I was thinking of upgrading the suspension on my tt convertible.

Is there any option or combination for handling improvement but also reliability for daily use?

I have 20'' wheels which made it stiff, suspension will make it even more i guess.

The PASM compatible Bilstain sounds a good option.

Please give me your advice

Antonis

 

You should consider the TechArt VarioPlus coil over suspension. It's manufactured by Bilstein to TechArt's specifications. You'll get improved handling while being daily-driveable compliant.

 

Techart will cost me a lot more, i think

 

It's a matter of personal preference, so there is no way that anyone could tell if it's acceptable to you. But it so transforms the car that I don't think you have a choice.

That said, the following scale might help you. Go drive you current car now, with the 20 inch wheels, and switch between Stock Normal and Sport on the PASM.
On a scale of 1 to 10 for stiffness, if Stock Normal is 1, and Stock Sport/Firm is 10, then if you change to Bilstein, the Bilstein Normal would be around 5-6, and Bilstein Firm around 7-8. This should give you a rough idea of the expected change.

Of course stiffness alone doesn't fully describe the superiority of Bilstein. The Bilstein Firm setting is much more useable, a more creamy absorption for lack of better description, whereas Stock Firm is **IMO** a design flaw -- so stiff as to become unsafe and unuseable. (The rear end will walk laterally -- airborne -- on you with the Stock Firm setting with mid corner street bumps.)

With 19 inch wheel and Bilstein, I drive my car daily in Los Angeles traffic and has no problem whatsoever with stiffness. And I am halfway to becoming and old fart. For reliability, Bilstein makes the stock suspension, how more reliable could you get?

Lastly, if stiffness is a concern, do not add sway bar, or drop link, or the other stuffs like rear toe control arms, etc. Just change the Bilstein as a first step.

Don't forget to also increase front camber to negative 1.2 degree. Mandatory. These 2 steps (Bilstein and more front neg. camber) will change the Turbo to a proper sports car. Very fast, agile. Very furious. LOL)

 

What was your budget for suspension? Keep in mind, you get what you pay for...

 

What about sway bars? Do i need to change those too?

I know that by changing the suspension everything will change, what i don't want is to have my car behave like a go-cart

 

I only said no to sway bars because you were concerned with stiffness and your car has 20 inch wheel. Otherwise, I would recommend sway bars, either H&R or GMG. For you, probably H&R because it is likely softer.

When I added the sways, I was surprised to find the effect to be very subtle (but desirable): Tighter steering. At middle/middle setting, it does not affect the "leaning" as much as I had expected.

Just don't add the other stuffs like drop links, dog bones, rear toe control arms if stiffness w/ 20 inch wheel is a concern.

You might want to click on the thread in my signature. There is someone from Athens who is posting there; he recently added Bilstein.

 

A set of springs from GMG, Champion, or H&R with some thicker sway bars from GMG, RSS, or H&R should suit your needs just fine. I used to ride on Cargraphic springs made by H&R and the ride quality was great. For daily driving, it was perfect. I went with coilovers and a other suspensino tweaks because I wanted a much more aggressive setup so that I can track the car.

 

I had GMG and it was night and day difference in ride and handling...

The car was so well planted at speed and the ride was not choppy like stock

Best upgrade for the money next to a exhaust system

Gee-Bee

 

What about height? I don't want to lower the car,

so you are saying that GMG will be better for my car? I'm planning to do a 700hp kit, this is the main reason i want the suspension.

 

Yes it's 20 mm

Not bad if you dont have a painted lip/spoiler...

 

I do have it painted, and i scratch it all the time.

What about those cargraphic air lift coilovers?

 

Starting from scratch it's the best option with the lift system...

Iam doing a 2010 with the Spyder wheel ( RS ) centerlock next..

Gee-Bee

 

Ahhh. Now, that changes everything. If you want to keep the ride height as stock as possible, you will need the adjustability of a coilover.

If you are planning on making your car a 700hp beast, you might even want to get a 2 way adjustable coilover like KW V3, Moton, or JRZ's. That will also give you compression adjustability that can, among other things help decrease all that squatting your car will do during acceleration. Just remember, anything outside of replacing just springs or getting a Biltein PSS10, you lose the PASM compatibility.

It's always a give or take. You need to make your choice carefully. Good luck with your mods.

 

I just got the Bilstein B16 coilovers, I have them set at near stock ride height -10mm. All is good except they are a little bouncy at low speed. Overall a good upgrade.