30mm lowering - any regrets?

[Ross Theobald]

My van is a 2014 T32 and its been lowered the 30mm on VW springs. No problems at all. No crashing about on the my factory 17" wheels. I would like to go a bit lower if anything and if VW did a 50mm lowered spring I would go for that. To summarise, do it! You wont regret it but do get tracking/caster/camber checked as advised previously.

Not VW but they seem to be the lowest out there unless going the coilover route...https://www.veedubtransporters.co.uk/shop/t5-vogtland-50mm-lowering-springs/

Had them with the bilstein shocks (sold as a bundle on the site) on both my Vans for the last 5 years with no issues.

 

[Pete M]

No issues other than it makes putting snow chains on a PITA (18”s).

 

[Popthetop]

VW lowering kit fitted by dealer, along with the thicker factory rear anti roll bar - we have 17” thunder wheels. Better motorway stability, better around corners no travel sickness!! Haven’t noticed a reduction in ride quality, fitted at 5k miles van now has almost 12k, so well tested

Also there isn’t as much lateral movement when people roll over in the night.

If you do proceed, remember to tell your insurance co, LV charged an extra £15.00 per year.

 

[Keith Smith]

When I had new springs fitted I informed the insurance company and they waived the usual fee when I told them it was to stop Mollie, our border collie, feeling travel sick. Obviously dog lovers at Direct Line!

The springs worked a treat too, she never felt sick again. The only very slight thing I've noticed is I sometimes catch the back mud flaps on kerbs when parking.

 

[Terrysamw]

I lowered mine to get it in my garage. Ride is better in some ways, not as good in others. Ride is less rolly but more crash over bumps and potholes. I’m not expecting 3cm to be a problem vis bottoming out, but time will tell

We lowered ours for the same reason and have the same experience with less rolls but bumps in potholes. We haven't had any bottoming out problems and have been camping all through winter in mud and ruts and ridgy fields. It's great on smooth roads. The only issue we have is with 4 bikes on the back the mudguards can scrape over bumps. Bit of a shock the first time. We had no option, the Cali gets in the garage by 1 cm.

 

[RobinW]

In 2012 my son and I both bought new T5.1 Edition 25 Caravelles, my son’s had VW lowered suspension and anti roll bars and a Sportline front spoiler.
We often used both for family trips with the two grandchildren, and we also sometimes used each other’s vans.
I really disliked driving my sons vehicle and my son conversely preferred mine and often said that he wished that he had never had his altered.
I still have mine, and last June bought a new 204 DSG Ocean, which at first I found to be a little uncomfortable and harsh riding, but now it has settled down it is very nice to drive and passengers are complimentary about the ride.
I am not sure how I would feel about changing the shock absorbers on their own but I would expect that there are very good gains to be made in that respect, but I have had experience of “back to back” testing with lowered suspension and anti roll bars and I personally found the modification to be not to my liking.
Btw. I still have the Editition 25, my son doesn’t!

 

[SLHT6PEARL]

Absolutely no regrets having my bus dropped 30mm and upgraded anti-roll bars fitted,it handles much better and looks great.

 

[MrNick]

WOW!

Just got back from getting the springs fitted at VW Preston, and the difference is absolutely amazing. No longer does it feel like you’re standing on a bouncy castle, on tip toes, on a plate of jelly

Feels much more planted on the road, corners so much better, and more of a “reassuringly firm” ride, yet not overly harsh on my 17” wheels. Recently moving from 215 to 235 tyres (Goodyear 4Seasons) with a lower pressure has helped too. The lowering itself is pretty subtle, still practical, but just with that small change it looks so much better.

I haven’t driven a Cali on any other suspension e.g Bilstein B14 to compare it to, but for me given the relatively low cost, the fact that it is only a tiny bit lower, and there’s no warranty issues with it being the VW approved option, I can’t see any downsides at the moment.

I faffed around so much with this decision and kept going either way - anybody else sitting on the fence I’d definitely get it done! Thanks to all who gave their advice, much appreciated!

 

[BerndRos]

WOW!

Just got back from getting the springs fitted at VW Preston, and the difference is absolutely amazing. No longer does it feel like you’re standing on a bouncy castle, on tip toes, on a plate of jelly

Feels much more planted on the road, corners so much better, and more of a “reassuringly firm” ride, yet not overly harsh on my 17” wheels. Recently moving from 215 to 235 tyres (Goodyear 4Seasons) with a lower pressure has helped too. The lowering itself is pretty subtle, still practical, but just with that small change it looks so much better.

I haven’t driven a Cali on any other suspension e.g Bilstein B14 to compare it to, but for me given the relatively low cost, the fact that it is only a tiny bit lower, and there’s no warranty issues with it being the VW approved option, I can’t see any downsides at the moment.

I faffed around so much with this decision and kept going either way - anybody else sitting on the fence I’d definitely get it done! Thanks to all who gave their advice, much appreciated!

Your thoughts mirror mine after I had my Cali lowered, no regrets at all.

 

[Kingsley]

WOW!

Just got back from getting the springs fitted at VW Preston, and the difference is absolutely amazing. No longer does it feel like you’re standing on a bouncy castle, on tip toes, on a plate of jelly

Feels much more planted on the road, corners so much better, and more of a “reassuringly firm” ride, yet not overly harsh on my 17” wheels. Recently moving from 215 to 235 tyres (Goodyear 4Seasons) with a lower pressure has helped too. The lowering itself is pretty subtle, still practical, but just with that small change it looks so much better.

I haven’t driven a Cali on any other suspension e.g Bilstein B14 to compare it to, but for me given the relatively low cost, the fact that it is only a tiny bit lower, and there’s no warranty issues with it being the VW approved option, I can’t see any downsides at the moment.

I faffed around so much with this decision and kept going either way - anybody else sitting on the fence I’d definitely get it done! Thanks to all who gave their advice, much appreciated!

Hi Mr Nick
How much does it cost ? I can't see it on the online configuraor.

 

[Stuart]

Hi Mr Nick
How much does it cost ? I can't see it on the online configuraor.

It's a dealer option rather than factory, but should be about £400 fitted

 

[MrNick]

Hi Mr Nick
How much does it cost ? I can't see it on the online configuraor.

The VW Preston centre did a 5% discount on parts, and apparently the labour for genuine accessories is 25% less than usual, so it came out at £383.88 plus VAT.

 

[Kingsley]

Thanks

 

[Billywizz]

Mine was £400 fitted at VW, as MrNick says it’s only slightly lower but its well worth it for the ride alone.

Sorry about the poor quality pic

 

[MrNick]

I think I'd promised a before and after photo - well I don't have a before one in a similar position, but here's an after one! (Cleaning it is on the list for this weekend...) Very pleased with the combination of this, the new Cascavel alloys, and Vector 4Seasons tyres

 

[MrNick]

Also, just wanted to stress the point of checking/telling your insurers! I had a bit of a hairy moment with Safeguard...

I'd previously asked them if the lowering would be OK, and was told "oh yeah, just let us know when its done and we'll make a note of it, no problem"... so when phone them to tell them, after having it lowered, I was a bit shocked that they said they'd have to check with the underwriters that it was acceptable. Bit of a tense couple of days while I waited for a reply - but all was OK, thankfully! Maybe I was over worrying, but Safeguard are the only people who would insure me at all given I park it on the road and need it for business use, so I couldn't exactly shop around. Anyway... all good

 

[Stuart]

@Gazellio doesn't this look fantastic? ;-)

 

[Billywizz]

Looks real good MrNick well worth the cost/effort

 

[Volkywagen]

@Gazellio doesn't this look fantastic? ;-)

He won’t have it haha

 

[MrNick]

Well I couldn’t leave that grubby photo there, 3 hours and a whole lot of cleaning and waxing later...

 

[T6 CFO]

Nice


Mike

 

[ukTed]

We lowered ours for the same reason and have the same experience with less rolls but bumps in potholes. We haven't had any bottoming out problems and have been camping all through winter in mud and ruts and ridgy fields. It's great on smooth roads. The only issue we have is with 4 bikes on the back the mudguards can scrape over bumps. Bit of a shock the first time. We had no option, the Cali gets in the garage by 1 cm.

I’m hoping this will mean I can get into my garage. Does a 300mm reduction actually equal a drop in height of the van by 300mm - or is it more/less?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Ryemslie]

I’m hoping this will mean I can get into my garage. Does a 300mm reduction actually equal a drop in height of the van by 300mm - or is it more/less?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

If you mean 30mm instead of 300mm then yeas more or less. If you need singnificantly more then you’ll be looking at coil overs or air ride

 

[ukTed]

If you mean 30mm instead of 300mm then yeas more or less. If you need singnificantly more then you’ll be looking at coil overs or air ride

Thanks


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[wilde1]

Hi all, here's one for you, I have a 67 plate 150 ocean and it seems to sit really high at the front? I'm happy with the ride and the height at the rear, could you just have the front lowered to level it out? Any advice would be much appreciated