[Cirillex]

Hey guys,

So, my 2003 B5.5 is still riding on its original shocks which are totally gone after 17yr + 140k. I was looking to get springs too because as I’ll be there already I might as well.

Then, this really nice closeout deal showed up for a brand new set of H&R Sport Cup Kit, which include matching shocks and springs. But I looked up and couldn’t find a single picture of a B5.5 on those, and I also didn’t find opinions about it on the Passat.

Has anyone here ever used them? Do you guys have a feedback about the ride quality? Pictures would be amazing too.

The reason I ask is because I’m not looking to just lower the car, I’m aiming most on getting a good balance of good handling + decent ride quality (not bouncy). I also wanted pictures because H&R’s website says that it lowers up to 2” on the front and 1.7” on the rear (which is more than most of the shocks/springs setups), but as my actual shocks are long gone the car is not on stock height (the rear is visibly lower than the front) and I can’t really tell how much more it will lower.

Thanks guys!

 

[Iowegian]

The springs are what holds the car up so if the rear is lower than the front the rear springs must be sagging. That said, springs usually last much, much longer than shocks unless they rust out and break.

But springs and shocks do need to match up so if you're planning big changes in either department it makes sense to change both. Don't forget to update the spring perches, shock mounts, etc. These are rubber parts that wear also and if you're replacing shocks and/or springs I'd be sure to replace all those too.

 

[PZ]

H&R will lower the front a bit more than the rear. The ride is pretty good unless the car is heavily loaded and then the shocks tend to ride on the bumpstops. Handling is much better than stock. I expect they use Bilstein shocks.

 

[Cirillex]

I heard they use Koni Yellows but pre-setup and non-adjustable, but this could be totally wrong.

Anyway, I really wish I could find a picture to see what they would look like on the car.

I didn’t want to lower it that much, but for the price ($540) considering they’re matched shocks and springs I probably won’t find anything better.

 

[AndreasPassat]

When I had my 2004 GLX I ran a set of Bilstein PSS9's with P235's on the front and P265's in the back - 19" rims.
That car drove like it was bolted to a rail.
After a year of having those on the car I decided to sell the car. The guy I sold the car to didn't want the PSS9's (and I wasn't selling my 19" wheels) so I put in a set H&R Sport springs with the Koni 'Yellows'.
I have to admit, I was very impressed with the ride quality and how tight the suspension was considering it was a fraction of the cost of the PSS9's.
I then swapped out my 19" wheels for some factory 16" wheels and Hankook V12 EVO shoes. Even still, I was impressed with how good the handling was.
For a budget performance tire and low dollar suspension it was a very nice setup. The ride quality was very good, not harsh but not spongy either. Push it into the corners it would hold the road way better than any factory setup could ever muster up.

I would highly recommend this setup if your on a budget and still would like some elevated handling performance.

The one drawback to the Koni 'Yellows', if you need to adjust the dampening, the shocks must be removed from the vehicle. Koni does supply a good 'starting point' for the average setup.

 

[AndreasPassat]

Oh, the H&R spring set up lowered the front just a smidge less than a 1-1/2" and the rears about a 1-1/4".
Low enough to make a huge improvement but yet still very drivable where you don't have to worry about those speed bumps at the Taco Bell drivethru.

 

[VAGguy]

The one drawback to the Koni 'Yellows', if you need to adjust the dampening, the shocks must be removed from the vehicle. Koni does supply a good 'starting point' for the average setup.

My first suspension set up was Koni Yellows and Nuespeed sports. I think I had mine 1 turn from full soft and it was great. Stiff enough to hug the undulations in the road, but soft enough to soak up the harsh bumps. I'm thinking about getting another set of koni yellows here soon when I turn it over to my son.

Don't get me wrong though, Bilsteins are great, too.

KONI NA | Sport (Yellow)

KONI is the world leader in adjustable shock absorber technology with over 50 years of worldwide racing success.

www.koni-na.com

 

[AndreasPassat]

Don't get me wrong though, Bilsteins are great, too.

Damn straight.