Hi All

 

For reference - driving a 2016 1.4 TSI hatch on 32k miles. It's wearing 205/55/16 tyres.

 

Back in May I replaced my rear shock absorbers with Sachs ones from a Mk7 Golf, as others on this forum had suggested. This actually made the rear suspension a little firmer but made a night and day difference to the ride quality at any speed. It made the car a bit more composed and settled at speed as well. Overall it's so much better. I'm reluctant to put Golf shocks on the front though, as I worry the cars general wallowy/vagueness will remain - as it's so light it feels very twitchy and vague to steer.

 

What I want to do is change the front shocks in a way that improves the steering feel but does not compromise the ride - the stock shocks ride well but I would like to get something that feels a bit more sophisticated and like a more expensive car. It's looking like Bilstein B4 is a good choice.

 

I can't find many definitive answers as to if this is worth doing because people generally put lowering springs on as well. I don't feel a need to do this and I'm not interested in stiff B6's either - I'm just after a small improvement in steering and the car feeling a bit more planted. it's a great car and even a 10% better ride/handling compromise would be good.

 

If I'm changing front shocks, should I get some Bilstein B4's for the rear as well, or leave the Sachs Golf ones I put on? Not concerned about cost, I'm happy to shell out more money to get the car right.

Just for clarification, based on some replies on Reddit:

 

I am NOT looking for a car that handles like it is on rails. I am looking for the ride to be a bit more stable and planted whilst taking bumps better. I also want to improve the vague, twitchy initial steering input (see my other post from may).

 

It has also been suggested my car shouldn't be like this and I may need to get my alignment properly checked again...

I fitted B4's all round to my 2008 Mk5 Golf GT Sport 170 TDI.  They made a big difference to the ride and handling without making the car significantly stiffer. 

 

I'd fit them to the front and see if that gives you the feeling you want and if not, consider fitting them to the rear as well.