T6 204 4 motion beach lowering kit and side rails

[ross walker]

Hi,
I have just ordered a 204 4 motion form France as I wanted a l/h/d and the 204 diesel which i understand isn't available to buy in the UK.
Just thinking about a few extras to sort before it arrives in May.
Can anyone suggest the best way of a lowering kit springs or full shock kit, as i understand its tricky with drive shafts etc?
Didn't want to go mad either 30 or 40 mill so as to keep it a nice smooth ride with a cool stance
Also the best and closest to original side bars in black as the genuine black ones do stick out to far for my liking.
Thanks
Ross.

 

[Jay20cali]

Hi,
I have just ordered a 204 4 motion form France as I wanted a l/h/d and the 204 diesel which i understand isn't available to buy in the UK.
Just thinking about a few extras to sort before it arrives in May.
Can anyone suggest the best way of a lowering kit springs or full shock kit, as i understand its tricky with drive shafts etc?
Didn't want to go mad either 30 or 40 mill so as to keep it a nice smooth ride with a cool stance
Also the best and closest to original side bars in black as the genuine black ones do stick out to far for my liking.
Thanks
Ross.

Just stick with the vw lowering springs Ross
The van center your buying it from will fit them before you pick it up,and it won't affect your warranty
I had mine done last week before we picked it up

 

[Skinnee D]

Worth getting 4 wheel laser alignment done after fitting the lowering springs to avoid a risk of uneven tyre wear, even if the dealer says it's not necessary. Mine required some front and rear adjustment even though it was brand new when lowered. Hope this helps.

 

[Jay20cali]

Worth getting 4 wheel laser alignment done after fitting the lowering springs to avoid a risk of uneven tyre wear, even if the dealer says it's not necessary. Mine required some front and rear adjustment even though it was brand new when lowered. Hope this helps.

Yep my van center re track it after fitting them
Not sure you can adjust the rear it's fixed???? as far as I'm aware,on the 2wd anyway.

 

[Skinnee D]

Yep my van center re track it after fitting them
Not sure you can adjust the rear it's fixed???? as far as I'm aware,on the 2wd anyway.

The rear geometry on mine definitely has some adjustment, I remember watching the tech doing the laser alignment.

 

[ross walker]

Just stick with the vw lowering springs Ross
The van center your buying it from will fit them before you pick it up,and it won't affect your warranty
I had mine done last week before we picked it up

Thanks for that i take it they are the 30 mill springs? i just like the look of the lowered stance, not going serious off roading but probably will be in the snow a bit.
ross.

 

[B J G]

When I ordered my 204 4Motion DSG Ocean in UK it was not possible to have the lowered option fitted by VW.
I was also told that it isn't recommended by VW, no reason given.

I looked into having it lowered after purchase. I found that the spring supplier/dealer who normally gives free fitting wouldn't fit the springs, they would sell but not fit. Further questioning got the response that "it can cause problems with the Bluemotion system on 4Motions".

The 4M with DSG needs the T32 front springs to carry the extra weight, not sure about Beach requirements.

 

[ross walker]

When I ordered my 204 4Motion DSG Ocean in UK it was not possible to have the lowered option fitted by VW.
I was also told that it isn't recommended by VW, no reason given.

I looked into having it lowered after purchase. I found that the spring supplier/dealer who normally gives free fitting wouldn't fit the springs, they would sell but not fit. Further questioning got the response that "it can cause problems with the Bluemotion system on 4Motions".

The 4M with DSG needs the T32 front springs to carry the extra weight, not sure about Beach requirements.

thanks for that, on some forums it says they don't fit the lowering kits because of the rear drive shaft could be put out of line.

 

[B J G]

thanks for that, on some forums it says they don't fit the lowering kits because of the rear drive shaft could be put out of line.

If you think about that it's no different to the front regarding drive shafts.
I'd think 30mm would be sensible and practical.
Coilovers are a method where you can wind them up to suit your requirements. Many kits seem to say not suitable for 4M.

I forgot to say that part of my conversation regarding the Bluemotion was that it related to the centre/transfer diff, no mention of driveshafts although I have read that lowered springs can give warranty claim issues.

 

[ross walker]

Thanks for that, you have been most helpful looks like i'll call the dealer and get vw to put the 30mil springs on as apparently it won't upset warranty.
cheers.

 

[Jay20cali]

Thanks for that i take it they are the 30 mill springs? i just like the look of the lowered stance, not going serious off roading but probably will be in the snow a bit.
ross.

Yep 30mm take a look

 

[ross walker]

Yes that looks just right, thanks.

 

[s2bear]

Hi Ross, I bought exactly the same as you’ve ordered - 204, 4 motion DSG Beach in LHD and imported it back to the UK. I’m looking at options for lowering it too. SMG VW here, said no problem for the basic VW lowering springs (Eibach) once I gave them the VIN - they carry them in stock and they’re between £406-450 fitted it would seem. No warranty issues.

The VW main dealer in Germany gave me the option to have the Bilstein B14 Coilover kit fitted (I didn’t as it was more expensive than here and I hadn’t made my mind up). A lot of websites seem to have the same ‘cut & pasted’ Bilstein paragraph stating B14 isn’t suitable for 4motion vehicles.

I checked with Vanstyle who were competitively priced - they told me that the B14 kit DOES fit the 4Motion BUT they would not offer fitting in house as they do not have the means to install the kit due to some rear drive-shaft work that they don’t have the facilities to undertake. I checked with another Co who were really helpful and checked with Bilstein directly - I was told the B14 kit fits. Again, that company doesn’t fit these components as they’re mail order or contracted out to their local specialist who they also checked with and the answer was that it’s just more labour intensive/specialist.

Interestingly, the German VW dealer did not recommend the VW springs but quoted me for the B14 or H&R springs instead.

For all of those, there was additional cost for vehicles with ACC or LED headlights, I’m guessing there are some adjustments or calibrations needed.

Having said all of that, I don’t know whether to get B14 or the VW springs. Thinking if I get the VW springs and the ride is too harsh I could then add Some shorter Bilstein performance shocks which may improve it.

This could be the longest post of no value ever recorded!

I brought in an Edition version. The good news is, if you have LED headlights and tail lights you select travel mode and there are 2 WORKING rear fog lamps. You can use Carista (£35 ish) to program MPH on the dash display so there's no big expenditure for UK compliance.

Happy to PM you exactly the specs I was offered. Stu


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[s2bear]

Yep 30mm take a look

View attachment 27516

Here’s mine NOT lowered - thought I’d post given its similarity to @Jay17cali

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[ross walker]

Hi Ross, I bought exactly the same as you’ve ordered - 204, 4 motion DSG Beach in LHD and imported it back to the UK. I’m looking at options for lowering it too. SMG VW here, said no problem for the basic VW lowering springs (Eibach) once I gave them the VIN - they carry them in stock and they’re between £406-450 fitted it would seem. No warranty issues.

The VW main dealer in Germany gave me the option to have the Bilstein B14 Coilover kit fitted (I didn’t as it was more expensive than here and I hadn’t made my mind up). A lot of websites seem to have the same ‘cut & pasted’ Bilstein paragraph stating B14 isn’t suitable for 4motion vehicles.

I checked with Vanstyle who were competitively priced - they told me that the B14 kit DOES fit the 4Motion BUT they would not offer fitting in house as they do not have the means to install the kit due to some rear drive-shaft work that they don’t have the facilities to undertake. I checked with another Co who were really helpful and checked with Bilstein directly - I was told the B14 kit fits. Again, that company doesn’t fit these components as they’re mail order or contracted out to their local specialist who they also checked with and the answer was that it’s just more labour intensive/specialist.

Interestingly, the German VW dealer did not recommend the VW springs but quoted me for the B14 or H&R springs instead.

For all of those, there was additional cost for vehicles with ACC or LED headlights, I’m guessing there are some adjustments or calibrations needed.

Having said all of that, I don’t know whether to get B14 or the VW springs. Thinking if I get the VW springs and the ride is too harsh I could then add Some shorter Bilstein performance shocks which may improve it.

This could be the longest post of no value ever recorded!

I brought in an Edition version. The good news is, if you have LED headlights and tail lights you select travel mode and there are 2 WORKING rear fog lamps. You can use Carista (£35 ish) to program MPH on the dash display so there's no big expenditure for UK compliance.

Happy to PM you exactly the specs I was offered. Stu


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Hi Stu,
Many thanks for that, i was thinking about the bilstein route to.
i'll have a weigh up speak to a couple of dealers and make a decision.
I ordered the beach which wasn't available in edition 30 only the ocean but got the spec the same and going to wrap the roof, pillars and side decals as i went for the oyrex white.
thanks for your time much appreciated,
ross.

 

[Jay20cali]

Hi Ross, I bought exactly the same as you’ve ordered - 204, 4 motion DSG Beach in LHD and imported it back to the UK. I’m looking at options for lowering it too. SMG VW here, said no problem for the basic VW lowering springs (Eibach) once I gave them the VIN - they carry them in stock and they’re between £406-450 fitted it would seem. No warranty issues.

The VW main dealer in Germany gave me the option to have the Bilstein B14 Coilover kit fitted (I didn’t as it was more expensive than here and I hadn’t made my mind up). A lot of websites seem to have the same ‘cut & pasted’ Bilstein paragraph stating B14 isn’t suitable for 4motion vehicles.

I checked with Vanstyle who were competitively priced - they told me that the B14 kit DOES fit the 4Motion BUT they would not offer fitting in house as they do not have the means to install the kit due to some rear drive-shaft work that they don’t have the facilities to undertake. I checked with another Co who were really helpful and checked with Bilstein directly - I was told the B14 kit fits. Again, that company doesn’t fit these components as they’re mail order or contracted out to their local specialist who they also checked with and the answer was that it’s just more labour intensive/specialist.

Interestingly, the German VW dealer did not recommend the VW springs but quoted me for the B14 or H&R springs instead.

For all of those, there was additional cost for vehicles with ACC or LED headlights, I’m guessing there are some adjustments or calibrations needed.

Having said all of that, I don’t know whether to get B14 or the VW springs. Thinking if I get the VW springs and the ride is too harsh I could then add Some shorter Bilstein performance shocks which may improve it.

This could be the longest post of no value ever recorded!

I brought in an Edition version. The good news is, if you have LED headlights and tail lights you select travel mode and there are 2 WORKING rear fog lamps. You can use Carista (£35 ish) to program MPH on the dash display so there's no big expenditure for UK compliance.

Happy to PM you exactly the specs I was offered. Stu


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

I had fitted b14s in my 15plate Kombi
If I could of had them on my Cali I would not hesitate.but here in the uk while in warranty it's vw lowering only as I would not like to void any warranties
B14s are absolutely fabulous the quality of ride was second to none on mine
I had h&r's in my first cali and the ride was amazing too

 

[ross walker]

I had fitted b14s in my 15plate Kombi
If I could of had them on my Cali I would not hesitate.but here in the uk while in warranty it's vw lowering only as I would not like to void any warranties
B14s are absolutely fabulous the quality of ride was second to none on mine
I had h&r's in my first cali and the ride was amazing too

Thanks,
i've got till April to wait so make some sort of decision,