I thought I’d add my experience to the favourite suspension question…
Van 1: 150 manual. Panel van. Highline spec. Bilstein B14 comforts. 25k covered.
Van 2: 200 DSG 4 Motion. Panel van. Highline spec. Was talked into a set of H&R’s after reading about headaches on heavier vans with the B14’s. 5k covered so far. (This van is ultimately replacing the 150)
I drive the vans hard. They occasionally carry weight, but mostly enduro bikes and gear, so about 400kg loaded.
The DSG 4 motion is about 300kg heavier std.
My other current vehicles include an M2 and a modern 911, plus a defender and Mini Countryman JCW. I like a ‘sporty’ drive.
On arrival to me the DSG had vw lowered coil springs on it from the dealer. They were the worst set of springs I’ve ever had. In my youth I’ve cut stuff down, so this is quite a statement.
The B14’s on my T28 van were/are great. No squeaks,rattles, bangs and the handling was a vast improvement on std, plus actually very comfortable. It’s on staggered 20’s with 35 profile continentals. (The DSG 4 motion is on exactly the same wheels)
The H&R’s are indistinguishable from the B14’s. The ‘feel’ and quality are on a par.. I think they look a bit cheap tbh. The coils are of course smaller and a truer ‘coil over’, but honestly I don’t agree with the patter about snapped coils catching tyres. I’ve had an OEM vw spring do this in any case. That van did 100k. (Was an 06 T30 170. Bought new)
The H&R’s were fitted by CRS. They were no better or worse than any of the main dealers or suspension specialists I’ve used in the past. They’d run out of paper mats and hand wipes on the day they did my van it seems.
The B14’s were fitted by Leightons. The van had a spoiler fitted and a set of wheels at the same time. (Same as above, but with additional body shop dust covering the van interior)
I made final adjustment to both my vans on my drive. I used some bilt hamber wax on the threads and cleaned up/tidied up some of the work done on both vans. I prefer to do my own stuff, but was/am busy.
Both set ups fitted within the last 12 months to new T6.1’s.
It’s not a double blind, the DSG 4 is much heavier, and you can feel it in the driving, but as far as road holding, comfort etc (I’ve jumped out of one and into the other) they’re both fine/a vast improvement on OEM. The standard van in my opinion isn’t great. The VW ‘sport’ springs should be removed from sale, as they ruin a bad start.
I have both vans set up at 400mm from wheel centre to the wheel arch all around. Both vans arrived back +/- >10mm difference from wheel to wheel. Close enough, but I adjusted in any case. They could both go a LOT lower. They could both easily go up too.
The rear springs on the B14’s do bind. I’ve had more weight in than I should have had on a few occasions. They haven’t ever got any worse. The springs on my M2 are the same, as they are on the JCW, make of this what you will.
The bigger question is was it worth all the extra cash to hop up to the 200 DSG 4 motion out of the 150 manual…. Ask me again when it snows and I might say yes.
Van 1: 150 manual. Panel van. Highline spec. Bilstein B14 comforts. 25k covered.
Van 2: 200 DSG 4 Motion. Panel van. Highline spec. Was talked into a set of H&R’s after reading about headaches on heavier vans with the B14’s. 5k covered so far. (This van is ultimately replacing the 150)
I drive the vans hard. They occasionally carry weight, but mostly enduro bikes and gear, so about 400kg loaded.
The DSG 4 motion is about 300kg heavier std.
My other current vehicles include an M2 and a modern 911, plus a defender and Mini Countryman JCW. I like a ‘sporty’ drive.
On arrival to me the DSG had vw lowered coil springs on it from the dealer. They were the worst set of springs I’ve ever had. In my youth I’ve cut stuff down, so this is quite a statement.
The B14’s on my T28 van were/are great. No squeaks,rattles, bangs and the handling was a vast improvement on std, plus actually very comfortable. It’s on staggered 20’s with 35 profile continentals. (The DSG 4 motion is on exactly the same wheels)
The H&R’s are indistinguishable from the B14’s. The ‘feel’ and quality are on a par.. I think they look a bit cheap tbh. The coils are of course smaller and a truer ‘coil over’, but honestly I don’t agree with the patter about snapped coils catching tyres. I’ve had an OEM vw spring do this in any case. That van did 100k. (Was an 06 T30 170. Bought new)
The H&R’s were fitted by CRS. They were no better or worse than any of the main dealers or suspension specialists I’ve used in the past. They’d run out of paper mats and hand wipes on the day they did my van it seems.
The B14’s were fitted by Leightons. The van had a spoiler fitted and a set of wheels at the same time. (Same as above, but with additional body shop dust covering the van interior)
I made final adjustment to both my vans on my drive. I used some bilt hamber wax on the threads and cleaned up/tidied up some of the work done on both vans. I prefer to do my own stuff, but was/am busy.
Both set ups fitted within the last 12 months to new T6.1’s.
It’s not a double blind, the DSG 4 is much heavier, and you can feel it in the driving, but as far as road holding, comfort etc (I’ve jumped out of one and into the other) they’re both fine/a vast improvement on OEM. The standard van in my opinion isn’t great. The VW ‘sport’ springs should be removed from sale, as they ruin a bad start.
I have both vans set up at 400mm from wheel centre to the wheel arch all around. Both vans arrived back +/- >10mm difference from wheel to wheel. Close enough, but I adjusted in any case. They could both go a LOT lower. They could both easily go up too.
The rear springs on the B14’s do bind. I’ve had more weight in than I should have had on a few occasions. They haven’t ever got any worse. The springs on my M2 are the same, as they are on the JCW, make of this what you will.
The bigger question is was it worth all the extra cash to hop up to the 200 DSG 4 motion out of the 150 manual…. Ask me again when it snows and I might say yes.
