T5 estate suspension
 

Hello world

I replaced my comfy (and dull) golf gti company car with a '94 T5 estate recently. It cost £6400 from a Volvo main dealer and has done 100k with FSH etc etc.. Anyway, I have done about 4k miles in it already, and love it. However, the suspension feels unnaturally firm. This car has the 17" T5R alloys fitted, but no other mods that I can see. Will changing the alloys back to the original size make much of a difference to the ride, or will I have to change the springs ?

Any help would be appreciated.

Rich Sargeant.

RE: T5 estate suspension
 

Rich,

Is the car lowered like an "R"?? If it is then you have handling so much better than the standard you would do very well to try and see if you can get on with it. I have done about 60k in mine now, and dont notice it at all.....

If the car isnt lowered then you could go back to the 16" wheels and would get the benefits of narrower tyres / higher sidewalls and the reduction in road noise & vibration that would bring - but do bear in mind that the handling will get a bit swishier too.... all depends on what your main priority is!

Good luck with the car, and welcome to the club!!

If you would like any further info about the performance section (shameless plug) then check out <www.t5r.org> or email me for details.

Best Regards,

Phil :-)

RE: T5 estate suspension
 

Before you start spending big money on changing suspension, why not spend big money on changing tyres?

When I went from Kumho Ecstas to Michelin Pilot Sports, the ride improved dramatically, in addition to the extra grip.

You don't say what rubber you're running, but a change could be the solution you're after, without compromising the firmer handling the lower profile tyres are giving you.

It's unlikely someone has changed the suspension, I suspect the harder ride is simply due to shorter sidewalls - and you'll get used to it very quickly.