Lowering springs vs ride comfort?

Jun 25, 2012
920
1
Gateshead
Right lads,

iv read quite a few threads claiming lowering springs make the ride less harsh,Mrs Johns has been complaining about the ride mainly when's she's in the back with our baby girl. Now I did expect this coming from a Passat cc with DCC.

My question is will lowering springs change the ride quality for the better?will Mrs Johns and baby girl be happier?

And if so what kit is it you have fitted?

The standard ride is pretty harsh on anything less than smooth Tarmac,which there isn't a lot of these days. I know it's a hot hatch and I bought it for that reason ,but anything to keep the wife happy ( and in no way is this just an excuse to a more aggressive stance[B)])

Johnsy
 

G4reth

FR PD170
Dec 4, 2011
393
0
Middlesbrough
I'm in the same boat as you. The ride is so bad for the wife and my month old son. I bought H&R's for the FR. Haven't fitted them yet, but hoping they'll be better.
 
Jun 25, 2012
920
1
Gateshead
I'm in the same boat as you. The ride is so bad for the wife and my month old son. I bought H&R's for the FR. Haven't fitted them yet, but hoping they'll be better.


Ooooo guinea pig! Lol let me know if there's much difference and what your missus thinks

Am I right in saying that the FR is actually a harder ride than the cupra,esp the facelift model
 
Last edited:

CharlySkunkweed

Active Member
Aug 10, 2014
203
0
Northern Ireland
My FR TDI Facelift has been fitted with Eibach Sportlines for the last few weeks and if it is any harsher then it's very slight. I'm happy with it , doesn't feel clunky like previous cars I've lowered.
 

Muttley

Catch that diesel!
Mar 17, 2006
4,987
31
North Kent
It's not a hot hatch, it's an exotic hatchback-derived sports car. It is already lowered compared to the standard car, and to the sports variant suspension. Lowering it further will *not* help.
 

richicupra

Active Member
Jan 29, 2012
1,826
9
H&R springs give a noticeably firmer ride and don't improve comfort levels, but to me they handle bumpy roads better than the standard springs.

"Exotic hatchback-derived sports car", that's a good one lol
 

chr1sd

Active Member
Mar 16, 2014
364
1
Newcastle Upon Tyne
I have H&R springs on my cupra and the ride is definately not as harsh as the standard springs. Gary on here (never2old) has just drove my car the other day and he as an FR. He said mine didnt feel as harsh as his and thought it was less 'choppy'.
 
Feb 6, 2014
1,323
1
Lincoln
Just out of curiosity, are the facelift FR springs retrofit able to the pre facelift model? I'm sure that they were the reason the facelifted model rode so much better.
 

Matt cla

Active Member
Jul 9, 2014
114
0
Nottingham
I've found that my Eibach Sportlines make the car much better. I fitted mine to reduce the arch gap and obviously to make it look lower- which it has- but without doubt the best part of it has been the improved ride quality. Oem springs were soft and wobbly, especially when going over a speed bump. Sportlines just give you a quick shake then levels up.
 
Jun 25, 2012
920
1
Gateshead
I have H&R springs on my cupra and the ride is definately not as harsh as the standard springs. Gary on here (never2old) has just drove my car the other day and he as an FR. He said mine didnt feel as harsh as his and thought it was less 'choppy'.


aye aye, another local lad.any chance of a blast like? Proof is in the pudding as they say
 

GavFR

Active Member
Feb 20, 2014
40
0
Ayrshire
Have to agree with chr1sd, I fitted H&R springs to my diesel FR recently and they are more comfortable than the standard springs! Would highly recommend them.
 

DamianPM

Active Member
Mar 26, 2008
6,385
82
Newcastle/Durham
The Eibach Pro springs are always a good choice and put them with a matched set of dampers and the ride will drastically change.

The standard SEAT sport range of suspension seems to be overly stiff to try and give the impression you're getting a sport ride but it just hasn't worked.

Damian @ DPM Performance
 
Feb 6, 2014
1,323
1
Lincoln
The Eibach Pro springs are always a good choice and put them with a matched set of dampers and the ride will drastically change.

The standard SEAT sport range of suspension seems to be overly stiff to try and give the impression you're getting a sport ride but it just hasn't worked.

Damian @ DPM Performance
Does that extend to the facelift models then? Aren't they supposedly much better than prefacelift for comfort?
 

rllmuk

Active Member
Apr 23, 2005
1,241
6
Sportlines on standard dampers are an improvement. Something like the Bilstein B12 kit is a great option if you want to change dampers too - depends how tired/old they are. Coilovers are overkill if you're not going to track it, better to spend the cash on a decent spring/damper set up than a cheap coilover kit - in my opinion!

Whatever you do, it'll be better :)
 
Jun 25, 2012
920
1
Gateshead
Sportlines on standard dampers are an improvement. Something like the Bilstein B12 kit is a great option if you want to change dampers too - depends how tired/old they are. Coilovers are overkill if you're not going to track it, better to spend the cash on a decent spring/damper set up than a cheap coilover kit - in my opinion!

Whatever you do, it'll be better :)

I'm trying to find a happy medium, probably 2-3 track days a year tops and our daily drive.I'm already putting parts together to improve on braking and reduce unsung weight.

If the springs make enough of a difference I'm on board, but I'm not getting carried away coil overs etc
 
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