Mk1 golf with a tiny engine. Suspension help.

[oxnop]

Last month I bought a 1981 Mk1 golf with a tiny engine... which I’m slowly falling in love with.

39k miles FSH. Every service sheet, repair bill and MOT. Original bodywork, even the windows and windscreen are original and stamped with the reg.

Over time I’ll change the interior back to standard (currently a Mk1 Gti interior) and some split rim BBS rims. First task is to sort the suspension. Currently installed are some 12yr old mid range coilovers

I love the ride height but the ride quality on all but the smoothest roads is appalling at best.

Can anyone recommend a good set up? I’d like to keep the car low, it’s only getting driven on special outings (like when wife is at work and my 2 year old BEGS to go out in “her” old car) and dry days, so don’t require anything for fast or track driving.

Couple of boring pics:

Edited by oxnop on Sunday 21st April 20:49

[rottenegg]

Bilstein B12.

I do love a good MK1. It's where it all began. Hugely dated, terrible wipers, even worse headlights, let's not talk about the brakes, or the rust, or the shat heaters.....but if it wasn't for the success of the MK1, VW would have been utterly f'cked.

[anonymous-user]

Koni top adjustable shocks, Eibach springs and anti roll bars. New top mounts and a good set up by someone who knows what they are doing.

[oxnop]

Thanks guys, I will look into those options..... i just have a feeling that to go for standard dampers and springs wont get the LOW i currently have.....

[aka_kerrly]

MDMA . said:

Koni top adjustable shocks, Eibach springs and anti roll bars. New top mounts and a good set up by someone who knows what they are doing.

Is exactly the setup I had on my favourite mk2 16v. The koni dampeners are sublime, the ride was exceptional for a 60mm drop. With 195/50
/15 tyres the car was fun fun fun. The rear anti roll bar makes a huge difference, it makes the car even more pointy+poised. From memory - 2*camber on the front was ideal.

The bilstein b6/12 adjustable dampening shocks are also outstanding I run these on my corrados.

I've also found the Weitec shock/spring setup with 60mm front and 40mm rear works very well on mk1/2 golf's but these don't offer any dampener adjustment.

[pfnsht]

I'm running Bilstein B8/Eibach (the B12 pro -20mm kit) springs on my Corrado - it's very good.

I know if a chap running standard spec dampers (Billy B4s) with eibach springs and he's quite happy with the setup on a Corrado and a Merc.

I did try googling images but couldn't link - here's a link to mk1 with the B12 kit but the pictures aren't at the right angles to get a good view http://www.classiccarshq.co.uk/ads/sale-1983-vw-mk...