Audi TT Mk1 3.2 Convertible rear spring recommendations
Discussion
As has happened to other owners, my 3.2 Convertible failed it's MOT on rear spring corrosion. New springs were ordered and fitted. After fitment and thinking the back end rather hight I searched forums and PH for ride-height information and, low and behold, the non-OEM springs were at 395mm (centre to arch) not 370mm. Back to the garage where they order new springs and fit them.
They delivered it back on Friday and the ride height is....340mm (centre to arch). Reading around the topic here and on PH these are some kind of spurious Sports-suspension "option" but obviously ridiculous with a 370mm ride height at the front and no clearance to the arch at the rear.
Previous threads cut out the crucial facts - "I ordered different springs and when they came and I fitted them the ride height was right" they all seem to say. What I'm after is...what did people actually order? The whole three red dot nonsense doesn't apply in the aftermarket and on the third try my mechanic has thrown up his hands and said "there are only two springs types and I've fitted them both" which is clearly BS.
Any suggestions as to exactly what to order as I just want the car returned to standard and it is pretty much undriveable now.
They delivered it back on Friday and the ride height is....340mm (centre to arch). Reading around the topic here and on PH these are some kind of spurious Sports-suspension "option" but obviously ridiculous with a 370mm ride height at the front and no clearance to the arch at the rear.
Previous threads cut out the crucial facts - "I ordered different springs and when they came and I fitted them the ride height was right" they all seem to say. What I'm after is...what did people actually order? The whole three red dot nonsense doesn't apply in the aftermarket and on the third try my mechanic has thrown up his hands and said "there are only two springs types and I've fitted them both" which is clearly BS.
Any suggestions as to exactly what to order as I just want the car returned to standard and it is pretty much undriveable now.
A follow-up post on here to close of the topic and also to hopefully give some insight if anyone is searching for an answer and comes across this thread. Ride height FYI should be 370mm from wheel centre to arch.
1. Your best but most expensive option is genuine Audi springs which are £113.65 (July2018) each plus fitting. This will obviously give the correct ride-height.
2. Another OE Audi option is to go with used springs from a car being dismantled although the hidden rust which kills TT springs could very well be present. TT specialist who lower the car have them available occasionally and they are generally £45-50 plus postage so around £65 a set (with the risk that they won't last long as they're probably as old as your own car - circa. 15 years or so.
3. Fitting non-OE springs is a minefield as they are marked 3.2TT but are simply being sold on fit and length - they fit a Golf derivative therefore they'll fit a 3.2. Two different makes - same length spring - gave me a ride height of 395mm and 348mm because the spring rates are totally different despite being visually similar pre-fitting. Caveat Emptor applies here - they're happy to replace or refund but if you've forked out for labour or done the job yourself there's still a loss.
Conclusion - Based on information from Philclemo on the TT Forum I bought and installed the anschler springs - 627 44 4791 and they are the correct ride-height and also give a much improved ride quality over all of the previous springs. They were from ECP and were around £50 in the ECP sale for the pair. There are some good and bad reviews in general for longevity of this brand but personally I have no concern that they'll wear out or break with the occasional use I make of the car.
Hope that helps if anyone is looking.
1. Your best but most expensive option is genuine Audi springs which are £113.65 (July2018) each plus fitting. This will obviously give the correct ride-height.
2. Another OE Audi option is to go with used springs from a car being dismantled although the hidden rust which kills TT springs could very well be present. TT specialist who lower the car have them available occasionally and they are generally £45-50 plus postage so around £65 a set (with the risk that they won't last long as they're probably as old as your own car - circa. 15 years or so.
3. Fitting non-OE springs is a minefield as they are marked 3.2TT but are simply being sold on fit and length - they fit a Golf derivative therefore they'll fit a 3.2. Two different makes - same length spring - gave me a ride height of 395mm and 348mm because the spring rates are totally different despite being visually similar pre-fitting. Caveat Emptor applies here - they're happy to replace or refund but if you've forked out for labour or done the job yourself there's still a loss.
Conclusion - Based on information from Philclemo on the TT Forum I bought and installed the anschler springs - 627 44 4791 and they are the correct ride-height and also give a much improved ride quality over all of the previous springs. They were from ECP and were around £50 in the ECP sale for the pair. There are some good and bad reviews in general for longevity of this brand but personally I have no concern that they'll wear out or break with the occasional use I make of the car.
Hope that helps if anyone is looking.
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