mk2 leon fr suspension

[beeko85]

ok, so i know this has been done lots before, been searching through all the posts, but could really do with some definative advice and maybe some pics?
got a set of 17" bbs co's for my fr, and need it lowered now. originally i was planning on 18's with eibach pro-kits; the 30mm ones, but now with having gone for 17's i think it may need to be lowered a little more?
just worried about going down the sportline route, im sure it looks great etc, but what about the dampers- how many miles have some of you guys put on your fr's with pro-kits/sportlines, any problems with the dampers after high milage with them? dont want to get the sportlines only to wreck the dampers over time, but not sure if the pro-kit will be enough of a drop, and dont want to have to spend too much on it. ive seen the h&r springs mentioned here, anyone got them-any feedback on how they work with the standard dampers etc-any problems over time? ill be ordering them asap to get the wheels fitted asap too so would lreally appreciate some help, and any pics of both the pro-kit and sportlines from anyone who has them to compare the difference in stance. thanks

 

[Knight_Rider]

I've done 15k with sportlines on and standard dampnes... no problems here

 

[AndrewJB]

Ive done About 2k on Sportlines so far + 16k on standard springs

 

[beeko85]

anyone done any high milage on either pro-kit or sportlines yet, like 30-40k plus? if its possible to get that amount of miles on the standard ones with upgraded springs then i wouldnt mind havving to replace them after that. 15k like knightrider has there would be around every 16-18 months for me, are the oem dampers expensive to have to replace for that sort of interval?wandering if i might be better going for something like ap coilovers from the start?ill certainly get a few years out of them? also, will going for the lower sportlines give any problems coe mot time?any problems getting your lowered leons on a ramp etc?

 

[Knight_Rider]

no ramp issues at all, I know it's low but it's not speed bump scraping super car low.

 

[HuckingFell]

Must admit I've been wondering this as well. My Cupra's not far off 31k, mainly by the previous owner, and I want to put sportlines on but I'm also concerned about the dampers becoming knackered very quickly.

Dampers are expensive to replace by the looks of things, don't think your off coilover money by the time your done, just can't afford either of these any time soon!

 

[beeko85]

yeah its the only thing putting me off really, got 2 new front tires today, just the standard bridgestone 225/45 17's that came with the car, and while i was there i had them fit the new tire to one of my new alloys and stick it on quick just to see what it was like, have to say theyre pretty small, actually look smaller than the standard 17's due to the shape of the bbs, also not dying about the brilliant silver, think i might have to go more of a gun-metal/charcoal colour, but will definately need the car to go pretty low to pull them off. looks like sportlines are going to be the way forward

 

[beeko85]

so the exhaust will never scrape of a high speedbump then?

 

[Marshall]

I have my Fr on sportlines and have had no clearance probs or my milltek rubbing on speed bumps all have been 100% ok/

 

[beeko85]

thanks, how long ya had them for kev?

 

[Marshall]

Only been on for 4 months and about 4000 miles on original dampers car now done 32k my car is on standard 18 inch wheels and usually 4 of us in when going away with boot loaded and no issues

 

[HuckingFell]

Only been on for 4 months and about 4000 miles on original dampers car now done 32k my car is on standard 18 inch wheels and usually 4 of us in when going away with boot loaded and no issues

That's good to know, might have twisted my arm when I can afford some!

 

[beeko85]

nice one, sportlines it is then! might just get em ordered today

 

[beeko85]

sportlines came at the start of the week there. just wandering about dampers now? thinkin of upgrading as im worried about the standard ones with the sportlines, and might aswell do it now rather than later to save paying for the fitting twice. anyone used an aftermarket damper set up with the sportlines? the koni fsd's wont work cause the sportlines are too low, which seems to be the case for most of the obvious companies' offerings, so no sure what to do. anyone got any ideas? also, awesome said that the eibachs never really lower the car by as much as they claim to on the fr's and especially the cupras as they are lower as standard from the factory, anyone find this when the fitted their springs? he said the prokit would probably be 25-30mm rather the claimed 35, and that the sportline would probably be 35-40mm rather than 50?

 

[beeko85]

anyone used eibach prodampers before? obviously they should work with the sportlines?

 

[robjnr]

I'm looking at getting Bilstein B8 dampers, they work well with lowered cars because they are a shorter damper, and I would expect you to get the quoted lowering figures with the springs when combined with the B8's

 

[beeko85]

thanks rob, what springs are you using with them if any?

 

[robjnr]

I will be either going for the pro kit or H&R springs, probably pro kit tho as I'm sure the H&R are a little stiffer and lower than the pro kit,
the B8 damper should be good with the sportlines because they are suited to lowers car, but I'm no expert only what I've read on the net

 

[DamianPM]

Remember that the Cupra and FR are already lower as standard so you won't get the full stated drop from the Sportlines.

It's always best to get matched springs and shocks when lowering but the Sprotlines seem to work very well with the standard Leon Sport dampers.

Damian @ DPM Performance

 

[beeko85]

thanks for that damian, so do you think i should just leave it and get the springs fitted on their own? would 40mm be about right on the fr then with the sportlines?