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Suspension on GTI and TDI Golf the same?

C

cawgti

Ready to race!
So I have been possibly looking at going for softer ride in the GTI and someone mentioned that the GTI and TDI have the same suspension, can anyone confirm this?

I drove a TDI 4dr tonight at my dealer with the stock 17's and the car definately seemed alot softer on the bumps in the road.

Was debating getting 17's, but really don't that will make that much of a difference.

thx
 
maxtdi

maxtdi

Go Kart Champion
Since I drove my car with 17s and 18s extensively... 17s make a HUGE difference.


That said, the TDI has slightly smaller sway bars.
 
C

cawgti

Ready to race!
Max,

So you think putting 17's on the GTI would make quite a difference?

After riding around in the TDI today I was suprised at how much softer the TDI felt compared to my GIT
 
maxtdi

maxtdi

Go Kart Champion
cawGTI said:
Max,

So you think putting 17's on the GTI would make quite a difference?

After riding around in the TDI today I was suprised at how much softer the TDI felt compared to my GIT
Click to expand...

It will feel a lot softer... Esp if you run it on the Conti all seasons. Also check your air pressures...
 
C

cawgti

Ready to race!
thanks, I will look around and decide on VW vs aftermarket rims. Not sure how much the delar would knock off rims for me. If this costs too much I amy just swap out the GTI for the TDI :)
 
J

jokerific

Ready to race!
The TDI must have a slightly different suspension because it felt softer than my GTI (both on 17s). Also, the 17s do help the GTI if you need a softer ride.

I got 17s on mine because the 18s were a bit rough over bad roads, and after a couple years I feel like I can handle stiffening the suspension / getting bigger wheels because the ride is quite smooth as is :p (though passengers occasionally feel otherwise...)
 
D

Dayv

Ready to race!
I believe the TDI has the same suspension as the regular Golf, while the GTD (sporty diesel version, not sold in the US) shares the GTI suspension.
 
C

cawgti

Ready to race!
That would make sense, as the difference I see in the ride last night was vastly different, so would be suprised if they were the same in the US.
 
maxtdi

maxtdi

Go Kart Champion
Dayv said:
I believe the TDI has the same suspension as the regular Golf, while the GTD (sporty diesel version, not sold in the US) shares the GTI suspension.
Click to expand...

That is incorrect. The Golf rides higher and softer than a TDI.
 
C

cawgti

Ready to race!
I really wish I could get a straight answer on this item. One dealer doesnt know, the other states is the same suspension on the TDI and GTI. argh!!

Really just leaning torwards getting 17's as the ride has to be smoother without the 18's. decisions decisions
 
maxtdi

maxtdi

Go Kart Champion
cawGTI said:
I really wish I could get a straight answer on this item. One dealer doesnt know, the other states is the same suspension on the TDI and GTI. argh!!

Really just leaning torwards getting 17's as the ride has to be smoother without the 18's. decisions decisions
Click to expand...

There hasn't been a straight answer on this...

They handle the same once set up on the same wheels/tires. So I would assume that they are very similar.

It is a fact though that a TDI is stiffer than a Golf.

The TDI<>GTI question is a more difficult to answer because of the different wheel sizes as well as sway bar sizes.

Like I told you before, plenty have switched from the 18s to the 17s in order to improve the ride. It will work for you also, but make sure you use the right tires, since they make almost as much difference as the wheels. These cars are very finicky when it comes to wheel/tire combos.
 
A

aw6141

Go Kart Champion
cawGTI said:
I really wish I could get a straight answer on this item. One dealer doesnt know, the other states is the same suspension on the TDI and GTI. argh!!

Really just leaning torwards getting 17's as the ride has to be smoother without the 18's. decisions decisions
Click to expand...

The dealer should be able to check ETKA for the part numbers of the suspension components.
 
B

BrShootr

Ready to race!
GTI has slightly harder springs than the TDI and the sway bars are 1mm thicker. The TDI "feels" softer because it's lighter and therefore uses softer springs.

I believe the numbers are 2.5 = 25N/mm, TDI = 28N/mm, GTI = 33N/mm. I can confirm these and get back to you.

The rear sway bars are 17.5mm (18mm reported) on the TDI and 18.5mm (18mm reported) on the GTI. I know the front sway bar is quite a bit larger on the GTI, but I'd imagine it's mostly because of the extra weight and stiffer springs.
 
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