Coilovers - which makes are recommended?

Hi all,

Purchasing my first mk1 in a couple weeks! So planning ahead what to do. As the title suggests which makes of coilovers are recommended by everyone?

Cheers

Toby

comes up alot mate, general outcome is get what you pay for. heard fk are good, depends what you want, im on budgets and bounces the hell out of my car but im not fussed about it im happy as in there.

Ok, what makes should I look out for? Both budget and non budget. Also what would I expect to pay for both?

Rubbadubdub said

Ok, what makes should I look out for? Both budget and non budget. Also what would I expect to pay for both?

As above…it comes up a lot - which means that many forum posts already exist on this topic, so its worth taking a read through the relevant sections and doing a search too. IMHO its difficult to recommend a set because while some people fit 1 set of coilovers, or maybe have driven another mk1 or so with others on, they've not done a back-to-back comparison test of many different makes. So opinions tend to be subjective. But, basically:

1. The more you pay, the better they are

2. The lower you make the car, the worse the ride is, especially if you 'bottom out' the suspension

3. Larger and wider wheels tend to magnify any harshness with coilovers

4. Cabbys are slightly heavier than hatchbacks so a set which works well on one, might not on another, and vice versa.

Personally I had Weitecs, they were good but I have not driven other Mk1s with other coilovers to compare. I was able to compare with the existing standard GTI suspension though - not much firmer when set at a sensible height.

Budget set - £200 or even less

Decent set - £500 or more

Ok thanks for the reply! I did do a search but couldn't really find what I was looking for. I now have an idea of what to get so thanks!

I've got a good used of ap's for sale. £250 and you can slam your car.

Hi i had GAZ coilovers(£600) on my tin top but found them really hard on every day driving! but now have a set of cheap JOM(£175) ones which have a lot more give! ( all tho still very hard) so depends on what you want them for, british roads or track??  what ever you chose dont expect them to be as smooth and comforable as stock! hope this helps

Ive got Jamex ones on my cab and they are good quite firm but not too bad was on car when i bought it so no idea on price, they get bouncy on very bad country lanes