Hi Folks,

 

First off I have to confess I don't have a Skoda but I was hoping you fine and knowledgeable folks might be able to help answer a question.

 

I've just bought a Mk7.5 Golf estate SE tdi 150 DSG, Deliberately so because I'm sick of the state of the roads around where I live and know how good the Golfs are for refinement. It's really excellent over the bumps and potholes with it's little 16" wheels and un-lowered suspension.

 

My only gripe it is that it has a little bit more body roll going around corners than I would like, and was wondering if some aftermarket anti roll bars might solve the problem whilst leaving the ride quality unaffected?

 

Any replies appreciated

 

L

 

2 hours ago, LorneMalvo said:

First off I have to confess I don't have a Skoda

 

She's a witch!! 🔥

 

Ahem. I have seen ARBs mentioned in a thread recently but couldn't tell you which one, as I've been reading a lot of old postings. If you google Mk3 Octavia roll bars you could probably find it. Alternatively, try asking on a VW or Golf forum as they would surely know.

If you haven't already, check out golfmk7.com, you'll surely find your answer there. I'd recommend going to a solid rear sway bar, 24mm or so. If you find it's not enough you can upgrade the front one but bear in mind it is a dog of a job and can cause issues with the balance of the car (understeer and so on.) You shouldnt notice too much difference in ride quality, maybe just a tad more side to side movement over uneven roads.

9 hours ago, LorneMalvo said:

wondering if some aftermarket anti roll bars might solve the problem whilst leaving the ride quality unaffected

 

100% this will help. I recently went this route, albeit having already got an Eibach Pro-Kit on my Octavia (so very different to your refined Golf 😉) but it worked an absolute treat at minimising body roll whilst dialling in the rear a lot more!

 

I went with the APR rear ARB, but there are a few others offered from other providers too (H&R, Eibach etc - although many of them are rear and fronts, the latter of which are unnecessary - as @StealthRS245 points out).

 

It would be worthwhile consulting with a VW specialist / tuning garage near you as to the suitability of what rear ARBs fit your estate, as the rear suspension setups differ considerably between models so require specific ARBs.

 

2 hours ago, Ads230 said:

 

100% this will help. I recently went this route, albeit having already got an Eibach Pro-Kit on my Octavia (so very different to your refined Golf 😉) but it worked an absolute treat at minimising body roll whilst dialling in the rear a lot more!

 

Thanks for the replies so far everyone.

 

I wasn't intending to disparage any other manufacturers ride quality, I think it's well known that VW put slightly nicer "bits" in their suspension set ups over Skoda and Seat (I've had two MQB Leons since 2016). I was seriously considering an Octavia but couldn't find one within budget that had adaptive cruise.

 

Then a couple of weeks ago a few 69 plate Golf DSG estates appeared on Dasweltauto with delivery mileage for £16500, in my preferred colour of white (doesn't show scratches as much as other colours). A total steal if you ask me. Had to travel from Scotland to Norwich but was pretty pleased to see a grand total of 25 miles on the car when I collected it. I'm back to halogen headlights for the first time in 4 years but I can live with that.

Do you have independent or non independent rear suspension?

 

Damian @ DPM Performance 

7 minutes ago, Damian@DPM said:

Do you have independent or non independent rear suspension?

 

Damian @ DPM Performance 

 

Independent 👍

5 minutes ago, LorneMalvo said:

 

Independent 👍

 

Few options below - 

 

https://www.dpmperformance.co.uk/car-parts/volkswagen/golf/eibach-28mm-front-25mm-rear-anti-roll-barsgolf-mk7-20122019-14tsi-16tdi-20tsi-20tdi-incgti-and-gtd-independent-rear

 

https://www.dpmperformance.co.uk/car-parts/volkswagen/golf/hr-26mm-front-24mm-rear-anti-roll-barsgolf-mk7-20122019-14tsi-16tdi-20tsi-20tdi-incgti-and-gtd-independent-rear

 

https://www.dpmperformance.co.uk/car-parts/volkswagen/golf/hr-28mm-front-26mm-rear-anti-roll-barsgolf-mk7-20122019-14tsi-16tdi-20tsi-20tdi-incgti-and-gtd-independent-rear

 

Damian @ DPM Performance 

2 minutes ago, Damian@DPM said:

 

Few options below - 

 

https://www.dpmperformance.co.uk/car-parts/volkswagen/golf/eibach-28mm-front-25mm-rear-anti-roll-barsgolf-mk7-20122019-14tsi-16tdi-20tsi-20tdi-incgti-and-gtd-independent-rear

 

https://www.dpmperformance.co.uk/car-parts/volkswagen/golf/hr-26mm-front-24mm-rear-anti-roll-barsgolf-mk7-20122019-14tsi-16tdi-20tsi-20tdi-incgti-and-gtd-independent-rear

 

https://www.dpmperformance.co.uk/car-parts/volkswagen/golf/hr-28mm-front-26mm-rear-anti-roll-barsgolf-mk7-20122019-14tsi-16tdi-20tsi-20tdi-incgti-and-gtd-independent-rear

 

Damian @ DPM Performance 

 

Thanks Damian I was actually looking at the bars from the top link last night on your site. I've had some mixed opinions so far in the thread so I'm still undecided. I would be gutted if I went ahead and it spoiled the ride quality at all.

An upgraded rear bar will help with body roll and also help make the front end more pointy. An adjustable one would give you the option to fine tune. Maybe start soft and increase until you find a setting you are happy with.

 

Adding a front bar will help but is a much more complex task and you would still need an upgraded rear bar to match where as the rear can be upgraded on its own in many cases.

Do drop links need to be upgraded with the sway bar? Or have people just kept their originals on?

I would definitely take the opportunity to upgrade the drop links if possible - I (the tuning shop) did recently with the rear APR bar because they came with them. Makes sense if you're going to be upgrading that component to ensure supporting components are updated too and saves additional labour.

Yes I agree but take care installing as upgrades tend to adjustable. Different lengths can cause left/right balance issues. Although I believe you can get upgrades that are simply shorter and stiffer than OEM. @Ads230 is that the type that comes with your bar?

Yes, I believe so (info here) - with the caveat that I didn't do the install myself but paid the gents at QS Tuning to do it for me. 

 

I actually don't know whether they are or not for mine, although I am getting some minor noise over speed bumps. This may still be in the 'wearing in' period as I've not done much mileage on them since they were fitted 2 months ago, but don't actually know if they're 'greaseless' or require some lubrication (comes with as standard).

20 hours ago, LorneMalvo said:

My only gripe it is that it has a little bit more body roll going around corners than I would like, and was wondering if some aftermarket anti roll bars might solve the problem whilst leaving the ride quality unaffected?

 

A rear ARB from something like a GTi would probably do the trick

 

I had the same problem, a RARB from a Golf R sorted the problem. (mine is 4x4) The Octavia and the Golf have good front ARB but weak rear ARB.

 

With standard suspension I would be careful going too strong on the ARB as it can override the suspension

14 minutes ago, flybynite said:

 

A rear ARB from something like a GTi would probably do the trick

 

I had the same problem, a RARB from a Golf R sorted the problem. (mine is 4x4) The Octavia and the Golf have good front ARB but weak rear ARB.

 

With standard suspension I would be careful going too strong on the ARB as it can override the suspension

 

Thanks mate, great info. It makes perfect sense to me to use an OEM anti roll bar from a higher model