New to this stuff, advice would be appreciated

Hello,

I'm 17 and looking at buying MK1 Golf for my first car, i've narrowed down a few which are within my price range and affordable on the insurance. However these cars have stock rims, tires and suspension, which if I bought the car I would be looking to change. I was wandering how expensive/challenging would it be for a 17 year old with very little mechanical knowledge to lower the suspension, and then fit new wheels to the car? Fitting the wheels I feel is something I personally could do to keep the price down, however something like suspension I feel would need to be done by someone who knows what they're doing. If this is out of my capability, so would need to be taken to a garage, how much should I be expecting to pay for this service?

Cheers

Alex1420 said

I was wandering how expensive/challenging would it be for a 17 year old with very little mechanical knowledge to lower the suspension, and then fit new wheels to the car?

Pretty easy, although got garage to do mine while they had the car for work, cost £80 to change standard suspension to coilovers i think,

remember to get insurance quotes on cars with modifications as i imagine at 17 it will be a killer.
if you dont declare the mods your insurance is void

Scott

arf333 said

Alex1420 said

I was wandering how expensive/challenging would it be for a 17 year old with very little mechanical knowledge to lower the suspension, and then fit new wheels to the car?

Pretty easy, although got garage to do mine while they had the car for work, cost £80 to change standard suspension to coilovers i think,

remember to get insurance quotes on cars with modifications as i imagine at 17 it will be a killer.
if you dont declare the mods your insurance is void

Scott

Cheers for the quick reply, and yes I'll definitely put this on the insurance and see how it changes. With your coilovers how much did you pay for them?

If you invest in good quality tools that are right for the job, then changing over the suspension is actually very easy and within the capabilities of anyone who can use basic hand tools and follow instructions. The most challenging thing will probably be insuring a modified car at 17 years old. The second most challenging thing will be undoing 30 year old rusted bolts, so buy yourself a good set of tools (You won't save any money to start with, as good tools cost money and you get what you pay for)

Nice to see more youngsters looking to come into the scene and appreciating the cars, makes a change from the usual.  

Maniac said

If you invest in good quality tools that are right for the job, then changing over the suspension is actually very easy and within the capabilities of anyone who can use basic hand tools and follow instructions. The most challenging thing will probably be insuring a modified car at 17 years old. The second most challenging thing will be undoing 30 year old rusted bolts, so buy yourself a good set of tools (You won't save any money to start with, as good tools cost money and you get what you pay for)

Nice to see more youngsters looking to come into the scene and appreciating the cars, makes a change from the usual.  

Well one of the cars I'm looking at is a Golf MK1 Citi which I'm sure you'll be aware of being a 2001 remake, thus meaning that the condition of the car (nuts, bolts etc) such still be in a half decent condition. But yes i'm expecting a very few months for me, passing my test, buying the car, getting insurance, then modifying the car.