Coilovers and tyre profile in mk1 Golf

[MikeyPhresh]

Finally I'm begining to do stuff to my mk1 golf's lack of lowness. I got some cheap nice -60mm springs sorted and got hold of nice and clean 14" bbs ra's. FOr the beginning this has to be enough as I'm skinnt! One last thing is what profile tyres should I get? I've got a set of 185/60/14 tyres but I think they will rub... I know that some of you guys have experience in this so would be cool if you could help me choosing the rubbers. Thanks

[stealthstylz]

Depends what you want, -60mm on golfs isn't loads so you don't need the smallest tyres going.

Matt

[RobinJI]

I shouldn't have thought you'll have much of an issue with scrubbing on those. VWs tend to be pretty decent for tyre clearance through the suspension travel. I couldn't say 100% for a mk1 golf, but my old mk2 was down 120mm and had 185/60R14's and that would only scrub a little if you were on full lock on an uneven surface, which isn't often. My scirocco's also down probably around 70mm and that was fine on 195/50R15's when it had standard offset wheels.

Edited because it didn't make sense.

[MikeyPhresh]

Ok that clears it a lot. I'm now thinking about coilovers because I have to drive to work through welsh hills and it's sketchy in the winter so I would put them up. Although coilovers cost money... Springs are cheaper lol. Maybe 60mm is enough for now? I think I'm going for 185/55/14 in the front for now and 185/60/14 in the back. Does this sound ok?

[Deleted]

I think they look best with same tyres front and back, personally.

185/55 is a nice profile, especially if you can get one with a nice square wall.

[MikeyPhresh]

Yeah the plan is to put same profile in the back but the tyres are too good and I don't hav any cash left! Front ones are cracking so I need to change them asap. Do u think -60 is ok for the winter though? I've never had a lowered car that's why I'm asking hehe

[cobblers]

-60 is for wimps. Seriously thought you'll be fine but if you've never driven a lowered car before it'll take some getting used to.

[RobinJI]

Yeah, 60 down on a mk1 golf will be fine. My scirocco's been my daily for 2 years varying between a 60 and 110mm drop, and once you get used to it it's not an issue. Although in my opinion it's much more enjoyable driving at 60mm. It's low enough to look good, and feel like you're buzzing along close to the tarmac, but at the same time, it goes over most common obstacles without issue, potholes, low-medium curbs, gravel tracks, warn/tramlined roads ect.. that caused issues when it was much lower. I'd say 60mm is about ideal for a mk1 daily you want to have a bit of fun with now and then.

[MikeyPhresh]

Lol yeah I know it's not much but I like my gti splitter hehe + I have to drive on country roads for few more months. Whatever, I'll go lower... Just testing the water now. I've driven lowered car before but not as a daily... I'm planning to slam it this weekend so will report back! Thanks for your help guys

[ettorebugatti]

165/60R14 has the same (ish) diameter as 185/55R14 and will give a nice stretch on a 6J wide wheel.

Perhaps an idea for the future.

[MikeyPhresh]

Yeah I thought about this and the person who does my wheels told me it's unsafe :/ weird...

[ettorebugatti]

I'm running 165/60R14 on 6J wide wheels without any troubles (more than 2 years).
don't see his point, the later classic Minis had 165 wide tyres on 6J wide wheels from factory (well, Cooper garage)

[MikeyPhresh]

I'll consider this when I'll be buying my tyres. For now I think I'll go for coilovers anyway. Seems pointless paying 60 quid for springs if for 130 I can have a complete set of 'hot tuning' coilovers... I know they're budget but apparently they're not that bad.

[RobinJI]

Yeah, coilovers are the way forward. Mine's on a TA-Technix set (they were £200 2 years ago) and they're spot on. If you want it to ride properly with cheep coilovers then remove the helper springs and trim the bump stops as short as you can get away with without scrubbing. Otherwise they tend to be a bit crashy. Once that's done thought they're awesome.

[MikeyPhresh]

Yeah I'm pretty much convinced that I can get away with getting the cheap ones if I spend a bit of time improving them Thanks for useful advice man. Can get Ta-technix / hot tuning etc. for around £150 so I will soon. Still the most expensive are the tyres... I guess it's that few square inches of grip that are worth some money.

[MikeyPhresh]

Ok I got myself a set of Raceland Coilovers and am about to fit them in... Never done it before so I need some hints... For the begining I'll just drop it by 40mm until I get lower profile tyres (at the moment no money left..). So question to RobinJI, what are the consequences of removing helper springs and trimming the bump stops? What does it do and should I do it if it's my first time? Hmm I feel a bit like a slam virgin...

[Mike]

If you aren't going for a massive slam you don't need to go anywhere near the bump stops or helper springs. That will just allow you to go that bit lower once you've reached the bottom of the thread on the coilover. I ran my Mk1 Golf on coilovers (hottuning ones in fact) and it went much lower than I needed without even going to the end of the thread on the coilovers. I'd just fit them as they are for now, at least until you get some smaller tyres.

In fact, here's a photo of it. It had 195/45/14 tyres on 6" wide rims. No idea what the drop worked out as, but there was at least 50mm more on the coilovers.



The tyres were £41 each from www.camskill.co.uk

[autohausdolby]

Put them on as they're meant to be assembled, you'll get enough drop

This was with a similar set of cheap coil overs, complete with helper springs. The arches are pulled but it was about as low as you can go here in Sheffield without serious road surface issues ;D

[autohausdolby]

It would have gone lower as well just by winding the collars down, but we ran out of arch gap!

[Mystery Machine]

How far from Bristol are you?? If you are willing to pay a visit I'm sure the Area 52 mob will be more than happy to help get your car nearer the deck. It's what we do.....have a look at a Mk2 Golf we slammed exactly a year ago:

Getting the coilovers built up


Teamwork


Half way there


Nearly there


Seal of approval


Planks needed to get it out and it still scrapes. This is a good thing.


Got lows


Work done, time to chill, chat and sup on some beers


Proud owner


B&W


Looking good


Pink tiger stripe tring rings and some subtle light painting


The offer is there, if you can make it to Bristol it'd be our pleasure to help you out. We even have a 2 post lift now to make things even easier.