Hello all,

 

I have a standard Rallye Green VRS estate with the 18" wheels. I want to reduce the gap between the tyre and wheel arch at the front & rear so that the car sits level.

Can anyone recommend a set of springs to do this? I don't want the car sitting too low, and I don't want to upset the ride quality either.

I also would like the wheels to sit flush or just inside the arches so that the car looks nice and squat.

If anyone has a Mk3 VRS estate with this type of setup, can you please post an image on this thread.

Many thanks.

This is what the car looks like now.

Have a mooch about on the Performance and Tuning forum. 👍

https://www.briskoda.net/forums/forum/212-performance-tuning-upgrades/

Try changing the 225/40R18 tyres to 235/40R18.

 

This will increase the sidewall height by 4mm (comparing new tyres to news tyres) so there could be up to 10mm difference in sidewall if comparing worn 225/40R18 to new 235/40R18.

 

The edge of the tyre tread of the 235/40 tyre size should also extend by about 5mm each side compared to 225/40, thereby better filling the wheelarches.

 

235/40R18 would also increase ride comfort and better protect the rims from kerbing damage, plus having a little more sidewall height will give a little more protection from pothole damage.

 

Choosing summer touring tyres over UHP (Ultra High Performance) tyres will also help ride comfort because the tyres' sidewalls will be softer and more flexible.

 

Notice in the below example that this tyre isn't XL and the speed rating isn't Y, ie. the tyre isn't overspecified for the Octavia MK3 VRS...which again helps to improve ride comfort. You might also find that the weight of this tyre is also a little less by not being overspecified compared to the same size tyre with an XL load index and a Y speed rating.

 

Michelin Primacy 4+ 235/40R18 91W (Euro label C A 69dB) (summer touring tyre)

https://www.camskill.co.uk/m61b0s322p213489/Michelin_Tyres_Car_Michelin_Primacy_4%2B_235_40_R18_91W_RG_TL_Fuel_Eff_%3A_C_Wet_Grip%3A_A_NoiseClass%3A_B_Noise%3A_69dB

 

Notice is the following example that the load index is XL and the speed rating is Y. Also notice that the noise rating is 72dB. Although the Pilot Sport 5 is highly rated for an UHP tyre, the summer touring tyre will be more refined. Bear in mind that the summer touring tyre will still give very high performance because of it's wide and low profile size.

 

Michelin Pilot Sport 5 235/40R18 95Y XL (Euro label C A 72dB) (UHP tyre)

https://www.camskill.co.uk/m61b0s322p209253/Michelin_Tyres_Car_Michelin_Pilot_Sport_5_PS5_235_40_R18_(95Y)_XL_TL_Fuel_Eff_%3A_C_Wet_Grip%3A_A_NoiseClass%3A_B_Noise%3A_72dB

 

Edited 30 September, 20232 yr by Carlston

The vehicle is not designed to be level, it should have the front to rear rake as shown in the photograph, reducing both the front and rear ride height unless by different amounts would not make it level.

 

Desiring the wheels (I presume you meant tyres) to sit flush or inside the wheelarch and not wanting the car to sit to low is a contradiction in terms.

 

I follow Carlsons logic by increasing the sidewall height of the tyres but I doubt you would notice a 4mm difference.

 

Larger rim diameter or larger aspect ratio tyres would be the only way to achieve what you desire, the former is likely to make an already hard ride much harder, the latter will impact negatively the handling and steering response/feedback.

 

Personally I think it looks just fine, its already significantly lower than a cooking version.

1 hour ago, Carlston said:

Try changing the 225/40R18 tyres to 235/40R18.

 

This will increase the sidewall height by 4mm (comparing new tyres to news tyres) so there could be up to 10mm difference in sidewall if comparing worn 225/40R18 to new 235/40R18.

 

The edge of the tyre tread of the 235/40 tyre size should also extend by about 5mm each side compared to 225/40, thereby better filling the wheelarches.

 

235/40R18 would also increase ride comfort and better protect the rims from kerbing damage, plus having a little more sidewall height will give a little more protection from pothole damage.

 

Choosing summer touring tyres over UHP (Ultra High Performance) tyres will also help ride comfort because the tyres' sidewalls will be softer and more flexible.

 

Notice in the below example that this tyre isn't XL and the speed rating isn't Y, ie. the tyre isn't overspecified for the Octavia MK3 VRS...which again helps to improve ride comfort. You might also find that the weight of this tyre is also a little less by not being overspecified compared to the same size tyre with an XL load index and a Y speed rating.

 

Michelin Primacy 4+ 235/40R18 91W (Euro label C A 69dB) (summer touring tyre)

https://www.camskill.co.uk/m61b0s322p213489/Michelin_Tyres_Car_Michelin_Primacy_4%2B_235_40_R18_91W_RG_TL_Fuel_Eff_%3A_C_Wet_Grip%3A_A_NoiseClass%3A_B_Noise%3A_69dB

 

Notice is the following example that the load index is XL and the speed rating is Y. Also notice that the noise rating is 72dB. Although the Pilot Sport 5 is highly rated for an UHP tyre, the summer touring tyre will be more refined. Bear in mind that the summer touring tyre will still give very high performance because of it's wide and low profile size.

 

Michelin Pilot Sport 5 235/40R18 95Y XL (Euro label C A 72dB) (UHP tyre)

https://www.camskill.co.uk/m61b0s322p209253/Michelin_Tyres_Car_Michelin_Pilot_Sport_5_PS5_235_40_R18_(95Y)_XL_TL_Fuel_Eff_%3A_C_Wet_Grip%3A_A_NoiseClass%3A_B_Noise%3A_72dB

 

Thanks Carlston, I've just replaced all four tyres with 225/40/18 Michelin Pilot Sport 4 so this would need to wait until next autumn. Very informative reply though so thank you. I've noticed a huge difference in comfort and noise level with these tyres compared to the Falkens that were on the car.

6 minutes ago, Peeliewally said:

Thanks Carlston, I've just replaced all four tyres with 225/40/18 Michelin Pilot Sport 4 so this would need to wait until next autumn. Very informative reply though so thank you. I've noticed a huge difference in comfort and noise level with these tyres compared to the Falkens that were on the car.

 

 

It won't add to the looks, but have you considered Bilstein B8 shock absorbers?

 

These are quite special, because they are a mono-tube design...unlike the normal twin-tube design that the Bilstein B4 shock absorbers use.

 

Surprisingly, even the expensive DCC (electronically adjustable) shock absorbers use the cheaper and inferior twin-tube design.

51 minutes ago, J.R. said:

I follow Carlsons logic by increasing the sidewall height of the tyres but I doubt you would notice a 4mm difference.

 

Many VW Up! owners have changed their standard 195/40R17 on 6.5J rims to slightly oversize 205/40R17 on the same 6.5J rims.

 

That's also only a 4mm difference in sidewall height, but the owners seem to like the improvement in ride, rim protection from kerbing and pothole damage, and looks. Part of the difference also has to do with the 6.5J rim becoming relatively narrower for the 205/40 tyre size compared to the 195/40 tyre size, not just the increase in sidewall height. Fitting a tyre to a relatively narrower rim improves ride comfort...all other things being equal...as the sidewalls flex more easily.

 

Notice in the below chart, that 235/40R18 has an outside diameter 0.8% bigger than 225/35R19 and 1.3% bigger than 225/40R18. Up to a 1.5% difference is usually considered insignificant.

 

Outside diameter of tyres

225/40R18 637.2mm

235/40R18 645.2mm (+0.8% compared to 225/35R19, and +1.3% compared to 225/40R18)

225/35R19 640.1mm

 

Edited 30 September, 20232 yr by Carlston

52 minutes ago, Carlston said:

 

Many VW Up! owners have changed their standard 195/40R17 on 6.5J rims to slightly oversize 205/40R17 on the same 6.5J rims.

 

That's also only a 4mm difference in sidewall height, but the owners seem to like the improvement in ride, rim protection from kerbing and pothole damage, and looks. Part of the difference also has to do with the 6.5J rim becoming relatively narrower for the 205/40 tyre size compared to the 195/40 tyre size, not just the increase in sidewall height. Fitting a tyre to a relatively narrower rim improves ride comfort...all other things being equal...as the sidewalls flex more easily.

 

Notice in the below chart, that 235/40R18 has an outside diameter 0.8% bigger than 225/35R19 and 1.3% bigger than 225/40R18. Up to a 1.5% difference is usually considered insignificant.

 

Outside diameter of tyres

225/40R18 637.2mm

235/40R18 645.2mm (+0.8% compared to 225/35R19, and +1.3% compared to 225/40R18)

225/35R19 640.1mm

 

I'll definitely keep this in mind for when I replace the current tyres. They've only been on the car for 1 week.

Hi,

 

Recently fit EIBACH Pro-Kit E10-79-010-02-22 springs to mine.

Lowers front 20mm and rear 10mm so maybe not what you're after but they improve both handling and ride comfort.

 

Also fit "Precision" wheel spacers, 20mm rear 15mm front.

 

Sticking with the standard wheels I think its a great setup.

Not a great photo of mine, but I went through this same scenario. 

 

I settled on Racingline 20mm springs. I think it's great and how it should be from the factory. I prefer the 'rake' you mentioned and in retrospect would have gone for the Eibach springs as above, this would keep the gap looking uniform front to back. The other option is 40mm H&R but these will be stiffer again. As great as they look, I reckon they would make it slightly impractical and scrape more.

 

With even slight lowering springs you WILL have a stiffer ride but I don't think it's awful. I combined mine with Bilstein B4s but I think if you went for a fancier shock it would retain more of its comfort whilst being supportive and handle well. Bare in mind that springs are a small part of the suspension. My shocks were heavily corroded and leaking at 88k so to get the best out of it, prepare to change alot of it. I had to cut off the track rod ends and ARB droplinks due to corrosion. I ended up replacing shocks, springs, topmounts, ARB droplinks, outer track rod ends and bottom ball joints. 

 

As for spacers, on the pre-facelift 20mm at back makes it sit nicely (the facelift has a 19mm wider rear track so you are not upsetting handling) Loads put 15mm on front but to me this looks daft and far too much. At a push I would go 6mm, 5mm or 3mm and this would give you that uniformity with the rear in terms of how it sits in the arches. FYI the photo of mine below shows springs and just rear 20mm spacers, I want to fit front spacers (and tried 15mm and didn't like them) but haven't decided on a size yet. Im tempted by 3mm so as not to ruin the scrub radius too much and avoid having too little hub to mount the wheel on.

Just remember than you can't fit any less than 17mm spacers on rear and 13mm on front for hubcentric due to the depth of the hub. If you go smaller, you'll have to fit non hubcentric spacers and anything over 5mm I would add hub extenders (eBay or Awesome GTi do them for £30ish) and longer bolts regardless. 

 

Mine has 19s but 235 profile so as the guys above have mentioned, maybe a bit more height than 225 too. Comfort is fine, handling is great for the weight of the car for fast road use. I definitely wouldn't want it any stiffer!