For the handling and ride comfort: Koni FSD - 560.00 shipped (free install kit comes with R32/TT solid rubber bushes, strut mounts and bearings) (FSD not to be used with sport or race springs) or Bilstein HD - 520.00 shipped (probably a firmer and sometimes harsher ride than Koni, but also probably not that bad if your streets are any good) (does not come with free install kit, so add 60.00 to the refresh)
Koni FSRs are good too, had them for awhile now, and not too firm, but good handling.
Jim was not happy with the stiff set up and changed it to use Koni's. Koni's had much lighter rebound damping which Jim liked.
I have the FSDs on my Passat and love them. Gives much better turn-in (and a more neutral and composed behavior in curves) - something the TDI lacks because the front springs and sway bar are much more modest than in the GTI.
that photo's on koni's. now on b&g's.
Koni yellows/Fk springs
In my Passat, I found that by just going with the Koni FSD shocks, I got much more neutral handling and better cornering turn-in.
I've driven the car with the new setup (Koni FSD F&R, Hawk HP+ F&R, ATE PremiumOne rotors F) for about a week now. By now I've gone through most of the places I drive by regularly. My impressions: 2. The Konis are amazing. Ride is definitely firmer, with much better dampening of spring motion. The car feels like it turns flat compared to the stock Sachs. At the same time, bumps and other road irregularities are absorbed much better. Cobblestone streets feel like smooth pavement.
I had them install Koni FSD struts and shocks; Hawk HP+ front and rear brake pads; ATE PremiumOne front rotors; and ATE Super Blue brake fluid. In the city, the car brakes exactly the same as before, although pedal modulation seems better. Did I say exactly the same? Almost--now my brakes squeal. Usually not a lot, sometimes quite a bit. It comes mainly from the rear, where I am still running stock (and somewhat worn out) rotors. I tried several 70 mph -> 20 mph hard braking exercises, and the front pads exhibited pretty significant fade after 6 times or so. The stock pads NEVER developed fade, even on multiple tracks days at Watkins Glen. This worries me a bit. I did boil the OEM brake fluid in almost every track event, and I am hoping that the ATE SB will do the trick there. But I am left wondering whether stock pads would have been just a s good (and silent). The suspension is quite nice. On the street, the ride is quite similar to stock, which is a good thing. On potholes, the suspension seems to be able to absorb them better and transmit less jerk to the cabin. When turning or doing slalom, the car is definitely more planted and exhibits less roll/bounce. That said, I was always quite happy with the R32's stock sport suspension--it just felt a bit underdampened, and a bit harsh on pavement defects.
Personally I think Koni Reds (better design and build quality, but the same soft ride, with performance gain), are too soft. I've had them on some of my other cars before, and I don't care for them. I've been much happier with the Bilsteins I've installed when compared to the Konis.
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