Bought an FR. hate the ride.

[SteveTDCi]

mine have been on for a week and have just started to settle. They are better than the standard springs but can compress quite easilly over bigg bumps & dips. I am considering swapping them for the VW Racing ones which are progressivly wound although they don't get the same drop, perhaps 5mm higher than the sportlines.

 

[GainfulShrimp]

Notice it's been a month or so since people were getting new springs

My FR is booked in at Jabba Sport on Friday for Eibach Pros and Koni FSDs.

 

[stephenSF]

My FR is booked in at Jabba Sport on Friday for Eibach Pros and Koni FSDs.

Be interested to see what these look llke. I've heard recently that the sportlines give a more comfortable ride than the pro-kit. Ijust don't want to drop that low. You'll have to let us know what you think with these ones.

 

[GainfulShrimp]

Will keep you posted.

I too have read comments (especially DJHorace iirc?) recommending the Sportlines for improved ride quality over the Pro-kit. However, the sportlines just seem a bit too low for my personal tastes. And the FSDs are supposed to be used with OEM springs or close equivalent... I chatted briefly to the chap at Jabba and he said the Pro-kit were a very good match for the FSDs - that's what made me plump for those really.

There are several happy users of the FSDs+Eibach Pros combination on here: jcp and Paulki have both posted positive reviews of this combo and I'm sure there are others.

 

[Muzakjunkie]

Interesting thread, I got my 09 FR yesterday and me and the wife were just talking about how nice and smooth the ride was compared to our M3.

As has been said generally sports cars have a harder ride, that said a friend of mine had similar concerns with his A3, he simply changed the suspension, he's now happy.

Hope you figure it out.

 

[m0rk]

Interesting thread, I got my 09 FR yesterday and me and the wife were just talking about how nice and smooth the ride was compared to our M3.

As has been said generally sports cars have a harder ride, that said a friend of mine had similar concerns with his A3, he simply changed the suspension, he's now happy.

Hope you figure it out.

Having driven the 'new' FR on Friday the revised suspension on the FR models is a revelation - so much better than the over sprung, under damped stuff on there originally.

 

[Muzakjunkie]

Having driven the 'new' FR on Friday the revised suspension on the FR models is a revelation - so much better than the over sprung, under damped stuff on there originally.

I did read somewhere (likely on here) that they had improved things on the newer models, we're happy so it's all good.

 

[warren_cox]

Having driven the 'new' FR on Friday the revised suspension on the FR models is a revelation - so much better than the over sprung, under damped stuff on there originally.

It was so much better than the traditional FR suspensions that have assaulted my back in the past. I was amazed how fluid the suspension seemed on the country road blat. A big improvement.

 

[GainfulShrimp]

For those unlucky souls who can't upgrade to a facelift FR and find their ride too harsh, I can confirm that the combination of Koni FSD dampers and Eibach Pro springs is an absolute revelation compared to the OEM setup. It turns the ride into a nice sporty comfort level. Potholes are still potholes but you don't feel you're plummeting two feet with bigger bumps like before. Small imperfections in the road are barely felt, although still heard. My car seemed to find problems even with relatively good roads before... not
so now. There's a stretch of concrete dual carriageway on my commute and the car used to jolt over every seam and glitch in the road. Since having the upgrade the seams are only barely noticeable and I can have conversations with passengers again. Absolutely a night and day difference.
I'm glad I had it done and would strongly recommend it to anyone who's fed up with their crashy pre-facelift FR.

Unfortunately I can't help those trying to decide whether to get both FSDs and Eibachs or just one of them. The combination works great though!

 

[daz_pd]

ok guys, sorry to keep everyone waiting, we have been very busy, just had a new addition to the family!
I can confirm that the Pro-Kit has been fitted and there is a noticable improvement in the ride, its less 'shakey' over little ripples in the road, although you definately still feel the bumps, I would say its a 15% improvement. quite a nice ride height too, I imagine with the FSD's it would be even better.

 

[stephenSF]

For those unlucky souls who can't upgrade to a facelift FR and find their ride too harsh, I can confirm that the combination of Koni FSD dampers and Eibach Pro springs is an absolute revelation compared to the OEM setup. It turns the ride into a nice sporty comfort level. Potholes are still potholes but you don't feel you're plummeting two feet with bigger bumps like before. Small imperfections in the road are barely felt, although still heard. My car seemed to find problems even with relatively good roads before... not
so now. There's a stretch of concrete dual carriageway on my commute and the car used to jolt over every seam and glitch in the road. Since having the upgrade the seams are only barely noticeable and I can have conversations with passengers again. Absolutely a night and day difference.
I'm glad I had it done and would strongly recommend it to anyone who's fed up with their crashy pre-facelift FR.

Unfortunately I can't help those trying to decide whether to get both FSDs and Eibachs or just one of them. The combination works great though!

That's great. Thanks for that. I was going to try just the eibach pros on my FR but you've convinced me to go for both.

 

[southym]

Hi,

stephenSF, perhaps you could post your thoughts when you've had the "upgrade". I'm considering it myself.

Cheers,

Mark

 

[WildWestHero]

For those unlucky souls who can't upgrade to a facelift FR and find their ride too harsh, I can confirm that the combination of Koni FSD dampers and Eibach Pro springs is an absolute revelation compared to the OEM setup. It turns the ride into a nice sporty comfort level. Potholes are still potholes but you don't feel you're plummeting two feet with bigger bumps like before. Small imperfections in the road are barely felt, although still heard. My car seemed to find problems even with relatively good roads before... not
so now. There's a stretch of concrete dual carriageway on my commute and the car used to jolt over every seam and glitch in the road. Since having the upgrade the seams are only barely noticeable and I can have conversations with passengers again. Absolutely a night and day difference.
I'm glad I had it done and would strongly recommend it to anyone who's fed up with their crashy pre-facelift FR.

Unfortunately I can't help those trying to decide whether to get both FSDs and Eibachs or just one of them. The combination works great though!

Thought I'd share my Koni experience.

Had a Leon FR TDi for approx two-and-half years. After having the car for approx one month I decided to get Koni FSD's fitted. The main reason behind this was I found crashing off each bump on longer journey's (as I use the car for work) was doing my head in. It was thanks to information from posters on this site that I took the plunge.

Were they worth it? For me, every penny. Best thing I did. I should be changing the car in 6 months (99 percent likely for a Leon again) and I'm hoping the new setup is similar to the ride I'm experiencing now.

Ultimately it's horses for courses. Many posters on this site are happy with the OEM setup and would probably find my ride a bit too soft. The bumps are still there but you hardly notice them anymore. I can't comment on what difference the addition of new springs would have added or taken away from the ride - there are plenty of others on this site with both.

Anyway, hope you get the setup that gives you piece of mind, albeit with a slimmer wallet.

 

[GLYN SOLEY]

For those unlucky souls who can't upgrade to a facelift FR and find their ride too harsh, I can confirm that the combination of Koni FSD dampers and Eibach Pro springs is an absolute revelation compared to the OEM setup. It turns the ride into a nice sporty comfort level. Potholes are still potholes but you don't feel you're plummeting two feet with bigger bumps like before. Small imperfections in the road are barely felt, although still heard. My car seemed to find problems even with relatively good roads before... not
so now. There's a stretch of concrete dual carriageway on my commute and the car used to jolt over every seam and glitch in the road. Since having the upgrade the seams are only barely noticeable and I can have conversations with passengers again. Absolutely a night and day difference.
I'm glad I had it done and would strongly recommend it to anyone who's fed up with their crashy pre-facelift FR.

Unfortunately I can't help those trying to decide whether to get both FSDs and Eibachs or just one of them. The combination works great though!

Sounds great , what was the full cost with labour ?

 

[dannemare]

I finally bought my fr on friday and love everything about it except... the firmness is breaking my back.
I test drove the car and didn't notice the hard ride then, I suppose it was just that I was on smoother roads. I got the car home and been driving it around and, my god. My girlfriend is decidedly unimpressed. She said wait and see, which I will do but I seriously can't handle this. What can I do?
Any advice appreciated.

Could it be that the transportation blocks have not been removed? Just a wild guess.

 

[GainfulShrimp]

Sounds great , what was the full cost with labour ?

It was about £780 inc vat for supply, fitting and alignment checks.

 

[RED-B]

I have Eibach Pro springs in my 2007 Leon Fr.....much better than the stock horrible springs.....the eibach ones handles much better and much more comfortable....all my friends noticed the diffrence.

 

[FRNikki]

I have an 06 FR TDi and i think the ride is great, obviously its a lot stiffer than my 1.2 polo but i was expecting that. i have to admit if i end up in a pot hole it does feel like my spine has snapped for a split second but on the whole i like the ride and the handling.

 

[stephenSF]

I have Eibach Pro springs in my 2007 Leon Fr.....much better than the stock horrible springs.....the eibach ones handles much better and much more comfortable....all my friends noticed the diffrence.

I have re-decided for the second time now that just the pro-kit alone and not with dampers are the way to go, at least for now.
A couple of people here say it helps the ride a lot so I think that should be enough for me. Thanks for input.

 

[noddyFR]

I finally bought my fr on friday and love everything about it except... the firmness is breaking my back.
I test drove the car and didn't notice the hard ride then, I suppose it was just that I was on smoother roads. I got the car home and been driving it around and, my god. My girlfriend is decidedly unimpressed. She said wait and see, which I will do but I seriously can't handle this. What can I do?
Any advice appreciated.

Apparently the ride on 17" is better than the 18", in saying that i have the 18" and i agree with you,the ride is very stiff. My '55' FR was a lot more forgiving in the ride.
My pregnant wife does not like the ride one little bit....and in fact i think i will need to invest in some waterproof seat covers incase of any early water breaking.....HA

Hope you find a descent bird to massage your back...post her number whe you do!!

Anyway enjoy your new car!!