Poor Jon. Now he needs more power. So completely did the new Autotech ClubSport suspension kit (Stage One) and a set of plus-one Michelin Pilot Sport A/S tires transform the character of his 2000 Golf GLS 1.8T, the once seemingly sprightly rig now begs for more go. At least we're still friends after he offered up his car as a test bed for an untried suspension kit.
Enamored with the 1.8t engine but needing four doors, Jon had purchased the only combination available, the near base-level GLS. At least he got power windows, and the Monsoon stereo rocks. VWs have always handled well, but as the line has matured, the suspensions seem to have gotten softer and softer. A freelance photographer, Jon has racked up 65,000 miles on the northeast's frost-heaved and potholed roads over the past couple of years. His Golf seemed a perfect candidate for a handling upgrade.
The O.E. 195/65-15 Michelin MXV4+ tires were well-worn but still legal, and a quick trip through the too-good-to-pass-up-but-you-only-get-to-do-this-once-before-the-cops-come set of corners behind Larry's house set them howling as they protested all the way through the complex. Powering the Golf through our on-ramp escape route set a new standard in body roll and terminal understeer as the stock suspension struggled with the cornering load, but the tires gave up first and we slid/merged into traffic and headed for the shop.
Here at european car we have always maintained that the best initial upgrade you can perform is to install a set of high-performance tires, and a set 205/55-16 Michelin Pilot Sport A/S tires proved the point once again. Of course, we had to go plus-one with a 7.5x16-in. Mille Miglia EV-S wheel (www.tirerack.com) replacing the stock 6x15-in. VW alloys. By the time we had the new wheels and tires mounted, a light rain was falling. The all-season Michelins were totally unfazed as we once again (and much more quickly) passed Larry's backyard. No noise, no drama, more speed and much improved turn-in helped boost our confidence as we headed for the on-ramp. Even with a damp road, this time it was the suspension that was overmatched. There was plenty of body roll but no sliding as we again headed for the shop.
Installing the Club Sport kit is a relatively simple job, but assembling/disassembling a front strut without the proper tools and training can be extremely dangerous. Check out the procedure in the Bentley manual. You will need to align the car after you have finished anyway; my advice is to leave these jobs to a pro. Ithaca Foreign Car technician Dan Stranger and I spent less than 3 hours (at a relaxed after-hours pace) from start to finish, so the price should be reasonable.
If you decide to do the job yourself, here are a couple of hints. You'll probably need to unbolt the passenger side axle from the transmission in order to get the strut/bearing housing to drop far enough to remove the strut. Also remember to disconnect all brake wear and ABS sensor wires. If not, suspension pieces may shift enough to damage a wire or connector. The bottom end of the front strut is held in place by a large clamp cast as part of the strut/bearing housing. Autotech includes a small tool that we initially dismissed as a curiosity but quickly found to be a big help in opening the clamp to remove the O.E. strut. Removing the rear struts and springs is a simple and straightforward procedure. (The new rear springs are installed properly when the Autotech logo reads right-side up.)
The weebly-wobbly body roll was gone, and the little Golf felt supremely confident as I risked the wrath of Larry's neighbors one last time early the next morning. But wanting a non-partial judge, I once again enlisted my motorcycle-racing, rally-driving, supercharged VR6-building motorhead friend Jan to drive the car before and after and offer up his opinions. Jan's test loop included a well-maintained dirt road, a fine, twisty country two-lane and a stretch of rough, oil-and-stone paved back road.
After an enthusiastic blast through the countryside, he observed, "The car feels so much more alive! There's a tautness that is really nice and satisfying. It's as if the stock suspension were designed to let you think about the other things you have to do today, whereas this suspension allows you to feel much more involved in actually driving. You know when you're going over rough pavement, but you don't get the feeling you're abusing the car. I don't feel my kidneys being beat up, and my cheeks aren't bouncing up and down. I really like what they have done. A nice car has suddenly been transformed into a fun car. But somehow the lack of enthusiasm in the engine becomes more apparent, because I'm much more interested in driving this car."