View Full Version : Lowering
Gills Fan
22-07-2002, 16:42
Never done it so I need all the tips and advice please. What do I need to purchase ? What are the going rates ? Is it achievable as a DIY ? How low can I go ?
Any advice/help/tips welcome
Cheers guys
Just the lowering springs will work (but it's damn bumpy)
Need some BIG spanners, spring clamps & a haynes manual.
It helps if you have someone who knows what they're doing first time round - but it's not at all hard.
See Glyn's guide on the main page
M
Lucky_32
22-07-2002, 18:16
Getting the shocks off to replace the springs is damn fiddley without the right tools - you can knacker them up - I knackered the old shocks when trying to fit a full Jamex kit to an old IBIZA (1987 1.2 GLX) took it to a garage in the end - the difference in handling was amazing. Sucessfully did it once on a Triumph Spitfire front suspension.
If you can go the full stretch get shocks as well and get someone else to do the dirty work.
Give Micheldever tyres a ring - they're not bad on price (v good for tyres) - I'm going for a fully adjustable set up off them once my car is repaired.
http://www.micheldever.co.uk/
The website is being refurbished at the moment.
:cheers:
save time and money,get a full kit straight off,i went down the spring only route and within 12 mths had the dampers back off to fit some new ones do it right 1st time if ya budget allows.
koni's, bilstein both work well on the ibiza eibach make some rather good springs if that is the way you want to go.
when fitting it is good to have someone help,unless they were doing curry farts all day:D
Gills Fan
22-07-2002, 19:04
Originally posted by jason
save time and money,get a full kit straight off,i went down the spring only route and within 12 mths had the dampers back off to fit some new ones do it right 1st time if ya budget allows.
koni's, bilstein both work well on the ibiza eibach make some rather good springs if that is the way you want to go.
when fitting it is good to have someone help,unless they were doing curry farts all day:D
Jason, What would the full kit consist of ? And do you know an average price for either bilstein or koni version ?
Cheers mate
P.s My wheels were due on friday, got a call to say there's a SIX WEEK DELAY !!!!!! ARGGGHHHHHHH :mad::mad::mad:
Billies consist of dampers & springs, you use the old / original top mounts & brake pipe clip & bump stop
Koni's give you a bump stop.
Circa £400+VAT for either & both are good (Koni's are a little smoother though)
i paid 300 ukp for mine ,tho this was a cash deal,around 350 i would say although give scootyp a shout his m8 is a raceland supplier now and the kit is as close to bilstein as you'll get but at around 130 for full kit,its really done to your budget m8,i would have had the koni's had the springs fitted my95 ibiza but as the billies did i bought them:cheers:
ibizacupra
22-07-2002, 21:27
Originally posted by Gills Fan
Never done it so I need all the tips and advice please. What do I need to purchase ? What are the going rates ? Is it achievable as a DIY ? How low can I go ?
Any advice/help/tips welcome
Cheers guys
Given your location.... Give Autotechnik a call.
they're only in Totton nr Southampton.
They deal with Bilstein, Eibach, Koni, H&R etc and can sort you out a suspension kit to suit your needs and budget. Full fitment and geometry would be part of their installation.
VW Driver magazine use Autotechnik for their suspension trials as they know what they're doing.
worth a call. Tel: 02380 ******
Both Alan and Ness are both from the Isle of White themselves... so you have some common ground. :)
regards
Bill
Gills Fan
22-07-2002, 21:38
Cheers Bill that sounds ideal. :D
Gills Fan
22-07-2002, 21:41
Would the average drop be 35/40mm ?? I don't want low like you can only fit a rizla paper under the body kit !!! But want it to be a noticable drop.
i would avoid the billies then m8,it doesdrop more than 40mm .i have about 6 inch clearance on the f2 front bumper and speed humps need scrutinising first before going over,although i hear that billies with eibach springs are the best for handling on the mk2 beeza.
forgot to mention camber set up after,can be expensive but if auto technic do it as part of fitment i'd go for it,demon tweeks charged me 70 quid,can ya see why i said do it once and forget about lowered springs i paid 2x geomtry 140 quid,thats a set of eibach springs is that.you know it makes sense:cheers:
Gills Fan
22-07-2002, 21:57
Thanks for the advice Jason, with my wheels on 6 week delay gives me time to save up and do it all at once....shall i get my discs and pads done while I'm there ??!!?? Only joking, the Missus would do her nut !! :eek:
Thanks again
hopkinsgm
22-07-2002, 22:08
Originally posted by Gills Fan
...I don't want low like you can only fit a rizla paper under the body kit...
I know that feeling, and having seen quite a few mk2's on the Bilstein kit I steered clear - my job takes me out to construction sites and remote monitoring sites from time to time. Aside from anything, having tried a few, I found the ride a bit harsh with the Bilstein kit. Anyway, i've got a Koni Sport kit on my mk2 8v (part no. SSK 57) which is quite a nice compromise - subtle drop (30 to 35mm), improved handling and still reasonably compliant. Fronts are top adjustable, rears are bottom adjustable for damping. Vogtland springs supplied with kit are nicely matched, and the kit included shortened bumpstops too. Set full soft all round the back end can get a little flighty if you're pushing hard (I should point out that this is "catchable" tho). Tweaking the fronts a bit stiffer balances it nicely though. I paid £400 incl. VAT supplied, fitted and aligned.
G
ibizacupra
22-07-2002, 22:35
Originally posted by hopkinsgm
I know that feeling, and having seen quite a few mk2's on the Bilstein kit I steered clear - my job takes me out to construction sites and remote monitoring sites from time to time. Aside from anything, having tried a few, I found the ride a bit harsh with the Bilstein kit. Anyway, i've got a Koni Sport kit on my mk2 8v (part no. SSK 57) which is quite a nice compromise - subtle drop (30 to 35mm), improved handling and still reasonably compliant. Fronts are top adjustable, rears are bottom adjustable for damping. Vogtland springs supplied with kit are nicely matched, and the kit included shortened bumpstops too. Set full soft all round the back end can get a little flighty if you're pushing hard (I should point out that this is "catchable" tho). Tweaking the fronts a bit stiffer balances it nicely though. I paid £400 incl. VAT supplied, fitted and aligned.
G
You really are a Koni die-hard G.
:D
IMHO, they are'nt great on a Beezer. Jabbasport run this and it was horrible. Nasty, as bad as standard. 20VT not 8v, but it did'nt help at all. Koni Eibach was their combination and it did'nt work well at all.
Billies work (PSS9's do) and if 40mm is acceptable then fine. Eibach or H&R springs in combination should work out quite nice.
Bill
(Billies rock! :) )
PS: I am being provocative here ;)
billies are firm,but not harse imho the roads round here are not the best but never had any complaints from the two passengers i always carry(mrs and 3 yr old in back seat):D
that's cos they know better than to mess with nic nac
hopkinsgm
22-07-2002, 23:51
Originally posted by ibizacupra
You really are a Koni die-hard G ... PS: I am being provocative here ;)
:p
G
Gills Fan
25-07-2002, 18:39
Any views on APEX ?
Gills Fan
27-07-2002, 16:46
ttt
ibizacupra
27-07-2002, 18:36
Originally posted by Gills Fan
Any views on APEX ?
The silence might be a clue....
No one is running them. (possibly?)
Bill