The *BEST* £600 mod for YOUR Up! GTI?

[@robpickett6856]

Bought my UP! GTI after watching your videos last year and have been absolutely loving it! was sad to see you sold yours but it was a wonderful surprise to see you managed to get your hands on TWO for a comparison! The one thing ill say i feel this car is lacking is decent traction and road feel but after seeing this it looks like i might need to start saving up for come of those B14s....

[@volkswizard]

Hi Rob, only sold as my commute went from 4 miles to 25 but as you can see I still drive them and keep making videos. The B14s made a massive difference, more than I expected. Trying some 205 40 17 tyres might be worth a go first though, must test some of those next I think. Thanks for commenting and stay tuned for more vids!

[@Murphy252000]

Whats difference between b12 and b14?

[@camaroviggo123]

I have the same coilovers on my vw up mpi 60 horsepower. It makes it really fun to drive

[@simonupex2628]

Hi Andrew it seems the ride height at the rear is too low comprising the whole feel. If you were to keep the car(obviously you'll move it on)just by adjusting the rear up by 10mm will improve it.

[@volkswizard]

Hi Simon, thanks for commenting. As I said the car was parked on uneven ground in the vid, have you seen the side on pic on Insta? Does that still look too low? I’m inclined to agree with your assessment and if I get a chance I’ll give it a go, thanks 👍

[@Danbo1976]

I completely agree with your assessment. Coilovers were the best mod I did to my UP GTi, and its now at Stage 2.

[@Danbo1976]

@Hrclee its on ST suspension coilovers. Yes drive on all roads and its a huge improvement

[@Danbo1976]

@Hrclee cant go wrong with KW. You’ll love it

[@mrstanhope1516]

Glad to see your Up! gillet is still going strong. I brought one after seeing you had one and it's an essential bit of kit. Just need the car to go with it now.

[@volkswizard]

Well spotted Mr. Stanhope! Yes I love it, perfect for the slightly less cold days of spring, hope someon tells the weather 😁

[@SpikeXtreme]

@@volkswizard Where did you buy your gillet from ? ...i want one !

[@volkswizard]

@@SpikeXtreme Parts Deport are new old stock VWG parts dealer, they had the gilets for around 2 years but all gone now. However this hoodie looks a bargain www.parts-depot.co.uk/mens-black-hoodie-top--genuine-vw-volkswagen-up-collection-merchandise-243-p.asp

[@iantaf5559]

Interesting comparison, Andrew. Cannot wait to see to Lupo GTi project get going!!👍🏼

[@volkswizard]

Thanks Ian. More work I don't have time for but at least it's mainly bodyshop so apart from stripping the front bumper down, it's all their work. Doesn't even need a cambelt which makes a change!

[@Piner5074]

I don’t think you mentioned the cost of the bilsteins? Thinking about getting an UP! GTI as a second car to my MK 7.5 Golf GTI, having watched your videos, I’ve noted that the headlight bulbs need upgrading, but this latest video about the suspension has got me truly intrigued, especially if as you said, the ride is up there with close to my Golf. Food for thought.

[@volkswizard]

I need to clarify that the Up! felt more Golf like in the corners, not so tall and narrow and rolly. Also at the end I say it has a better ride and handling balance like a Golf but this is on the basis that the car is raised up a bit, in the setting as tested will be too firm for a lot of people but some may love what it does to the handling and leave it as is. I am sure it can be adjusted to provide a better balance than the standard set up which doesn't do anything particularly well. As for price, I've changed the title to accommodate this as you are right, it needed to be in there somewhere.

[@chrisgreen764]

I have this suspension on my GTI with wider wheels. As soon as I lowered the psi pressure to 32 all round, as suggested by the tyre fitter, I experienced a much better ride. Small pot holes are no longer a problem. I only wish VW had recommended this pressure.

[@stu2911]

Thanks for the comparison this is something I'm interested in for my up! GTI. Would be interesting to compare H&R 35mm lowering spring against the Bilsteins, although I'm sure the B14's would win.

[@volkswizard]

Hi Stuart, be very careful with H&R springs as I and others have had bad experiences where they have ruined the ride. The Up! is pretty firm as it is and I can't see them making it any better. I'd personally never fit a lowering spring on a standard shock that isn't designed for it. You can get away with it in Germany where H&R are from and the roads are smooth but here it's different. I generally trust Eibach a lot more so if I had a choice, I'd go with them. For £500 the Bilstein kit is a bargain - that's what Demon Tweeks had it up for yesterday on Ebay...

[@stu2911]

@@volkswizardI had Eibach springs fitted to a standard 63 plate High Up! and they improved the road holding tenfold, They would only lower the GTI by 5/10mm but I could only imagine this would be a gain over the standard setup. Thanks for your advice much appreciated.

[@peterlewis3540]

The thing is, is that the H&R springs are not compatible with the standard Up Gti shocks. You can fit them, but more than likely it will ruin the ride and handling of the car. Far better to install the coilovers, as the entire Bilstein setup, is tailor made for the Up.

[@-Mu-min]

volkswizard im about to tune my up gti first im gonna put a forge intake system kit inside with a dump valve from forge also and then chip tune it

[@F1Marky264]

I really want to get these & Some Pilot Sport 4's and I'm sure the difference would be night and day! especially in the Summer. Great Vid as always!

[@volkswizard]

Thanks! had good reports on 205 40 17 Michelins so that would be the premium choice

[@Murphy252000]

4s, can you speck these on up?

[@peterlewis3540]

The best mod, has to be a set of 17in White OZ Rally Racing alloys. The transformation of the appearance of the car is outstanding, and black wheels do nothing for the car

[@jamescollins408]

I've got a 2022 up GTi and the suspension doesn't bottom out or crash like your one seems to. Perhaps VW addressed the problem. However the lane assist corrupts the steering to the point where I have to switch it off each time I drive. One of the post-WLTP benefits, NOT!

[@j-ghull]

As a VW fan boy just wanted to say what a great channel keep it up.

[@JobeMI6]

A set of progressive rate Eibach springs would be perfect. Not too low, not too hard, but would look perfect and feel perfect 👍🏻 I fit a set on my very first car, that we still have. A “C reg” Escort Cabriolet SE in white with white hood and turbo kit that came standard on the SE.....still drives great and looks like new to this day.

[@markturner-smith5309]

Do like the UP! GTI however my question would be can it be daily + used as a track car 2/3 times a year (as unlikely to afford two cars)? Feel you would potentially just be a mobile chicane for all the other track drivers.

[@volkswizard]

It’s not a track car. Tried tracking a Lupo GTI a few years ago, as you say you are looking behind you more than up front. Soon swapped to a 300 PS Golf, far better for the job

[@markturner-smith5309]

@@volkswizard shame interesting what you said about the Lupo GTi, hoping to occasionally track my 6n2 Polo GTI some point (need to sort out worn dampers and horrible - probably bin - mismatch cheap lowering springs. Swapping back to standard springs for now, coilovers later sometime).

[@t2rew]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/pJCmYY2Pe8l6htk

[@markturner-smith5309]

@@t2rew good driving - slippery circuit though will always favour maybe a better balanced car over something else that my have more bhp.

[@sm70911]

Cool vid would love to see best mods for the Mk6 Golf R, even though i suspect it's the same as the UP

[@nigelwilliamson5714]

When you lower a car normally, you fit shorter springs which make the ride more harsh. However, with the Bilstein equipped car's height adjustment you are simply altering the height of the car above the active suspension, but not altering the spring compression. Therefore, it will change the look of the car and the centre of gravity, but I don't believe it will change the ride quality? Have I understood this correctly?

[@volkswizard]

That’s a good point but it assumes a damper works the same however much travel the spring height allows it to have. Bit beyond me to say any more apart from from experience from raising cars before they do ride better but no guarantee this one will as not the same kit or car. I’ll have to try it and see 👍

[@gardupgti4609]

Thank you for this excellent video. Can I ask for clarification on one point please? In the review of the standard Up!, you commented several times on the vague feeling in the steering, and how the car does not give feedback through the steering wheel in corners. I have the same experience. But then in the review of the modified car, you did not mention the steering feel, nor the feedback through the steering on entering corners etc. at all. That was what I was waiting for in your review of the modified car, as you had made so much of it in the review of the standard one. I would be happy if my Up! GTI had the feel of my golf over bumps, on the motorway etc, but if the steering is going to remain as dead feeling, the change in suspension would not solve the problem you identified. Could you please clarify? Thanks again,

[@volkswizard]

Hi, sorry this wasn't clear. The fact it was more confidence inspiring in the wet was because it felt a lot more communicative. I can't be too sure but steering a touch heavier helped. I'd driven it in the dry the night before (still cold temps) on corners I know near home and it was night and day better and I could feel confident like in a Mk5 GTI. How much of this is due to the overly low ride height I don't know but I think it can still sit higher and feel massively better than stock. This car is firmer than stock, much firmer than any Golf but it's so much better in corners it's worth it. Plus you might feel more bumps but it deals with them better so it's not as bad as it sounds. I'd be surprised if it did the awful banging the standard car does over bigger bumps simply because you'd have to hit a much bigger bump to bottom out. Well worth the £500-£600.

[@A.D.S.London]

Add spacers along with the bilsteins then you have a wider track as well as better suspension, nice vid

[@peterlewis3540]

Just add a better set of rims, with a 30mm offset, then you can ditch the spacers. A set of standard UP Gti alloys have an offset of 40mm, and my 7x17 OZ Rally Racing alloys are 30mm offset. The wheel now sits flush with the bodywork, and does not require any spacers. The Ronal Oswald alloys fitted as standard to the Up Gti, are not the best quality.

[@DandyDanDanDanDan]

Can I trouble you for your opinion on how this would effect comfort in town driving? Where I live the state of the roads is pretty bad; lots of pot holes etc. Also, my street and surrounding ones are cobbled. Like the idea of these to improve out of town driving but most of the time it’s driven at low speeds around town so wouldn’t want to make it more uncomfortable.

[@volkswizard]

It's odd as you do feel more bumps but the coilovers deal with them better.

[@DandyDanDanDanDan]

Thanks for the reply.

[@derekallan6231]

Very interesting video only mod done to my up gti is fitting abarth Scorpion claws just for looks I've also gota lupo gti and tdi both on cheap coilovers still way better than standard suspension

[@malcolmscott4150]

Great video Andrew and so interesting to see what a difference quality dampers make to a car built to a price - I’m very much geared towards keeping cars original as possible but this upgrade for a small car makes a significant improvement to an already good car - another project to add to the R8, TT and 80 - fingers crossed for more vids soon :)

[@TherymasterWidnes]

The 5 door Up! looks shocking

[@AAbloopers]

Hi Andrew, Great video - this inspired me into buying the b14 myself!🤘🏼 I have one question, did you replace or simply throw away the rear shock stops when installing the rear? I don’t believe that they were included with the bilstein set.. Br Andreas

[@asphalthedgehog6580]

Thanks for this comparison. Still own a 75HP UP with Eibach only, and harder rubbers in the steering to better steering feel, and that already is so much better, but I feed the damping still suffers, leading to 'end of suspension travel' too early. Comfort on motorways however is fine, and should not be harder. Driving on BlueResponse 195/50/16. Maybe the B12 kit is a good compromise between Eibach only and B14, and price wise somewhat friendlier. In the Netherlands we almost have no crashed B-roads as in GB so B14 may be too much. It's a pity indeed. You should have the opportunity to perform this in spring on an empty road, testing several suspension setups to find the best compromise and the best for your own needs and wishes. If I had a GTI I probably would go for the B14, looking at the smile on your face...

[@sparkford04]

Andrew , as always thanks for another informative and thought stimulating brain energizer, for me to maybe introduce to mine, after my 12 months of ownership in my second UP GTi. Still loving this fun really useful small car with a bit of get up and go. Did both cars have the standard Goodyear tyre fitted from the factory or had they been changed?

[@volkswizard]

Standard tyres, pressures checked and both on the lowest setting of 2.4 bar front 2.2 rear

[@lundog8548]

Thanks for the vid. Be greatfull if you could give me your thoughts on these query’s. Having owned my Up GTI for 18 months or so it’ll be time soon to change the stock tyres which loose traction to much for my liking. What tyres would you recommend as a replacements. Also I have a creaking coming from the steering column which has developed over the last 6 months there doesn’t seam to be any effects on the way the car drives but it’s taking the shine off the driving experience a little. It does get better when the cabin has warmed up but doesn’t completely disappear. As you have owned and driven a few of these is it something you have experienced? Many thanks.

[@volkswizard]

Hi, I know of one car that had airbag slip ring replaced under warranty but it still creaks so is going back. The tyres are a joke and clearly chosen for emissions rather than grip. There are 3 big brand 195 40 17 alternatives BUT you can fit 205 40 17 and there is much more choice like Michlein, Hankook, Yokohama, I'd go Michelin.

[@lundog8548]

volkswizard I’ll be contacting VW in the morning to get it booked in and see what they say. I’ll also mention the drum brakes which have also been sticking quite bad 🙈. Hopefully some simple fixes that will be covered under warranty. Draw backs of motoring I guess. Just to mention your unwrapping of your GTI video inspired me to do the same with mine. I didn’t half have some funny looks off the dealer when I requested it. I was also the 1st customer to have the GTI from Newport dealer S Wales. I really enjoyed peeling that white plastic off the car lol. 👍 I detailed it myself and it looked and still does look incredible.

[@scottjones3782]

Andrew - this was really useful. However is it true that you can run this kit at the standard ride height? A garage told me it was always at least 20mm lower than standard?

[@volkswizard]

Thanks Scott. I measured the drop and then looked at how much adjustment was left on the spring platforms and it looked at least as much as would have been required to run stock height. You can see from he vid the drop (press pause) and while I didn't measure it, you can see how much adjustment is left to raise the platforms.

[@scottjones3782]

Thanks for this - helpful

[@darrencottrell5541]

I'm unfashionably late to the party on this one Andrew. An informative piece with expected results - though speed hump comfort/compliance did take me by surprise. I reckon I'll have the GTI another 2-3 years, decisions, decisions... Having a good insurer who doesn't charge the earth for what could be considered a 'safety enhancement' is another point to consider, though a small price compared to the purchase of the kit and labour to fit (if not tackling it yourself). An extra £500 on the original price to include Bilstein from factory would have been well-justified and would have only served to enhance the press reviews further. I guess given the compromises made by VW to target a broad audience/roads and keep costs attractive, the 'out of the box' car is still a cracking little bargain (at least on the initial price-point launch).

[@pagotogarage]

Very good content video! Thank you very much! I have an UP TSI here in Brazil, and I would like to know if the GTI calipers are the same of the TSI ones?

[@royc8587]

No GTI onea are larger

[@abdulrazaq4742]

Great video mate!

[@ldh2851]

Hi Andrew, appreciate you did this video 2yrs ago now! Do you recall what tyre pressures both cars were running?

[@volkswizard]

Crikey! Not from memory but both would have been on factory unladen pressures.

[@davegahan5908]

The lowered car looks a lot better then the standard up! thats how it should be from VW.

[@colmanorourke5835]

How much does the suspension kit cost? Great video

[@volkswizard]

Demon Tweeks were selling them on Ebay yesterday for £505, their website price is £580 ish

[@lpiavelino6598]

eibach/bilstein is another step up.

[@ad_182_uk]

‘The sooner we get out of feb 2020 the better’. Well shit 😅

[@philheatandplumb8458]

Can I use the kit on my standard VW UP?

[@Mikeysnelgar]

Great comparison! I’ve been looking to buy an Up GTI for ages, and suspension was definitely a mod I was considering. Would Bilstein be your suspension of choice?

[@volkswizard]

I've only tried Bilstein, would like to try KW V1 but they are 30% more expensive and can't imagine them being 30% better. That would be a good test. As it stands the car is too low for me so I need to reserve judgement until it's higher. If it's too hard then, then I'd hope KW would be better. All I can say is the car as tested with Bilstein, even though it's firmer, is significantly nicer to drive than standard. Basically the improved handling and bump absorbtion make up for it being a fit or a harder ride.

[@Mikeysnelgar]

volkswizard I’d love to hear from you what it’s like at standard ride hight. I know that car is a part of your stock, would you consider adjusting the suspension to see what it’s like or do you typically leave the cars as is?

[@ed40lew]

Another great video Andrew 👍 I really do love the look of these cars, only wish they had a DSG version.

[@volkswizard]

try Seat Ibiza 1.0 TSI FR 115 DSG, same engine, better chassis, similar price

[@ed40lew]

@@volkswizard will do, cheers.

[@mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm420]

Do you still have the Bistein car? Can you adjust it back to normal ride height and report back please?

[@volkswizard]

Just a question of time - this video will yield me £20 in YT revenue if I am lucky, that won't even pay for the tracking needed once the ride height has been messed with. If it was a sponsored video then I'd be obliged to demonstrate them at a number of settings but sadly it's not! My gut feeling is that the improvement will be even better at a higher setting because it's not ruined even that low.

[@mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm420]

@@volkswizard Fair enough. I didn't know tracking was affected by winding up and down the collar.

[@drkharfan6733]

what tires would you put?

[@volkswizard]

205 40 17 Michelin Pilot Sport 4 are popular with owners and probably what the engineers would have wanted if they weren't forced to go low rolling resistance eco tyres for emissions

[@intensetazer]

I'm sure the car would benefit greatly from swapping to some lighter wheels too, same sizing just lighter, such as OZ Ultraleggera. Bet those OE wheels are very heavy.

[@volkswizard]

I had the wheels off yesterday and they didn't seem all that heavy to be honest but as ever with cheap mass production cars, improvments can be made. It's been said that the car would be a lot better on 16" wheels and slightly higher profile tyres but it looks so damn good on 17s!

[@robtt997]

Excellent informative review . As usual !

[@volkswizard]

Thanks Rob, much appreciated!

[@The__ASH]

Insurance. Many insurers don’t entertain any mods at all and moving to another would up costs. Installing stuff and not telling them could render your cover invalid in the event of a claim. Isn’t the best most cost effective approach to enjoy the car standard?

[@joelwafula7703]

Good morning Sir! Great content once again! May I ask. Do you fix, or restore cars? I have a restoration project, tt 225 mk1 quattro project and I planning for where to take it. I would like add things like bilstein coilovers, wheels and engine modifications too; perhaps a rebuild

[@ballysohal9770]

Dont waste your money. Buy a newer car instead.

[@volkswizard]

Hi Joel, sady I'm just a dealer. www.autops.co.uk may be able to help though👍

[@joelwafula7703]

volkswizard thank you so much

[@olaniyanmichael640]

❤❤❤

[@stephenwilcockson6753]

Is the Lupo GTI for sale ?,looking for one to buy . Thanks Steve

[@volkswizard]

Hi Steve, Lupo will be a long way off sale and I might decide to keep it as chances of another like that are slim, you never know though, new house is sapping a lot of funds so luxuries like cars I never drive are no longer always viable...

[@stephenwilcockson6753]

@@volkswizard thank you for your reply, we are trying to find a unmolested one to replace our Concours winning Beetle, it's one we have never owned in our history of 70+ cars from the VW/AUDI group and 45 years of marriage. We don't know if the various Japanese imports are a good buy? Chassis is better on them, so that's a start in preparation. Will have to keep looking. Kind regards Steve & Wendy.

[@j-ghull]

Lol i was laughing at the motorway part. Reminded me of my 1.0 polo and moving to a golf.

[@livingthroughtv]

5:43 - how that comment has aged, haha

[@volkswizard]

If only we could have stayed in Feb 2020 for 2 years 😁

[@Alex_fergo]

Typical up! The window scraper strips gone green.... for a new car that’s awful!

[@ernestpaniagua1210]

Nope

[@ryanm347]

Why test the none lowered Gti when we always see your one that u sold an if you do a test in a 20 y do 25 you’ll obviously hit the bumps harder

[@volkswizard]

Not everyone has necessarily watched the old video with speed humps, plus these are different speed humps so it would be unfair to compare how the car responds. The reason I drove the Bilstein car faster was because I knew what the standard car would do (bang and crash) and I didn't want to do that as it's not good for the car. didn't feel that the Bilstein car was as likely to do this as it was handling the bumps better so decided to try it and it was OK. When I make these videos I am testing the car as I talk so I am learning what it will do while filming. What's your point exactly?

[@gorambo]

Absolutely horrible audio. You really need a better mic.

[@69bock69]

If the up was not a new car and owed you same as the lupo wich would you keep?

[@volkswizard]

Tricky, Lupo is so sold now and they rust and I hate rust. As a weekend car it's be Lupo but Up! can be used daily so is more useful really.

[@69bock69]

I'm really tempted by the up. And by time you get a used one and add the interest on the garage will charge you . Your better off getting a new one over 3yrs interest free. Pity they have gone up in price. They do a kings metallic red now that adds a touch of extra class. But I'm a sucker for tornado red.