Wallowing

[mallett]

Ok, bear with me. Stupid question time.

Issue: Just bought an 02 LC and I've come to the conclusion, that after some testing, it wallows round corners more that I've come to like.

Therefore, the solution is not just uprated springs, as that knackers the existing dampers? A proper solution is coilovers?

It's not bad, just doesn't handle like my VTS/MKII Golf etc etc...

 

[Sam20v]

have you looked at your bushes? axle and wishbone?
they could be torn? or are your sure its to do with your suspension?

 

[slick]

Yes i had teh same feeling i went from a mk1 Focus to a leon....

Focus was good round corners and the leon is like turning a tanker, its just didnt like it at all!

Then JBS come to the rescue, got a set of Eibach Coilovers upper and lower struts and now it sticks to the road like sh!t to a blanket.....

I also got ATB diff, 8.5 wide tyres and also other little goodies to power out of the corner which also helps... but if your looking to uprate a leon handling, coilovers are the way to go... i HIGHLY recommend the Eibach set or the H&R.. expensive (£1200 fitted i think) but the handling is, in my opinion, better than ST focus's and alike...

 

[ChrisUK]

Am I the only one who thinks the handling on my Leon is any good ????

I did come from an MX5 too - and that handled like a go-kart !

 

[slick]

Must be Chris, all my mates who owned a Leon, said the only thing that lets down the leon is the suspension and handling.... my mate a fellow SCN member has driven my car and has also said that my set up is how a FR or Cupra should be set up, like its naming of Formula Racing, it should handle like one... which unfortunately in standard form is doesnt.

i mean cars of similar size and weight easily out handle the leon... Golf, Focus and A3...

Now i have my set up, none of the above (in standard form) match my leons grip and handling ability in corners.

 

[ChrisUK]

I must just be heavy then & making the car stick to the road - lol

 

[slick]

LOL

either that or the dealer gave you a Golf with a fake Leon shell.... lol

 

[mallett]

It's not that bad, I guess I've just had very good handling cars up to now. The MKIGti was the best

It just doesnt like medium speed corners, understeers and is too imprecise for me. Maybe I should have taken a longer test drive! Coilovers it is then.

 

[ChrisUK]

So power sliding is not an option

 

[Steve_B]

Am I the only one who thinks the handling on my Leon is any good ????

I did come from an MX5 too - and that handled like a go-kart !

I think the Leon handles pretty well, mind you I drive a saab 93 during the week which doens't handle as well, and the Leons much better in the corners, unless the road's a bit bumpy when the Leons all over the place

 

[Ruddmeister]

It's not that bad, I guess I've just had very good handling cars up to now. The MKIGti was the best

It just doesnt like medium speed corners, understeers and is too imprecise for me. Maybe I should have taken a longer test drive! Coilovers it is then.

I'd agree on coilovers and they will help or perhaps the new Koni FSD's....However,

IMO Anti-Roll bars are your friend, don;t be scared about a larger diameter bar causing understeer either.....you could go as large as 25mm front and 28mm rear if you want.

You can buy kits (front and rear) from H&R, Eibach etc.....or Bigger / more specialised ARB's from Neuspeed (via Awesome Gti)

A top strut brace is also good as it imrpoves turn in and keeps the front end a little flatter....Audi S3 version from your local Audi dealer £57 for the part.

The lower strut brace from the LCR also fits and can be bought very reasonably from a dealer and fits staight on.

If you need somewhere to fit this stuff I'd recommend giving Grant at Westec a call, they are in Newport (on the Celtic Manor Junction).

 

[mallett]

Thanks. I had a convo with a friend today with an Exige who immediately suggested uprated ARB as a cheaper option... I'll do a bit of investigation. Thanks


£57. Bargain of the century. I'm off down my VAG dealers in the am