Lowering and / or spacers

[Andy_W]

From what i've seen, H&R do a few different options. Assume the PCD and all that business is similar to other VAG cars.

I don't like 'slammed' cars either but just hate wheel arch gap. When you see a concept car, it will always be much lower than the production car because they have to make compromises for usability, pedestrian impacts etc. Likewise, a higher offset wheel is used to prevent stonechips. These are compromises which eat away at me - i pick up on them immediately!

I will be basically copying Mike exactly lol.

Rob, you are right there are so many different options even if you have the the right PCD, I recall differences in flange sizes, flange angles etc. That's why I said go to Revolution or Harder. They know the cars and will get the right fitment for you. I was taking recently to birdie about H&R spacers as they do black ones now too.

Sorry who is Harder? I can find revolution. Thanks

[MikeFish]

Lol sorry, auto correction. Should have said Virdee.

[DragonRR]

I am with Markp

old (but not quite that old) but like the width of the spacer image but not so keen on the lowered look. Different stokes etc.

Am I right to assume you need to mention spacers to your insurance co? Any other downsides eg warranty impact or otherwise?

Now for the dumb(er) question do you fit spacers just by sliding them between the wheel and the hub and using existing bolts and torque settings?

I too am old and not far off you Mark but I have some young whipper snapper friends who don't like the slammed look either. Wheel should fill the arch, not go under it.

Personally I blame Hot Wheels, stupid looking things, far better off with proper good old British Matchbox with none of that slammed shenanigans. Should never have bought my kids any Hotwheels.

[MikeFish]

Lol, its not hot wheels fault, blame fast & furious.

[MartayMcFly]

So who's cheapest/best to go to for these springs? Thinking of treating myself to a little birthday drop.

[Andy_W]

Fitted 12mm spacers at the weekend. Arches nicely filled now. Just need to decide on lowering. Thinking either 20mm or going for the adjustable option so I can get it just right. 40mm may be a bit tight with the spacers.

[MikeFish]

Yes 20mm would probably be around the right drop with those spacers. However, a 40mm drop on mine left le lower at the front than the rear. Looking back at the photos it looks nose heavy before the drop, it is just more noticable when one tyre can be seen less than the other. So take a good look at yours from the side and if it is sitting dead level then I'd go with the 20mm springs I linked to in my build thread earlier for RS6Chris, but if it is not completely level I'd go for the KW adjustable springs.
Or wait and see how Robf gets on with his coilovers soon (if you are not bothered about losing DRC).

[RS6chris!]

I'm running 12mm rear and 10mmfront spacers and I'm going to go for a 20mm drop.

[MikeFish]

Chris, you noticed any stone chipping on doors / arches / door handles since fitting the spacers? Same to you Andy?
I know a member on here previously fitted then removed the spacers for this reason and then Ross had the same issue on his B8.
I am still considering spacers though (getting my doors wrapped soon anyway), I don't think I'd get any on the front, maybe an 8 or 10mm on the rear.

[RS6chris!]

Chris, you noticed any stone chipping on doors / arches / door handles since fitting the spacers? Same to you Andy?
I know a member on here previously fitted then removed the spacers for this reason and then Ross had the same issue on his B8.
I am still considering spacers though (getting my doors wrapped soon anyway), I don't think I'd get any on the front, maybe an 8 or 10mm on the rear.

Not really....however I don't do intergalactic mileage.


Il have a closer look tonight.

[Andy_W]

Not yet but only been on a few days. The tyres stick out a bit at the bottom as standard anyway so cant imagine it will make much difference. I was always getting mud down the side of the car in the winter before.

Mine seems to sit level front to back Mike so for the vast difference in cost between the H&R springs and K&W adjustable height springs it makes sense to go for the 20mms.

[robf]

Mike, are you running spacers as well? I can't remember...

My coilovers are being fitted on Tuesday. I am not sure how it is going to go with the DRC components but hopefully all smoothly! You guys are going to hate me as its going low...it can go about 110mm i believe.

[MikeFish]

Mike, are you running spacers as well? I can't remember...

My coilovers are being fitted on Tuesday. I am not sure how it is going to go with the DRC components but hopefully all smoothly! You guys are going to hate me as its going low...it can go about 110mm i believe.

I won't hate!
No spacers for me yet. Not sure there is room on the front for any, I might be able to squeeze a set on the rear though.
What kit you fitting? The only one I know that goes that low is the gepfetert (kw) kit but I thought that was springs only not full coilovers.

[RS6chris!]

My wheels spaces are still tucked under arches at top and middle

Just bottom which is exposed....suppose it's the bottom that does the damage!

But to be fair I've done 2000 miles now and can't really see any more chip damage on skirts and hadles etc??

[robf]

Inevitably it will happen. Maybe invest in some protective film?

Mike, the Gepeffert kit are basically modified KWV3s and you can get their optional lift kit front and rear (which nearly doubles the cost).

I am using H&Rs from Still Static, which are slightly more expensive than the KWV3s. They are, like KW, modified versions of an existing coilover to become their 'Deep Suspension' range. They are on the Swiss black car you may have seen wearing Vossen wheels. I have been assured the ride is really good, because they modify the strut bodies so there is full range of movement still. I'm pretty confident - i've lowered cars by an extreme amount before and you can get a limo like ride as long as you are prepared to spend it on quality suspension.