Affordable Option for New Front Struts?

Cle said:

I currently have a 06' GTI and the front struts have gone bad. I was quoted $1.2k for a replacement at a local VW dealership. I think that's absolutely ridiculous. So I'm looking into purchasing my own parts, and taking it to a different shop.

I have been thinking about lowering my car a little bit, so this might be the perfect time. What are some affordable struts/shocks/springs I can purchase? I'm not looking to take my car out on the track, so better handling/performance is not a priority. As long as handling is similar to the stock feel, that'd be great.

Alternatively, ff I wasn't to lower the car, what would be the cheapest (closest to OEM) struts I could purchase?

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snobrdrdan said:

Bilsteins for cheap, although a slightly stiffer ride:
https://www.ecstuning.com/Volkswagen-Golf_V--2.0T/Suspension/Shocks/ES2724039/

$372 SHIPPED for a complete set of Koni struts & shocks, for a nice/comfy ride:
http://www.tunersports.com/koni-str-t-orange-shocks-8750-1005-8050-1006_p16098.html

And then your call if you want to add/pair some lowering springs with them

You'll probably want some other new parts to refresh the suspension though....front & rear mounts, front strut bearings, front swaybar endlinks to go with those. If you want to take it further, bushings & ball joints might also help too.

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Cle said:

I think I'm going to go with the koni struts & shocks, looks pretty promising. What do you think a fair price for labor would be?
Also, would you say I absolutely need the mounts, bearings, and endlinks? How much do you think it'd cost for all of that?

Thanks for the help man!

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snobrdrdan said:

Well if it's a '06, I'm assuming it has some mileage on it and it'd be a shame to replace only half of the (worn) parts & half ass it.
(The front mounts & bearings are part of the front strut assembly, btw. Rear mounts are for the rear shock assembly)

The parts can be had for (relatively) cheap from ECS Tuning.

Strut mount & bearing for $35 each, you need 2:
https://www.ecstuning.com/Volkswagen-Golf_V--2.0T/Suspension/Shocks/ES2702364/

$16 each for rear mounts, you need 2:
https://www.ecstuning.com/Volkswagen-Golf_V--2.0T/Suspension/Shocks/ES257818/

$19/each for the front swaybar endlinks, you need 2:
https://www.ecstuning.com/Volkswagen-Golf_V--2.0T/Suspension/Sway_Bar/ES2696101/

Then 2 of these "strut pinch" bolts:
https://www.ecstuning.com/Volkswagen-Golf_V--2.0T/Suspension/Shocks/ES6054/

And 6 of these bolts for the strut mounts:
https://www.ecstuning.com/Volkswagen-Golf_V--2.0T/Suspension/Shocks/ES6944/

All of that will give you a nice refresh & this stuff would be the minimum to replace (IMO).
Some of your OEM stuff may (or may not) be seized up too and might have to be cut off....so having the new parts on hand on makes it easier for installing/finishing the job too.

You can reuse the old bump stops & dust boots & the rest of the nuts/bolts.
(if they're pulling the axles though, you need new axle bolts--I don't do that though)

Install costs....not sure. If it were me putting it on for you....I'd do it for $100. (I'm not a shop, just a guy that helps people from my garage)
So see if you can find some local dubbers to help you for beer/pizza/money/whatever, lol.

A shop might charge you $300-500 though, you'll have to shop around


Depends on how far you want to go down the rabbit's hole with this though. There's also control arm bushings, ball joints, tie rod ends up front too mind you.

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snobrdrdan said:

^^^
Long time no see, good to see you around still! :thumbsup:


For the "best" ride though, I'd still pair up H&R Sports with aftermarket dampers like the Konis still.

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BurgerGuy said:

Hey, man. Only returned recently because I lost the GTI in an accident and picked up a 07 CW GTI

The Konis will be superior, yes, but since OP is trying to keep costs low I went with OEM struts.

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snobrdrdan said:

Bilsteins for cheap, although a slightly stiffer ride:

https://www.ecstuning.com/Volkswagen-Golf_V--2.0T/Suspension/Shocks/ES2724039/



$372 SHIPPED for a complete set of Koni struts & shocks, for a nice/comfy ride:

http://www.tunersports.com/koni-str-t-orange-shocks-8750-1005-8050-1006_p16098.html



And then your call if you want to add/pair some lowering springs with them



You'll probably want some other new parts to refresh the suspension though....front & rear mounts, front strut bearings, front swaybar endlinks to go with those. If you want to take it further, bushings & ball joints might also help too.

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snobrdrdan said:

Well sucks on the loss, but congrats on the "new" GTI.
Lose all the mods or did you swap them over?

I always still miss my MK5, loved that car. But 8 or 9 other (new) VW's later, I'm still in a MK5 based vehicle, lol--the Tiguan

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