[P_S_Chang1]

I have the Neuspeed Sport springs and Bilstein Sport dampers (nonadjustable perches), and the ride is on the stiff side for me. When the asphalt is rippled or rough, the suspension doesn't have enough give, so the whole car pitches too much. On the upside, it corners flatly and doesn't wallow on low-frequency rollers. Having said that, I'd never go back to stock suspension, but if I had to do over, I'd probably go w/ something softer like Eibach.

Patrick.

 

[quality_sound]

I have the Neuspeed Sport springs and Bilstein Sport dampers (nonadjustable perches), and the ride is on the stiff side for me. When the asphalt is rippled or rough, the suspension doesn't have enough give, so the whole car pitches too much. On the upside, it corners flatly and doesn't wallow on low-frequency rollers. Having said that, I'd never go back to stock suspension, but if I had to do over, I'd probably go w/ something softer like Eibach.

Patrick.

It's NOT the springs, it's the dampers. Good luck finding something softer. Some will tell you Koni adjustables are softer but having ridden in a car with them set at full soft I think my Bilsteins are softer.

 

[P_S_Chang1]

I meant the Eibach Pro-System, which includes dampers that I understand are plusher than Bilsteins.

 

[Postman]

I meant the Eibach Pro-System, which includes dampers that I understand are plusher than Bilsteins.

Who makes the shocks in the Pro-System?

 

[quality_sound]

I meant the Eibach Pro-System, which includes dampers that I understand are plusher than Bilsteins.

The Eibach dampers are a TAD stiffer than the Bilsteins. I had the Pro-System Plus (the Plus version has a front sway bar) and it was stiffer than this setup.

 

[quality_sound]

Who makes the shocks in the Pro-System?

Sachs, just like OEM.

 

[mikeg1961]

It's NOT the springs, it's the dampers. Good luck finding something softer. Some will tell you Koni adjustables are softer but having ridden in a car with them set at full soft I think my Bilsteins are softer.

I have to agree. I have the Konis (with Eibach Pros) set on full soft in the rear with 1/2 turn up front and they are pretty stiff. Beware of grooving the Konis though, because all of the company's info says that any tampering with them (i.e. grooving) voids the lifetime warranty.

 

[Postman]

Sachs, just like OEM.

Sachs just like OEM, or Sachs as in the same manufacture as the OEM but these are different?

 

[quality_sound]

As in same manufacturers but different specs.

 

[quality_sound]

I'm REALLY starting to hate this version of the forum software.

 

[yrezst]

Hello all! im the friend that just bought that B5.5. I like the 2"front and 1.75" idea. Does anybody have part numbers for the Neuspeed/Bilstein set up? I just got wheels today and now its time to drop her.

 

[yrezst]

Hello all! im the friend that just bought that B5.5. I like the 2"front and 1.75" idea. Does anybody have part numbers for the Neuspeed/Bilstein set up? I just got wheels today and now its time to drop her.

 

[loudboxer]

Eibach (Pro-System) rides like an angry horse.

 

[quality_sound]

Eibach (Pro-System) rides like an angry horse.

It only seems that way if you haven't ridden in a car that actually IS stiff. The Eibachs ride better than a Corvette.

Try a Mk3 Jetta with H&R Race springs and Bilstein Sports. THAT was stiff.

 

[loudboxer]

I've learned the hard way that a commute on concrete-slab freeways and a suspension which is remotely stiff (compounded by the B5's suspension design woes) don't mix. Maybe it's an issue of tires (15" Turanza), maybe it's worn B5 suspension joy (80k miles)... In any case, I'd be happy if I could split the difference between Eibach and stock. Then I won't have to worry so much about the dashboard bouncing.

 

[kawasakiguy37]

My 1.8T springs with spacers on my 1999 V6 ride stiff.

And I have over a 3 inch drop lol, I really need to replace the springs. Guy in germany tricked me when they said they fit the v6 sedan.....

 

[loudboxer]

ps. Glyphin's done some thinking on what makes the B5 suspension work, an interesting read here: http://www.passatworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=195062

 

[quality_sound]

I've learned the hard way that a commute on concrete-slab freeways and a suspension which is remotely stiff (compounded by the B5's suspension design woes) don't mix. Maybe it's an issue of tires (15" Turanza), maybe it's worn B5 suspension joy (80k miles)... In any case, I'd be happy if I could split the difference between Eibach and stock. Then I won't have to worry so much about the dashboard bouncing.

Going to a 17 with a 45 would probably tame the bucking because it would eliminate the tire acting as a secind spring and let the suspension do it's job.

 

[loudboxer]

ps. Just missed out on an eBay purchase of B5-fitment 18" OZ Superleggeras, so I went back to playing with tire-pressures on my humble 15's... from ~31psi back up to 35psi in front, leaving the rear at between 28 and 29psi.

I think in the past I had the front and rear much closer together and it seems the rear bounces far less at low pressure than the front was. Strange. Whats more, with just the fronts up in the mid-30's I don't notice the same brutal sharpness that was present when all four tires were up. As Q_Sound pointed out, the front suspension clearly needs to be made to work in order to be effective (rather than bouncing around on a squishy tire), and as Glyphin pointed out in another thread, you can get away with much lower pressures in the rear due to the B5's weight distribution.

So then maybe 17" or 18" on low-profile tires wouldn't be so bad, at least in front. Anyone try the dragster look? 17" in front, 15" in rear?

 

[manxdaddy]

Another question: are the Neuspeed springs linear or progressive?

They are progressive.