Adjustable vs Non Adjustable Coilovers

[EmilGevor]

Right after the winter I will be looking into lowering my car but I am not exactly sure which way I want to go with.
I have 3 options that I can think of.


1. Cheapest route: Buy lowering springs and use OEM shocks

2. Buy lowering springs and also new shocks which would cost much more

3. Buy adjustable Coilovers

Price wise it makes more sense to buy just springs and swap my OEM ones but I'm not sure what is the downside of doing that? Car has 115k on it and im worried that since there will be more pressure on the shocks they might pop and leak faster? Is that true?
With the new shocks and springs setup im going to be spending more then I want to spend but then again I dont have to worry about shocks going bad any time soon.
With Adj coilovers I would be spending a lot of money but then again you get brand new shocks and new springs and I can always adjust it up or down during winters and lower it in the summer. Only thing Im worried with those is the threads on the bar which I hear is prone to being stripped. They I will be stuck with one height and end up wasting money by going with whole adj option.

Any thoughts on this? Whos running what and how long you had it for?
Happy with your purchase or regretting it?

[stover]

i will never buy lowering springs again, my last 2 VWs have had coilovers and i love it, if you change wheels you can adjust for different sizes, adjust for seasons (raise for snow), and your car just looks better when u set it at the "perfect" height. i would say save your pennies and research which coilovers are the best bang for the buck for your car, and theres plenty of ways to make sure your coilovers stay in good condition, my current set has a layer of anti-seeze on the threads to keep them protected from the elements

[jpalamar]

If you are actually going to be doing adjustments a few times a year to your ride height, stiffness, ect. then go coilovers. If you just want to drop your car to handle better and look better, get a proven set of struts/shocks and springs. Not to mention, there is lots involved in 'tuning' suspension to actually get out what you pay for VS just lowing your car, having it drive like crap, and being a tool. I would put money down that 90% of the non adjustable setups offer better preformance VS the average person 'tuning' their adjustable suspension.

Personally, I'm going with a non adjustable Koni shock(STR.T) that is designed to work with lowering springs and getting custom springs made to meet the drop I want as well and proper rates and all that jazz. Only reason I'm going custom is because no company makes the small amount of drop I want and I also want slightly stiffer since I have a few 100lbs because of my car being a convertable VS the cars they likely designed them for being coupes.

I would never put lowering springs on OEM struts/shocks. They just aren't designed to do it and will likely not last that long.

[Slasher]

my $0.02. if you get springs you will wish you got coilovers. if you get coilovers you will never wish you got springs.
put the $$ towards coilovers.....

[jpalamar]

my $0.02. if you get springs you will wish you got coilovers. if you get coilovers you will never wish you got springs.
put the $$ towards coilovers.....

Only if you don't plan your build out will you be switching parts.

[EmilGevor]

Well I decided to put money towards struts and springs and with money saved by now buying coilovers i will get adjustable upper control arms to save my tires from negative camber I will get when lowering my car.

[lowerthanzimmy]

never the right move, but its your car not ours.

[EmilGevor]

never the right move, but its your car not ours.

Why would you say that? I personally dont think I will be adjusting the height at all. I think I will have it set to 2" drop and leave it the way it is so there is no point for me to spend extra for the option which I wont be using.

[slow_euro]

I would suggest just going the cheap route and picking up a pair of Raceland coilovers, they seem to be the trending option. Inexpensive and I've read great things about them. I've also heard of a brand called "Rokkor" but have yet to hear on their durability, might be a good product, but who knows?

[stover]

rokkor is raceland, get ultimos if your on a budget, same price as most lowering springs but full height adjustability

[jpalamar]

rokkor is raceland, get ultimos if your on a budget, same price as most lowering springs but full height adjustability

They are also a **** product.

[stover]

They are also a **** product.

to each his own i guess, i had them in my jetta and never had a single problem and they went low which is why i got them, if i wanted a luxury car ride i wouldnt be driving a vw :wink: