Lowering springs on factory shocks - a bad idea?

I've recently put Eibach 50/40 springs on my Audi A4. Being an SLine the suspension was already quite hard. I fitted them same time as fitting 19" wheels.

If the shocks let go I'll just get new ones - at that point probably aftermarket.
 
On a 12 year old polo i'd probably go with the £180 quid coilovers personally, your current setup will already be pretty knackered.

As your clearly not expecting them to turn it into a touring car you should be fine, those kits are cheap because there is 1 set of springs and dampers and the relevant mounting points are welded on for different cars so it will in no way be optimised for a 1.2 polo but hey it'll give you the drop you want and be as safe as your current setup i'd have thought.

I keep resisting dropping my 2002 yaris diesel... I think it would look pretty cool slammed down low with steel wheels, i know there's no hope for me :(
 
Don't worry about the flaming, I have said many stupid things on these forums so I'm well used to it! :p

The plan is not to turn it into a "chavmobile". I have something in mind that I'm hoping will look good... Naturally I'll post pictures once its done so some of you can laugh at me and others can go "not bad..."

I am very much into cars. I'm a massive fan of tastefully modded German cars, preferably 70's/80's BMW's. E21, E28, E30 etc. I also love the noise of a BMW straight 6, particularly the older M20 lumps. Closely (but not too closely) followed by the VW V5 & VR6 engines. Mmmmmm...

At my age and in my situation (job doesn't pay too well, insurance is mental and so on) this is about all I can do, but I'm going to do it because I WANT to. :)

I'm just trying to determine the best way to do it on a tight budget
 
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Op just do it :P

My saxo on 50mm apex kit (forum suggested it was a crap ride but after about 5 years of ownership it was still going strong and I liked it)

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Still miss the memories/fun I had in that.

MX5 on 30mm springs:

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Probably get more issues with the MX5 than I did with the Saxo, although I live in the country now which probably explains it more.
 
I'd fit the cheap coilovers, and have done so before. They'll be firm but alright, probably a fair bit better than lowering springs on old dampers.
I had a failure as InvaderGIR points out, but nothing too dramatic.

As long as you bear in mind what they cost and don't have ridiculous expectations you'll be okay.
 
I'm also beginning to wonder if 7.5" wide wheels will fit on the Polo. :p

Correct diameter etc... :rolleyes:
 
The diameter of the wheels is the same give or take 10MM. Was just wondering if 7.5" wheels iss too wide. (tyres are 215's)

I'm starting to wonder if I really want to drop that far now. Somewhere between 30 and 50MM, but perhaps not 50MM.
 
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Threads like this make me a little sad. When I was younger we modified cars to improve performance, handing, brakes etc. but it seems the only reason young lads now want to do anything is because they are completely obsessed with image. Never mind that it'll ride like crap, probably be slower that it was originally (with bigger wheels) and they'll be holding up queues of cars at speed bumps.
 
Oh get over yourself with your rose tinted over-generalised spectacles. :p

The OP drives a 55hp hatch, not a uber DTM type track weapon. All he wants is a low cost cosmetic fix.
 
Dogbreath said:
Threads like this make me a little sad. When I was younger we modified cars to improve performance, handing, brakes etc. but it seems the only reason young lads now want to do anything is because they are completely obsessed with image. Never mind that it'll ride like crap, probably be slower that it was originally (with bigger wheels) and they'll be holding up queues of cars at speed bumps.
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I'm fitting the suspension and wider wheels to improve handling as well as appearance. Are you getting light headed on your high horse? There can't be much oxygen up there! :p

I didn't really think about it being slower because of the wheels. I shouldn't imagine there would be a drastic difference between 165/65/14 steel wheels and 215/40/16 alloys.

Mucky_Pup said:
Save the money to put towards a new car.
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Maybe I don't want a new car just yet. Didn't think about that did you? No. :rolleyes:
 
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£130 would buy you 4 good tyres and five bags of cement - put two bags in boot and one in passenger footwell and one behind each front seat- Sorted - car lowered and better braking and handling.:D:D:D

Dave :rolleyes:
 
It'll be fine. Don't listen to this bunch of miserable old sods who are renowned on the WHOLE INTERNET for not liking lowered cars. DO IT :D
 
randomshenans said:
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Snap.... haha mine is sat at home at the moment mind. It just wouldnt die, so couldn't chuck it. It's being stripped and tracked instead.
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Stripping out?
How far you going? :D

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Went for an MOT like that. Loved the check sheet...
No rear seatbelts... nb no rear seats :p should have kept it but couldn't afford to :(
 
lordrobs said:
Won't bigger, wider and I'm assuming heavier wheels have a noticeable impact on the acceleration of a 55 BHP car?
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I should imagine that it would make such a small difference that it has been balanced out by the box of clutter I removed from it earlier today. :)
 
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