Anyone on the board have air ride experience?
 

Hey guys, I got engaged this weekend and the lady wants to buy me bags as an engagement gift since we agree its bullshit the girl gets a diamond and the guy gets nothing. So I've already figured out I will probably get the slam digital kit from bag riders, but I know there is no fucking way I have the understanding to install them. Where did you guys go in the city, and how much am I looking at for an install price? I'm also not opposed to someone who has done their own install doing it for some cash. The car is a mk5 vw gti. Kit is here MK5 GOLF/GTI FULL KIT WITH AUTOPILOT V2 MANAGEMENT - BAG RIDERS
Thanks in advance guys,
Chris

I had bags in my old '74 Super Beetle. Installing them is actually quite simple, and I've no doubt that the guys on Vortex and even Dubberz can give you a few specific pointers for the MK5... assuming you felt like attempting it yourself.

That said, have you considered the pros and cons of an air ride system vs. a fully adjustable traditional suspension?

I already have dampening and height adjustable konis, and had them on my corrado. Also had pss9s on my mk5 before these, and h&r coils on my first car 9 years ago (e30), so I've definitely had experience with coils. My coils are all the way at the bottom, and its not as low as I'd like to be. I could remove perches, but modifying the coils seems like it could be a recipe for blown shocks pretty quick. If I was a performance guy, I'd stick with the coils, but I'd like to try something different. Also, the v2 management allows for 8 preset heights. Parked, city driving height, highway height, wife driving height are super exciting prospects. I'm ready for convenience, and making the car practical for the lady, especially with the aggressive wheel setup I run.

Come on VIP guys, I saw you at the summer meet. Help me out!

Engagement present from the lady?!?! :fullofwin: Sounds like you found a good one :thumbsup:

:lawl: because highway height simply does not cut it.

give the guys at PG Performance a call - they'll know.

They have never done it unfortunately. It seems the only place I've found so far is a place called custom metalcraft in POCO. I'm starting to think taking a few days and slowly working through it myself with a couple buddies and beer might be an option, the more I read up.

I've done quite a few custom suspensions including airride. And would be happy to tackle that system or build you one

Having had air in my previous car, i personally prefer coilovers now.
My suggestion, if budget allows, is to get aircups on top of coilovers, that way you get height adjustment on the fly, and be able to drive on coilovers.
I didn't like how the bags felt, its hard for me to explain, but i didnt like driving on it.
But parking, rolling around dumped is pretty sweet for pictures lol.

pretty sure this is what op wants. cant wait for pics :fullofwin:

I had similar experience. My previous car was bagged. Didn't really like how it felt, Less feedback from the road when pushing the car hard. Kind of floaty. Love my coilovers now. But being bagged was super convenient for making it over speed bumps, driveways etc. And very comfy ride even running 19"s with 30 series rubber.

I had the easy street kit with autopilot. Just be careful with the presets, I found it rides high when it's hot out and can be super low when it was cold. Also once it started getting cold out I had fittings blow out and leaky lines. But if you inspect once a month or so you should be good.

Any time I had problems with mine I went to lowriders in Surrey. They were kind of pricy but know their stuff.

I hear you guys on the coilover thing, but as for the air cups over the coils, its not really what I'm looking for, as I still can only go as low as the coils can, which they are already as far down as they can go. My car spends no time at the track, very little time being driven hard, so I'm willing to sacrifice a bit of performance, but really, how much could I be sacrificing when I'm already rolling around this low. I know for sure my car sitting the way it sits is far from properly set up for handling. The thing is right now, I have to pick my lanes, and routes. I don't mind it, as I have been doing it for 10 years, but the gf just doesn't have that thought process. My car is really built only to look good (IMO) and the next step can only be achieved with a stance change. Either different wheels, or bags. The bags kinda kill 2 birds with one stone as it makes the car more convenient to drive. New wheels would end up probably being more aggressive even, which is no bueno for the lady to drive. Thanks for the insight so far guys, and I'll be in contact with you soon Phil. I'll probably come down and we can talk in person about the install, and my options.

I recently bought a cup kit that should be arriving very soon, air bags are too much maintenance, and too risky in my opinion, cups are safer, performance is not hindered, etc...

Speed Syndicate is installing it for me, they've already done a few similar installs, it's why I'm going to them

if your mind is made up on bags, then go with the UAS system, it's pretty good