Welcome to the FAQ section, we get a lot of phone calls asking the same questions again and again, we would be most grateful if you have a question, if you could check that its not listed here before calling us!

Chips
Q.PASSAT ECU
Q. REMAP RELIABILITY

Conversions/Upgrades
Q. BORA IN TO Mk3
Q. TT SWAP
Q. SEAT SWAP
Q. Mk2 w/seat lump
IQ. Mk2 2.1
Q.  B3 TO Mk2 GTI
Q. 1.8T Vs VR6
Q. POLO 1
Q. POLO 2
Q. G60

Four wheel drive/Synchro
Q. AWD
Q. AWD Mk1
Q. SYNCRO Driveshaft Copling

Wheels/Tyres
Q. FOXY Wheels
Q. TYRE SIZE VR^ Mk3
Q. WHEEL Arosa Sport

Mk1 Golf
Q. Mk1 Golf inner arches
Q. CHROME BUMPERS

Mk2 Golf
Q. TWIN 40s
Q. Mk2 ROLL CAGE
Q. AIR MASS

Mk3 Golf
Q. Mk 3 VR6 Cutting out

Mk4 Golf
Q. Mk 4 GOLF 2.0 8v GTI
Q. Staling Mk 4
Q. Mk4 estate
Q. Mk4 130 TDI
Q. Alarming Mk 4

Corrado
Q. RADO POWER

Body/Paint work
Q. BOLF
Q. IBIZA PARTS
Q. PAINT
Q. RALLYE BUMPER
Q. CADDY PANELS

Miscellaneous
Q. FYLWHEEL
Q. RADO/POLO SEATS
Q. AC Q
Q. MOTs

Suspension
Q. 9N POLO LOWERING
Q. Bora sport
Q. LOWERING Mk1 GX

Chips

Q.PASSAT ECU
I have a ‘91 Passat station wagon that I bought with an aftermarket chip in it and the timing belt jumped and messed up the head. I was wondering if disconnecting the battery will reset my ECU and my chip won’t work any more?

A. Passat ECU
If you need to disconnect the battery on your car then this will not reset your ecu, and your chip will still work. None of the data that is stored in the ecu or chip will be affected through doing this and it will all work fine as it did before.   Back up

Q. REMAP RELIABILITY
I’m thinking of having my ‘99 Mk4 Golf Turbo for an ECU upgrade but a few people I know have been telling me that it’s not good for your engine?

A. ReMap Reliability
Remapping your car should be fine. It has become a very common and effective way to gain extra power from your car, and has proven to be a very successful modification. It is rare that you will hear someone having a problem with a remapped ecu, as long as it is carried out by a reputable company. If you drive your car hard all the time then you need to keep a regular check on your levels to ensure you are not using an excess of anything, but generally remapping will not take your engine to run at an unsafe level.   Back up

Conversions/Upgrades

Q. BORA IN TO Mk3
Would a Bora 130 HDI engine fit in a Mk3 Golf Ryder or the new Mk5 Golf TDI engine? Oh, and I want to make it rear wheel drive to make it more exciting!

A. Bora into Mk 3
Either of your engines of choice could be used for this conversion. Both engines would require the complete engine and loom to carry out the conversion. It would be more difficult to carry out either of the conversion without all the parts that you need. So make sure you get everything that is required and then you won’t have difficulty being short of parts.
To make it rear wheel drive is a possibility, but it would be very difficult as all of the Golf’s and Bora’s etc are front wheel drive, so it would require massive alterations to the chassis. It would be extremely time consuming and expensive to have this work carried out.   Back up

Q. TT SWAP
I need a bit info. I’ve just bought a 1.8T Audi TT engine and gearbox (BAM code) for my ‘87 E-reg Golf 1.8 16v. I am trying to get throttle bodies but can only find one supplier. Are there any others? Also I’m using a six-speed box from a Mk4 Golf, will the clutch and flywheel from my Mk2 work with it?

A. TT Swap
All makes of throttle bodies can be used, it is the inlet manifold that is specific. If you are keeping the car turbo charged the throttle bodies do not suit high boost applications (15psi or more). The clutch from a Mk 2 16v could not be used due to the 16 v clutch being a diaphragm clutch where the clutch pressure plate is bolted to the crank and then the flywheel bolts to this. A Mk 4 style flywheel bolts to the crank and then the clutch bolts to that.   Back up

Q. SEAT SWAP
Hi. I have a ‘98 Seat Ibiza GTI 8v and have just bought a 20v turbo engine with wiring loom and gearbox and ECU. Is there anything else that I will need to complete the engine change? Is it hard to do?

A. Seat Swap
Here is a list of some of the major components that you will need to complete your engine conversion. You will need the gear linkage from the relevant donor car, for example a Mk 4 Golf GTI. If you are going to run the standard management, then you will need the clocks, ignition barrel and key as well. The reason that you will need these is that you will have a problem with the immobilizer if you do not. If you are using after market management then all you will need is the loom. Finally you will also need and intercooler and custom made exhaust down pipe.   Back up

Q. Mk2 w/seat lump
I have a 2-litre 16v conversion in my Mk2 Golf (ABF engine from a Seat Cupra). The engine has only done 18,000 miles but has just started to cough and stutter between 2500–3000rpm up to and after it runs fine. I took it to my local rolling road they told me it had a miss fire and was too low to go on the rollers. I changed the coil, leads, plugs, cap and did a compression test and renewed the earths – still no better.

A. Mk 2 w/seat lump
The answer to this question will alter, depending on which engine management system you are running. If you are running ABF management you need to make sure you have got a consistent 13 volt feed at the ecu with the car running, as a voltage drop to the ecu gives the car a miss fire as describe by yourself. If you are running the original 16 valve K-jetronic system then you need to make sure there is no oil in the distributor. The seal has a tendency to leak in the base of the distributor causing problems with the load tension pick up in the base of the distributor, again giving the car a miss fire. Also check your fuel pressure and CO and for any air leaks around the injectors.   Back up

Q. Mk2 2.1
I've got a Mk2 Golf with a 2.0 16v engine which has been ported & polished, camed, bigger throttle body, ported & polished 52m inlet manifold. The next thing I wanted to do is to make it to a 2.1. I've been told you can drop a 1.9 TDI crank to give it a longer stroke. Is this ture? Also would I need the con rod as well or not from the 1.9 TDI?

 A. Mk 2 2.1
It is correct that the 1.9 TDI crank will lengthen the stroke of your engine to 2.1. It is dependant on whether you have an ABF Mk 3 Golf/Seat tall block engine, or a 9A Corrado engine if you need to use the rods. With all the different VW and Seat/Audi variant engines I could not advise you accurately without knowing your engine code to what combination you would need to use.   Back up

Q.  B3 TO Mk2 GTI
I have a B3 Passat 2.0l 16v that is just taking up space. I also have a ‘91 GTI 1.8 8-valve as my daily. What, if anything, can I swap from the B3 to the GTI? I would love to have the brakes from the B3 but don't know if it would work? I would love to swap anything and everything that I can.

A.  B3 to Mk2 GTI
The best thing you would be able to swap is the engine from your Passat into your Golf, and this would make a great conversion. You will also be able to swap the front brakes over, but the rears will be the same as the ones you already have.   Back up

Q. 1.8T Vs VR6
I have a Mk2 Golf and want to mod it, but my garage are steering me away from a VR6 drop towards a 1.8T. They talk about weight of the VR6 being a big change to car’s handling, and that the 1.8T conversion is much more like the original’s handling. In fact the weight similarity means I wouldn’t really ‘need’ to change suspension, although it was advised! I have also asked on various forums and people state that it’s cheaper to do the VR6 conversion, and will be better in the long run. Any suggestions?
I want around 250bhp.

A. 1.8T vs VR6
Both engines are very different and a decision like this is mainly down to personal preference, but it is hard to make an informed choice without all the correct information. To be able to achieve 250 bhp from a VR6 engine, it would really need to be turbo charged or supercharged. The VR6 normally with light modifications would stand you in around 200 bhp, where as the 1.8T range from about 150-270 bhp depending on which engine code you go for. The main differences are the turbo’s and the exhaust manifolds. Both engine transplants should both really have up rated suspension if your car is on a standard set up at current, with the VR6 needing Mk 3 front strut set up. The VR6 is a much cheaper conversion to carry out, but both engines have their pro’s. As mentioned, only you can really decide on what your budget is and what bhp you want, but with a figure of 250 bhp in mind, then you would probably be better off going for the Seat Cupra R/S3/TT KO4 turbo 1.8T, which as standard are 225 bhp, but with a re map will get you to around 270 bhp.   Back up

Q. POLO 1
Would the 1.3 engine from the Jetta fit into my Mk2 Polo breadvan?

A. Polo 1
The 1.3 engine will fit into your Polo, it will just be a case of changing the engine mounts to enable it to do so. All the 1300 cc engines will go in, and are easy to get hold of, and the conversion is not difficult to do. Anything above the 1300 cc isn’t a direct fit and requires a lot of work to be installed.   Back up

Q. POLO 2
I’ve just bought a J-reg 1043cc Polo Coupe. It’s so slow, is it possible (or worth fitting) the throttle and inlet manifold from a 1.3 Polo to give it a bit more power?

A. Polo 2
The best way for you to gain more power would be to carry out a simple engine conversion. You could swap your 1.0, 45 bhp engine for a 1.3, 75 bhp engine. The 1.3 engine that you need is from a Polo also, and the engine code is 3F. the work can be carried out within a day, so it is not time consuming, but is an effective up grade in power.   Back up

Q. G60
I have a G60 engine and loom and was wondering if there are many problems if any fitting it to my Mk3 GTI 8v?

A. G60
The G60 engine and loom are relatively easy to fit to a Mk 3. if you fit a Mk 2 Golf sub frame, the engine will fit straight in. You will just require an intercooler to be fitted and piped up.
The management system is also straight forward. You just need to connect it to the engine as it normally would and the earth on the battery negative as normal. This will only leave a 6 pin plug by the ecu unconnected. All you need from this is the red and yellow wire which goes to the fuel pump relay and is signal earth. The red wire which is the live to the injectors, should be wired to its own relay which must stay live during cranking. Also the black and yellow wire should go to its own relay which stays live during cranking. If you are fitting a lambda probe, the live feed is also found in the 6 pin plug and is red and white.   Back up

Four wheel drive/Synchro

Q. AWD
I own a 2004 Mk4 GTI VR6 24v and was wondering if there is a company/web/work number you can refer me to that makes an all wheel drive system for my car like the R32? Any direction you can point me in will be much appreciated.

A. AWD
Unfortunately a kit isn’t available to convert your car into the AWD system that you require. The best way of doing this is to try to source an accident damaged R32 and by all the parts from the system second hand. You may have some luck at breakers yards, mainly specialist VW breakers. There are phone numbers in the back of the magazine in the yellow pages.   Back up

Q. AWD
I need some information on converting my ‘84 Mk1 Golf GTI to all-wheel-drive. I would prefer to go down the Quattro route rather than Snycro if possible, but I need to know which AWD transmissions can be used with a TDI engine?

A. AWD
Your best option is to use the TDI engine and gear box AWD system from an Audi Quattro TDI, but the problem with this system is space. The Quattro system is much wider and longer than a Mk 1 and the gear box positioning would be difficult.   Back up

Q. SYNCRO
I have a Mk2 Golf Syncro. Unfortunately, one of the couplings on the driveshaft of the 4WD nearest the front of the car is worn and needs replacement. This part, however, has been discontinued by VW. Does anyone produce pattern parts, or will another coupling fit from another vehicle? Also, are the bolts that attach to the coupling still available, as the head of one has sheared off?

A. Synchro
The part that you need is obsolete, but depending on where about in the country you are, you can find a propshaft specialist that could possibly match one up for you. The VW part number of this part is 191 521 129.
The bolts that you need to attach the coupling are still available, there are six of them, and the VW part number for them is N90 369 602. They are on back order for 7-10 days.   Back up

Wheels/Tyres

Q. FOXY
Hi, I bought a Fox recently and I want to buy some alloys for it. I was wondering if you could advise me on what the largest size wheels I can get on it without modifying it in any way.
A. FOXY
The Fox comes with a 15” 6J et 43 wheel with 5 stud fitment (5x100) as the largest wheel that VW supply. A 16” wheel would fit fine if you get a 16” rim with the offset as close as possible to et43 or lower if the width of the wheel is wider.   Back up

Q. TYRE SIZE
I just bought a ‘96 VR6 GTI. I also bought 7x15 and 9x15 Porsche cups (55mm offset on both I believe), I am looking to find out what tire size, adapter size, and spring drop size fits best. I was looking at 20mm front and 25mm rear adapters with rolled arches. Just stuck on the rest. I am looking for a bit of a stretched look.

A.  Tyre size
The correct size tyres that you would ideally want to run with these wheels on this car are 195/50/15 front and rear. This will definitely give you the stretch look that you are after. As far as the wheel spacers go, I would suggest 20 mm all round, as standing the rear wheels out too far can make the vehicle track the road and handle badly. On a standard car the front wheels would stand out more than the rear. If you have your car on this set up then it will work nicely lowered by 35-40 mm on a coil over kit. This will allow you to pick the rear end up slightly if needed, to achieve the perfect look, without any rubbing.   Back up

Q. WHEELS
Hi, I own a 2001 Arosa Sport, I’m looking at changing the alloys from the standard ones to a set of (8x14) or a set of (9x14). I’m not sure what ET number I need or if they'll fit at all.

A. Wheels
The best size for you to go for would be an 8 x 14” wheel, with an ET no lower than 25-30. This will be a comfortable fit, but if you wanted to go deeper you could with other modifications then being needed.   Back up

Mk 1 Golf

Q. Mk1 Golf arches
I’m currently rebuilding an ‘81 Golf GTI and really need to get hold of the inner rear wheel arch skins I’ve tried everywhere I can think of and others on the forum but no one seems to have them! Please help!

A. Mk 1 Golf Arches
The plastic dirt shields which you are trying to find only exist for the front arches. There is one small shield in the off side rear arch, and this is to cover the fuel tank breather pipes. The part number for this is 171 201 192A and it would set you back £7.83. The part is on back order and could be ordered in within 7-10 working days from any VW main dealer.   Back up

Q. CHROMING
Alright chaps, I have a ‘77 Mk1 Golf (with 37k) the only thing that lets it down are the small chrome bumpers. I'd love some new ones but they're well pricey so is it worth refurbing mine? They've got some knocks and need re-chroming.

A. Chroming
As long as your current bumpers are not too out of shape or heavily dented. Chroming can be expensive, so make sure you always get a quote first. Fresh looking bumpers are always a lovely touch to an early Mk 1.   Back up

Mk 2 Golf

Q. TWIN 40s
I’m the proud owner of a J-plate Mk2 but she is only a 1.6, but I want to know if I can get some more go out of her. I was told the Webber twin 40s were my best bet but at £900-ish it might be a bit steep at the moment. Please help!

A. Twin 40’s
The Twin 40 Webbers would not be a good application for your standard 1.6 engine, one of the reasons being that they sit directly over the exhaust manifold, which means they draw in warm air, and if they back fire through the carburettor it spits fuel over a hot exhaust manifold. A direct replacement Webber carburettor is available, which can be jetted for better performance, unlike the Pier berg which is fitted as standard.
These carburetors are cheaper and can be purchased new for around £180.00.   Back up

Q. Mk2 ROLL CAGE
I was wondering where I can get my hands on a 2” rear roll cage for my Mk2 Golf? I have scoured the ‘Net and can’t find anything. I've seen them countless amount of times in really nice cars and would like one for my car.

A. Mk2 Roll Cage
You will be able to get hold of a roll cage from Demon Tweeks. They sell them for Mk2 Golfs and they range from about £309.00 upwards, depending on what make and features you want with it. Their contact phone number is 01978 664466.   Back up

Q. AIR MASS
Hi guys. I have a ‘92 Mk2 GTI with a 1.8-litre 8v engine. I want to install a cold air intake with a cone filter, but I can’t get around the mass air flow meter. Is their any after market parts such as simpler MAF sensor that will hook up to the computer?

A. Air Mass
I’m afraid there is no other ‘simpler’ MAF sensor that is suitable for your engine, but on the late Mk2 8v engine such as yours, a cone filter can be fitted on the end with an adaptor plate being used.   Back up

Mk 3 Golf

Q. Mk 3 VR6 Cutting out
My 1996 VR6 Golf has recently started cutting out once it has been running for about 15-20 minutes. It seems to cut out when the revs drop below 1500 rpm and then won’t re start for about 10 minutes.

A. Mk 3 VR6 Cutting out
The cause of this problem is fairly expensive but easy to fix. It is the crankshaft position sensor which is located in the bottom right hand side of the cylinder block and is held in by a single 5 mm allen key bolt. The part number is 021 906 433C and it costs £119.09 from a VW main dealer.   Back up  

Mk 4 Golf

Q. Mk 4 GOLF 2.0 8v GTI
I have a 2000 MK 4 Golf GTI and I keep getting my engine management light flash and the car misfire badly. Please, please, please help, I have taken it to my local garage and on the diagnostics it just says sum misfires.

A. Mk 4 GOLF 2.0 8v GTI
The problem is simple , It’s the ignition leads. These can be changed easily. Just change them one at a time so you don’t mix the firing order up. The leads will set you back around £40.00 + VAT.   Back up

Q. Staling Mk 4
I have owned my Mk 4 Golf 1.8T for a couple of years now, and up until now it has been hassle free motoring, but then recently it has started to drop the revs then cut out at junctions. I have had the fault codes read, but there are no faults showing up.

A. Staling Mk 4
This is becoming a common problem now for the 1.8T. The cure is to clean out the throttle body. This is simple to do and can even be done without removing it. You need to remove the pipe that leads to the throttle body, open the throttle, and with a cloth remove and oil and carbon deposits from around the butterfly, that have built up over time.   Back up

Q. Mk4 estate
I’ve recently purchased a Mk4 Golf estate (90BHP 2001) with just 40k and full VW history, what mods would be the best to get the most power? I don’t want to do it on the cheap, I have seen one up to 200 bhp, would my engine be capable of that?

A. Mk 4 Estate
The best way to achieve more power out of your engine is to chip it. Unfortunately you will not gain your target of 200 bhp from this, but it will gain you about a 30 % power increase. To achieve 200 bhp on your engine, you would need to look into new turbo, exhaust manifold, intercooler etc. The other option that you have is to carry out an engine conversion to one of the other more powerful PD engines which now come as standard with 170 bhp +.   Back up

Q. Mk4 130 TDI
What’s the difference between the Mk4 Golf TDI 115bhp and 130bhp? What have VW done to the engine to get the extra 15bhp? If I got my 115 engine up to 130 could I then use a tuning box or chip designed for the 130 model?
Darren, email

A. Mk 4 130 TDI
The 130 and 150bhp engines are known as a PD engine. They run higher fuel pressures, different injectors, pumps and turbos. Your 115 TDI runs more a traditional mechanical injection system. You will not be able to run a tuning box or chip that is designed for the 130, due to the differences that are listed. You can get a chip which is designed for your engine, which will still see you good power gains.   Back up

Q. Alarming Mk 4
Could you please stop me from annoying my neighbours?! I have a 1.6 1999 Mk 4 Golf, and the alarm keeps going off randomly.

Corrado

Q. RADO POWER
Having found out the hard way that the air-cooled cars drink money (welding & fuel) like vampires drink blood, I fancied something more modern for my weekend ride. Our kid reckoned I couldn’t go wrong with a sorted Corrado VR6, unfortunately my pockets don’t go that deep! The 1.8 16v lacks go, which leaves the 2.0 16v and G60.
So, which is the best route to 200bhp? (I’ve got some local Saxo boys that need to be put in their place). My budget is £4k for car and engine, any ideas? What about a TDi 150 + Revo conversion?

A. Rado Power
The 2.0l 16v is a good engine which sits at 150bhp, but it would take a lot more money to get it up to 200bhp. The best route to go down is the G60. Standard form is 160bhp, but can see nearly 200bhp with a chip, cam and a pulley. All of which can be fitted in about 3.5 hours, and are not too costly to buy.   Back up

Body/Paint work

Q. BOLF
I'm trying to find info on what parts and how much work is involved in putting a Bora front end on to my Mk4 Golf. As I only speak English many of the web sites are no good!

A. Bolf
This conversion is very popular in the States, due to the popularity of the Bora/Jetta. Unfortunately it is an expensive conversion unless you are lucky enough to find a donor car in the same colour as your own, because you need the bonnet, wings, bumper, headlights, grille, and front panel, to swap it all over is a full days work.   Back up

Q. IBIZA PARTS
I bought my 2000 W-reg SEAT Ibiza in November. I’d like a Cupra mesh grille. Will this fit my 1.4? I’m also after some Cupra fog lights so where would I find them and the grilles to fit?

A. Ibiza Parts
Depending on how badly your vehicle is damaged, it may be easier to replace the whole front end from the Ibiza Cupra, although you can buy Cupra fog lights and grilles etc from your local main dealer. The units themselves are slightly different but do fit in both the vehicles.   Back up

Q. PAINT
I’m midway through restoring my Mk2 GTI. I’ve got rid of a few surface rust patches, all treated and prepped, only now I’ve found out VW no longer make the paint. It’s one of those where I wish I hadn’t have bothered in first place! Do you guys know anyone who can mix up and supply spray cans of Calypso green?

A. Paint
A paint supplier that could make this colour for you are called RM Motor Colors in Liphook Surrey and their phone number is 01428 727778.   Back up

Q. RALLYE BUMPER
I am having difficulty in locating a rear bumper for my Golf Rallye

A. Rallye Bumper
VW show that the rear bumpers on a Rallye are not obsolete, so they are still available. It may take a while for them to come in as they have to source them from Germany. They either have just the cover which is £277.71 and the part number is 191 807 417KGRU, or for the whole rear bumper including brackets, beam and it comes primed at £417.53 and the part number is 191 807 301 MGRU.   Back up

Q. CADDY PANELS
I’m currently restoring a Mk1 Caddy that is in need of quarter panels but Volkswagen informed me they have gone out of production. I have been searching for replacement panels with no success. Do you know where I can find some?

A. Caddy panels
As you know, it is very hard to get hold of the panels which you require, and most places do not do them anymore. It is easier and still possible to get hold of front panels, but for the rear quarters we would recommend that you find a Caddy which is being scrapped and cut from it what you require.   Back up

Miscellaneous

Q. FYLWHEEL
You can also use a flywheel from a 2.0l 16 v Corrado or Golf. They are usually easier to find, you can also buy aluminum flywheels for this application that will set you back around £255.00.

A. Flywheel
You can also use a flywheel from a 2.0l 16 v Corrado or Golf. They are usually easier to find, you can also buy aluminum flywheels for this application that will set you back around £255.00.   Back up

Q. RADO/POLO SEATS
I have had the offer of some Corrado seats for my Mk4 Polo but how would I fit them? I'm guessing the fronts would need Mk3 Golf subframes bolting on as they fit straight in, but would this not make them higher than they would be using Corrado subframes?
Would it involve removing the metal backings and swapping them for MK4 Polo ones (like you would fitting MK3 Golf rears), or is it a little more complicated?
Steve, email

A. Rado/Polo seats
Mk 3 Golf subframes do go straight in to your car, but they are not a bolt on unit. The runners of a Corrado or a Mk 3 Golf are welded to the frames, they can be removed and swapped over, but will need re-welding to the seats. This will make the seats higher, but you can set the height you require, by shortening the subframes before welding them in. If you choose the right Mk 3 subframes, i.e. VR6 ones, then the subframes are height adjustable   Back up

Q. AC Q
I have a 1983 VW Rabbit GTI 1.8 litre. I have removed all of the A/C system and relocated the alternator to the block. The pulleys do not line up. Do you know what parts and part numbers are needed to finish the conversion properly? Thanks for your help!

A. AC Q
The alternator pulley can be spaced by undoing the nut on the end of the alternator, removing the pulley, placing washers behind the pulley. There can also be different depths of pulleys themselves dependant on what make your alternator is. These can be interchanged to re align the belt. The pulleys can be bought separately from VW but we are unable to list what part number you need exactly without knowing which alternator you have.   Back up

Q. MOTs
I wanted to know how late cars (post '86) manage to get through MOT's without wing side repeaters? I naively bought a Mk4 without them Also, what’s the rules about how far the wheels stick out from under the wings, both front and rear?

A. MOT’s
With the new computerised MOT system, it is harder to find a friendly MOT tester that will let this go. The most sensible way round your problem is to find the wires for the repeaters and temporarily connect them to a side repeater, then use double sided sticky tape to fix them onto the wing, just for the MOT. To have to do this once every 12 months is not too much trouble for you.
With regards to the MOT law, it is not an MOT failure to have your wheels protruding your wheel arches, however it is a motoring offence. Your car should therefore pass an MOT, but possibly with an advisory, but if you get pulled over by the police, then you can be done for it. MOT law and motoring law have different rules and regulations, and it you are unsure or worried then it may be worth contacting your local police station to get their take on it.   Back up

Suspension

Q. 9N POLO LOWERING
I’m wondering how low can I go with my VW Polo 9N? I was thinking -35mm or -40mm all round, but would there be any rubbing, or arch work needed and would I be able to still have full lock? I have 205/40/R17 wheels on.
Also could you tell me if Apex, Gmax, PI and Eibach are any good?

A. 9N Polo Lowering
Depending on how much money you want to spend on your suspension kit, will change which kit you choose. If you want a good quality springs at a reasonable price then we would recommend G Max lowering springs. They would set you back £93.98 + VAT. Because of the size of the wheels you are running I would only recommend lowering it by 40 mm, which is what this kit will do. To lower the car on these size wheels you may have to live with slight rubbing on full lock, it shouldn’t cause you any problems as full lock is only ever used at slow speeds, such as parking. However the rear arches will require rolling to avoid rubbing.   Back up

Q. Bora sport
Just wanted some expert advise with an issue I’m having with lowering my ‘02 Bora 1.6 16v Sport. I’ve just recently put some Konig 19’s on the beast and want to go as low as I can on coilovers but I keep getting told even if I put springs on I will have to change the anti-roll bars and ball joints. Is this true or can I get away with out?
Trev, email

A. Bora Sport
The problem that you suffer is that the anti roll bar sits above the drive shaft, which means if you lower the car then they can touch. You will need to change either the anti roll bar drop links for longer ones, to allow the anti roll bar to sit higher. Or if you buy after market anti roll bars they do come with a larger loop to also give the drive shaft more clearance under suspension travel. To change the drop links is the cheapest and easiest option.   Back up

Q. LOWERING Mk1 GX
I recently purchased a ‘83 Mk1 VW Golf GX, which has been lowered by way of lowering caps/strut mounts at the front and lowering springs to the rear. It looks great parked up but is terrible to drive.
I used to own a bog standard GX the ride with the standard suspension was fine although the handling could have been sharper. Which set-up would give similar ride comfort to the original but with a lowered appearance?

A. Lowering Mk 1 GX
The best kit that we can advise you go for is a G Max suspension kit. They come in either a 40 or 60 mm lowering kit, and are very reasonably priced at £209.07 for the 40 mm and £213.27 for the 60 mm.   Back up