For many Volkswagen Caddy owners, the standard suspension leaves a bit to be desired in handling and stance. Adjustable aftermarket setups like air ride and coilover kits allow you to dial in the perfect ride height and sharpen up things in the corners.
But which one reigns supreme - the plush, infinitely variable air ride systems or the racetrack-bred coilover crew? There are pros and cons to each that are worth exploring.
The Case for Air Ride
Air suspension offers your Caddy the ultimate flexibility and adjustability. At the literal touch of a button or flick of a controller, you can raise and lower the ride height through a massive range.
Slammed nearly to the floor for that wicked show stance? No problem. Need to clear some steep driveway entries or rough terrain? A quick toggle to max height gives you the clearance. Air ride lets you have it both ways - extreme low cruising mixed with real-world practicality when needed.
The air-sprung setup also delivers an impressively plush ride quality that'll have you floating over bumps like a hovercraft. It's the comfiest way to get low.
Of course, the convenience and versatility of air ride systems come at a cost - typically £2,000 to £4,000 for a quality kit and installation. That's some serious coin, though arguably worth it for the adjustability gains.
Coilovers: The Budget-Friendly Option
Proper coilover setups use stiff, track-proven springs and dampers to significantly sharpen up the handling dynamics through the corners. You'll experience way less body roll, sharper turn-ins and more mid-corner balance than the sloppy stock shocks.
Ride quality does take a bit of a hit versus air - coilovers are inherently firmer when set low. But many kits offer adjustable damping that lets you dial in a decent compromise between back-road performance and daily driving comfort.
And if you're just looking for that slammed static stance without the complex air setup? Coilover kits are an absolute no-brainer for pro-level handling at sill-scraping ride heights.
Considering Your Priorities
At the end of the day, the suspension you choose depends largely on your specific usage demands and priorities for the Caddy.
If you absolutely must have the ability to raise and lower the ride height on demand for navigating steep trails, speed bumps, and the like, an air ride is probably your best bet despite the price premium.
Similarly, if pillowy-soft compliance and levelling between laden and unloaded conditions are musts, you'll want to bite the bullet on a high-quality air system.
But if you're just looking to get low and sharpen up the handling dynamics without breaking the bank, coilovers offer outstanding performance for your money. You'll sacrifice some flexibility but gain awesome turn-in response and road manners.
