Front suspension set up

[martyn92]

I currently have Eibach springs on my 1.9td, and ive decided I dont like them.
Theyre as comfortable as standard springs but I think theyre still too soft in the corners and it sits too high for my liking especially with 195/50/15 tyres.

How do 40mm springs compare to 60mm springs? Are 60mm firmer than 40mm or the same ? Any particular make better than others?

Im not concerned with the ride being bumpy or loud at all, just want to have more confidence in the front instead of feeling like its leaning over too much

[Ben]

Eibachs are supposed to be very good in the corners, maybe you need better shocks to match the springs?

As for other springs I don't think there's any fantastic brands but I'd go for apex I should think.

[martyn92]

yeah thats pretty much what I have read but i just dont feel confident with them, they feel too soft and lean too much for my liking plus it sits too high. I have brand new b4s so shouldnt be a problem with that

[Ben]

Oh right, well stiffer springs it is then. Not sure whether 60's would be firmer than 40's though I'm afraid.

[Jimbo]

Fit a gti6 anti roll bar should stiffen it up a fair amount

[martyn92]

Done that all other bushes etc are all newish too

[c.gerrard]

But Martyn, you don't drive quick enough to make use of mods such as these

[Niall]

You dont want firmer springs.
Stick with the Eibachs. They are one of the best springs available for the 306. If you can afford it, upgrade to B8 shocks. That makes a big difference. Also, get a GTi anti roll bar in there then look at stiffening the rear up with some 21mm VTS torsion bars and different shocks.

I promise you with that setup it will go round corners like its on rails. Assuming you have decent tyres of course!

If you want to go further, Hybrid rear Anti roll bar, lower strut brace (not omp, their crap. Try and get a rippthrough one) and a upper brace and some adjustable drop links.

[Piggy]

consider as above and what tyres you are running?

[c.gerrard]

I believe they are pirelli semi slicks

[Piggy]

semi slicks....well if they aint warmed up then they be useless at these current temps

[martyn92]

My set up so far is:
Eibach springs, B4s, 21mm rear bars, gti anti roll bar front and back
Every mount/bush on the car has been replaced
4 brand new AD08 tyres
It just feels as though the front is too soft, it feels like it wants to go faster but doesnt feel right at the same time. And I dont like how high it is. so a little stuck really as everyone says dont get the lower springs :/

...Thinking about it though it may be the steering column thats making it feel off, (it sort of failed in the Nurburgring carpark)

[Piggy]

UJ knackered?!

[Niall]

Could be because on that set up it should handle very very well! Problem with cheap lowering springs is they are just stiff springs and thats it. Eibachs are progressive and as i said, are probably the best spring out there for a 306 until you start going for decent coilovers.
I promise if you go for cheap 60mm springs, you will ruin the handling!

[martyn92]

I guess a new column is the next thing on the list and see how it goes from there, on the look out for a lower brace too!
What do you think is the best option then to make the front a little lower?

[c.gerrard]

I promise if you go for cheap 60mm springs, you will ruin the handling!

I will have to completely and utterly disagree with you on that one.

Jonny and I are running 'cheap 60mm springs' and our cars still handle brilliantly. They were absolutely fine, even on the Nurburgring.

Martyn, I'm sure you noticed how well our cars coped. I'm hoping to get some B8's soon, so once that is sorted, I'll take you out some time, that is if you're not in a hurry to get yours sorted!

[martyn92]

I have to agree that both your cars were great in the corners, better than what mine was. But as said that may have been to the column holding it back giving it an odd feeling. But I will say Jonny's estate had to be the quickest in the corners by far even with the "cheap" springs

[Niall]

I promise if you go for cheap 60mm springs, you will ruin the handling!

I will have to completely and utterly disagree with you on that one.

Jonny and I are running 'cheap 60mm springs' and our cars still handle brilliantly. They were absolutely fine, even on the Nurburgring.

Martyn, I'm sure you noticed how well our cars coped. I'm hoping to get some B8's soon, so once that is sorted, I'll take you out some time, that is if you're not in a hurry to get yours sorted!

Yes but have you driven on anything better? Yes they do handle well but there is much better out there. Mind you saying that its all dependant on how far you want to go with it all i suppose!

[Toms306]

The eibachs are the best springs I ever had tbh, with the gti beam on the estate too. Reasonably comfortable and handled well imo. But I am an old man and like comfort haha.

Had some cheap (long red ones, gmaxx I think lol) 40mm springs on my diablo 1.4....ride was awful, handling was awful....looked ok though lol. Had 40mm konis on the China 1.4 but I wasn't overly impressed with those either tbh! They were too solid and skipped on bumpy rough roads....ideal for track though is think!

End if the day it depends what your needs are. Try finding some 2nd hand cheap 60mms and see if you kike them...only you can decide.

[martyn92]

Thought I would update this as I have fixed the problem!
Was all pointing to the steering column and I changed it yesterday and the difference is AMAZING!!
I cant get over how good it is to drive. Feels like a different car. UJ joints were fine but the bearings in the column are way past it.
Before it felt like the car was leaning too much and felt too soft and felt like is was trying to understeer.
But now it changes direction so so so well! I can finally understand why people say the 306 is a good handling car

[Jonny81191]

Niall I hadn't seen this thread. I'm amazed how mine handles tbh, I bought the springs to get it lowered as cheap as possible before I knew better. I've never considered changing them tbh, I'll take you for a drive at the weekend.

[Piggy]

good to hear its all sorted

[Niall]

Niall I hadn't seen this thread. I'm amazed how mine handles tbh, I bought the springs to get it lowered as cheap as possible before I knew better. I've never considered changing them tbh, I'll take you for a drive at the weekend.

Look forward to it. Would love to say i would let you take my 6 for a quick spin but i will be coming down in the love ceed due to playing indian taxi man.

---

Told you you would like the Eibachs btw. IMO, they are much better than a lot of coilovers out there for use on the british roads (track is obviously a different kettle of fish)

[rocker8742]

But Martyn, you don't drive quick enough to make use of mods such as these

nice Carl!