Ok. I know I have covered the subject new shocks before, and I can't afford to have a drop in height of the car. So I am either consider replacement stock shocks, or Koni FSD.

My car is a 2001 TDi estate with 104.5k on the clock.

The question here is do I replace the springs as well. Logic says I should - if for no other reason than they have been known to break in the past - but if so what with?

I am replacing the shocks because they have started leaking, and not because I need extra handling from the car, and unfortunately money will dictate to some degree what I do here.

Would depend on the cost of standard vs. Koni. Do Eibach do any suitable ones too, just to give you a 3-way comparison?

Not really sure about the springs - they have done a fair mileage, but I don't know what you can realistically expect out of them?

Steve

If you replace your dampers in time I believe *but please check* the springs should be just fine.

I've just fitted Koni FSDs to mine and the car handles well with it, and they work with standard springs too.

I suppose it depends a fair amount on the price you can get for the Koni ones vs standard ones, plus where you get it fitted. I'd get some quotes from some local tuners to yourself or get them whilst the prices are still at '06 as they are getting more expensive end of January (Konis that is).

Hope you can bag yourself a bargain, I know you are not after lowering but you need decent dampers to have a reasonable handling car which will have good road contact.

I was considering fitting them myself..... I assume there is nothing complicated about it - as long as I can get the spring compressors up inside the wheel arches?

Konis seem to be around the £320 mark, but not yet got the price for the standard skoda ones. I don't drive like a loony, and therefore I am not looking to shell out loads of cash for better handling (although it would be a bonus), as such I might stretch to an extra £50-100... maybe.... but then it depends on if I replace the springs as well.

I believe the FSD system is for non lowered vehicles but with the same handling upgrade of adjustables with the advantage of OE comfort, use the adjustables for30-40mm lowering,

I have my std VRS suspension in my hut springs and shocks only covered 12k

PM if you want, i would think carriage woud be 20-30 squid,

The springs should be ok with FSD as only 15mm lower

Front and rear springs from a dealer will be around £230 for the 4. There are loads of different part numbers listed but your dealer will be able to identify the correct ones for your car.

ouch!! That sounds like a lot of cash for some springs! Anyway, I have just phoned Meadens and they are due to call be back shortly with the price of new shocks, springs and fitting costs. I'll then make a decision as to what I want to....

- as long as I can get the spring compressors up inside the wheel arches?

you dont need to on an octy! there's enough room to get the suspension off without having to compress the pring whilst it's still fitted

Yes, having seen the front suspension dismantled on my old vRS the front strut is very easy to remove as a whole. Makes life much easier to work on a workbench.

ooohh... now that sounds good :-)

Got the pricing now (all inc vat):

Front springs: £120.42

Rear springs: £113.50

Front shocks: £111.32

Rear shocks: £97.83

Front fitting: 2hr 20mins

Rear fitting: 54mins

fitting total cost: £218.55

Total cost: £661.62

However I expect I'll fit it myself, and given the skoda shocks are about £100 more than the Koni FSDs I expect I'll just go with the standard shocks and fit myself..... or am I biting off more than I can chew?

If I am changing the shocks are there any other parts I will need? Or parts I should consider changing while I have the thing apart?

top suspension bushes - 1J0 809 127B?