Mk7 Golf GTI springs on Leon FR Mk3?

[Thrillhouse]

Hi, first post long time lurker. I can't find any clear specs on the ride heights of these two. I have a whole set of Mk7 Golf GTI OEM springs when I lowered it.
a) Will they fit on my Leon FR?
b) If so, will they lower the car at all? (I would assume a Golf GTI sits lower than an FR?)

 

[Big Vinny]

I'm not sure this will work the Leon FR has the rigid transaxle rear suspension setup and the Golf GTi is all round independant. The FR suspension is already hard and bumpy ?!

 

[Thrillhouse]

I'm not sure this will work the Leon FR has the rigid transaxle rear suspension setup and the Golf GTi is all round independant. The FR suspension is already hard and bumpy ?!

My 1.8 has multi link rear suspension (I think). Just wondered if the GTI stock springs sit lower than the stock Leon FR, and if they are compatible, basically saving me getting new lowering springs for the Leon!

 

[Big Vinny]

I believe you are correct the 1.4 and 1.5 FR are transaxle and the 1.8 is independant rear suspension. I have a 1.5 FR and the ride is pretty awful. I have done some research and am thinking of Koni shocks.

 

[Thrillhouse]

I believe you are correct the 1.4 and 1.5 FR are transaxle and the 1.8 is independant rear suspension. I have a 1.5 FR and the ride is pretty awful. I have done some research and am thinking of Koni shocks.

Yeah I'm trying to avoid shelling out on a set of coilovers or even just some new springs. Just seems a waste that I have a perfectly good set of GTI springs lying around (cba to sell atm). I don't know if a GTI is 'lower' than a Leon, but I guess there are too many variables to factor in. Been trying to research but not sure I can come to a conclusion short of trying to fit them and see, but I don't know if I can be bothered in case they don't make any difference or don't fit!

What do you find bad about your ride? The ride on the 1.8 is mostly fine. I don't like how much body roll there is so looking at upgrading the anti roll bars. But just want the car sitting a bit lower really!

 

[Jazzjames]

Yeah I'm trying to avoid shelling out on a set of coilovers or even just some new springs. Just seems a waste that I have a perfectly good set of GTI springs lying around (cba to sell atm). I don't know if a GTI is 'lower' than a Leon, but I guess there are too many variables to factor in. Been trying to research but not sure I can come to a conclusion short of trying to fit them and see, but I don't know if I can be bothered in case they don't make any difference or don't fit!

What do you find bad about your ride? The ride on the 1.8 is mostly fine. I don't like how much body roll there is so looking at upgrading the anti roll bars. But just want the car sitting a bit lower really!

We have a 1.8 FR and a 1.5 ST and the 1.8 with the indy rear suspension is def more composed over big bumps and uneven surfaces. Tyres are important- a lot of OEM tyres are set up for rolling resistance to get the best results on the WLTP test. We swapped out the tyres on the 1.5 for some Dunlops and it made the car ride much better.

Regarding the springs, sorry no idea. Wouldn’t have thought there’s more than 10mm in it even if the GTI is lower at all. Take a spring off one corner and have a look to see if they’re similar enough to swap?

Did you have a mk7 GTI? If so, how does your Leon compare to it? Was a toss up between a good 1.8 FR and a scabby GTI mk7. Love my Leon but the Mk7 GTI is a highpoint in the Golf’s history imo.

 

[Thrillhouse]

We have a 1.8 FR and a 1.5 ST and the 1.8 with the indy rear suspension is def more composed over big bumps and uneven surfaces. Tyres are important- a lot of OEM tyres are set up for rolling resistance to get the best results on the WLTP test. We swapped out the tyres on the 1.5 for some Dunlops and it made the car ride much better.

Regarding the springs, sorry no idea. Wouldn’t have thought there’s more than 10mm in it even if the GTI is lower at all. Take a spring off one corner and have a look to see if they’re similar enough to swap?

Did you have a mk7 GTI? If so, how does your Leon compare to it? Was a toss up between a good 1.8 FR and a scabby GTI mk7. Love my Leon but the Mk7 GTI is a highpoint in the Golf’s history imo.

Oh man, yes I've had two mk7 GTIs (RIP both). All round, the perfect car tbh. It's more refined than a Cupra (which is either a good or a bad thing for some), it's practical, handles fantastically, just really well balanced. I could not fault a single thing about the GTI tbh. Definitely agree that the Mk7/7.5 is peak Golf GTI. However I actually find the Leon actually looks better, imo, the full LED light package is pretty stunning.

For me it was a toss up between my 1.8 FR and yet another mk7 GTI, but used car prices are still a bit mental for GTIs. I didn't want to go for a Cupra just yet as had written off both Golfs in 2 years, so erm, insurance was going to be expensive... Plus the 1.8 does 0-60 in a respectable 7.something seconds, I don't need anything more powerful at the moment.

 

[BigJase88]

My brain tells me a 2.0l gti will have a heavier engine than a 1.8l fr so will sit nose up with the GTI springs

 

[Big Vinny]

The 2019 1.5 FR I have got has the so called "sports suspension" it's I believe 15mm lower than the standard running on the rear transaxle. It's hard bumpy and noisy. There is no noticeable body roll and compared to my wife's 2019 Ibiza FR has a bit more understeer. The Ibiza is better handling an riding imho !

 

[SuperV8]

Hi, first post long time lurker. I can't find any clear specs on the ride heights of these two. I have a whole set of Mk7 Golf GTI OEM springs when I lowered it.
a) Will they fit on my Leon FR?
b) If so, will they lower the car at all? (I would assume a Golf GTI sits lower than an FR?)

There are many - 20 or 30 from my last count of spring part numbers depending on your PR code for the Leon. These will all vary on length and stiffness depending on the spec of the car and the axle weights.

I think the only way to check would be to take off your current spring - and compare it side by side with your GTI spring?

Might be useful if you can find accurate axle weights of both your Leon and the GTI which the springs are from to see if they are in the same ball park? Suspect the GTI will be heavier.

 

[Jazzjames]

My brain tells me a 2.0l gti will have a heavier engine than a 1.8l fr so will sit nose up with the GTI springs

I doubt there’s much in it, as they both use the EA888 engine.

The Golf’s extra weight, 1350kg listed, will come from more sound deadening and other minor changes.

1.8 tsi FR’s weight is 1310kg for the 5 door.

40 kg is not much difference, so it the springs fit, you would imagine they would work fine.

 

[Thrillhouse]

My brain tells me a 2.0l gti will have a heavier engine than a 1.8l fr so will sit nose up with the GTI springs

This is a good point. I considered weight differences but not specifically at one end

 

[Thrillhouse]

I doubt there’s much in it, as they both use the EA888 engine.

The Golf’s extra weight, 1350kg listed, will come from more sound deadening and other minor changes.

1.8 tsi FR’s weight is 1310kg for the 5 door.

40 kg is not much difference, so it the springs fit, you would imagine they would work fine.

Maybe I won't know if it'll sit lower unless I fit them... I think I just assumed the GTI springs would be lower than the Leon's

 

[Jazzjames]

Maybe I won't know if it'll sit lower unless I fit them... I think I just assumed the GTI springs would be lower than the Leon's

Here's my super (un)scientific comparison of my Leon and a Golf 7, both on 19 inch wheels. Maybe the Golf's a little lower, but it's not exactly night and day.

 

[Thrillhouse]

Haha I like the precision, thanks for the visual comparison. Yeah probably not a lot of difference. I figured that the GTI = Cupra, right? I assume the suspension set up would be the same in both? I believe the Cupras sit a bit lower than the FR (I forget by how much- maybe I'm mistaken?), so that's why I thought, hmm, maybe I can use the GTI springs.