Lowering pics Cali ocean on 30mm VW springs

[B J G]

From the other thread you will see that my dealer fitted lowering springs to my 2020 T6.1 Ocean look like they were fitted incorrectly last week. Following my insistence they are now talking to VW tech and Eibach. Definitely too low at rear and rake angle incorrect. Initially dealer not interested but once possible 'safety' issue raised they have been on the case.View attachment 70466View attachment 70468View attachment 70467

Have you tried a spirit level on the cooker top on perfectly level ground? Should be very close if not perfectly level as that's how I level on site.
If not level let the Dealer explain why it needs ramps to level it on a flat/level site.

 

[GrahamB]

It would be interesting to know just what would be excluded from warranty if the extra jobs weren't done.
Quite a few suspension parts are deemed as 'fair wear and tear' normally.

When I wanted lowered suspension (2017) I was told that it wasn't a Factory Option and VW didn't recommend it on $M hence dealer wouldn't fit it. Vanstyle also wouldn't fit it, supply parts only, as they said that they heard that it upset the Bluemotion charging???
Went air suspension route and despite running lower than original no problem 3+ years on.

I tend to think that the warranty threat is a bit like telling kids that Santa's watching you.

Haha - I’m doing that with my four year old at the moment!

 

[GrahamB]

Hi Graham, Before booking mine in, I asked Citygate if the price included 4-wheel alignment and reconfiguration of ACC if necessary. They said yes.

Thanks GG.

 

[andyinluton]

Have you tried a spirit level on the cooker top on perfectly level ground? Should be very close if not perfectly level as that's how I level on site.
If not level let the Dealer explain why it needs ramps to level it on a flat/level site.

Id be interested to see what the overhead display shows on the level function.

 

[Jon A]

GG and Jon A - can I ask did that price include geometry check, 4 wheel alignment and various bolts being replaced? Breeze are telling me that the £465 price is just to fit the springs and its extra to complete these other aspects - which are required to stay in warranty!

Hi Graham, £465 was the all inclusive price. This was done at Wooburn Green dealer, that gets good reviews on here. Before the work I quizzed them about the need for geometry /alignment and recalibration of the adaptive cruise control (DCC) after fitting the lowering springs. They assured me that for the 30mm std VW springs none of those were necessary, based on their extensive experience of doing these same springs. They did add that for more sophisticated/extreme new setups, such as coilovers, they WERE needed.


This was done to my nearly van (< 2 months old /2k miles.) Since then I've driven around 10k miles across UK and Europe without any issues with the DCC, which ive used a lot My tyre wear is also pretty even - certainly not indicative of any kind of suspension mis-configuration.

Sounds like your dealer is being a) overcautious, b} trying to make sure they can't be held responsible for any existing suspension wear or misalignment you have - that could lead to tyre wear (remember my van was new so nothing worn) or c) are trying to pull your pants down. As a side (cynical) note it takes many hours to fit this kit and I expect is an unprofitable job having to do it at the relatively low, centrally set fixed price - likely not so with the added extras mentioned

 

[Jon A]

Have you tried a spirit level on the cooker top on perfectly level ground? Should be very close if not perfectly level as that's how I level on site.
If not level let the Dealer explain why it needs ramps to level it on a flat/level site.

Good suggestion. Mine is perfectly level using a phone app.

 

[GrahamB]

Hi Graham, £465 was the all inclusive price. This was done at Wooburn Green dealer, that gets good reviews on here. Before the work I quizzed them about the need for geometry /alignment and recalibration of the adaptive cruise control (DCC) after fitting the lowering springs. They assured me that for the 30mm std VW springs none of those were necessary, based on their extensive experience of doing these same springs. They did add that for more sophisticated/extreme new setups, such as coilovers, they WERE needed.


This was done to my nearly van (< 2 months old /2k miles.) Since then I've driven around 10k miles across UK and Europe without any issues with the DCC, which ive used a lot My tyre wear is also pretty even - certainly not indicative of any kind of suspension mis-configuration.

Sounds like your dealer is being a) overcautious, b} trying to make sure they can't be held responsible for any existing suspension wear or misalignment you have - that could lead to tyre wear (remember my van was new so nothing worn) or c) are trying to pull your pants down. As a side (cynical) note it takes many hours to fit this kit and I expect is an unprofitable job having to do it at the relatively low, centrally set fixed price - likely not so with the added extras mentioned

That’s a very interesting insight Jon, thanks. They are insisting that recalibration and alignment is definitely required so I suppose that partly could explain a price increase over the basic £465 quoted. Although GG has asked and has been told its all inclusive! Mine is also brand new Ocean, actually just arrived at the dealers today and they are calling me to resolve this tomorrow first thing.

 

[GrumpyGranddad]

That’s a very interesting insight Jon, thanks. They are insisting that recalibration and alignment is definitely required so I suppose that partly could explain a price increase over the basic £465 quoted. Although GG has asked and has been told its all inclusive! Mine is also brand new Ocean, actually just arrived at the dealers today and they are calling me to resolve this tomorrow first thing.

As above my dealership is Citygate in Wooburn Green and i have a written quote of £465.

 

[Jon A]

That’s a very interesting insight Jon, thanks. They are insisting that recalibration and alignment is definitely required so I suppose that partly could explain a price increase over the basic £465 quoted. Although GG has asked and has been told its all inclusive! Mine is also brand new Ocean, actually just arrived at the dealers today and they are calling me to resolve this tomorrow first thing.

Another point of reference for your call with them:

I bought my van at Liverpool because it was considerably cheaper. It was them that told me that it was the same price to order with lowering springs vs retrofit at dealer.

City gate / Wooburn Green are my local dealer - and they honoured the same price guidance I was given. So this isn't a one-off price

 

[Volkywagen]

I had the same nose up levelling issues when I had the eibach set up fitted early this year at Liverpool Vw. After a few comments they said it was fine.
I wasn’t having that so i took it to Steve at CRS in Cannock. He specialises in transporter suspension and sorted it out for £75 in an hour. He also found that a rear bush had been fitted incorrectly by Vw and kindly put this right for me.
It now sits asthetically correct, although this is how they are apparently meant to sit when built ??!!

 

[Kernowboy]

My previous T6 was lowered by Poole who were adamant that the ACC re-alignment was required, as was 4 wheel alignment. Which was additional to the basic cost. I had a long chat with their master tech at the time about it - VW Guru (Martin) for those who have been around a while - who was clear that it was required iaw VW formal procedures when ACC is fitted. And an explanation as to why. I wanted the 4 wheel alignment done anyway so didn’t dig into that too deeply, but again it was advised as necessary. Given the small additional cost, it wasn’t worth going against the advice of a widely respected and trusted SME on this, with unlikely but possible effect on insurance etc. So, at least Poole are being consistent. If it is included in the price elsewhere then that’s great, I would just get it written on the invoice that it has been completed or formally (from VW) that it isn’t required.

 

[Kernowboy]

@Rowls1958 unfortunately that doesn’t look right to me, but I think you know that anyway. A pain, but don’t accept it as is.

 

[GrahamB]

Hi Kernowboy - That's pretty much the conclusion I came to when discussing it with Tom and the aftersales manager today. They emailed me a page from the VW procedure manual which confirmed what should be done. This is including replacement of various bolts which are apparently single use plus ACC and alignment. They gave me a bit off their original price quoted and I didn't feel inclined to push it further - on a new van I want a no quibble warranty. I had originally accepted the quote - it was only later on here I discovered the lower brochure price and really only amounted a a very small difference in monthly PCP payments so certainly not worth falling out over. More to the point its in the workshop getting the work done now and I'll be collecting on Saturday

 

[Jay20cali]

From the other thread you will see that my dealer fitted lowering springs to my 2020 T6.1 Ocean look like they were fitted incorrectly last week. Following my insistence they are now talking to VW tech and Eibach. Definitely too low at rear and rake angle incorrect. Initially dealer not interested but once possible 'safety' issue raised they have been on the case.View attachment 70466View attachment 70468View attachment 70467

Looks like they didn’t fit the front ones

 

[Jay20cali]

Looks like they didn’t fit the front ones

Fully loaded for a week in the alps on 30mm dealer fit springs,on my 6.1 I didn’t bother because there was a wait for the springs to be designed for the 6.1 they have a fixed plastic bit connected to the actual front springs .

 

[Trevor Brown]

 

[Trevor Brown]

eibach springs ... lowered 30mm

 

[Charlotterobin]

Bilstein all the way, good ride quality and an awesome look

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LOVE IIIIIIIT