Which suspension?

I'm looking for a new suspension system for my Golf 4 AHF with 81kW... the shock absorbers are already worn out, and many complete sets are actually only as expensive as two new shocks from VW.
But the question is, of course: Are such cheap offers really as good as the original parts? For example, there's a spring and damper set from Inxx for €298 at D&W. Also, I have a few more questions:

It is always differentiated between 'up to 910 kg axle load on the rear axle' and 'from 910 kg axle load.' Which of these is correct?

What type of suspension would you recommend? Coilover suspension? Adjustable dampers? Which manufacturer? How much lowering looks good on a Golf? How can I tell if my car already has a sport suspension from the factory? How do I find a good balance between handling and comfort?

I hope you're not upset that I'm bombarding you with questions.

Bei den Fahrwerken gibt es große Qualitätsunterschiede. Ich hatte im Golf Variant H&R Federn eingebaut und das Ergebnis mit den Seriendämpfern war unharmonisch. In meinem Jetzigen Bora Variant habe ich H&R Federn mit gekürzten Bilstein Sprint Dämpfern, also im Prinzip ein Bilstein B12 Kit. Es ist straff, knackig und hat noch guten Federungskomfort. Es ist nicht ganz billig, aber die Komponenten haben eine sehr gute Qualität. Die Tieferlegung beträgt 35 mm und es sieht sehr gut aus. Wer es etwas komfortabler mag, kann ein Eibach Pro-System nehmen, das noch mehr Komfort bietet. Will man es härter, dann kommt ein Sachs-Performance in Frage. Ein Billigfahrwerk würde ich nicht einbauen. EI personally consider coilover suspension to be a luxury item, and therefore...I don't value f.

Hi Kenny.

I've already installed several FK coilover suspension systems in my Golf 4, and they are really great in terms of ride comfort. They aren't too stiff and still offer a comfortable ride. You can lower them with the original stabilizer bar by about 60mm. It looks really good and isn't too low for a Golf 4.
You can easily fit 17-inch wheels with tires in the size 215/40/17 without needing to modify the wheel arches. The suspension is only height-adjustable, not stiffer. However, it doesn't necessarily need to be stiffer because the overall setup is well-balanced. It costs around 600 euros including the longer tie rods. It's worth it and comes with a lifetime warranty.

Best regards,
Ralf

Okay, so the axle load specifications are different for various engines. Over 910 kg on the front axle is for 6-cylinder and diesel engines, while below that is for 4-cylinder engines. This is due to the engine weight. It's important for the lowering specifications to be accurate and for the overall tuning to work properly. Best regards, Ralf.

Hello Golfmann,

Thank you for your help. I think I'm going to go with the Bilstein B12 kit suspension. It seems like a good compromise between sportiness and comfort. Also, it only lowers the car by a moderate amount of 25mm - which still looks very subtle. Price-wise, at around €620, it's also within budget; you can definitely spend even more on a suspension system!
Stefan

Bilstein has Bilstein manufacture the springs for VW vehicles. They state a lowering of 25mm, so that all cars, including those with the VW sport suspension, achieve this reduction in height. With the Golf equipped with standard suspension, the B12 kit results in a lowering of 35mm. And it excites me every day anew.

Hello,

jetzt hat mir einer einen Satz neuer Seriendämpfer (und auch Federn) angeboten. Haben angeblich nur 70km gelaufen und sind dann sofort durch ein Sportfahrwerk ersetzt worden. Er will für das ganze Set blos 100 Euro haben, was sehr günstig ist. Da komme ich natürlich schon ins Grübeln, ob ich nicht lieber mit dem Serienfahrwerk weiter fahre. Bringt es was, die Federn mit zu tauschen? AlsDo they lose their strength over time?
Mine have driven a total of 88,000 km in the past 5 years.
He also has a set of Monroe gas shock absorbers that have been driven for 10,000 km. He's asking 90 euros for them (the new price would be around 250 euros).
What do you think about it? How can I find out if the shocks are actually as good as he claims?

Stefan.

He also has a set of Monroe gas shock absorbers that have been driven for 10,000 km. He's asking 90 euros for them (the new price would be around 250 euros).



Gas pressure - simply brilliant. I've been using Monroe SensaTrack on my Passat for almost 3 months now, and it provides a completely different driving experience!
However, you don't realize what you're getting into when buying a car with 10,000 km on the odometer! If the previous owner drove it like a 'wild boar,' it might not be long before it breaks down.

I thought gas pressure shocks couldn't break? 10,000 km isn't much for a set of shock absorbers! So, there probably isn't a way to determine how good the shocks still are?

I thought gas shocks couldn't break? 10,000 km isn't much for a set of shock absorbers! So, there probably isn't a standard way to assess how well the shock absorbers are still functioning?

If you really want to know, you need to take it to a shock absorber testing machine.
However, that means you have to install them yourself.
Regarding wear and tear: I do believe that the shock absorbers are not maintenance-free! I know someone nearby who buys new shock absorbers all the time; he gets them replaced frequently! At the very latest after 20,000 kilometers, they're worn out.

Hello,

Is it worth replacing the feathers? Do they lose their effectiveness over time?
Stefan

Yes, the springs are losing their strength. But what's even worse is that older springs tend to break. I recently treated my Passi to a new suspension (KAW 60/40) at 218,000 km, and when I removed it, one of the rear springs was broken (and it didn't handle very well either)...
'On our old 1984 diesel van, even three springs were broken! After installing new original springs, it felt like a Golf Country; it was that high (we were used to it being much lower). The annoying thing is that you often don't see the break at first glance because there's a rubber layer around the springs.'

Forget about the standard suspension with 70,000 km; you'll probably start having problems again soon. Lowering springs with stock dampers don't work well because they create an unbalanced ride and can damage the dampers more quickly. Monroe shocks are good, but if you also install lowering springs, you won't know if they will work together harmoniously. The best solution is a complete suspension kit that is properly tuned. I would recommend buying Bilstein.