Review: CRS Performance UK
- Thread starter VanDamMan
- Start date
An Australian Branch of CRS , Ill see if my sons fancy relocating from Joburg ( there closer ) he he
I will go and open it for you.
@CRS Performance have dropped you a dm if you could take a quick look please
D
Deleted member 32361
Guest
Arrived home from a trip to CRS , well worth the visit . Steve knows his stuff , nice comfy ride home . Thanks Steve & Adam
I managed a 6hr round trip up to see Steve last week and couldn't be happier that I did. Having a fitted some Koni Special Actives to my new T6.1 LWB 150 camper conversion (standard ride height) I was having a few issues and wasn't entirely happy with the ride. Steve went above and beyond to first help me over the phone but then ultimately to look at it himself. He pulled everything apart, checked and refitted every bolt. His attention to detail and clear passion for the product was astounding. He then reset my rake appropriately following the conversion. The test drive afterwards was one of the most satisfying I've had so far in the van. Raising the rear resulted in significantly more positive steering meaning a much more engaging drive (despite the camper conversion). The Koni's comfort levels are already well discussed. I really cannot thank Steve enough for all his help. A genuine person with a passion for his industry providing extra ordinary levels of service. I couldn't recommend Steve enough for all your suspension requirements whatever they might be.
It is amazing how a simple tweak of the ride height can make the world of difference to the feel of a van even when good equipment is already fitted . Its also proof that dealing with a specialist has huge benefits . Thanks and it was great to meet you.
I had h&r coilovers fitted by Steve and his crew back in october @CRS Performance . However over the last month or so, I had developed a really annoying creaking noise from the rear suspension when going over small bumps.
Messaged Steve, and he fitted me in at really short notice. Turns out the rubbers the springs fit into where damaged. He replaced them at no cost to me. (A relief as I havn't worked in 6 weeks due to health).
We all know most things customer service related with reguards VW are none existant. Its refreshing there are still companies out there who go above and beyond. Thanks.
Messaged Steve, and he fitted me in at really short notice. Turns out the rubbers the springs fit into where damaged. He replaced them at no cost to me. (A relief as I havn't worked in 6 weeks due to health).
We all know most things customer service related with reguards VW are none existant. Its refreshing there are still companies out there who go above and beyond. Thanks.
My experience with Steve @CRS Performance was also perfect. Great guy to deal with and excellent service. Didn't need any after sales but I was confident that if I had, Steve would have sorted it without hesitation. Top bloke.
Absolutely agree. Steve stands over his work like no other “aftersales” I’ve ever met and is quite happy to discuss with dealers too!My experience with Steve @CRS Performance was also perfect. Great guy to deal with and excellent service. Didn't need any after sales but I was confident that if I had, Steve would have sorted it without hesitation. Top bloke.
As a relatively new T6 owner who bought a van and then gave it straight to a converter to carry out a full camper conversion last summer, I didn't have the experience to compare the 'before' and 'after' ride and the effect of changing the stock suspension. I'd driven a T6 panel van briefly before buying my own, but certainly not for long enough to get a proper feel for it.
I had read a lot on here about the options available and owners' experiences with different manufacturers' springs and dampers, and even considered going down the air route for a while. I'd always wanted to get rid of the huge space between the top of the tyre and the wheel arch on the stock suspension (the 'up on stilts' look) and eventually decided to go for the Koni Sport/H&R anti-roll bar combo supplied by Steve at @CRS Performance for my converters to fit as this would apparently give the best combination of lowering and ride quality. When I collected my newly fettled van I was pleased as punch with how it looked (lowered around 40mm all round) and whilst the ride was perhaps not quite as forgiving as I'd hoped for, the handling was excellent, with minimal roll in corners. All in all, I was chuffed.
Fast forward 15 months and I decided to call in to see Steve at CRS as I was heading up to the Midlands and had developed an annoying knock from the off-side front from time to time. Whilst on the phone to Steve, he suggested that it was likely to be a drop link which has an annoying habit of becoming loose on these models, but he'd happily take a look for me. So on Friday last I pulled in to his unit to be given a friendly welcome, followed immediately by the statement 'the back end is too low'! After scooting round with his tape measure, Steve had the van up on the ramps and was weaving his magic. As well as sorting out the drop link issue, he said he would adjust the height at the rear as this was compromising both ride and handling. He added a couple of spacers above the rear springs and also replaced a couple of rubber fittings that the springs sit on as these had become slightly distorted.
I now have a completely different van. Not just a mildly altered van that feels a little different around corners and over bumps, but a completely different van that is smoother, quieter, that soaks up the cr*p surfaces that count as roads these days in the UK, and steers and holds corners like a go cart. And as if to prove the point, during the drive back to Bristol and without any prompting, the 'noisy component' in the passenger seat chips in with 'it feels just like a car now' - praise indeed from someone who normally pays no attention to anything vehicle related! I was worried when Steve said it was too low, and had visions of it losing some of its 'slammed' look. However, it now looks even better than it did because it's a little more 'nose down', giving a slightly more aggressive stance.
What's most important to emphasise here in my view is that this amazing improvement has been achieved without changing any of the suspension components (with the exception of the rubber doughnuts), just setting up properly by a real specialist. Last year when I had my conversion done, the Koni Sport/H&R combo was the best available. However, since this Steve has developed a further iteration for heavy campers with slightly longer springs, so I'm going to get my springs swapped out very soon. I said to Steve I'd arrange it after Christmas, but to be honest the improvement is so astounding that I think I'll do it sooner.
The moral of the story is, you might buy the best, but unless it's set up by a specialist, you won't get the best from it, especially if you've nothing to compare it against! @CRS Performance Steve - you're a genius Sir! And thanks so much for what you've done. See you very soon!
I had read a lot on here about the options available and owners' experiences with different manufacturers' springs and dampers, and even considered going down the air route for a while. I'd always wanted to get rid of the huge space between the top of the tyre and the wheel arch on the stock suspension (the 'up on stilts' look) and eventually decided to go for the Koni Sport/H&R anti-roll bar combo supplied by Steve at @CRS Performance for my converters to fit as this would apparently give the best combination of lowering and ride quality. When I collected my newly fettled van I was pleased as punch with how it looked (lowered around 40mm all round) and whilst the ride was perhaps not quite as forgiving as I'd hoped for, the handling was excellent, with minimal roll in corners. All in all, I was chuffed.
Fast forward 15 months and I decided to call in to see Steve at CRS as I was heading up to the Midlands and had developed an annoying knock from the off-side front from time to time. Whilst on the phone to Steve, he suggested that it was likely to be a drop link which has an annoying habit of becoming loose on these models, but he'd happily take a look for me. So on Friday last I pulled in to his unit to be given a friendly welcome, followed immediately by the statement 'the back end is too low'! After scooting round with his tape measure, Steve had the van up on the ramps and was weaving his magic. As well as sorting out the drop link issue, he said he would adjust the height at the rear as this was compromising both ride and handling. He added a couple of spacers above the rear springs and also replaced a couple of rubber fittings that the springs sit on as these had become slightly distorted.
I now have a completely different van. Not just a mildly altered van that feels a little different around corners and over bumps, but a completely different van that is smoother, quieter, that soaks up the cr*p surfaces that count as roads these days in the UK, and steers and holds corners like a go cart. And as if to prove the point, during the drive back to Bristol and without any prompting, the 'noisy component' in the passenger seat chips in with 'it feels just like a car now' - praise indeed from someone who normally pays no attention to anything vehicle related! I was worried when Steve said it was too low, and had visions of it losing some of its 'slammed' look. However, it now looks even better than it did because it's a little more 'nose down', giving a slightly more aggressive stance.
What's most important to emphasise here in my view is that this amazing improvement has been achieved without changing any of the suspension components (with the exception of the rubber doughnuts), just setting up properly by a real specialist. Last year when I had my conversion done, the Koni Sport/H&R combo was the best available. However, since this Steve has developed a further iteration for heavy campers with slightly longer springs, so I'm going to get my springs swapped out very soon. I said to Steve I'd arrange it after Christmas, but to be honest the improvement is so astounding that I think I'll do it sooner.
The moral of the story is, you might buy the best, but unless it's set up by a specialist, you won't get the best from it, especially if you've nothing to compare it against! @CRS Performance Steve - you're a genius Sir! And thanks so much for what you've done. See you very soon!
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Indeed he is. Sorted my camper out for me a few weeks back as well, with Koni’s, H&R ARB’s and new front springs to settle the front down and balance things up. Completely different drive now. Lost the rolling round bends, much more balanced, and actually a lot more relaxing to drive.
if you want it done right, take a drive to see Steve
if you want it done right, take a drive to see Steve
Great write up/review Sir!
Couldnt agree more with this. I had an almost identical experience and Steve sailed to me rescue. So glad I made the effort to go an see him and would thoroughly recommend him for all your suspension needs. In fact its almost not worth going anywhere else in my opinion.
Bigbrownbear
Member
As the thread lead said.... It is the biggest difference for the money.. if we had known all this before big wheels and convertors telling us that standard shocks and lower springs were ok we would be thousands better off... The van is a real pleasure to drive now on British shocking roads... can't wait for more of Europe next year.. Steve is doing VW a big big favour in my view. Nice guy too.
He goes the extra mile for his customers! Equally happy to help your local friendly mechanic or stand toe-to-toe with VW themselves if they point an accusatory finger in his direction! (Recently, a VW dealer rolled over and kicked his feet in the air within one minute of me passing the phone to Steve!)
Had the absolute pleasure of meeting the Steves today and had a set of Koni Special Actives fitted to a 19 plate T32.
Cheers Steve, super advice and a super result. The drive is so much better and the road noise has definitely decreased, really enjoyed the drive back to Bedrock!!
Thanks again.
flo
Cheers Steve, super advice and a super result. The drive is so much better and the road noise has definitely decreased, really enjoyed the drive back to Bedrock!!
Thanks again.
flo
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