Does the Sportline have stiffer suspension?

[Q102]

as above really!

Currently have 2016 2.0TDI SE Business est, love the car but I feel it's just too floaty.

Taking cash instead of company car in a few months, ideally want another Superb as the dog guard and boot liner are a straight swap.

 

There seems to be a fair few Sportlines second hand at the moment at a reasonable value

[adamjackdrew]

If you can, get something with DCC (Dynamic Chassis Control) - I have it standard on my L&K and wouldn't be without it.  Keep it in normal most of the time, but occasionally go for floaty comfort, and very rarely pop it into Sport, which really stiffens everything up...

[penguin17]

The Sportline has *slightly* firmer suspension, which sits 15mm lower than standard. IME it makes the car less prone to leaning in corners whilst not spoiling comfort. If anything I’d prefer it to be more taut. 

 

Even with 19” wheels the Sportline is still a nice, compliant ride. 

[shyVRS245]

8 minutes ago, penguin17 said:

The Sportline has *slightly* firmer suspension, which sits 15mm lower than standard. IME it makes the car less prone to leaning in corners whilst not spoiling comfort. If anything I’d prefer it to be more taut. 

 

Even with 19” wheels the Sportline is still a nice, compliant ride. 

Agree with all your points penguin17, shy.

[JR RS]

part numbers on my non-Sportline:-

DCC Shocks: 3Q0413031AK

Springs: VW5Q04GL

 

 

would b good to get similar part numbers from peeps with Sportline models so we can compare.

[JohnBlenk]

I have Sportline without DCC and I found the damping lacked control on bumpy corners and over speed bumps. This was even more of an issue after a remap to 300bhp, so decided to change the shocks to Koni Special Actives. These provide much better control and handling, without impacting the ride comfort. Would certainly recommend these as a cheaper option to coilovers.

[Esseesse200]

A few of us have gone for H&R springs to solve that issue and mine is a sportline. Yes they do lower it further but does sort the floatiness out. However the Koni special actives are next on my list 

[Markbro]

34 minutes ago, Esseesse200 said:

A few of us have gone for H&R springs to solve that issue and mine is a sportline. Yes they do lower it further but does sort the floatiness out. However the Koni special actives are next on my list 

I look forward to your review once fitted!!😁

[JR RS]

1 hour ago, Esseesse200 said:

A few of us have gone for H&R springs to solve that issue and mine is a sportline. Yes they do lower it further but does sort the floatiness out. However the Koni special actives are next on my list 

 

+1

H&R or Eibach springs have been the go to for a few of us to firm things up a little.

 

I put Eibach Prokit springs in my non-Sportline.  Pairs very nicely with the DCC shocks.

It's still very comfortable in Comfort mode.  Normal mode is not firm.

It doesn't eliminate the "bounce" completely, but it helps.

 

Been more than 6 months - very happy with it.

Plus is looks much nicer being 20mm lower.

Edited 29 February, 2020 by JR RS

[Esseesse200]

10 hours ago, Markbro said:

I look forward to your review once fitted!!😁

Haha mark it’ll not be until later on in the year but you’ll know when it’s done lol 

[Q102]

Took delivery of a 2019 1.5TSi Sport Line lask week.

Yes the suspension is stiffer, I think it's a mix of lower profile tyres and slightly lower ride height.

[newbie69]

Sportline alone doesn't tell much really, the suspension is still set up towards comfort. The DCC is where the difference is made. Sportline DCC in Sport mode is the firmest of all the available variants, then I believe L&K DCC in Sport comes second, then Sportline non-DCC, then the standard Superb.

[TTruckie]

Just fitted Koni Special Actives on my 280 Sportline 4x4 and - Wow!  Its what the car should have been like all along.  Only a couple of 100 miles on it since the fit but no more floating and wallowing.  It is slightly stiffer over the small slow speed stuff, but not hard but it is SO much better when pushed.

 

Kept the springs the same, just a damper change.  If doing it yourself, and it is straight forward, you will need a few bespoke tools and it is possible to do it without removing the front hubs and driveshafts etc.  watch a couple of vids on youtube, just search for Golf Mk7 suspension change 2x4 method.  I needed to get a set of euro tri-square bits (12 point bits), a damper 16mm socket with euro blade fit and a suspension spreader bit.  the rest was just in my normal tools box.

 

If in doubt..... do it!

[ilivili]

Hi,
we just got a MY2018 Superb Estate 1,4 TSI with DSG and Style trim package - no DCC. Driving characteristics are little bit disappointing. I'm planning to address this issue by replacing the current standard shocks with Koni Special Active or with Bilstein B6 and springs with the ones from the Sportline trim. Changing standard springs to Sportline might be related more to appearance than to ride feel

 

Although I have read many topics here on the forum and searched the web, I've not found the part codes for the Sportline springs (front and rear). 
Does anyone have the part number information for the Sportline springs?

 

[dohboy78]

On 29/02/2020 at 20:31, Esseesse200 said:

A few of us have gone for H&R springs to solve that issue and mine is a sportline. Yes they do lower it further but does sort the floatiness out. However the Koni special actives are next on my list 

 

Do you have a Hatch or Wagon?

 

[ilivili]

1 hour ago, dohboy78 said:

 

Do you have a Hatch or Wagon?

 

Wagon

 

[Carlston]

4 hours ago, ilivili said:

Hi,
we just got a MY2018 Superb Estate 1,4 TSI with DSG and Style trim package - no DCC. Driving characteristics are little bit disappointing. I'm planning to address this issue by replacing the current standard shocks with Koni Special Active or with Bilstein B6 and springs with the ones from the Sportline trim. Changing standard springs to Sportline might be related more to appearance than to ride feel

 

Although I have read many topics here on the forum and searched the web, I've not found the part codes for the Sportline springs (front and rear). 
Does anyone have the part number information for the Sportline springs?

 

What OEM part numbers do your current front and rear springs have?

 

Your current front and rear springs might have OEM part numbers 5Q0411105GJ (2 blue dots) and 3Q0511115AK. If so, you would have an option of going up one weight range on the front and/or rear springs. The increase in spring stiffness by going up one weight range is about 5%, as you would be going up from 11.75mm wire thickness to 12mm wire thickness on the front and 12.25mm wire thickness to 12.5mm wire thickness on the rear. 

 

5Q0411105GK is one weight range higher than 5Q0411105GJ.

 

3Q0511115AL is one weight range higher than 3Q0511115AK.

 

Front Springs

(1)	5Q0411105GJ	coil spring 2 paint marks	blue
(1)	5Q0411105GK	coil spring 1 paint mark 1 paint mark	blue green

 

Rear Springs

1	3Q0511115AK	coil spring
1	3Q0511115AL	coil spring

 

Sachs 5Q0411105GJ

https://www.autodoc.co.uk/sachs/12794755

 

Sachs 5Q0411105GK

https://www.autodoc.co.uk/sachs/13786039

 

Sachs 3Q0511115AK

https://www.autodoc.co.uk/sachs/15244168

 

Sachs 3Q0511115AL

https://www.autodoc.co.uk/sachs/15244179

[MarkyG82]

For handling I can recommend going stiffer at the rear. Currently have spring assisters in the rear and the added support is great. Turn in is much sharper and the ride isn't affected to much. A stiffer rear spring should do similar things. Having just had special actives fitted I am waiting on how they feel mid to long term before making any further changes. Fully expect to be lowering at some point but the next change will be to swap the assisters out for an upgraded roll bar.

[ilivili]

13 hours ago, Carlston said:

 

What OEM part numbers do your current front and rear springs have?

 

Your current front and rear springs might have OEM part numbers 5Q0411105GJ (2 blue dots) and 3Q0511115AK. If so, you would have an option of going up one weight range on the front and/or rear springs. The increase in spring stiffness by going up one weight range is about 5%, as you would be going up from 11.75mm wire thickness to 12mm wire thickness on the front and 12.25mm wire thickness to 12.5mm wire thickness on the rear. 

 

5Q0411105GK is one weight range higher than 5Q0411105GJ.

 

3Q0511115AL is one weight range higher than 3Q0511115AK.

 

Front Springs

(1)	5Q0411105GJ	coil spring 2 paint marks	blue
(1)	5Q0411105GK	coil spring 1 paint mark 1 paint mark	blue green

 

Rear Springs

1	3Q0511115AK	coil spring
1	3Q0511115AL	coil spring

 

Sachs 5Q0411105GJ

https://www.autodoc.co.uk/sachs/12794755

 

Sachs 5Q0411105GK

https://www.autodoc.co.uk/sachs/13786039

 

Sachs 3Q0511115AK

https://www.autodoc.co.uk/sachs/15244168

 

Sachs 3Q0511115AL

https://www.autodoc.co.uk/sachs/15244179

Thank you @Carlston! This information is golden!

 

It has rained for the past week here in Finland and I have not had a chance to verify the current spring and shock setup. Hopefully I'm able to take a closer look later this week. 

[ilivili]

12 hours ago, MarkyG82 said:

For handling I can recommend going stiffer at the rear. Currently have spring assisters in the rear and the added support is great. Turn in is much sharper and the ride isn't affected to much. A stiffer rear spring should do similar things. Having just had special actives fitted I am waiting on how they feel mid to long term before making any further changes. Fully expect to be lowering at some point but the next change will be to swap the assisters out for an upgraded roll bar.

Thanks for the feedback @MarkyG82! 

 

Our previous car was Audi A3, which of course is not the same at all with Superb from the size perspective, but A3 had similar feel of drive with Volvo V90 and Audi A4 which we drove before we decided to go with the Superb. Feel of those two is something I'm trying to achieve.

 

Do you already have specific springs on you mind? H&R lowers the car little too much for me.

[MarkyG82]

9 minutes ago, ilivili said:

 

 

Do you already have specific springs on you mind? H&R lowers the car little too much for me.

 

Probably eibach prokit if I do it.  Been trying to find part numbers for suitable superb sportline springs that would drop into my passat as it's difficult to fine springs for a factory lowered passat with my transmission.  Some Superb prokit springs are listed as compatible with the 280/272 and iV which would suite me fine if I can find factory springs.  The 30-35mm drop is a touch too low for my liking and the 15mm factory drop would be perfect.

 

Edit:

I do have some upper spring perches ready to fit though which can add up to 10mm to the ride height.  Back end sits too low IMO. The spring assisters I have bring it back in line so will probably fit the new pads when fitting the rear roll bar and keep them there if lowering.

Edited 18 August, 2021 by MarkyG82

[TTruckie]

I kept the OEM springs and replaced with Koni red dampers - wow what a difference. Everything is firmed up but not harsh. No more wallowing. Recommended 

[Roberto280]

3 minutes ago, TTruckie said:

I kept the OEM springs and replaced with Koni red dampers - wow what a difference. Everything is firmed up but not harsh. No more wallowing. Recommended 

Agreed, though Koni Special Active fitted here, same as others, made such a difference.

 

Not heard any complaints about them

[MartiniB]

going to experiment - stiffer Eibach Pro springs without lowering

 

for rear axle on 2.0 FWD can be installed springs from 2.0 AWD kit

result is perfect:

					mm.Lowering
Eibach part code	Outlet	Wire	Length	Coils	AWD	FWD
11-15-007-04-HA	116.0	13.50	303	8,00	-50	-30
11-79-008-01-HA	122.0	13.75	327	8,20	-30	-5

 

 

but which Eibach spring will give less lowering on the Front axle?

hardiest for Superb is 11-85-042-03-FA, but the same spring model goes for lighter versions of Audi Q2; VW T-Roc.

what makes me to guess, some of the next springs can give me searched result - stiffer without lowering

 

Eibach part code	Outlet	Wire	Length	Coils	mm.Lowering
11-85-041-01-VA	136.5	12.25	249	4.75	-40
11-85-042-03-FA	136.5	12.50	248	4.75	-30
11-85-043-01-FA	150.0	13.25	267	5.00	??
11-85-043-02-FA	150.0	13.50	267	5.00	??
11-85-043-03-FA	150.0	13.75	262	5.00	??

 

Eibach part code	Superb	Passat	Arteon	Golf7	A3	Q2	Tiguan	T-Roc
F11-85-041-01-VA	985	1100	1110	1100	1100	995	-	1020
F11-85-042-03-FA	1180	1180	1200	-	-	1065	-	-
F11-85-043-01-FA	-	-	-	-	-	-	1090	1090
F11-85-043-02-FA	-	-	-	-	-	1160	1160	-
F11-85-043-03-FA	-	-	-	-	-	-	1220	-

 

just one additional problem, info from seller:

Quote

here are the delivery times from all parts:

Eibach F11-79-008-01-HA  / available

Bilstein 20-267537 / mid-november

Bilstein 23-254343 / end-october

Eibach F11-85-043-02-FA  / end-september

 

 

[MarkyG82]

Thats lots of good info but I find it hard to believe that the awd version will lower 20+mm on the same springs.  They are only something like 130kg heavier.