H&R Anti-Roll Bar for VW Golf 4 4Motion: Does it work?

Hello.

I once heard in another forum that the H&R aftermarket stabilizer bars are supposed to make a significant difference. Can anyone here confirm this?

Fahre momentan einen Golf 4 TDI 4 Motion ARL mit org. R32 suspension.

The Stabi Kit costs approximately 300 euros.

Maybe someone has experience with this kit and can share some information about it?

Sure, here is the translation of the text from German to English:

"MFG" is an abbreviation for "Mit freundlichen Grüßen," which means "Sincerely" or "Best regards" in English.

Hello, yes, I can explain the basics about the stabilizers.

I have the large stabilizer kit installed in my Leon.
However, I only have a 2WD model, so the rear stabilizer bar should be different on the 4Motion version.

The size of my stabilizer bars is: front: 28mm, rear: 23mm.

Since I haven't had a stabilizer bar on the multi-link rear axle before, the difference in driving behavior is very noticeable.
It significantly changes the handling characteristics, making it more prone to oversteer. Additionally, I'm using an unusual tire pressure that further emphasizes the oversteer tendency.
The suspension is clearly adapted to the demands of track days or motorsport events.
With 225/40 R 18 tires, the cornering speeds are even higher compared to our tested R32 model with DSG!
The only problem is that the suspension is now optimized for a specific purpose, and the 'normal' driving experience is no longer quite as optimal.
The large stabilizers reduce the body roll to nearly zero, and that's where the problem lies.
In conjunction with the lowering, the Seat now has a slight negative camber. When driving moderately curved roads, the entire wheel no longer makes contact with the road in the curve. As a result, driving moderately curved roads feels somewhat 'wobbly,' and you get the feeling that the car might slide out.
However, if you're now approaching the same curve at a significantly faster speed and intentionally want to induce the car to slide, the tires will completely grip, and the vehicle will run through the curve as if on rails. The actual limit has not even been reached yet.
Furthermore, the rear axle is now very stiff, and bumps in the road are more noticeable on the rear seat than on the front.


So, to summarize:
- The chassis tends to oversteer noticeably.
- The range is significantly expanded, but with limitations within the normal range.
- The side slope is decreasing significantly.

To the best of my knowledge, this stabilizer kit was originally designed for the Seat Leon Cup, which means it uses components developed for track use. This, of course, also has drawbacks for normal road driving.
Would I use it again?
Yes, I do, - No, my family doesn't.

Best regards, Jochen.

I also have a 2WD model with H+R sway bars (front only!). The body roll is significantly reduced compared to the original sway bars. However, the ride comfort also decreases noticeably.
I had to install the stabilizer bar because the original one was rubbing against the right driveshaft after installing the sport suspension. However, I'm really happy with the handling.

Best regards,
Frank.

Hello.

To what extent does the driving comfort suffer? Does the car become really stiff, or just firm and enjoyable to drive? I currently have an R32 suspension installed, and the car is already quite stiff, but I also have the problem that my 4Motion weighs a good 1500kg, which means it still tends to roll quite a bit during cornering. I was thinking that I might be able to fix this with stiffer anti-roll bars. However, I don't want a bouncy, "Koni yellow" type of suspension.

Sure, here is the translation of the text from German to English:

"MFG" is an abbreviation for "Mit freundlichen Grüßen," which means "Sincerely" or "Best regards" in English.

It always depends on the road conditions .
But I don't think the R32 suspension with the stabilizer will be significantly more uncomfortable. It's mainly about uneven loads. So, on bumps, potholes, or similar, you won't logically notice a difference. However, you will notice it when driving over manhole covers or other holes in the road that you only pass with one side of the vehicle.
I think, but as I said, that this might not be as significant for you. And the side tilt should definitely be significantly reduced. Practice makes perfect!

Best regards,
Frank.