There’s a good reason why many Volkswagen MK6 GTI owners prefer coilovers as their choice of suspension. Compared to other prominent suspension modifications like lowering springs, coilovers offer whoever is brave enough to wield it an opportunity for adjustability.Often, hot hatch enthusiasts opt for coilovers because they can use them to tune their suspension to their driving styles. May it be for daily,aggressive street driving, or even track duty, coilovers offer more tuning freedom than their counterparts.
MK6 GTI coilovers remain to be the best suspension modification option you can get for your car. Now, why is that? As mentioned earlier, coilovers offer adjustability. This feature goes both ways for damping and ride height. Another factor to consider is its practicality. Coilovers are versatile, and they apply to various driving applications like the streets, drag strips, and track.
Coilover prices can be steep, so it’s essential to filter out the best from the rest. An average run-of-the-mill coilover may do you more harm than good, so it’s in your best interest to get the most optimal setup for your car. To help you identify what coilovers bring the best value for you, we created a list of the best bang-for-the-buck coilovers you can get for your vehicle.
#1 KONI Coilover Kit
- Manufacturer: Koni Shocks
- Part Number: 1150 5080-1
- Spring Rate (lb/in): N/A
- Why It’s Great: KONI Shocks
- Vehicle Fitment:
- Volkswagen MK6 GTI Base (2010-2013)
- Volkswagen MK6 GTI Driver’s Edition (2014)
- Volkswagen MK6 GTI Wolfsburg Edition (2014)
What happens when you combine world-class shocks with some top-tier coil springs? Some badass coilovers. Regardless of the car, Car communities know that KONI produces some of the best shocks in the aftermarket. Little do people know that they create some rad coilovers too.
KONI decided to create the KONI Coilover Kit, an aftermarket suspension device that offers some serious handling for demanding enthusiasts. This coilover kit enables its user to adjust both the height and damping of their cars. Designed for mild to aggressive driving styles, these coilovers can provide comfort and impressive handling for enthusiasts brave enough to wield them.
According to some of its users, the KONI Coilover Kit is a tad bit stiffer than stock, but it does a great job of improving their MK6 GTI’s handling. Body rolls are almost non-existential, and accelerating can be much smoother once you’ve got these coilovers installed. There are also no creaking noises once you run them. They drive smoothly, especially on good roads.
#2 Bilstein B16 PSS10 Coilover Kit
- Manufacturer: Bilstein
- Part Number: 48-158176
- Spring Rate (lb/in): N/A
- Why It’s Great: Bilstein Shocks
- Vehicle Fitment:
- Volkswagen MK6 GTI Base (2010-2013)
- Volkswagen MK6 GTI Driver’s Edition (2014)
- Volkswagen MK6 GTI Wolfsburg Edition (2014)
Aside from KONI, another aftermarket shock absorbers manufacturer stands on top of the shock hierarchy. Bilstein produces some of the best shocks out there, and we’re more than confident that their shocks are well worth your money. We can say the same for their MK6 GTI Bilstein coilovers, the PSS10 Coilover Kit.
With these on your car, you can expect tuning freedom, specifically in its height and damping. These coilovers allow you to lower your hot hatch from 1.2” to 2.0”. They also offer 10 clicks, so you can manually adjust your damper settings to whatever stiffness you see fit. Aside from adjustment, you’ll also get some premium engineering components you’d commonly see on motorsports coilovers like quality sports springs, sturdy spring plates, and more.
What really sets the Bilstein PSS10 Coilover Kit from the rest is its features. Bilstein imbued these coilovers with Triple-C-Technology® for some heavy-duty corrosion resistance. They’ve also had these coilovers use their very own gas pressure technology, not to mention how they’ve managed to use an Upside-Down Technology.
If you’re planning to take track racing pretty seriously, then the Bilstein PSS10 Coilover Kit might be the one for you.
#3 KW Coilover Kit V3
- Manufacturer: KW Suspension
- Part Number: 35281034
- Spring Rate (lb/in): Progressive
- Why It’s Great: Premium coilovers
- Vehicle Fitment:
- Volkswagen MK6 GTI Base (2010-2013)
- Volkswagen MK6 GTI Driver’s Edition (2014)
- Volkswagen MK6 GTI Wolfsburg Edition (2014)
If you want a suspension setup that can handle aggressive street driving, then you can never go wrong with KW Suspension. They’re widely popular because they produce some of the best coilover packages for cars like the Volkswagen MK6 GTI. KW Suspension is also famous because they manufacture awesome street-ready coilovers, like the Coilover Kit V3.
The KW Coilover Kit V3 contains some top-tier technology you can take advantage of. Their inox-line stainless steel technology ensures that these coilovers have superior corrosion resistance and can function under high load. As for adjustment, these MK6 GTI KW coilovers allow you to adjust both height (1.4 “-2.5”) and damping simultaneously. You can change its compression in 14 ways, while the rebound is infinitely variable.
While these coilovers come at a steep price, we’re sure that they’re worth every penny. The kit really allows you to tune how soft or stiff you want to ride, and the way it improves your car’s handling is impressive. While these coilovers are more for spirited street driving, they’re also phenomenal when used on the tracks; a must-have if you’re really into some serious driving.
#4 ST Suspensions X Coilover Kit
- Manufacturer: ST Suspensions
- Part Number: 13281031
- Spring Rate (lb/in): N/A
- Why It’s Great: KW Suspension quality
- Vehicle Fitment:
- Volkswagen MK6 GTI Base (2010-2013)
- Volkswagen MK6 GTI Driver’s Edition (2014)
- Volkswagen MK6 GTI Wolfsburg Edition (2014)
Are you a big fan of KW Suspension but are turned off by the price they put on their coilovers? Don’t worry; we have a more budget-friendly alternative. We present to you the ST Suspension X Coilover Kit. This kit comes with coilovers manufactured by KW Suspension themselves, so you can be assured that it comes with maximum quality and some terrific driving dynamics.
So what do these coilovers have to offer you? For starters, it allows you to get your car low. And when we say low, we mean really low. The ST X coilovers let you adjust your car’s height from 1.4” to 2.6”, both on the front and the rear. Damping is fixed, though, so keep that in mind.
When it comes to durability and handling, the ST Suspensions X Coilover Kit is noteworthy too. With galvanized struts with an additional coating, you’re assured that corrosion and resistance are non-existential. The kit also usestwin-tube dampers, which offer sufficient piston stroke and can handle gas pressure much better than its monotube counterpart.
#5 H&R Street Performance Coilovers
- Manufacturer: H&R Springs
- Part Number: 29014-12
- Spring Rate (lb/in): Progressive
- Why It’s Great: Ride comfort
- Vehicle Fitment:
- Volkswagen MK6 GTI Base (2010-2013)
For some enthusiasts, shock damping adjustability is not that important. As long as their cars handle and they ride comfortably, they’re all set. The only non-negotiable for these hot hatch enthusiasts is height adjustment because what’s the use of a street-ready project car if it has atrocious fender well gaps, right? If you belong to this group of people, you better check out the H&R Street Performance Coilover.
These MK6 GTI coilovers are for discerning, daily, and serious tuners who genuinely appreciate a car with excellent handling and comfortable ride quality. They come with custom-valved shocks that work accordingly with progressive springs, the makings of a finely-tuned suspension setup.The shock bodies are fully threaded, allowing you to adjust your car’s height from the ranges 1.2” to 2.3” for the front and 0.8” to 2.0” for the rear.
The H&R Street Performance Coilovers is one of the most recommended in the MK6 GTI community. Keep in mind that even if it can provide you with good ride quality and handling, they’re only height-adjustable coilovers. If you’re budget-restricted and you care little about damping adjustment, then you’d benefit a lot from these coilovers.
#6 BC Racing BR Series Coilovers
- Manufacturer: BC Racing
- Part Number: H-11-BR
- Spring Rate (lb/in): N/A
- Why It’s Great: Rebuildable parts
- Vehicle Fitment:
- Volkswagen MK6 GTI Base (2010-2013)
- Volkswagen MK6 GTI Driver’s Edition (2014)
- Volkswagen MK6 GTI Wolfsburg Edition (2014)
Are you looking for entry-level coilovers that will set you up for a fantastic time? If so, we have just the right suspension upgrade for you. The BR Series Coilovers are great for enthusiasts who want to try coilovers out for the first time and are looking for the best value for their money. BC Racing ensures that you’d get all the features you’d need from a coilover kit; suspension tuning, high-quality parts, and all that shebang.
The BC Racing BR Series Coilovers is a budget-friendly setup that won’t disappoint you. It’s suitable for daily driving, spirited street driving, and, more importantly, occasional track duty. With its easily accessible adjustment knobs, you can fine-tune both your car’s damping setting and ride height separately. These MK6 GTI BC coilovers come with 30 levels of damping force adjustment, so you can adjust how soft or stiff you want your ride to be.
Perhaps the best feature these coilovers have is their openness to rebuildable parts. If a single coilover gets damaged, you can easily order the necessary components to rebuild it; no need to buy another set! More importantly, these coilovers come with pillowball mounts and some adjustable camber plates to ensure that you get the perfect alignment.
#7 Megan Racing Euro II Series Coilovers
- Manufacturer: Megan Racing
- Part Number: MR-CDK-GOLF5-EU
- Spring Rate (lb/in): 392/280
- Why It’s Great: Budget-friendly
- Vehicle Fitment:
- Volkswagen MK6 GTI Base (2010-2013)
- Volkswagen MK6 GTI Driver’s Edition (2014)
- Volkswagen MK6 GTI Wolfsburg Edition (2014)
Investing hard-earned money in your car is understandably challenging, especially if you’re budget-restricted. If you only have a limited budget to splurge on coilovers, then you’ll definitely love the next kit we’re going to discuss (and the next one too!) The Megan Racing Euro II Series Coilovers can give you a decent suspension setup under a relatively low price tag; without compromising all the essentials, of course.
When it comes to coilovers, you typically get what you pay for. If you buy cheap coilovers, then you get components of inferior quality.Well, Megan Racing is a clear exception to that, as the Euro II is no doubt a bang for the buck. It will give you a comfortable ride and a sporty feel and control, all thanks to its conservative spring rate and decent damper settings.
This coilover kit offers you 32 levels of damping adjustment, along with a lowering bracket that lets you lower the front of your car by 2.1”. Being a luxury package more than a race-oriented kit, the Euro II can undoubtedly drop your vehicle to make it more stylish and aesthetically pleasing.
#8 Godspeed Project MAXX Coilovers
- Manufacturer: Godspeed Project
- Part Number: MMX3290-B MAXX
- Spring Rate (lb/in): 504/280
- Why It’s Great: Inexpensive alternative
- Vehicle Fitment:
- Volkswagen MK6 GTI Base (2010-2013)
- Volkswagen MK6 GTI Driver’s Edition (2014)
- Volkswagen MK6 GTI Wolfsburg Edition (2014)
Are you not satisfied with the cheap yet effective coilover kit we’ve mentioned earlier? Are you looking for more track-oriented budget coilovers that aren’t half as bad? If so, come check out the last entry on our list: the Godspeed Project MAXX Coilovers. These can provide you the setup necessary to drive better on the tracks while being decent on the public roads and highways.
The MAXX Coilovers is an inexpensive alternative to all the race-ready coilovers mentioned above. This suspension upgrade allows you to adjust how soft or stiff your damping is in just a matter of seconds by about 40 levels. You can use the lower brackets included in the kit to adjust its height without compromising shock travel. On top of that, these coilovers are made of billet aluminum for weight reduction while remaining durable enough for demanding driving applications.
Even if the Godspeed Project MAXX Coilovers are affordable, they’re certainly not a run-of-the-mill product. Enthusiasts have a couple of good things to say about them despite their price. They aren’t highly bouncy, and the settings adjustment certainly makes a ton of difference. More importantly, the kit comes with camber plates, which some companies often overlook.
BONUS INFORMATION:
There are specific parameters that can help you decide when purchasing an aftermarket coilover kit. Admit it or not, getting some coilovers for your car is a significant investment. To help you effectively decide on which coilovers to get, you need to get a good grip of the following:
- Price
- Features
- Customer support
- Availability
- Reliability
- Your driving needs
Factors like these will significantly affect how you decide, so we suggest you do your own research to better equip yourself with the proper knowledge necessary to make the right purchasing decision.