Lower+Handling+Comfort ??

[Dezeze]

Dezeze, TBH in you TDI the bushes will be very complient as will be the suspension and ARB's.
It's going to take a fair bit of cash to make it feel race car stiff but by changing any of the above it'll feel loads better.
The LCR OEM suspension sux, maybe go for a second hand spring and shock combination and team this with new top mount bushes and bearings. Then after that see what you have to spare cash wise and take it from there.
Don't over look keeping your tyres at the correct pressures as a good way of improving handling too

Thanks for the info, very insightful!
Im going to be honest, it rides hard as hell at the minute, I'm thinking lowering it may compromise this even more, and having a 60 mile daily commute doesn't help matters!
I should maybe stop being a pikey and just get an original R/ FR!

 

[Muttley]

Dezeze: I'll give you my thoughts, but bear in mind that I haven't done any mods to suspension on any of my Seat's or Golf's so I'm not talking from recent experience.

My standard Toledo TDI 110 SE had Comfort suspension (Seat's term) and was not hard. Do you have a TDI 90/130, or has the 110 had shocks or springs replaced?

Bigger diameter wheels with low aspect ratio tyres will also make the ride harder, less sidewall to flex and absorb the little bumps.

If anything, my old Toledo TDI 110 SE was a little wooly, there was no feeling of feedback from the road surface at all, and body roll in anything more than moderate corners was noticeable - not Deux Chevaux fairground style, but quite a lean over.

The LCR has different front wishbones and hubs, so a change to that will be a big task.

If my experience with the Toledo TDI 150 is anything to go by, the Sport package is very much better for my comfort: firmer, less body roll and a feel for the road surface.

That's achieved (as far as I can tell) by stiffer springs lowered 15mm, Bilstein shock absorbers and much better anti-roll front and back. The rear anti-roll bar is inside the axle beam, so not easy to change, and all the aftermarket ones I've seen have been external add-ons.

In your position I'd go for improved anti-roll bars, especially at the back. Depending on the age/miles it has on it, maybe change springs+dampers for something a little stiffer and maybe 10-15mm lower. Finally look at the suspension bushes - they do wear out and this could make for harshness as they won't be cushioning your ride any more.

 

[Dezeze]

It is, as I believe, on standard 110se suspension. The body roll in the corners is very noticeable and the ride is hard, but I did put this to the 19" wheels!
The driver feedback, to be pretty honest, is dire. I don't know if this me comparing it to the old Impreza Sti, but, the handling detracts from the work done on the engine.
I think I may have a look at just changing the springs and fitting Anti-roll bars.

 

[8bit]

The rear ARB I have is Neuspeed.
This is the only one you can fit if you have an OEM lum.

The Whiteline ones fit with the stock exhaust too min, that's what I've got.

EDIT - Whiteline 24mm adjustable one is also about £100 cheaper than Eibach or Neuspeed, but obviously a touch softer. I have the 23mm R32 front ARB like Willie, the two make a pretty good combination for the sort of driving I do.

 

[Dan120911]

Hey nice thread going here guys, really insightful for a complete novice like me. I'm looking to get a drop using only springs, however I've heard that too bigger a drop will require shorter shocks too. Any idea what sort of size drop I'd need to stop at in order to save some money by not buying new shock also?