Think I've found the sweet spot

After many many years of researching and upgrading my suspension, chassis, wheels and tyres etc, I think I’ve finally found the sweet spot.

When I bought the car it had some cheap pro sport coil overs fitted, only adjustable on the fronts, and running quite low, (looked nice) plus with 15 inch wheels, it bounced from one pot hole to the next, really unpleasant to drive, even on smoothish roads.

Currently after a lot of back and forth I’ve finally settled with the following set up.

Bilstein b4 shocks with eibach lowing springs all round.
New febi top mounts, bump stops etc.
All the rubber bushes etc under the car replaced with new rubber bits.
14 inch wheels with Dunlop tyres, running 32psi all round.(messed with various tyre pressures)
Lower strut brace, K bar style from Classic VW between the bottom arms.

I think the icing on the cake is the lower strut brace, it’s like night and day. After all the above changes it drove really well, my only gripe was scuttle shake on the bumpy stuff in the Peak District.

But after fitting the strut brace I reckon it’s reduced this by 90%, if not a little more, plus it rides so smooth, no rattles, shakes or skipping around.

it now drives so well I’m often out for a couple of hours in the peaks, sometimes on the way home I divert to make the trip even longer, it’s that enjoyable.

just thought I’d share this as it’s taken some swapping and changing, plus a lot of research  to get it this way.

32psi tyre pressures also makes the steering feel a bit lighter but still sure footed, it felt a bit sluggish and lazy with anything  less than 30psi,, so far the tyres are all wearing evenly as well.

Running Dunlop SP blueresponce 185 60 14.



 

I believe i prefer the mk1 on 6 x 14 with 185/60 tyres for driving but bigger/wider wheels/tyres look better i think…

I think my original wheels were 15 x 7 on 195 55, agree looked nice under the arches but didn’t ride as nice as the 14’s