The springs were of unacceptable quality. The indicated lowering was 1". The actual drop was closer to 3". There was no suspension travel and the springs were coil bound to the point 4 coils were touching in the front. Numerous calls and emails with both Tirerack and H&R insisted there was no issue with the springs. After numerous photos and installs I was eventually refunded ONLY the price of the springs after Tirerack shipped the springs to Germany for H&R analysis. I am out time and labor of both installs and the cost of two alignments as a result. I was completely dissatisfied with the level of service I received on this transaction. Had this been my only transaction with Tirerack I would not have come back. I hope this transaction is a minor glitch on what has been an otherwise great business relationship.

-- Review submitted 2012-08-17

Overall the R1 s are an excellent product, with some caveats, which we ll discuss first. For the Volkswagen GTI Mk5 Eibach is supplying the R1 s with spring rates that simply don t work. The supplied rates are 275f, 300r. At 275 front, there simply isn t enough spring rate with little 7" linear race springs to prevent the car from bottoming. However, the shocks have more than enough damping to support springs up to 600 lb/in. I ended up with 350fr/300rear, which has been working well. The supplied shocks seem to be of excellent quality, the inverted gas mono-tubes work great at the track and when turned down to softer settings are plenty comfortable on the street. The only other slight complaint is the rear adjusters. Rather than use a simple knob to adjust, Eibach uses a small wheel with holes, you use a pin to turn the adjuster. They are located at bottom of shock. A thumb wheel would have made much more sense (like AST s or Ohlins etc.). Otherwise great product. The finish and packaging of the shocks is first rate, you ll know you re getting a quality product when you unbox them. With the caveat of the springs not being ideal (but easily replaceable) highly recommended for a car seeing track days. Note that I ordered my new springs from Hyperco, they make excellent springs. Note that the rating system is sorta difficult in that suspension handling is really dependent on how you set up the damping and springs rates. For a few extra bucks also consider the R2, which has separate adj for rebound and compression.

-- Review submitted 2012-02-12

Rides a little stiff, unphased by big dips and pot holes. Corners like its on rails.

Steering very responsive, very little body role. Amazing set up.

-- Review submitted 2010-03-18