UK-POLOS.NET - THE VW Polo Forum

My missus has a '97 1.4 8v 75BHP polo & its lovely. We can't afford to replace it so I've been doing it up for her because she's fed up of my MK 4 Golf getting all the attention! I've recently put a set of alloys on for her which she's happy with, the only problem is it looks stupidly high now. We both want it lowered but haven't got the money for a complete shock set. I was thinking of just putting new springs on with a 35mm drop. Anyone else done this? A bit worried they won't work well with the factory shocks. Whats the going rate for having new springs fitted? Can't be bothered to do it myself as it takes too long without a spring compressor. Also does anybody know the name & paint code of the purple colour paint the polo's have? Its quite common on mk 4's & is similar to jazz blue on the golfs.

Hey there Hayes-polo,

*welcome*

It's good to see she enjoys dubbing too! The Polo is a very gratifying bit of kit to work with IMO, lots of bits available and the scene is quite big too.

As for your question:

If you fit just springs, keeping the standard shocks is an option, but do try to keep the drop to <35mm like you suggested. With 'just springs' it can be hit or miss - I've had it on a different car and hated it, my brother has a Clio and it's fine on that, handles really well.

Don't really know what fitting will cost, but you could save yourself some money by trying to borrow spring compressors, it's what I always do. If you have those it's really doable.

I don't know about the paint code though, I'm sure someone else is able to help there. Some colors are identical between the Golf and Polo, so if it's Jazz blue, it's Jazz blue

The code should also be on a sticker somewhere in the boot.

the matt purple colour on your car was exclusive to the polo iirc, i'll try and dig out a paint code for you

as for the spring question, it all depends on the condition of your current dampers - if your dampers are near the end of their life the new springs will wear them out quicker, but if your dampers are quiet new you wont have many adverse affects. I ran some PI -35mm springs on my car (on 17' alloys) and the only problems i had is that the shocks werent stiff enough to prevent rubbing.


hope that helps

The paint code is on the sticker in the boot (where the warning triangle goes there should be 2 rubber straps)
Maybe you could fit 16v springs to lower the car?

Unless your dampers are fairly new I wouldn't do it. I did and had to end up buying some new dampers and doing the job again.

You can buy a complete gmax 40mm kit of springs and dampers for approx £220. Buy some spring compressors from Halfords for £20 and do the job yourself. It's not a hard job to do.

The 97 1.4 8V is actually 60bhp not 75 I'm afraid

a 1.4 polo is 64BHP not 75? or am i wrong? just wondering cause i have a 1.6 polo 8v and its 75BHP ... its to early maybe im not thinking right..

[sorry didn't read your post first chris...]

The 64 Hp version is the 1.9D or SDI. It deserved a turbo though...

mk4 1.4 8v is 60bhp.

hayes-polo???? same 2nd name as me then? same car as well, thats weird.

fitting 16v springs will actually raise the front. theyre a higher rate spring cos the valver engine is heavier.

u can get lowering springs for not much. i wouldnt go lower than 40mm on standard shocks though the ride quality will be bad enough with them. also ur shocks wont last five minutes.