Handling Advice

[qwert]

Went for a spirited drive in the Lakes yesterday, and though I hate to admit it my brothers crappy old fiesta pretty much kept up with me (1.9 fr) on the twisty turny roads. Its the first time I've had a chance to properly throw it around and the handling was awful. Loads of body roll, and just doesnt give you confidence to push it.
What can I do to improve handling? What will make a difference, not track days etc etc but real world normal driving like yesterday. I know everyone harps on about a rear arb, so that'd be the first thing, then rear spacers? Anything else? Buy a clio cup 197?! Cheers

 

[luke c]

get it dropped on coilovers as well as the rear arb bigger brakes will help too

 

[Ad Lav]

Big heavy engine up front = wallowy understeer!

Buy some coilovers and sand for the boot

 

[DamianPM]

As mentioned coilovers and a rear ARB will make a big difference. If you don't want it too low and want to retain a lot of comfort go for a good quality set of springs and shocks instead of the coilovers.

Damian @ DPM Performance

 

[vroomtshh]

In order:

1. Tyres (too many tyres available to give you an exact tyre - buy what you like)
2. Rear ARB
3. Rear Spacers
4. Full super pro poly bush set
5. 4 wheel alignment, including properly adjusting toe and camber


That will make for a good handling road car. If you also want it to look a bit better, then a sprin shock combo should be added in but dont necessarily expect it to be better on the road.

IMO, the last thing you want on a road car is coilovers. You'll set them once, and never adjust the height, they'll b too stiff for most of our pothole riddled roads, you have the maintenance issues

 

[DEAN0]

IMO, the last thing you want on a road car is coilovers. You'll set them once, and never adjust the height, they'll b too stiff for most of our pothole riddled roads, you have the maintenance issues

Someone else has seen the light.

Do the suspension right first time and enjoy the car.

 

[vroomtshh]

Someone else has seen the light.

Do the suspension right first time and enjoy the car.

I seen the light a long long time ago, but theres no telling most people on here, so I don't bother

 

[mazzerati]

Lower it how you want mate , either way it needs doing. makes a huge improvement

 

[jonboy1066]

As mentioned coilovers and a rear ARB will make a big difference. If you don't want it too low and want to retain a lot of comfort go for a good quality set of springs and shocks instead of the coilovers.

Damian @ DPM Performance

Interesting, I've just had a simillar question answered in a thread I posted earlier http://www.seatcupra.net/forums/showthread.php?t=260633

Can you tell me how the ride is when lowered on springs and shocks?

Looking at your site it seems that the AP 30mm/40mm Kit would be best for me but would you recommend one in particular?

I find the ride quite hard enough already as standard, I'll soon be starting a new job and will be commuting 60 miles a day, mostly on A&B roads and with a wife 'n' 2 Kids to cart about occaisionally, I don't really want to compromise the already limited comfort that's there.

I'm personally not looking to race Fiestas around the lakes even though that sounds fun, and the handling is pretty good enough for me as standard so I'm thinking more about cosmetics and maybe improving the ride while not compramising the handling if that's possible.

 

[DamianPM]

Going lower will always make the ride stiffer but stick with a good quality kit and it's shouldn't be crashy or harsh.

From what you've said I'd say go for something like the Weitec Ultra GT kit, not too low and a nice mix of both comfort and handling.

http://www.dpmperformance.co.uk/wei...iza-6l-cupra-fr-18t-19tdi-20-0202-p-1501.html

Damian @ DPM Performance

 

[jonboy1066]

That's great, thanks for the advice.

I'll keep it in mind and work on Mrs jonboy in the future, I don't think right now she'd be too happy about me spending >£300 on a car for cosmetic reasons, LOL

 

[DEAN0]

That's great, thanks for the advice.

I'll keep it in mind and work on Mrs jonboy in the future, I don't think right now she'd be too happy about me spending >£300 on a car for cosmetic reasons, LOL

Clearly not a salesperson - haha

Just tell her it's for the SAFETY and COMFORT of the family with the added benefit of reliability because the suspension is new - haha

 

[Jimski]

Dont suppose anyone has any pictures of a Mk4 down about 35mm all round?

I too am stuck in the coilover vs spring/shock quandry purely on the stance i want to acheive!

Seriously considering the supersport 35mm all round;
http://www.dpmperformance.co.uk/sup...-14tdi-cupra-fr-18t-19tdi-20-0202-p-4103.html

But i just know that the rear will still look like it should be on a monster truck!


Jimski

 

[jonboy1066]

Clearly not a salesperson - haha

Just tell her it's for the SAFETY and COMFORT of the family

Already thought of that line haha, I like the idea of reliability too with it being new parts.