Suspension Advice - Looking for original GTI Setup

Its time to switch back to original setup for winter - the coilvers are just not useable for everyday driving.

Whats the best OEM GTI kit to go for? Im not interested in lowering it just ride quality, do Bilstein have a kit for the Mk1?

Do you have anything left from the springs and shock set up, eg front strut, washers, bump stops, dust covers etc.... or do you need everything from the top mount down?

The coilovers were on here when I bought ther car, not sure if anything thats on there can be used with stock springs/shock setup.

Sadly you can't get all springs (standard GTI) anymore. I think rears are available but not fronts.

I went through this myself last year and went for Bilstein B12 kit in the end.

Do a search for 'standard suspension' and my username and you should find the thread where I tried to track down the springs, spoke to Germany and other suppliers  

Found it - http://vwgolfmk1.org.uk/forum/index.php?page=topicview&id=parts-wanted_2%2Foriginal-gti-suspension

 

boge, sachs or bilstein are OE equivalent for the shock absorbers, for springs you can get standard springs from gsf I think still but not sure on the quality. a 30-40mm spring kit from the above or eibach are all awesome gear and a 30-40mm drop will offer great handling but not so low to make it uncomfortable to drive

When you say 'standard springs' Jonny you mean non-GTI?

standard GTI, been a while since ive looked for MK1 bnits from gsf so may well be long since dropped

Im thinking H&R springs but im not sure on the drop since im running a 16v… a 40mm drop might end up being 50+ and Im trying to bring the car up and make it more drivable daily.

Also what top mounts should I go for since im going to be removing coilovers?

You will need some other parts other than springs and shocks, picture for you. It may be best to get some good second hand front and rear struts and use the washers, cups etc from them.
You don't need 1a, 1b, 13, 14 and 15 (never been fitted to the 2 cars I have) 3 you need the bottom part of the strut as the shock is placed inside it and big nut is done up.

And the rear.

I have just taken off my original springs from my GTI and dropped them down a little bit - running Boge shocks and Eibach springs - the ride is very good and the stance is better.  

So I went with a bilstein/H&R setup - its a nice stance and the ride is far less crashy.

Im noticing now the steering has "loosened" up a bit which is good but Im feeling it Tramlining a lot more now with the new setup, it may need some tracking but I think the main difference is the new busings in the top mounts and the new upper bearings.

Has anyone else notice this when reverting back from coilovers?

Have you set up the tracking and camber? Both will need checking and most proberlly adjusted to get the best out of the handling.

Yeah agree with that, find someone who can do a full laser geo setup, it can make a massive difference if it's currently out and could improve the tramlining.