Golf 4Motion - first impressions and a couple of questions

[wrighty78]

Afternoon all

After considering a few options for the daily driver, I picked up a 2001 (Y) V6 4Motion last week. I'm just back from Somerset, having done about 350 miles in it over the weekend, and I have to say I'm rather pleased with the new toy.

Big plus points:

• Plenty of low down torque from the silky smooth V6
• Very comfortable - got out after two and half hours feeling fresh as a daisy
• Just had a full service and MOT, so shouldn't cost me too much for a little while
• Seems solid and well screwed together, smart and in pretty good condition for its age
• Averaged 28.5 mpg which (considering I wasn't hanging around) wasn't bad

And the less good:

• A bit "wallowy"
• Front tyres are made by Infinity and will be going next weekend - awful in the wet. They've still got about 4mm of tread, but were just rubbish.

The roads heading down south on Friday were pretty wet and the terrible front tyres meant the occasional bout of understeer. The counter-intuitive bit was realising that instead of backing off, the trick is to plant your right foot a little harder, let the Haldex do its thing, and let the back wheels push the car back into line.

So - the questions... what are my options for sorting out the ride? I don't want it to be much firmer, just better damped.

And what tyres do you recommend? The rears are Firestones, with plenty of tread, so they'll be staying. Should I try to track down some of the same for the front or look at a different brand?

Edited by wrighty78 on Monday 9th November 17:14

[Fourmotion]

Can't help on the suspension bits, I'm sure someone will be along to offer advice. Or you could try http://uk-mkivs.net/. If it's not on that site, it hasn't happend to a golf.

I've just had 4 new tyres fitted, and always go for the same. Michelin Primacy HP. They've always been the best balance of price, road noise, longevity and grip. The Eagle F1s are meant to be the best for grip and performance in the dry, but wear out very quickly and aren't so great in the wet. If you've got the optional 17s then the Michelin Pilot sports are available, but you'll need deep pockets.

You should also bear in mind that it's recommended by VW that your tyres don't differ by more the 2mm in depth from one axle to the other, as it can affect the Haldex transmission. The guys on uk-mkiv will be able to give details of the problems. My tyres have always worn evenly, so i've not faced that dilemma.

Hope you continue to enjoy the car.

[wrighty78]

Thanks for the response!

I've just had a quick look at BlackCircles, etyre etc and Kwik Fit come out cheapest for the Michelins. Might give them a go. Are they good in the wet? (I mean the Michelins, not Kwik Fit)

The next question is whether to get all 4 changed. The rears look like they've probably got 5-6mm remaining (give or take) but I'm feeling that I should probably bite the bullet and get all 4 done. I could keep the Firestones as a back up I suppose. Hmmm.

[aka_kerrly]

hello,

good summary of the 4mo.
The suspension is the biggest let down with them, you can get Eibach 15-25mm lowering springs which will definately firm the ride up a bit but not enough to make the car bone shaking. Uprated Anti roll bars are said to make a huge imporvement to the mk4 chassis to, although it depends how much you want to spend.

oh an on 4x4 cars it is generally recommended to change all 4 tires at the same time.

Dave

[ol]

I put 4 Goodyear Eagle F1's on my Mk5 R32 about 2 months ago, and I am astonished at how good they are. Best £400 I've ever spent, and the car has been improved no end. They grip even in the wet, and I've even had tyres squeeling in the pouring rain! Best. Tyres. Ever.

[reddybear]

put a good suspension kit on ,it will transform the car.dont put lowering springs on standard shocks ,uprated shocks are shorter travel to match shorter springs,its the shocks that control the rebound of the car ,can highly recommend adjustable koni kits ,and if you feel like spending some money haldex sport control box ,allows you to adjust 4 wheel drive to about 60/40 your cars 20/80 standard to be overly safe