UK-POLOS.NET - THE VW Polo Forum

Hello Everyone!!

Just bought an 02 1.4TDI SE. So far I love it and I have now found some Forums!!

Earlier I bought some 17" Audi TT Competiton Alloys on 45 tyres. Also heard them called Parabols I think.

Right, so what lowering suspension would you guys recommend. I am a bit skint now so cheap is good. I have been looking at Eibach Pro-Kits, best price I found is £120 from tweeks.

Is this a good choice of spring/suspension. Cant go too lows as there are speed bumps everywhere round here in Reading. Also, anywhere got them cheaper?

Thanks,
Ed

I'd rather save a little longer and get some thing purely because it's cheap - cheap is not always the best.

dino wrote:I'd rather save a little longer and get some thing purely because it's cheap - cheap is not always the best.

very well said!!
i saved for like ages to get a good coilover kit!! although i've heard good things about Eibach, but most people on this site will recommend to u to get urself some coilovers! at least then when its lowered, u can put it back up if ur unhappy with the height!!
if u get a coilover kit with adjustable damping then speed bumps will not be too much of a worry!!
hope this helps

welcome to the forum

Coilovers may be the best but its not entirely necessary. I had a set of Spax springs, which cost about £80, much cheaper than Eibach but in my opinion the ride is crap with just springs if you dont get matching shocks. I've got 17s and the springs lowered it 30mm. Now I've upgraded it all with Apex suspension kit, which lowers it a further 5mm.

Its perfect now, handles like a dream and looks the don. At first springs will do but with soft standard shocks the ride gets quite floaty and bouncy at high speeds. I'd save up and get springs and shocks, you'll notice the difference.

I'm also happy with my shocks and springs (H&R CupKit). The car looks loads better and now actually handles. The ride's still decent, though obviously harsher than standard - I'd not call it rough though. I paid to get mine fitted, but if you're doing it yourself full kits are around £400. That said, if you want it slammed then it's got to be coilovers.

On a related topic, will you need to be careful lowering it on TT Comps? If my memory serves, Comps are something like an ET30/31 offset where Polo wheels tend to be more like ET42ish - might there be rubbing issues? I don't know for certain, but I'm sure someone here will...

90

Thanks for all your advice, I am getting springs for now and will get coilies when I next get some decent money.

Well I got the wheels last night and stuck em on today with the standard suspension. Right, here we go...

They are rubbing on corners. Is this due to

a) As 90 said, they are ET32, possibly not enough?
b) Tyres are 17/225/45, possibly too big?
c) Too soft suspension.

Im going to try to put the springs on tomorrow, they are APEX 35mm drop, do you guys think these will be stiffer so it will rub more or less??

How much are new tyres?

Anyone want some Audi Compos?

Cheers!

The offset should be fine.

Its more than likely your tyres.

225/45/17s are huge . 205/40/17s are the ideal size.

Also considering the 1.4 TDI had 185/60/14 tyres as standard (i think), your speedo readings will be well out too

Yep, you'll need to change tyres. Those are still the ones that the TT uses. As you've seen, they fit but they'll rub while cornering! 205/40 or 215/45 will do. I had S3 rims on my Fabia and had 215/45 fitted. Looked great and no rubbing issues.

205/40 are the most popular option, but don't tend to be that cheaper (last time I looked) and I didn't want to drop to a 40 profile really.

EDIT: on the speedo read issue, as long as you keep the same rolling radius you'll be fine. There's a calculator for it on the internet somewhere. Oh, and get some pics up when you can!!

HTH.
Steve

205/40 17's fitted to TT comps, Eibach springs and Koni dampers.



215's do seem to fit better though.

Ah Ross, I just *knew* you'd be along shortly! The original and still the best that one

Steve

Sadly a fair way off that condition these days.

And for some comparision (as the results will be the same on the 9N as the Fabia) this was mine with S3s and 215/45 Kumho 512s. Eibach Pro Kit (-30mm) with standard dampers. If I was doing it all again, I would have saved up a bit more and got uprated dampers. Seems to be the ideal halfway house between standard springs and the price of a coilover kit.



Steve

Ross Clarke wrote:Sadly a fair way off that condition these days.

Was gonna ask how it was doing. Does Xav still have it? Often difficult when you know where the car's gone to - especially if he's not keeping up your good work

Steve

Xav had wrecked the paint within a few months.

Oddly enough for what the Konis and Eibachs cost you could new get a Weitec coil over kit. Just as the Fabia was brand new at the time and only just launched they werent about.

Eibachs will be fine on the Polo, sweet.

Thanks again for all your advice. Went out at lunch and got some 205/40's. No rubbing any more!!! Also it looks way better. Will post some photos this evening if its not raining too much!

Cheer, Ed