BillK

I've done a search and found the following assessments:

* Bilstein HDs + Sway Bar = Perfection
* Bilstein Sports + ABTs = Perfection, sending sway bar back
* Sway Bar makes car too twitchy, have swapped ends
* Sway Bar makes car just right, largely removes the Mk II understeer

Opinions? I noticed Mom didn't go with the rear sway bar so I'm tempted to stick with her setup suspension-wise...

gtt

You forgot one.....Bilstein HDs + Eibach pro kit = perfection

joe@vwvortex

my car feels just right for me. I've got coilovers. Ever driven a Porsche and lifted the throttle mid corner?

garreTTk

tracks around the twisty's now. It seems to be a much truer input (you point it someplace and it goes). I haven't felt that it was too twitchy at all - and I've got some *VERY* crappy tires on right now.

Once I get some new, sticky, tires it'll be awesome.

I recommend this set up.

BillK

How (physically) do you adjust the PSS9s? Ratcheting mechanism on the top or something?

garreTTk

it is a small dial on the base of the shock. The rears are a breeze to adjust - just reach under there and turn the ****.

The fronts are a bit more difficult. The dial is located at the base of the shock again, but is in a tight spot due to some type of rubberized boot that goes on the end of the 1/2 shaft (I think that's the name). Not impossible to do, but it does require some wriggling around on your part.

I've not tried to adjust the ride height at this time, and haven't really looked at the directions on how to do it. But I'm going to when I get enough free time.

Hope this helps.

GoKart3

<center><img src="http://images.fotki.com/v3/photos/4/41974/116008/P5300007-vi.jpg?1022806100"></center><p>is good providing you've got the skilz to drive the car close to it's limits. As you know, the Mk1 arms were revised/replaced in order to keep the general public from getting in trouble driving the car, ie. swapping ends etc.. The car was very qwik turning in and neutral in the original configuration, but could be a bit "twitchy". A neutral handling car is what is sought after for a track car in almost all cases, and in the right hands makes a wonderful street car. HOWEVER! Most of the general public don't possess the "driving gene", and really shouldn't be driving a car with these characteristics. That's not meant to be an insult to those who don't have track experience etc.... but Audi built a car that was just TOO perfect, and alot of people got in trouble as a result. The other big change was adding the rear spoiler to give some downforce to the car at speed. If the car does not have the downforce, it can become a little unsettled during lane changes, quick maneuvers at speed.

But, back to the suspension question you had. I currently have H&amp;R coilovers which are made up of Bilstien strut/shocks and H&amp;R springs. I have the 3rd generation rear springs, and a 19mm rear bar. While driving the car VERY aggressively, even on sticky Yokohama AVS Sports, I can still get a very slight push condition. Based on that I think it's just about an ideal street setup. The car handles more neutral than without the rear bar, but it's still not all the way to true "neutral".

The H&amp;R's are very compliant even with the car approx 1.7 inches lower than stock and running on 235/35/19 tires. It's NOT a teeth jarring ride by any means, and is actually only slightly firmer feeling than the stock setup when going over bumps and on the occasional pothole. Although I haven't hit a massive pot hole as yet, fingers crossed. Overall, I'd rate this suspension setup at a "9" for the street. You can see my ride height in the attached picture. The 235/35/19's give just a bit more cushion and height than the 225/35/19's do. That was my reason for going with that size.

If I were to do it over, I'd be running the PSS9's for the adjustability. Bilstien product is VERY nice. GarreTTk has them on his car with the 19mm rear bar and is very happy with the setup.

That's my 2 cents FWIW.

LobsTTer !!

same combo, MUCH better than stock, front end does not plow as it did.

coasTTal

I'll be having my PSS9's and Neuspeed rear sway installed on the 12th of Oct.

I plan on S03's in the spring.

garreTTk

down at the stiffest setting.

It's a pretty firm ride, but not unbearable. Unfortunately I've been so busy with things other than playing with my car I haven't really had time to play with the setting.

I did accidently put them on the softest setting at first and the car road like my grandfathers caddie.

Once I get through the month of October I'll probably spend some time playing with them and back it off to 3 or 4 (instead of 1), just so it's a more pleasant ride.

I really enjoy them - and the handling (and looks) is greatly improved compared to stock.