Newbie ride firmness question

[flip7]

Howdy from Austin TX!

I recently got a '16 GTI SE 4dr + LP (has sport suspension) and I need some advice, as I never modded any car before.

The car is stock with Austin rims w./ Hankok Noble tires

I would like a slightly firmer ride (you know the expression - like a cart running on a track), and better steering wheel responsiveness - I do not know where exactly to start.

Will a Michelin PS A/S3 help on any of the above?

I want to start slowly with upgrades, as I prefer not to go and spend a lot on one time.


Appreciate any advice from this great forum

 

[breaking badly]

Quote:
Originally Posted by flip7
I would like a slightly firmer ride (you know the expression - like a cart running on a track), and better steering wheel responsiveness - I do not know where exactly to start.

Howdy.

This is the way to go:

- Michelin PSS tires
- stiffer sway bars (front and rear, H&R)
- Superpro control arm bushings
- Bilstein B6 dampers or
- Öhlins coilovers (yes, expensive but fantastic)

Feel free to start with tires and sell the A/S or keep them using the during
winter time. Avoid A/S tires when not necessary. If you want high performance,
you need to run high-performance summer tires.

 

[soundmike]

Change out your tires first. The Michelin PSS suggestion is a good one. You'll feel a big difference coming from your current All-Season setup.

 

[flip7]

Quote:


This is the way to go:

- Michelin PSS tires
- stiffer sway bars (front and rear, H&R)
- Superpro control arm bushings
- Bilstein B6 dampers or
- Öhlins coilovers (yes, expensive but fantastic)

Feel free to start with tires and sell the A/S or keep them using the during
winter time. Avoid A/S tires when not necessary. If you want high performance,
you need to run high-performance summer tires.

What is the suggested or recommended tire size for the Austin 18" rims? I think I saw two sizes discussed on this forum.

 

[B95zP]

What is the suggested or recommended tire size for the Austin 18" rims? I think I saw two sizes discussed on this forum.

Believe most suggest 235/40.

 

[flip7]

I understand PSS tires are high performance summer

Are those still drivable (not pushing it) in moderate cold weather - i.e. 30F?

I live in TX and temps here rarely go below that - or not for long anyway.

Or I shall have some some All season on hand?


--Flip7

 

[PLF8593]

Living in Austin you should be good to run PSS year-round, however you dont really sound like a max-performance hungerer, so i believe for your purposes and peace of mind you'd be more than happy on Michelin Pilot Sport AS3's. Those are the All Season cousin of the PSS summer tires. They're the best all season tires on the market

 

[PLF8593]

Its worth mentioning that PSS only last like 20kish miles, give or take a few depending on driving style

 

[breaking badly]

What is the suggested or recommended tire size for the Austin 18" rims? I think I saw two sizes discussed on this forum.

Honestly, this question is hard to answer since Austins are 7.5"
wide instead of 8.0". You're fine with either 225 and 235. I highly
recommend reading these topics you're probably refering to:

http://www.golfmk7.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8830

http://www.golfmk7.com/forums/showthread.php?p=297307#post297307

Personally, I'm convinced you're fine with the PSS as long as temp
is above freezing point (or at least when below, it doesn't snow or
rain). Any tires are generally compromises. Increasing one aspect
means at the same time compromising another one. Therefore A/S
tires can't give max performance on dry tarmac. The PSS is a great
match for the GTI's suspension and steering. I bet you won't regret.

 

[flip7]

Thanks. Will let you know which one i will go with as well as my impression

Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk

 

[flip7]

Quote:
Originally Posted by flip7
I would like a slightly firmer ride (you know the expression - like a cart running on a track), and better steering wheel responsiveness - I do not know where exactly to start.

Howdy.

This is the way to go:

- Michelin PSS tires
- stiffer sway bars (front and rear, H&R)
- Superpro control arm bushings
- Bilstein B6 dampers or
- Öhlins coilovers (yes, expensive but fantastic)

Feel free to start with tires and sell the A/S or keep them using the during
winter time. Avoid A/S tires when not necessary. If you want high performance,
you need to run high-performance summer tires.

Can someone provide me with a hint of how much may cost the labor and the parts to do the following:

- stiffer sway bars (front and rear, H&R)
- Superpro control arm bushings
- Bilstein B6 dampers

I know prices may vary but I would like to make an idea first so I can gauge what I am going into.
Also I may look to lower it a bit. Is 1.3" lower a reasonable and safe lowering for the MK7 GTI SE without DCC?

Thanks

 

[jmason]

Believe most suggest 235/40.

This is too wide for 7.5" width wheel IF you want maximum performance.
Read this article before buying anything:
http://www.motoiq.com/MagazineArticles/ID/3974/How-to-PROPERLY-select-and-size-TIRES-for-PERFORMANCE.aspx

 

[breaking badly]

The parts you mentioned should be about 1200 to 1500 $.
Springs wouldn't make much of a difference cost-wise. I'd
suggest going for DG springs (not that low) but with any
lowering springs I'd recommend Bilstein B8 instead of B6.
B8s are B6s with shortened stroke (say less rebound).

 

[Dave10781]

Something that may help steering response would be the 034Motorsport "street density" strut mounts. They run about $100 for the pair. I'm going to try them out if I decide on a spring & damper setup. There's no additional labor charge if you do it at the same time as springs/coilovers.