Not too impressed with the Cupra's handling...

[steve0]

Before everyone says it, I have searched and cannot find what im after!

My Cupra is fitted with 17" Paratech Dragon alloys and KW Variant 2 coilovers; which were both on when I bought it. I am not too impressed with its handling though really, it seems to have a lot of body roll and not too much grip. I used to own a completely standard Cupra, and cannot remember it being as bad as this (although it was a couple of years ago!). Plus the new one 'should' be better, having the coilovers, etc.

Obviously, the grip issues are primarily down to tyres - which are budget ones.

When I bought the car, the lad said he's basically just put the coilovers on when he bought them - no setting up of camber/tracking, no adjustment of height/damping. So, would getting all this done by a garage vastly improve the handling? What are the next steps to take to improve it, on top of the coilovers that are fitted? How much would; 15mm rear spacers, front and rear strut braces and 4 wheel suspension geometry affect it? Are uprated anti-roll bars a worthwhile upgrade?

Also, does anyone know any decent places to get all this done in the North-West??

Cheers

 

[chrisbond69]

yeah you can do what some people have go front and rear struts, spacers will make it less skitty, arbs more solid with less body roll, and you definately need it aligned, budget tyres wont help much, but invest some time and a little money and it should handle alot better, although from what ive been told it still wont make it the best handling car,

 

[Myki da Pyki]

First thing to do would be get the cambers and tracking done mate. Then to stop the body roll adjust the damping to make it firmer

 

[Craig!]

Camber will make a car drive like a pig, its the first thing I get done on any car I buy just to make sure its right!!

 

[truCido]

no setting up of camber/tracking, no adjustment of height/damping. So, would getting all this done by a garage vastly improve the handling? What are the next steps to take to improve it, on top of the coilovers that are fitted? How much would; 15mm rear spacers, front and rear strut braces and 4 wheel suspension geometry affect it? Are uprated anti-roll bars a worthwhile upgrade?

yes, yes, yes and yes

I had my suspension kit fitted and I had to get the camber and alignment done elsewhere, there was no way I could drive the car at a decent speed or round corners properly without it being done!! my wheels were all over the place and ruined my steering arms and ball joints in the process

 

[JimyFloyd]

Cupra's don't handle well as a standard car. I've never driven one with uprated suspension but I can imagine it would be quite good.

My old 205 which was lowered 30mm on spax adjustables handled so well - but it was a very harsh ride! It handled so much better than my current (standard) cupra - but wasn't as quick!

But as everyone has said you should go and get all the alignment checked and some decent tyres will help a lot!

 

[steve0]

yes, yes, yes and yes

I had my suspension kit fitted and I had to get the camber and alignment done elsewhere, there was no way I could drive the car at a decent speed or round corners properly without it being done!! my wheels were all over the place and ruined my steering arms and ball joints in the process

Well, my car is no-where near as bad as that sounds; but just doesn't handle too well!

Il get them done asap then. Any idea what it approx should be costing? Obviously its gonna differ from place to place, just wanna make sure I dont get ripped off!

 

[sandro123]

i just got my camber etc done and it cost £50, i went somewhere else and they were £50 too.

 

[ibizacupra]

with the right mods you can get the ibiza close to best in class

what ride height?
what spring rates?
what damping rates if adjustable?
what tracking
what camber
what tyres
what tyre pressures
what arb's (front/rear)
what suspension bushes?
strut brace fitted?

 

[steve0]

Well, what do you suggest for all of those?!