I've done a search and havnt found the answers I'm after, so apologies if they are there and I've missed them.

Questions about coilovers .

1, Are the height adjuster threads on the outside ? and if they are, whats the best way to keep them lubed and how to stop them getting crudded up ?

2, One thread on here commented that coilovers for less than £200 are a waste of time.

Someone else has said that you cant go wrong with TA Technix coilovers.

Here are a set of TA's for £139 . http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TA-TECHNIX-COILOVER-EVOGWVW05-INCL-LIMITER-DUST-COVER-VW-POLO-6N-/281777215042?hash=item419b3b1642:g:pJoAAOSwcu5UT70~

Would they be any good ? as they are much less than £200 ?

3, When you adjust the height, is it a good idea or necessary to have the wheel alignment checked/adjusted ?

4, If you get a leaky shock, would you have to replace the entire set ? or do some manufacturers offer individual replacement parts ?

5, Can you adjust the dampening on coilovers ?

Or is it better to get a matched set of springs and shocks ? What are the pros and cons of each option.

Advice on this very gratefully received.

1. Yes they are, I always used copper grease on the threads to keep them lubed up. Also a good idea to break the adjusters free every so often so they don't seize up solid.

2. TA Technix coilovers are good if you just want lows. Just don't expect much in the way of ride quality.

3. Yes if you are changing the height it is always a good idea to get the wheel alignment checked, however if you go too low you may struggle to find a place that has the equipment to do it.

4. If you have TA Technix you would probably have to buy a whole new set, but if you go down the spring and shock route from a decent manufacturer then you can buy individual items from some of them.

5. TA Technix coilovers are height adjustable only. If you want more adjustment then you are looking at much more expensive coilovers.

My advice would be if you want lows then just buy TA coilovers as decent spring and shock kits don't get anywhere near as low. However if you want handling then fixed height spring and shock kits are the way to go. I had a 60/40 Spax damping adjustable kit on one of my 6Ns years ago. The handling was ten times better than the TA coilovers that I'd always used before. They weren't cheap though, over £400 for the kit I believe.

really just echoing what kwijibo said coil overs have a honeymoon period where the car feels like a go kart and you can get stupidly low with them, but eventually they will just seem hard and crashy and make you wince over every pebble, plus there's the problem of practicality. Don't get me wrong, I drove to Disneyland and back with a full car on coilies, they actually helped in some regard and they are up to the everyday task if your not too low, but then you may aswell just get a decent set of springs and shocks if you aren't going too low anyway.

Springs and shock offer more comfort and practicality but a fixed ride height, as said, expensive shocks do offer damping adjustment if that's what you are after. There's no clear cut winner in general, it all depends on what you would prefer the most.

And definitely 100% get tracking/alignment done after any ride height adjustment/suspension work, I recently put mine back on springs which was an estimated 60mm lift on the front and the alignment was akin to a clown car.

Thanks for that gents. I think I'm going to go with a good set of springs and shocks. Not interested in going low low. Just upgrading the handling and a small drop.

Once again, thanx. Much appreciated.