Getting annoyed with the FR's harsh ride!!

[FR_Flavoured]

Paul, can I ask, did you compare the Eibach Pro to the Sportline Kit?
And what made you opt for the Pro kit, rather than the latter?

I've been wanting to lower my FR on Eibach Springs, but still deciding which is best....

 

[Paulki]

Paul, can I ask, did you compare the Eibach Pro to the Sportline Kit?
And what made you opt for the Pro kit, rather than the latter?

I've been wanting to lower my FR on Eibach Springs, but still deciding which is best....

No, I didn't really consider the Sportlines, for me they lowered the car more than I wanted, and all the reports I read at the time (about 3 years ago) praised the Pro/Koni FSD setup. Both the springs and the shocks are progressive, so the initial movement is relatively soft and then gets firmer. The car is lowered by about 20mm and the wheels sit nicely in the arches but still clears all the speed bumps.

I was on the verge of changing the car because of the atrocious, spine jarring ride over the little lumps and bumps prior to the upgrade, and now 3 years later I am still happy.

 

[jcp]

"can assure you that it can make a huge difference; I have Eibach Pro's with Koni FSD's and it transformed the car even after changing from 17" to 18" wheels.

There are lots of previous threads on this topic, just do a search and you will find many happy FR/Sport owners with similar suspension upgrades. "


Plus one- the Fr was a very uncomfortable car- the eibach/fsd set up makes a real and useful difference.

 

[FR_Flavoured]

How much are you looking at then, for a full set of the FSD Shocks, supplied and fitted?

I enquired with a local tuning workshop. They mentioned the Sportline Springs will drop the car to an extent where the standard Shocks WILL really suffer. So the Pro kit it is !
(The Sportline kit might drop upto 40mm, while the Pro kit 30mm max).

 

[GainfulShrimp]

I opted for the Eibach Pro kit and Koni FSD combo too, for my FR TFSI. Completely transformed the ride and it's one less thing for the missus to complain about.

 

[alx_chung]

Another one with the Koni FSD and Eibach Proline combo.
Awesome GTI sell this and this is where I got the Konis from. The Eibachs came from DPM Performance.
For the Konis you are looking at £465 (55mm strut) and the Prolines you are looking at £157.
Then fitting and 4 wheel alignment will have to be added on top of that as well.
Alex

 

[Nath.]

"can assure you that it can make a huge difference; I have Eibach Pro's with Koni FSD's and it transformed the car even after changing from 17" to 18" wheels.

There are lots of previous threads on this topic, just do a search and you will find many happy FR/Sport owners with similar suspension upgrades. "


Plus one- the Fr was a very uncomfortable car- the eibach/fsd set up makes a real and useful difference.

So it actually makes the ride softer does it?

 

[GainfulShrimp]

It kind-of makes it softer. You still won't notice much lean into the corners, as before, but it just smooths out the medium size bumps so they feel like small bumps did before the upgrade. Small bumps - e.g. seams in concrete roads - become barely noticeable (as opposed to distracting and annoying).

I found with the OEM setup, I was tensing up before certain stretches of road so as to minimise the feel of the teeth-shattering impacts. And the ride actually affected my ability to talk to passengers - the constant bumps and jolts meant that conversation wasn't enjoyable.
I don't need to tense up any more and there's less risk of dental damage (providing I manage to avoid the potholes). Only problem is that my missus is happy to ride in the car following the change, and conversation is possible too... but I guess everything has a downside.

Big potholes and speed bumps are still pretty harsh, but that's to be expected. Some of the potholes on my commute are like looking down a well and if I ever failed to avoid one, I'd probably be looking at a big bill.

 

[FR_Flavoured]

Can someone PLEASE post a Pic of their Leon with the Sportline springs fitted, to demonstrate how low the car sits?

I dont want to get the Pro springs fitted, only to be left disappointed that it didnt drop the car to the extent that I want (as they lower by 30mm - while the Sportlines more 40mm).

While I've been told the Sportline Springs will put alot more strain on the standard shocks, being that much lower, I think I might take the plunge and plan on upgrading the standard Shocks in the future.

 

[spacedmonkeys]

This thread made me smile. I came from driving a Ford Racing Puma for 8 years and the ride quality of my FR is like cotton wool in comparison!

 

[alx_chung]

Can someone PLEASE post a Pic of their Leon with the Sportline springs fitted, to demonstrate how low the car sits?

I dont want to get the Pro springs fitted, only to be left disappointed that it didnt drop the car to the extent that I want (as they lower by 30mm - while the Sportlines more 40mm).

While I've been told the Sportline Springs will put alot more strain on the standard shocks, being that much lower, I think I might take the plunge and plan on upgrading the standard Shocks in the future.

I would do a search as there are plenty of pictures of Leons with Sportslines on the forum.
Alex

 

[FR_Flavoured]

I would do a search as there are plenty of pictures of Leons with Sportslines on the forum.
Alex

Thankyou for your feedback, will have a scan.

 

[JoshSimpson]

How much are you looking at then, for a full set of the FSD Shocks, supplied and fitted?

I enquired with a local tuning workshop. They mentioned the Sportline Springs will drop the car to an extent where the standard Shocks WILL really suffer. So the Pro kit it is !
(The Sportline kit might drop upto 40mm, while the Pro kit 30mm max).

Ive always been under the impression from alot of vw forums etc that you can lower upto 60mm on standard shocks without putting too much stress on them? As ive said before ive never bothered using lowering springs, ive just went straight for coilovers because it was lows i wanted not comfort, so coming into standard FR its comfiest ride ive had.

Josh

 

[stephenSF]

...so coming into standard FR its comfiest ride ive had.

Josh

My God. So many people say this type of thing. Mini S, Type R, Audis.
When I drive over a fag packet in my FR the car goes KerChunkkk.

 

[FR_Flavoured]

Ive always been under the impression from alot of vw forums etc that you can lower upto 60mm on standard shocks without putting too much stress on them? As ive said before ive never bothered using lowering springs, ive just went straight for coilovers because it was lows i wanted not comfort, so coming into standard FR its comfiest ride ive had.

Josh

Thankyou for your feedback! WOW, 60mm on standard Shocks!? That is low.

To be honest, I actually LIKE the way the FR rides on its standard suspension (how it is now). With its firm handling, it reminds me I'm driving a semi-performance car!

It's more the HUGE gap that there is between wheel arch and tyre, so I'd like the car to sit lower, and the wheels to fill the arches BETTER. As a result there is a good probability the ride will be improved, thats an added Plus!

 

[nc30rider]

My God. So many people say this type of thing. Mini S, Type R, Audis.
When I drive over a fag packet in my FR the car goes KerChunkkk.

It's the lolly-sticks I find particularly back breaking