Optimum height for Coilovers for handling

[Dodson]

Took my Coilovers off the car for cleaning and to protect them from the winter crud, they are all washed and sparkly now.

When i had them on i had them very low and the handling was pretty crap.

So what would people suggest as the best height for best handling, also am i right in assuming back should be slightly higher than the front?

 

[foxes]

My H&R Collies on the LCR is set at 30mm all round
I find this a good set-up and just right

Make set-up same for front & rear. I wouldn't bother with having the back higher than front

I believe the cupra/LCR is already set lower at the front as standard but even it out & you will avod those 'humps' as it sits level.

 

[foxes]

...oh i too should clean & protect the collies like you!

 

[cordobabrendy]

mine are set to full height at the moment until i sort some adjustable drop links then shes coming down a little, at full extension the ride is noticeably bumpier and sways a little.

 

[Dodson]

When it was bout 90mm on front before i took them off, when i have been on some backroad thrashing it was hitting the bump stops, it felt like i was fighting the car rather than it handling tight and nice

 

[slick]

i dropped mine 15mm on the front and the rear was 30mm IRC.... perfect handling IMHO but then power is delivered via ATB diff, so that also helps... and also Rear ARB is fitted and upper and lower struts.. not forgetting to meation 8.5" tyres on low profile Toyo's...
Like Rudd says alot.. tyres make alot of difference...

 

[Dodson]

defo need better tyres!!

I have FK ARB need to get handling sorted next

 

[dsrr]

With the set set up found on any of the VAG platform A4 cars, the front lower arms should be set so that they are parallel to the ground, going past this so that they in effect form a 'V' causes all sorts of undesirable handling traits including tramlining, excessive torque steer, excessive rolling in cornering etc. I checked this when I had coilovers fitted to my first Octy vRS, dropped it really low and it handled very badly, raised ut to the point that the arms were parallel and it absolutely flew through corners...Very low might look good for shows etc but if you want it to handle...watch those arms!

 

[Dodson]

Thank you mate, thats a good review.

Any idea what height that actually was?

 

[dj_hektik]

what to use to measure whether they are level? spirit level?

 

[m0rk]

if you want optimum handling - take it to somewhere to get it corner weighted... gets the weight distribution where you want it (generally higher front, lower rear)

But we all know that's not why most of you lot buy coilovers

 

[Pabs]

ditto what m0rk said.

I had my car at about 35mm lower - was on the boundary of losing the bumper at the first sight of an incline.

Handling was O.K, but the FSD's I have now are SOOOOOO much better

 

[Phil K]

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