Coilover Kit Information

[MrConflicted]

Hey Everyone! I've been collecting information on some coilover kits for our cars so I thought I would share the findings. I'm going to keep updating it as a find more. Right now the list focuses on mid-high end kits, but if people are interested in lower end stuff let me know and I'll add that as well Also if you guys are interested in drop rate ranges, let me know and I can add that as well.

IF YOU HAVE ANY FEEDBACK ON HOW TO MAKE THIS BETTER, PLEASE COMMENT
Some info is harder to find than others, but I want to make this as comprehensive as possible.

General Notes:
The kits stated are for the GTI. They might work for Golf/R/A3/S3, but you'd have to look in more detail.
All coilover kits with camber adjustment offer about -1.5/+1.5* of camber adjustment at STOCK height. A rough (and I emphasize rough) estimate of camber increase will be about an additional -0.5* of camber for every inch lower than stock. (Gathered from my alignment with lowering springs, and some discussion with various vendors).

STOCK SPRING RATES: (from Neuspeed website)
A3 Spring Rate: Front - 130 lbs/in, Rear - 165 lbs/in
GTI Spring Rate: Front - 175 lbs/in, Rear - 230 lbs/in

---- FORMAT ----
Coilover: $PRICE
Front Spring Rate:
Rear Spring Rate
Front Lowering:
Rear Lowering:
Camber Plates? -
Adjustability


Prices are more or less from ECS Tuning, however, you can often find them cheaper. Only use the stated figures as a ball park. For the spring rates, I called manufactures if the items weren't listed.
I've tried to list these from Street Oriented to Track Oriented.


========== BUDGET COILOVERS ==========
For those that just want low.

ECS Tuning Economy Line: $499
Front Spring Rate: TBD
Rear Spring Rate: TBD
Front Lowering: 1.2-2.3"
Rear Lowering: 1.2-2.3"
Camber Plates? - No
Adjustability: None

Solo-Werks S1: $499
Front Spring Rate: TBD
Rear Spring Rate: TBD
Front Lowering: 1.4-2.5"
Rear Lowering: 1.4-2.75"
Camber Plates? - No
Adjustability: None


========== STREET/TRACK ORIENTED COILOVERS ==========
Coilovers comfortable for the street, but that can handle a weekend at the track
everyone once in a while!

ST X: $807
Front Spring Rate: 15-20% over stock, progressive (~175lbs/in)
Rear Spring Rate: 15-20% over stock, progressive (~150 lbs/in)
Front Lowering: 0.6-1.8"
Rear Lowering: 0.8-2.0"
Camber Plates? - No

Adjustability: None
Vogtland: $999
Front Spring Rate: TBD
Rear Spring Rate: TBD
Front Lowering: 1 - 2.2"
Rear Lowering: 1-2.2"
Camber Plates? - No
Adjustability: None

AST 2000: 660 Euro
Front Spring Rate: TBD
Rear Spring Rate: TBD
Front Lowering: 30-60mm
Rear Lowering: 30-60mm
Camber Plates? - No
Adjustability: None

STX - Adjustable: $1427
Front Spring Rate: 15-20% over stock, progressive (should be in the 175lb/in range)
Rear Spring Rate: 15-20% over stock, progressive (should be in the 150lb/in range)
Front Lowering: 0.6" to 1.8"
Rear Lowering: 0.8" to 2.0"
Camber Plates? - Yes
Adjustability: 1 way adjustable, rebound dampening
Notes: Not recommended for more than occasional track use.

KW Variant V1: $1519
Front Spring Rate: 15-20% over stock, progressive (should be in the 175lb/in range)
Rear Spring Rate: 15-20% over stock, progressive (should be in the 150lb/in range)
Front Lowering: 0.6" to 1.8"
Rear Lowering: 0.8" to 2.0"
Camber Plates? - No
Adjustability: None

KW Variant V2: $1939
Front Spring Rate: 15-20% over stock, progressive (should be in the 175lb/in range)
Rear Spring Rate: 15-20% over stock, progressive (should be in the 150lb/in range)
Front Lowering: 0.6" to 1.8"
Rear Lowering: 0.8" to 2.0"
Camber Plates? - Yes
Adjustability: 1 way adjustable, rebound dampening
Quote from actual ST/KW Rep: "STX and V2 use the same shock and spring. The difference is in the housing, camber plate and warranty." Rep could not quote exact spring rate. Still a "street-focused" kit.

H&R Street Performance Coilover: $1428
Front Spring Rate: TBD
Rear Spring Rate: TBD
Front Lowering: 1.1-2.3"
Rear Lowering: 1.0-2.0"
Camber Adjustment? - No
Adjustability: None

Forge Motorsport Coilover: $1200
Front Spring Rate: TBD
Rear Spring Rate: TBD
Front Lowering: TBD (Fully threaded body)
Rear Lowering:TBD (Fully Threaded Body)
Camber Adjustment? - Yes
Adjustability: 1 way adjustable dampening.

KSport Kontrol Pro: $900
Front Spring Rate: 504 lbs/in (9K)
Rear Spring Rate: 252 lbs/in (4.5K)
Front Lowering: TBD
Rear Lowering: TBD
Camber Plates? - Yes
Adjustability: 1 way - dampening adjustment (36 levels)

BC Racing BR: $995
Front Spring Rate: 448 lbs/in
Rear Spring Rate: 336 lbs/in
Front Lowering:
Rear Lowering:
Camber Plates? - Yes
Adjustability: 1 way adjustable, rebound dampening (30 clicks)
Swift Springs available for ~$320 extra (custom rates)

--> My personal review available here: http://www.golfmk7.com/forums/showthread.php?t=30523&highlight=Coilover+review

Bilstein PSS (B14): $995
Front Spring Rate: progressive, TBD
Rear Spring Rate: progressive, TBD
Front Lowering: 30-50mm
Rear Lowering: 30-50mm
Camber Plates? - No
Adjustability: None.

Bilstein PSS10 (B16): $1923
Front Spring Rate: 399 lbs/in, progressive
Rear Spring Rate: 423 lbs/in, progressive
Front Lowering: 30-50mm
Rear Lowering: 30-50mm
Camber Plates? - No
Adjustability: 1 way adjustable, rebound and compression (10 clicks)

Bilstein B16 Damptronic
Front spring 65N/mm 371lb
Rear spring 55N/mm 314lb
Front Lowering: ?
Rear Lowering: ?
Adjustability: ?

AST 1-way 5100: $1625 Euro
Front Spring Rate: Custom Available
Rear Spring Rate: Custom Available
Front Lowering: - fixed, or coilover option
Rear Lowering: - fixed or coilover option
Camber Plates? - Available for $395 Euro
Adjustability: 1 way adjustable rebound

VWR StreetSport: $1299
Front Spring Rate:
Rear Spring Rate
Front Lowering:
Rear Lowering:
Camber Adjustment? - No
Adjustability: None

VWR StreetSport Plus
Front Spring Rate: Progressive*, TBD
Rear Spring Rate: Progressive*, TBD
Front Lowering:
Rear Lowering:
Camber Adjustment? - No
Adjustability? 1 way, dampening (12 position).
* = Linear Race Springs Available.

Ohlin's Road & Track: 2425 Euro
Front Spring Rate: 400 lbs/in (70N/mm )
Rear Spring Rate: 285 lbs/in (50N/mm)
Front Lowering: 15mm
Rear Lowering: 20mm
Adjustability? Rebound and Compression (not specified if on separate toggles)

========== TRACK ORIENTED COILOVERS ==========
Coilovers oriented for the track. Usually have very high spring rates and stiff dampening.

KSport Kontrol Plus: $1755
Front Spring Rate: 806 lbs/in (16k)
Rear SPring Rate: 784 lbs/in (14k)
Front Lowering: TBD
Rear Lowering: TBD
Camber Plates? - Yes
Adjustability: 2 way, rebound and compression

AST 5200 - 2way : 3200 Euro
Front Spring Rate: Custom Available
Rear Spring Rate: Custom Available
Front Lowering: TBD
Rear Lowering: TBD
Camber Plates? - Yes
Adjustability: 2 way, rebound and compression w/ separate reservoir

AST 5300 - 3 way: 3500 Euro
Front Spring Rate: Custom Available
Rear Spring Rate: Custom Available
Front Lowering: TBD
Rear Lowering: TBD
Camber Plates? - Yes
Adjustability: 3 way, rebound, hi and low-speed compression w/ separate reservoir

VWR TrackSport: $3299
Front Spring Rate: Linear, TBD*
Rear Spring Rate: Linear, TBD*
Front Lowering: TBD
Rear Lowering: TBD
Camber Plates? - Yes
Adjustability: 2 way, rebound and bump
Notes: Rear combines shock and spring (changes stock spring location). NASA TT-racers, this will cost you points! Front struts are inverted monotube.
* = Linear Race Springs suggest custom rates available.

KSport Circuit Pro: $2475
Front Spring Rate: 896 lb/in (16K)
Rear SPring Rate: 1008 lbs/in (18K)
Front Lowering: TBD
Rear Lowering: TBD
Camber Plates? - Yes (with caster adjustment too)
Adjustability: 2 way, rebound and compression

KW Clubsport (2-way): $3480
Front Spring Rate: 570 lbs/in
Rear Spring Rate: 460 lbs/in
Camber Plates? - Yes
Adjustability: 2 way adjustable, rebound and compression independently.

Bilstein Clubsport: $4146
Front Spring Rate: 571 lbs/in + 57lb helper spring.
Rear Spring Rate: 417 lbs/in
Front Lowering: 30-50mm
Rear Lowering: 30-50mm
Camber Plates? Yes
Adjustability: 2 way adjustable, rebound and compression (10 clicks ea, 100 total combos)

H&R RSS+ Clubsport: $2519
Front Spring Rate: 628 lbs/in
Rear Spring Rate: 457 lbs/in
Camber Plates? Yes
Adjustability: 1 way adjustable, rebound and compression.
Notes: Also includes front swaybar links.


If you're still here - spring rates for our cars.
The GTI sits at about 61% F, 39% R weight distribution, which is close enough for our calculations. Your initial insight would suggest oh okay, so 61/39 ~ 1.5, so my front spring rate should be 1.5x stiffer than my rear. Incorrect! The front spring is a MacPhaeson Strut, meaning there is about 1:1 movement in the spring in wheel. However, the rear spring sits inboard. Because of this, we get about a 0.76:1 movement in the spring vs. wheel. To compensate for this difference, we need a stiffer rear spring. Specifically, about 1.31x stiffer (1/0.76). So for ideal weight distrubtion and equal suspension behavior front and rear, a good estimate is:

Where to get equal movement (X), we should set out spring rates (K) to approximately:

Front = 1.0 KX
Rear = 0.87 KX

Please note this is some very rough math, but should help you get an idea for why spring rates are set in a certain fashion! Also note, adjustments front and rear can help the car to behave to your liking, much like sway bars. Some like stiffer front, stiffer rear or anything in between.

 

[Slow*Jim]

Might be good to include whether or not they are DCC compatible

 

[MrConflicted]

Might be good to include whether or not they are DCC compatible

Thanks for the note. I'm honestly not sure, and all these coils are actually for the GTI. Should have specified, sorry.

 

[Swoope]

good work! would like to also see the specs for the bilstein pss 14 if you could. also i am amazed at coilovers would have progressive springs..

beers

 

[DuckKnuckles]

This is awesome! Thanks for doing it.

I've been really curious about the Vogtland coilovers. They seem to be very reasonably priced and looked fantastic on the Achtuning Mk7.

 

[MrConflicted]

Thanks guys! I need to call bilstein to get the spring rates. I'll do that on monday and get the specs for the PSS (b14) kit.

I'll add vogtland as well

 

[MrConflicted]

This is awesome! Thanks for doing it.

I've been really curious about the Vogtland coilovers. They seem to be very reasonably priced and looked fantastic on the Achtuning Mk7.

From everything I've read, they should be solid coilovers. Really depends what you're looking for. ST's are probably going to ride a bit better due to a progressive spring rate, but the Vogtland's should do better on the track. I think the Vogtland's also give a little more low.

 

[AR11]

Interesting - good point about the differences in leverage between front and rear suspension designs. Also quite interesting to see how much of a range there is in spring rates, both in terms of absolute stiffness and front/rear ratio.

 

[MrConflicted]

Interesting - good point about the differences in leverage between front and rear suspension designs. Also quite interesting to see how much of a range there is in spring rates, both in terms of absolute stiffness and front/rear ratio.

Right?? Especially Bilstein PSS10's. So surprised about the rear stiffness. KSport is a budget company so I don't expect it be so dialed. Honestly liking BC coil's rates the best o.o

 

[Calum.]

One thing to note about the spring rates, as you go lower the roll center goes up with struts. The multilink in the rear though shouldn't have the same issue. So the lower you go, the more front spring you'll need, as a ratio, or roll center correction, or both...

Thanks for the list!

 

[2015WhiteGTI]

How about Ohlins Road & Track?

 

[MrConflicted]

How about Ohlins Road & Track?

Not yet available for the mk7 platform according to their website.

 

[DuckKnuckles]

From everything I've read, they should be solid coilovers. Really depends what you're looking for. ST's are probably going to ride a bit better due to a progressive spring rate, but the Vogtland's should do better on the track. I think the Vogtland's also give a little more low.

Thanks for the insight! I'm not much of a fan of progressive springs. I've had sets before, but have never cared for the unpredictable feel. The Vogtlands and the BCs look like great deals.

 

[MrConflicted]

Thanks for the insight! I'm not much of a fan of progressive springs. I've had sets before, but have never cared for the unpredictable feel. The Vogtlands and the BCs look like great deals.

Agreed. I actually used to think BC's were cheap crap but I've done a ton of reading on them lately. They use a 46mm monotube damper (same or within a few millimeters of Bilsteins), the shock body itself might come out of the same factory as some cheap crap, but the strut bearings (and possibly tophats) are made in japan. The springs also seem to be kinda just okay, but with the swift spring upgrade I think they really might be worth it. They definitely aren't going to be Clubsport level, but ... they are close!

 

[2015WhiteGTI]

Not yet available for the mk7 platform according to their website.

http://www.roadandtrackbyohlins.com.../ohlins_prodnews_201410_rt-auto_VW_Golf_7.pdf