PROs & CONs of lowering the NB

[phinsfan99]

I'm thinking about having my NB lowered.
What's involved? Just a new set of springs? How much will it cost?

PROs
----
Better looks.
Better handling?



CONs
----
????

Rudy

[r0nd3L]

Unless you go with a minimal drop like Neuspeed Sofsports, you will need to upgrade shocks/struts as well. Stock ones just aren't strong enough to support big drop.

Looks, I believe, is the only advantage of lowering as it doesn't increase handling capabilities. McPherson front strut design doesn't like to be lowered as roll center gets messed up and handling becomes worse. However, for street driving I doubt you would notice any difference and actually car will probably feel better due to stiffer shocks.

If I were you, I'd go with something like H&R sport springs (1.5" drop) and Bilstein Sports or Koni Yelows shock/strut set as this setup is provent to provide nice ride height and quality.

[NYBugman]

Pros:

Better looks (subjective)
Better Street Handling
Better Ride (subjective)

Cons:

Must drive with more care to avoid damaging your oilpan, front valance, etc.
Rough roads much more apparent
Worse ride (subjective)

You can lower your car with just springs, but they will wear your stock shocks out faster. If you do keep your stock shocks, then use the springs sold through VW Drivergear or Eibach Pro-Kit springs (same exact product). The spring rate on those springs is soft enough to work with your stock shocks...at least for a while.

Most people recommend you use a sport shock absorber when you lower your car, like something from Bilstein or Koni. Bilstein shocks are non-adjustable while Koni Red and Yellow are dampening adjustable. Koni also makes a shock called "FSD", which they sell with or without Eibach Pro-Kit springs. The FSD can actually change its dampening depending on road conditions. A friend of mone has this setup and it feels almost totally stock until you start turning, then it feels tight.

Some companies like Weitec, Vogtland, Koni, H&R and Bilstein sell "cup kits', which is a matched set of springs and shocks. Eibach also makes a "Pro-Kit, which is springs and shocks. They also make a "Pro Kit Plus", which is their spring/shock combo and their front and rear swaybars. It is an excellent, one stop shop option. Also, the ride is supposed to be excellent. I have ridden in an Audi equipped with a Pro-Kit, but never a VW. The ride in the Audi feels stock until you start to put load on it, then it tightens up nicely.

Coilovers are the most expensive option, but allow you to adjust the height of your car according to your tastes. Some coilovers are also dampening or even rebound adjustable. Coilovers with that much adjustability are best suited for a car that sees track time.

Some cars, when lowered, will run into clearence problems with their front swaybar. You can either install an aftermarket front swaybar or install longer end links that increase the clearence.

So, if you want to lower your car, figure around $400-$800 depending on which kit you get, installation price, etc etc. Coilovers go from around $800 to almost $1500 depending on brand, options, etc.

My suspension is Bilstein Sport shocks and Eibach Pro-Kit springs with a Neuspeed 25mm front swaybar and an O-Bar rear swaybar. The ride on the street is very good and handling is also very good. I have put my car on road courses, so I can say that it is a combo that can take occasional track days, but it is not a competition suspension.

[scarabY2k]

Good thread

I would like to lower Buttercup, but the way the roads are here in Jacksonville, I just can't. The oil pan/cosmetics I save may be my own.

[Fowvay]

Pros: Like they say a Picture speaks a thousand words

[NYBugman]

Originally Posted by scarabY2k

Good thread

I would like to lower Buttercup, but the way the roads are here in Jacksonville, I just can't. The oil pan/cosmetics I save may be my own.

ECS Tuning sells an OEM "Hybrid" oilpan. It has a steel bottom for more protection.

Also, www.dieselgeek.com sells an awesome aluminum skidplate for all Mk4 chassis cars as well as other VWs.

Buy one of those, especially the skidplate, and you're pretty much indestructable when it comes to normal road debris/crap.

[SilverSportNOLA]

I recall my car handling much better after I installed the Koni Adjustables and the Neuspeed Sports, about 1.5" drop for a NB without the Sport Suspension. I wouldn't bother with the .5" drop of the SofSports, my car had the Sport Suspension, I think they were H&R springs made for VW, not much driving difference than a NB without it.

Cons have been well covered above ... be careful with speedbumps and curbs.