Please advise!!! Lowering

[crown220]

ok i have searched but not really found what i need help with.
i have a 2000 2.0 beetle.... i want to lower my car. i love the slammed look but know its not always practical. so i dont want coilovers, i want springs. i hear that if i go lower than 1.5" i need to change the swaybar? i can get h&r springs for about $150 at a local shop. i had that brand on my passat and loved the ride. now i also see that ecs tuning.com has some RSD springs that loWer the car about 55mm front and rear FOR ABOUT $180.do i need the swaybar? thanks for the help

[AbuNigel]

Originally Posted by crown220

ok i have searched but not really found what i need help with.
i have a 2000 2.0 beetle.... i want to lower my car. i love the slammed look but know its not always practical. so i dont want coilovers, i want springs. i hear that if i go lower than 1.5" i need to change the swaybar? i can get h&r springs for about $150 at a local shop. i had that brand on my passat and loved the ride. now i also see that ecs tuning.com has some RSD springs that loWer the car about 55mm front and rear FOR ABOUT $180.do i need the swaybar? thanks for the help

Coilovers are adjustable, as high or low as you like. I mean, it takes a little bit to adjust them cuz you need to jack the car up, but one of the great aspects of practicality of coilovers IS their practicality.
Lowering springs don't go that low, so forget even getting close to slammed and they aren't adjustable so whatever height they are at that's where they stay. Plus the stock struts aren't meant to be compressed to the level they'd be with lower springs so you'll blow your struts eventually too.

If money is tight, i'd say go rokkor coilovers. I have them and no real complaints. They are now way B&Gs or anything, they are a budget coilover kit. But that's ok if you understand the implications: really low=less ride comfort and possibly lacking in durability and handling capabilities.

[Fl_bug]

Originally Posted by AbuNigel

Coilovers are adjustable, as high or low as you like. I mean, it takes a little bit to adjust them cuz you need to jack the car up, but one of the great aspects of practicality of coilovers IS their practicality.
Lowering springs don't go that low, so forget even getting close to slammed and they aren't adjustable so whatever height they are at that's where they stay. Plus the stock struts aren't meant to be compressed to the level they'd be with lower springs so you'll blow your struts eventually too.

If money is tight, i'd say go rokkor coilovers. I have them and no real complaints. They are now way B&Gs or anything, they are a budget coilover kit. But that's ok if you understand the implications: really low=less ride comfort and possibly lacking in durability and handling capabilities.

Rokkor no longer makes mk4 coilovers

[Fl_bug]

Originally Posted by crown220

ok i have searched but not really found what i need help with.
i have a 2000 2.0 beetle.... i want to lower my car. i love the slammed look but know its not always practical. so i dont want coilovers, i want springs. i hear that if i go lower than 1.5" i need to change the swaybar? i can get h&r springs for about $150 at a local shop. i had that brand on my passat and loved the ride. now i also see that ecs tuning.com has some RSD springs that loWer the car about 55mm front and rear FOR ABOUT $180.do i need the swaybar? thanks for the help

I vote coils

Oh, and I highly recommend that you get a steel skidplate to help protect your fragile oilpan! They cost a little more to buy, but they cost less than that replacement oilpan!

[AbuNigel]

Originally Posted by Fl_bug

Rokkor no longer makes mk4 coilovers

wwwaaahhhh!??
damn..got mine just in the nick of time, then!

in that case, these are your next best bets:
Volkswagen New Beetle 2.0 > Suspension > Coil Overs > ES#1905686 MK4 JOM BlueLine Coilover Kit - 741001
or
Volkswagen New Beetle 2.0 > Suspension > Coil Overs > ES#250775 Street-Line Mk4 Coil Over Kit - SMVW8005KT

EDIT:
they seem to still have them, FL
http://www.rokkortuning.com/p-29-rok...k4-beetle.aspx

[Fl_bug]

Originally Posted by AbuNigel

wwwaaahhhh!??
damn..got mine just in the nick of time, then!

in that case, these are your next best bets:
Volkswagen New Beetle 2.0 > Suspension > Coil Overs > ES#1905686 MK4 JOM BlueLine Coilover Kit - 741001
or
Volkswagen New Beetle 2.0 > Suspension > Coil Overs > ES#250775 Street-Line Mk4 Coil Over Kit - SMVW8005KT

EDIT:
they seem to still have them, FL
Rokkor Coilover Kit for VW Golf Jetta IV Mk4 Beetle

They must have JUST put them back!! I've been checking for the past few weeks on there and their ebay store and they weren't even on either site!

W00t!! I know which ones I'm getting

[crown220]

OK so then all I need is a skid plate and NO sway bar if I go low. Im ordering the Rokkor coils and a skid plate this weekend. Thanks for the help.

[SMG]

Don't run without a swaybar unless you are completely slammed, and I mean tucking at least 1" of tire.

I run no front sway on my 2.0T but it definitely affects the handling. I'd suggest getting an aftermarket front sway if you want to keep your handling predictable. Bump steer is a pain and you can feel the car corner dive when you turn and if you're low this causes rubbing on the fender liners. The only reason I got rid of my FSB was my car is too low even for the aftermarket one I had in it.

[crown220]

Let me clarify what I meant by "no sway bar"......Do I need to upgrade the oem one if i go lower than 2" with the coils or will i be good? Thanks

[SMG]

You will have problems rubbing the swaybar if you go much under a 1" wheel gap in the front. If you have aftermarket axles you will be able to go a little lower without rubbing.