Handling is undoubtedly the essence of control, the factor in the power equation that keeps the driver in command of the car, and never the other way around. The betterment of those components that comprise the suspension, the braking system and so on, parts that ensure that a driver's actions are met by constantly predictable reactions from the car, are the focus of this section. The handling modifications for this car were planned so that they would not appear out of place were they to be found incorporated into a factory produced version with an emphasis on performance.

17 x 7.5" iwc (italian wheel company) quicksilver wheels

The addition of 17 inch wheels was never a question for the GTI, although frugality was initially the reason for staying with the stock 16 inch 'Montreal' wheels. 17 inch wheels seem to draw the best elements of a wider track (for more precise steering inputs) and a minimal rolling mass (so as not to lessen acceleration), along with a lower susceptibility to damage that seems to be inherent with larger diameter wheels. The availability of the Quicksilvers for a good price expedited the selection process, and without much regret.

Fortunately the Mk. IV's overall design lends it well to most wheel designs, 5 spokes and multi-spokes being the more common choice of tuners. The Quicksilver's five spokes make them seem larger in diameter than they really are, with many people asking if they are 18 inch wheels, rather than their modest 17 inches. What gives this impression is that the spokes are rather thick, and remain straight all the way to the lip of the rim, whereas some rims will taper off to the edge making them look smaller as a result.

They have a 5x100 bolt pattern, with an offset of 38.

bilstein 'sport' shocks/h&r 'sport' springs

These two particular modifications are mentioned together because they work in unision with one another. Many people ask whether they can change just their shocks/struts or just their springs, the answer (in short) is no. The reason for this is that suspension components are matched for one another, and mixing and matching could have dangerous results. For example, the amount of travel a shock absorber has must be matched with an appropriately wound spring, otherwise the shock will "bottom out", or reach the end of its travel, possibly damaging the parts. Cut springs are equally dangerous, if not more so. Cutting a spring changes its tension characteristics, in most cases making them too tense, causing the entire car to move rather than just the suspension components. In other words, if you're going to do it, do it right.

The primary concern with suspension modifications was to improve the cornering, braking and acceleration characteristics of the car, without compromising ride quality or comfort. When compared to the stock, or factory sport suspension, the Bilstein/H&R combo is slightly more aggresive, without being too harsh on the occupants. Although more road irregularities are felt, this gives the driver a better sense of the road conditions, and in turn helps with driver awareness. Body roll during cornering and dive or squat during braking and acceleration are no longer a factor, which allows the car to enter and exit corners with more speed. The drop with Bilstein 'Sport' shocks and H&R 'Sport' springs is approximately 1.5" in the front, and 1.4" in the rear, thus retaining the stock 'raked' look.

There are 4 basic grades, or stages, of suspension available (this is true, in general, for all modern cars with a passive suspension set up):

• Sofsport, or OEM Sport
• Sport
• Race
• Adjustable/Coilovers

Sport, is sometimes referred to as a Stage I upgrade. This usually consists of a complete upgrade of the shocks and the springs. As the consumer, you can choose from a variety of shocks and springs from different manufacturers. Under this category are upgrade kits, or packages, such as the H&R's Cup Kit designed specifically for the 4 cylinder VWs. This option is best suited for daily drivers who want to have improved handling characteristics for weekend track or autocross action. There is usually a 1 to 1.5" drop in ride height.

Race is a relatively harsh set up, sometimes referred to as a Stage II upgrade. It is strongly recommended as an upgrade choice for a secondary or weekend car because ride quality suffers greatly. As with the Sport setup, there are a variety of springs and shocks to choose from. Race is generally a perfect set up for those who track or autocross their cars on a regular basis, and there is a 2" or more drop in ride height. The correct part numbers for the Bilstein shocks on a Mk. IV GTI with the 12v VR6 is: F4-VE3-4408-H0 (front) and F4-BE3-2544-H0 (rear).

Adjustable/Coilovers are usually packages that consist of shocks with adjustable ride height, and matched springs. Included in this category are Bilstein's coilover packages such as the PSS9, and Koni's adjustable shocks. This is a suspension set up that I would only suggest installing in a show car or a daily track car simply because the ride quality is as harsh as that found with the Race setup. Maintaining this type of suspension is also difficult because changes in ride height must be done precisely and with great care so as not upset the balance in suspension components.

michelin pilot hx mxm4 225/45 r17 (summer) tires

This is what The Tire Rack has to say about these tires...

     "Forceful, yet polished, rapid, yet refined, the Michelin Pilot HX MXM radial reveals the full potential of luxury performance touring cars, bringing comfort with peak performance. The Pilot HX MXM's reinforced casing provides strength for high cornering forces, tempered with the compliance that comfort requires. Its advanced Michelin tread compound combines extraordinory dry grip with powerfully reassuring wet traction. Its European performance tire profile and highly progressive responses naturally pull you up the performance learning curve. Driving on the Pilot HX MXM, you become more confident, comfortable— and formidable — than ever before. For eating up the rood with perfect manners, this is Michelin's unparalleled tire. Original equipment on the world's finest luxury performance cars, the Pilot HX MXM is original equipment on Mercedes, BMW, SAAB and others."

- Text and photo copyrighted 1995-2001 TTR (The Tire Rack)

mintex red box brake pads

The search for new pads began with two contenders, EBC and Mintex, more specifically the EBC Green Stuff pads and the Mintex Red Box pads. The deciding factor was found in pad comparison done by Max Power USA where the EBCs were victorious as the overall best pads available, with the Mintexs coming in second with points very close to EBC's. The decision was made to buy the Mintexs because the car does not see the track very often, and the Mintexs do not require as much heat as the EBCs in order to reach their optimal operating temperature.

The pads are very good and are highly recommendable, these along with slotted rotors, stainless steel brake lines and DOT5 brake fluid are what comprise Stage I brake upgrade kits for many tuners. There is little to no fade with these pads,with the only complaint being that they have a tendency to squeal if they are not warmed up, or are used in low temperature climates.

As a general note to Mk. IV owners (New Beetles included), the front pads of MY1999.5 cars were equipped with wear sensors that trigger a light in the instrument cluster when the pads are worn out. Unfortunately the Mintex plugs do not mate to the VW wiring harness, and therefore need to be grafted to the wires from the original pads in order to retain the sensor function. It is a simple, two wire job that most brake shops and DIYers can handle. As with all electronic work, a clean solder and shrinkwrap tubing for protection are strongly recommended.

nokian hakkapeliitta nrw 205/55 r16 (winter) tires

The Nokians are mounted on the stock 16 inch 'Montreal' wheels, and are more than sufficient for the mild northeast winters. The tread on the NRWs is very chunky, and is close in pattern and design to the tread on most full service snow tires I have seen. The NRWs are rated 'Severe Service' tires, even though they are listed as all-weather tires, this is denoted by a snowflake-on-the-mountain icon on the tire sidewall. This means that they conform to the U.S. Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA)'s 1999 agreement "on a performance based standard which will help differentiate dedicated passenger and light truck winter tires from all-season tires" (Nokian Tyres website).

The tires were purchased and mounted in January of 2002. The tires performed very well in snow conditions that varied from slush, to ice, to fresh powder, as the car served duty as daily duty, as well ski trip transportation. The sense of security that these tires provide is well worth the $500 that they cost, with an added benefit being that they go through severe weather testing in their homeland of Finland.