Silly Question?

[Phils shuttle]

It may seem like a silly question, but why is everyone spending fortunes on lowering kits for vw's? Surely it must create compromises with handling, load carrying, ride quality and potential to cause serious damages to the underside?
Just seems a bit strange to do such alterations on an expensive vehicle that vw must think they got right in the 1st place!

 

[Redsox]

Ever one to their own I agree not for me looks good

 

[DXX]

Not my bag either but I can see why some love it. I had a lust for hardtail bikes for many years but grew out of that as my vertebrae shrunk and teeth loosened.
I’ve got a T32 SWB camper now and by the time it’s loaded up the stock suspension and ride is fine. I also like the option to slide underneath to check things out once in a while.
The good news for us is there’s no shortage of cheap used stock wheels and suspension about if needed.

 

[Dellmassive]

All those points you mentioned are valid.

Lowering and uprated suspension will give you better handling at the expense of comfort.....

The other reason is looks.... a lot of people like the look and match it to a set if rims they like....

So I agree that VW have it right in the first place.........to cover all bases.

But it's a personal preference to choose the "sport" look and setup.

I have the sportline setup and love the look and handling...but it's a way harsher ride than the previous standard VW T5.1 van.

So it's not a silly question..... just people being individual and making there own mark on the van.

 

[Pete C]

I like the look, but it's not practical for us - our camper needs to be able to climb kerbs, cross rough campsites etc.

And I can't justify the price of air suspension !

Pete

 

[Salty Spuds]

It may seem like a silly question, but why is everyone spending fortunes on lowering kits for vw's? Surely it must create compromises with handling, load carrying, ride quality and potential to cause serious damages to the underside?
Just seems a bit strange to do such alterations on an expensive vehicle that vw must think they got right in the 1st place!

Not my cup o’char, but each to their own. Mine is actually raised 30mm.

 

[Skyliner33]

All those points you mentioned are valid.

Lowering and uprated suspension will give you better handling at the expense of comfort.....

Not always true, my van is lowered, and it is far more comfortable now.

The other reason is looks.... a lot of people like the look and match it to a set if rims they like....

So I agree that VW have it right in the first place.........to cover all bases.

Again I would disagree, if there were no bean counters at VW and were not building a van to a price, it would not have the OEM suspension set up.

But it's a personal preference to choose the "sport" look and setup.

I have the sportline setup and love the look and handling...but it's a way harsher ride than the previous standard VW T5.1 van.

So it's not a silly question..... just people being individual and making there own mark on the van.

I wouldnt know about that comparison obviously, but would agree with you on the last point.

 

[Dellmassive]

Not sure if were including AirRide in this...."lowering kits" chat....

 

[James1000]

I like the higher driving position - but I’m a factory spec person - admire those that put a lot of effort in but - standard is as standard does for me

 

[Phils shuttle]

I like the look, but it's not practical for us - our camper needs to be able to climb kerbs, cross rough campsites etc.

And I can't justify the price of air suspension !

Pete

I like the look, but it's not practical for us - our camper needs to be able to climb kerbs, cross rough campsites etc.

And I can't justify the price of air suspension !

Pete

I had air suspension as a standard fitment on a landrover D3, it was the weakest point of the car, very tempramental and expensive to rectify. Eventually it collapsed entirely at John o Groats. I only live in Preston!

 

[Salty Spuds]

I had air suspension as a standard fitment on a landrover D3, it was the weakest point of the car, very tempramental and expensive to rectify. Eventually it collapsed entirely at John o Groats. I only live in Preston!

The D3 was a bit of a disaster, our brand new one spent the first 6 weeks of its life back at Guy Salmon’s after being recovered twice. All down to software. The D4 was a different kettle of lobsters.

 

[Phils shuttle]

The D3 was a bit of a disaster, our brand new one spent the first 6 weeks of its life back at Guy Salmon’s after being recovered twice. All down to software. The D4 was a different kettle of lobsters.

It was enough to alienate me against landrover forever!

 

[Salty Spuds]

It was enough to alienate me against landrover forever!

Understandable, you had to love ‘em

 

[t0mb0]

I think it comes from a specific UK car culture. When I was in school, “Max Power” magazine was a big influence for the kids who loved cars and shiny alloys, lowering, spoilers and other bodywork-tupperware were the thing to have. I think this has basically persisted into the current van-owning generation. I don’t really understand it myself, I go for function over form and overly lowered vans just look crippled to me - live and let live however!

 

[Salty Spuds]

I think it comes from a specific UK car culture. When I was in school, “Max Power” magazine was a big influence for the kids who loved cars and shiny alloys, lowering, spoilers and other bodywork-tupperware were the thing to have. I think this has basically persisted into the current van-owning generation. I don’t really understand it myself, I go for function over form and overly lowered vans just look crippled to me - live and let live however!

That’s probably where I went wrong. I learned to drive in a Vauxhall Chevette & my second car was a SWB Slll Landrover.

 

[XZO]

My Exec I am told is slightly lower OEM spec and seems fine overall, I had a loan SE Caravelle for a few days on standard suspension and thinner tyres and it was a lot more noisy, bumpy and harsher over bumps. If I had bought an SE I would be insulating it, sorting our the susupension and new tyres/wheels....just for starters!

I can see why many Kombi and van based vehicles make quite a few changes - I would as well.

Maybe a tad lower but not really low or slammed.

 

[Redsox]

I had air suspension as a standard fitment on a landrover D3, it was the weakest point of the car, very tempramental and expensive to rectify. Eventually it collapsed entirely at John o Groats. I only live in Preston!

I had exactly the same but I was in the middle of a field not good

 

[dubber36]

My Exec I am told is slightly lower OEM spec and seems fine overall, I had a loan SE Caravelle for a few days on standard suspension and thinner tyres and it was a lot more noisy, bumpy and harsher over bumps. If I had bought an SE I would be insulating it, sorting our the susupension and new tyres/wheels....just for starters!

If I were to fit -40mm springs on my Exec, would that give me a 20mm drop?

 

[XZO]

I'm too new to the T6 world to answer that question. I believe the Exec has an OEM 30mm lower suspension set of springs. But I can't be certain.

I am sure an expert will be along soon to give a qualified answer

 

[Wills]

Extreme lowering can cause uneven tyre wear and camber issues too.
Lowering with coilovers is achieved by compressing the spring, which can compromise the comfort. Also the shock has less travel and can be prone to bottoming out on the UK's pot holed roads. Do people alter the bump stops at all?
I also believe not many top end shock manufacturers make a coil over kit for the T6.
Bilstein do not advertise a kit but I believe its made up by a 3rd party. Waiting to be shot down
Koni's are made up and supplied by H&R.