rear shocks help

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ive just put a set of 17" bk racing alloys on my mk1 1.8 gti cabby and the tyres are slightly catching the outside walls on the plastic bodykit arch, ive had a look and the rear springs are shot as they are pretty much closed up so i think with new springs it should have plenty of space, it did when i jacked the car up put the wheels on and then took the jack out as this released the springs to full stretch as then should be but of course when i started to drive away they collapsed again,
 
my question is what are the best springs to get for the rear, is there an alternative diesel or van spring i can use that fit and are stiffer, would caravan rubbers be a better option to stiffen the new standard springs up, what have other members done on here, im hoping to not have to roll the arches if possible

The problem, is even a stiff spring won't stop the suspension from compressing and the tyre rubbing. It will make it more difficult/less likely, but it won't prevent it - only extending the bump stops would.

In addition, simply stiffening up the rears would make the ride height higher (unless they were also shorter..) and upset the front/rear handling balance.

It would help if you let us know the width, as well as diameter, of the wheels (and tyre size too).