Lowering my Golf R

[mrplow]

Hey guys, after few weeks of owning my R, time has come to start looking into lowering.

First question is do you run into problems by having the electronic adjustable dampers?

Second question, I want to drop 40/45mm, basically wanting the guard to sit on or slightly over the tyre, has anyone gone this low? If so can you post picture and let me know what springs you have installed.

Would be interested to see how low others have gone and what they have installed.

Anyway help would be great, thanks.

[BoneZ]

Hey guys, after few weeks of owning my R, time has come to start looking into lowering.

LOL!!! How long have you had the car exactly?

[ATSE]

You didn't own an EK4 Civic before by any chance did you?

[schoona]

Can't comment on the Electronic side of things, thats out of my comprehension (read: too lazy to read up on it since it doesnt really concern me)

Springs? You bought an R, damper adjustable coilovers at the minimum good sir. Dial low to exactly where you want it, fix your ride characteristics with adjustable damper and compression.

Pick of the bunch that's immediately obvious is Bilstein and KW. I believe VWR are coming up with a solution as well.

Guard and tyre matched isn't that low in VW world btw ;)

[mrplow]

BoneZ: About 3 weeks. My cars have always been low, plan on lowering the R just not crazy like my civic and 350.

ATSE: Yep, that's me!

Schoona: Makes sense, will check out Bilstein as thats where my head first went. btw wasnt meaning it was low. I use the word low lightly. All my older cars have been slammed. Not wanting that for my R. :D

[stephen8512]

KW coilovers cater for those who opted for the ACC. It basically "tricks" the system into thinking that the ACC is still there when u really have coilovers on...not sure about other brands but i know KW has them

[MasterKevin]

Bilstein pss10 or kw v3 can't go wrong with either good sir :)

[Silvrfoxx]

Hope you dont have 19s cause it will scrub

[fuzion]

If you just want to adjust your ride height, have no intention of track use.. maybe once or twice a year.

KW V1's, or Weitect GT (v1s). I don't understand the necessity for the V3's and most people will go on about it but never even both to adjust or change anything and have it for pure "wow look at what i have" factor. (Sorry but its true guys! lol).

Want damper adjustables go for V2 or TX.

The ride quality and feel on the V1's are more than ample to do any job from a spirited drive to a track day. If you intend on doing a lot of track work than consider the V3's or Club editions.

19s will not rub providing you have 225s otherwise you may need to do some shaving. The stock 19s will however rob due to the offset unless you go a 215.

my 2 psi to the subject

[mrplow]

Thanks fuzion. Which is the better brand between KW & Weitec?

It's more quality I am after, both ride quality and quality of product. I don't mind spending a bit more. Not interested in track, just daily driving.

Also, need to at least be able to drop 40mm.

Anyone had experience with the KW hydraulic lift system?

[schoona]

Would love to know about the HLS too, but afaik haven't seen any use of it.

Weitec are rebrandaed KW's afaik, same same, but cheaper.

[Jig]

MrPlow: Are you 100% sure its just for daily driving? This almost means you are only after a height adjustable system. Lowers the center of gravity + looks good. However if you like your mountain roads and love to enjoy the car spiritedly, then a height adjustable coilover may not suffice. If you want to get it right first time(unlike some of us here, incl myself) and want to future proof your purchase then you need to think ahead. I understand however that certain needs might change down the track so if height adjustable is all you need now, then there is nothing wrong in purchasing KW V1 or similar now. If I had to do it all over again, and knowing what I know now, I would jump straight ahead to KW V3/Clubsport.

40mm drop is going to rub on your guards if you have 19" sir and if you have 235 tyres which I believe the Golf R has right? So you may need to get your fenders flared if you want to go that low.

The KW HLS is a great product. I have seen it on my girlfriends E55 AMG although she only opted for the front and she uses it primarily for clearing her drive way rather than the ease of lowering with a remote. It is not cheap however but worth it if you cannot be bothered getting your car lifted to make suspension changes.

[mrplow]

Jig, thanks man, love being told things straight to the point haha.

It will be purely for daily driving and to lower with the occassional sprint. I am a firm believe of measure twice rule once if you get me. Dont like doing things twice all to save a buck.

So if I go with KW V1 - do you know if it will affect the adjustable system installed in the R? Or will that system be disabled?

Also, Im on 18s. Purposely went 18s for this very reason.

[onpole01]

Is KW the only manufacturer making coilovers for the ACC R right at this point? I haven't found anyone else :)

[mrplow]

Where is the best place to order KW's from?

[richie32]

Bilstein pss10's or kw v3 i think is the go, i have got a mk5 r32, i have bilstein pss10's, no complaints there. Myn are down all the way (i'd say thats 40mm) and i do have 19z on 235 rubber. i rolled the front guards, Nil rubbing there and the back gets minimum rubbing. but i will def get 225 rubber when it comes to changing tires to stop the rubbing completely.

ecstuning.com

i got my coilovers from there, should be good with our dollar being good also and they are easy to work with.

Good luck and get ur car on that rubber :)

[Uwish]

Ok Im going to weigh into this.
Having lowered EVERY car i have ever owned bar one.

And my R is on order with ACC.

Adjustable coilovers are not a good idea. You will NEVER use them for there $$$ value. \
I am looking at lowering my car the day I pick it up.
Im the same as Mrplow. Tires in teh guards type of guy.

So what Springs are matched to ACC that will lower my R 2" plus?

On a side note Adjustable coilovers are going to be made illegal ( not sure if its a rumour ).

[RamSpeed]

Thanks fuzion. Which is the better brand between KW & Weitec?

It's more quality I am after, both ride quality and quality of product. I don't mind spending a bit more. Not interested in track, just daily driving.

Also, need to at least be able to drop 40mm.

Anyone had experience with the KW hydraulic lift system?

Yes, we install KW's all the time (import them actually). The hydraulic system is great. Recent experience includes this F360 with a hydraulic front. Next 2 weeks we are also implementing MB solution. Works great and offers remote and press of a button lift.

http://ramspeed.com.au/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=1260&d=1302673172

[Xciteu]

Ok Im going to weigh into this.
Having lowered EVERY car i have ever owned bar one.

And my R is on order with ACC.

Adjustable coilovers are not a good idea. You will NEVER use them for there $$$ value. \
I am looking at lowering my car the day I pick it up.
Im the same as Mrplow. Tires in teh guards type of guy.

So what Springs are matched to ACC that will lower my R 2" plus?

On a side note Adjustable coilovers are going to be made illegal ( not sure if its a rumour ).

Have noticed on the uk forums that H&R make springs that lower the GolfR by 20mm and suits the ACC. Was hoping that someone can verify this,in that you can still use the ACC settings?
I will be running with 19's and 235 rubber,the 20mm drop looks good and the guards sits just above the tyre. Can anyone say for sure that there will be enough clearance and little to no rubbing?

[fuzion]

235s will rub. will need to roll / pull guards as mentioned by jig.

225s wont rub.

to the comment above from ramspeed.... KW's always get imported. They are German aren't they.. lol.

awesome gti uk are doing some good deals on suspension right now for H&R and KW/Weitecs so take a look on there.

Unsure about the ACC, some german guys were having issues, some others had no issues with the h&r.

JUmp on audi-sport.net and ask them there, they tend to have played around a lot more with almost the same car.

[mrplow]

As I only use my car for daily driving and no track use whatsoever - Im looking into just lowering spring now. And also, I want to keep my ACC intact.

I know H&R make a 40mm set, was hoping to go at least 45mm. Are H&R recommended?

[fuzion]

As I only use my car for daily driving and no track use whatsoever - Im looking into just lowering spring now. And also, I want to keep my ACC intact.

I know H&R make a 40mm set, was hoping to go at least 45mm. Are H&R recommended?

I had H&R's in my S3 for a while and really liked them. But do remember your shock/spring OEM setup is made to work together. You will notice within 20-30k that your shocks will become quite a bit more bouncy as they aren't designed for that ride height of spring.

H&R Shocks, or Koni Yellow Sports with them would be perfect however later on if you chose to go down that line.