all the other FWD rear swaybars i've seen for the Superb.

hmmm.....

 

 

 

5 hours ago, penguin17 said:

You could try Superpro or Whiteline.  Both Australian companies. 

 

I've ordered a Superpro 22mm rear ARB today and a set of Eibach pro springs too. 

 

 

I'm looking at these avenues now.  i had whiteline rear sway bars in my previous mk2 Octavia RS.  i checked their website, and they give me "BWF19XZ" - however looking at its spec sheet, it says its for Superb B6/3T 2008-2015 models - i.e. mk2 Superb. 

the mk2 Superb is not MQB platform/suspension.

the mk3 is B8/3V 2015+

so i'm confused.

 

Superpro seem to only have the 22mm version.  i'm looking to get at least a 24-26mm version.

 

i also saw Hardrace Rear sway bars too - however i need to check with them as it appears they only have the AWD version.

 

i'll keep looking.  

 

Edited 23 April, 2020 by JR RS

[penguin17]

5 hours ago, JR RS said:

  

 

i checked Bejam's link, it appears they only have the rear bar alone for the AWD version 😞

no FWD versions (33851-HA or 33851-HA2) in sight.

 

i also checked the ebay link u posted - that bar looks very "straight" - seems different to all the other FWD rear swaybars i've seen for the Superb.

hmmm.....

 

 

 

 

I'm looking at these avenues now.  i had whiteline rear sway bars in my previous mk2 Octavia RS.  i checked their website, and they give me "BWF19XZ" - however looking at its spec sheet, it says its for Superb B6/3T 2008-2015 models - i.e. mk2 Superb. 

the mk2 Superb is not MQB platform/suspension.

the mk3 is B8/3V 2015+

so i'm confused.

 

Superpro seem to only have the 22mm version.  i'm looking to get at least a 24-26mm version.

 

i also saw Hardrace Rear sway bars too - however i need to check with them as it appears they only have the AWD version.

 

i'll keep looking.  

 

I've had a quick check of other marques/models to see if there's any chance they are available but just not advertised for the Superb.  If it's any help, (from my quick googling) I think any bars advertised to fit a SEAT Ateca, VW Passat, Arteon, or Touran would also fit the Superb as they all have the larger MQB chassis/suspension setup. 

[JR RS]

I got confirmation from Whiteline that the mk3 Superb FWD shares the same rear sway bar as the mk7 Golf GTi.

Similar to the Superb AWD is to the mk7 Golf R.

 

Nonetheless, I've decided to go with the Hardrace 25.4mm rear sway bar.

It's not adjustable, which I'm not fussed about.

 

 

 

 

[newbie69]

6 hours ago, JR RS said:

i also checked the ebay link u posted - that bar looks very "straight" - seems different to all the other FWD rear swaybars i've seen for the Superb.

hmmm.....

I think it's a false alarm as they are probably using a generic/wrong image rather than images from the actual products, not uncommon on ebay shops.  If you take a look at their catalog, they show the exact same (wrong) image on every H&R rear bar they offer which would surely have caused trouble by now, if it was the case.

I would have ordered mine from them without hesitation, maybe an extra message to confirm it was for the front but I would trust the model number being the one advertised. They have a high score and sales numbers also so it the bar you received wasn't the one ordered you'd be sorted from Ebay protection anyway.

But now I wonder whether they would ship to you in Australia anyway?

[Bejam]

FWIW, the guys who are fitting my H&R also offered the SuperPro - said they were essentially identical and could do both brands for the same price.

[newbie69]

I've made a thread dedicated to the arb upgrade and all related discussion, so let's gather every new comment about it there: 

 

[TheBinarySheep]

I have a 280 and think the ride is too soft. I'm looking to firm it up a little but I don't necessarily want to lower it as I like the ride height as it is. Are there some spacers that can be installed with the H & R springs to maintain the sport lines current ride height?

[newbie69]

1 hour ago, TheBinarySheep said:

I have a 280 and think the ride is too soft. I'm looking to firm it up a little but I don't necessarily want to lower it as I like the ride height as it is. Are there some spacers that can be installed with the H & R springs to maintain the sport lines current ride height?

I had seen that but not in the UK. It was a rubber-ish helix of just one coil installed between two coils of the actual spring to prevent compression close to the middle. So the spring was still compressing but kind of split in two parts, whereas the two middle coils remained apart due to that item (spring buffers they were called). Maybe UK suspension specialists offer something similar.

[penguin17]

10 hours ago, TheBinarySheep said:

I have a 280 and think the ride is too soft. I'm looking to firm it up a little but I don't necessarily want to lower it as I like the ride height as it is. Are there some spacers that can be installed with the H & R springs to maintain the sport lines current ride height?

Eibach pro kits are meant to be very good and the only general complaint about those that fit them is that they don't lower the car enough.  Not sure what they'd be like on the Superb but I've got some to fit on my Golf R and looking at the R forums, they seem to only reduce the standard ride height by 12-15mm and don't compromise on ride quality.  

 

They do a kit for the Superb 280: 

https://www.eibachshop.co.uk/eibach-prokit-performance-spring-kit_p32341602.htm

 

If you get a garage to fit them then you're looking at ~3hr labour cost. 

[JR RS]

1 hour ago, penguin17 said:

they seem to only reduce the standard ride height by 12-15mm and don't compromise on ride quality.  

 

Mine dropped 20mm with the Eibach ProKit.

Mine is a non-Sportline with DCC, riding on factory 19" Phoenix wheels.

 

Measured from top of wheel arch to ground:-

Before = 690 mm

After = 670mm

[penguin17]

3 minutes ago, JR RS said:

 

Mine dropped 20mm with the Eibach ProKit.

Mine is a non-Sportline with DCC, riding on factory 19" Phoenix wheels.

 

Measured from top of wheel arch to ground:-

Before = 690 mm

After = 670mm

Like I said, I was quoting drop for the Golf R.

 

So the Sportline is already 15mm lower than standard and you report a 20mm drop so the drop, for a Sportline won’t be much at all, right ? E.g; <10mm?? 

[JR RS]

12 minutes ago, penguin17 said:

Like I said, I was quoting drop for the Golf R.

 

So the Sportline is already 15mm lower than standard and you report a 20mm drop so the drop, for a Sportline won’t be much at all, right ? E.g; <10mm?? 

 

Sorry, my bad.

 

DCC is 10mm lower than Standard.

Sportline is 15mm lower than Standard.

 

So, yeah, I'd imagine the drop for a Sportline might only b a total of 15mm, from stock height.

Mine dropped 20mm from stock height.

Edited 28 April, 2020 by JR RS

[penguin17]

2 hours ago, JR RS said:

 

Sorry, my bad.

 

DCC is 10mm lower than Standard.

Sportline is 15mm lower than Standard.

 

So, yeah, I'd imagine the drop for a Sportline might only b a total of 15mm, from stock height.

Mine dropped 20mm from stock height.

So for both Sporline/non-sportline and/or DCC/non-DCC the Eibach pro kit may be worth considering if you don't want the car slammed and/or ride quality completely ruined

 

EDIT: @JR RS I forgot to ask, how do you find the Eibach kit?  

 

 

Edited 28 April, 2020 by penguin17

[TheBinarySheep]

One of the things for me is I like the gap between the tyre and wheel arch the be more or less equal all the way around. Some of the pictures I've seen online make it look like the top of the tyre is almost in the wheel arch, and I don't like 'obviously' lowered look.

I thought maybe there may have been some spacers that the springs could mount onto the make back up some drop. I guess it would be possible to get some made, but could prove costly.

[JR RS]

4 hours ago, penguin17 said:

So for both Sporline/non-sportline and/or DCC/non-DCC the Eibach pro kit may be worth considering if you don't want the car slammed and/or ride quality completely ruined

 

EDIT: @JR RS I forgot to ask, how do you find the Eibach kit?  

 

 

 

Correct, it's far from slammed, let alone "obviously lowered".

Its subtle, yet makes a nice difference both in looks and firmness.

 

The ride has not been compromised one bit.  I don't know if it's thanks to the DCC shocks, but the ride comfort is still great!! Better in fact because there is less walloness to it now.

 

None of my friends, nor my wife have noticed any difference in the ride comfort.

 

It's even more comfortable than when I lowered my mk2 Octavia RS with 18s on Eibach ProKits - same drop amount.

 

[newbie69]

 

21 hours ago, TheBinarySheep said:

One of the things for me is I like the gap between the tyre and wheel arch the be more or less equal all the way around. Some of the pictures I've seen online make it look like the top of the tyre is almost in the wheel arch, and I don't like 'obviously' lowered look.

I thought maybe there may have been some spacers that the springs could mount onto the make back up some drop. I guess it would be possible to get some made, but could prove costly.

I'm on the same boat. I don't like when at the top of the arch, the gap between it and the wheel looks "squeezed", that shouts "I lowered my car" to me and I don't really fancy that. Some photos of Superb Estates on Eibachs looked a bit too lowered for my taste so I had abandoned the idea but looking now at @JR RS 's hatch above and even clearer at @Enriquez car (hatch also) who was kind enough to send me a full album of his L&K on Eibach Pro Kit a while ago, this seems to be the perfect drop, no?  I don't know if for some reason the hatches drop a bit less than the estates, but from the photos I've seen the hatches seem to be on the ideal drop for me.

https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipMvqgvieRs2tRMUB1lMewluWAGpYbsRdc4sdBALM5kUhX-1SSGElG9PDegMNKt-sw?key=T25LRm5UbzhoYVJwMXY2dkVDRmF1d0R4WFBJVFNR


So as I'm still "hot" after the rear arb installation on Monday, I think I'll order the Eibach Pro-Kit and put it on soon     Not primarily for handling improvement as that was mostly taken care of from the H&R swaybar (although a reduction of squat and dive and a reduced center of gravity are always a plus), but because there was just a bit of arch gap with which I was never happy. Not much, 15mm less would be ideal so if it drops by 20mm as @JR RS reported it would look as a proper Sportline should have come from factory.


 

[newbie69]

UPDATE:  I looked up our discussion again and the car in the photos in the link I posted above, is not just on Eibachs. According to the owner, at the rear he has replaced the stock spacer, item no.3 , that goes above the spring with a thicker one from Audi. The Skoda one is 5mm while the Audi is 15mm so he has pushed the rear 10mm back up after the drop as he felt it dropped too much. Just to be clear that how the rear end looks in those photos will not be the same as to what people will get after the Eibach install.






I think the Audi spacer at the rear might actually be a good idea as the car looks homogeneously dropped front and rear in all photos, plus it's going to help when having a loaded boot. Now to find that part number though...

@JR RS   can you provide a side photo as perpendicularly as possible to the side to compare with how much the rear drops on just the Eibach springs and stock spacer? Thanks

Edited 29 April, 2020 by newbie69