Everything You Need to Know About Coilovers

Coil-over shock absorbers, often shortened to “coilovers,” are (typically) aftermarket suspension components primarily used for lowering a car to achieve better handling. As the name suggests, coilovers replace the entire shock/strut/spring assembly with one that’s more performance-oriented (stiffer). A stiffer suspension increases vehicle handling characteristics by reducing the amount of suspension travel, thus decreasing body roll and keeping the car more composed while cornering. Lowering the ride height also improves handling and stability by lowering the vehicle’s center of gravity.

Coilovers or lowering springs: which should I choose when lowering my Mk7?

While coilovers and lowering springs provide the same end goal of decreasing ride height, they both have benefits and tradeoffs.

Lowering springs are cheaper and simpler because they are just that: shorter versions of your vehicle’s stock springs. Installing them is as easy as swapping out the factory springs with aftermarket it ones and calling it a day. This comes at the cost of a stiffer ride, reducing ride quality and making them not as ideal for daily driving.

Coilovers are more expensive but for the reason stated earlier: they replace much more than just the springs. Most coilovers are adjustable (including the set covered here), meaning that you can change the ride height and stiffness as needed without having to swap out parts.

Video Tutorial: How to Install VW Mk7 Coilovers (using Bilstein PSS B14 coilovers)

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---Parts and Tools Discussed in this Video---

These coilovers fit: