Coilover vs spring/damper

[Neo_VR]

Forgive me for being dumb.. but what is the difference between a coilover kit.. ala KW parts and separate springs and dampers?... is there any inherant benifit of using one type over the other?

[fab16v]

Coilovers are usually better quality than shocks/springs, but only really have the added benefit of ride height adjustment. I think that adjustable shocks and lowered springs would be sufficient for a Fabia. Would love to see a coilover equipped one though, just to see if it is worth the extra cash!

[Neo_VR]

Originally Posted by fab16v

Coilovers are usually better quality than shocks/springs, but only really have the added benefit of ride height adjustment. I think that adjustable shocks and lowered springs would be sufficient for a Fabia. Would love to see a coilover equipped one though, just to see if it is worth the extra cash!

MSW now list a proper Eibach coilover kit for the fabia RS
as do KW.

[fab16v]

Under 600 knicker for the Eibachs too!

[Neo_VR]

Ive heard people in the know say the eibachs seem to be of better quality than KWs of recent years.. no idea how true this is.. but everyone i know who has KW has problems with blown dampers within a year

[fab16v]

Originally Posted by Neo_VR

Ive heard people in the know say the eibachs seem to be of better quality than KWs of recent years.. no idea how true this is.. but everyone i know who has KW has problems with blown dampers within a year

Let me have a set. I'm sure I could break them!

[tfboy]

Originally Posted by fab16v

Under 600 knicker for the Eibachs too!

Hmmm
Sometimes, I really really dislike Briskodians

[Lummox]

Tom aka Toxxin has KW Variant1 Coil overs on his Ibiza which would be the same fitment as the Fabia.

The ride is actually quite good, not too harsh at all I thought which is quite often the case with coilovers on a little car. The best bit of the coil over is being able to set the ride height. But remember it is only a coil over on the front, the rear set up uses a seperate damper and short spring with an adjustable platform under it.

Be carefull on lowering the Fabia excessive amounts though as the PD engine is slung pretty low and its not unheard of sumps being damaged on std ride height cars let alone lowered cars.

[Schtum]

Originally Posted by Ross Clarke

Be carefull on lowering the Fabia excessive amounts though as the PD engine is slung pretty low and its not unheard of sumps being damaged on std ride height cars let alone lowered cars.

Good point. However......I've found that since fitting Bilstein PSS9s to my Golf, I haven't experienced any grounding of the lower engine compartment cover, whereas previously I could predict the dips in the road which would produce a scraping sound. The increased spring rate and firmer damping obviously leads to less suspension deflection for a given piece of road.

The other benefit I've found with coilovers is that since you can set the ride heights you can ensure that they're exactly the same across the axles. As standard, the Golf was anything but and pulled to the left. Now, it's rock solid in a straight line with hands off. Of course, if you were being really clever, you'd get hold of a set of corner weight scales and get the corner weights as near as dammit equal across the axles with a driver on board, by "jacking" the appropriate corner on the spring platforms.

The only remaining question is what to fit to upgrade SWMBO's Fabia vRS which, on the OE suspension, doesn't feel as planted as we'd like it to....?

[Neo_VR]

Originally Posted by Schtum

The only remaining question is what to fit to upgrade SWMBO's Fabia vRS which, on the OE suspension, doesn't feel as planted as we'd like it to....?

Time will tell..
Companies are still developing stuff for the RS.. this eibach coilover kit is new, as are the eibach vRS springs.. also the KW1 and 2 have only recently been added to work on the RS.. altho im a bit unsure about those as they were origianally only available for the combi and saloon and from the part numbers, its the same setup they say is for the RS.

At the moment, Konis and Eibach springs seem to be the favorite.. ive been in Ross's car and its very comfortable, yet roll is drastically reduced and handling is much better. altho i would consider going for the vRS springs (he has tdi ones - not as stiff)

[inquirer]

Originally Posted by Ross Clarke

....
Be carefull on lowering the Fabia excessive amounts though as the PD engine is slung pretty low and its not unheard of sumps being damaged on std ride height cars let alone lowered cars.

Very true. I cracked my sump on standard setup going over a speed hump at around 30 km/h. After fitting the sump guard and kw3 i was hitting the ground several times a day with 40 mm reduction, Ended up on 15 mm reduction which is good enough for daily use. No more ground tapping..

[bengie]

i fancy some coil overs for my octavia and i also get to have them all round for utter niceness as i have a 4x4