Red9 - Honest opinions?

[threefiftysix]

I know a few of you have used Red9 recently. I'm considering a front end and probably back end uniball system.
A bit of research on the net suggests a few people have come away with it not quite installed correctly and loose bits and pieces and tales of poor steering feel and wonky set ups and that begins to set the alarm bells ringing... I know the vw world is full of people who like knocking products, but similarly there also seems to be a culture of people believing the hype and 'bigging up' products which are utterly terrible.

Honest opinions before i shell out 2.5k? Other option is to spend a bit more and import one from mendeola, although finding someone in the uk with one is not easy.

[bonerp]

been thinking the same just to improve the steering!

Not seen any pics lately....?!?!

[stevesprite]

Yea Ive been thinking about doing the same for some time now.

The product looks good, but I agree, it would be great to hear from people who have had it fitted, to see how good it actually is. I would also be looking at fitting it myself as I am too far away to have it done by Red 9. Any DIYers out there who have done it. How easy is it to fit, and set up ?


Steve

[mdmax72]

Ok honest answers, I've Got it and LIKE IT.

Built my car and when l drove on the beetle set up it shite the life out of me, but thats my own opinion. But im no sunday driver either so that does come into play?? If you guys gave me your money and asked whether i'd have it again over the beetle set-up l would spend your money quicker than a flash

If you see my car at any shows hunt me down, l would let you see for yourself. It's a differant feel from new cars though with power steering. But l like it.

If you fit it yourself, easy enough as long as you got some basic engineering skills and comon sense. Its only the steering column and shaft that needs altering which you could get done by someone else...with a welder and that can weld.

l will say dont buy it though if your not going to get it set up and l mean by a pro not some tyre place with a laser alignment robot, as it will be money wasted and you will not be happy aswell as get the rewards back for your investment.

[threefiftysix]

Looking likely I will be doing this as the next upgrade. Cheers.

[ims101]

Like Rich I love my Red 9 it has transformed my car. The steering is a little stiff on mine at the moment but I've been told that will loosen up after it been driven some more. The back end on mine is so much more stable road holding is vastly improved all round its a better car now well worth the money in my opinion!

[threefiftysix]

Booked in for the full treatment... Just got to wait six weeks...

[mdmax72]

Congrats threefiftysix on the booking, just as l said before and Ian will confirm you gotta get it set up proper. Centre G had input on the design and knows this product well. Not saying nobody else carn't set it up, just that, better if you are familiar with the product to get the best out of it...

Ian you need to drive it about a bit more to loosen it up .

Mendola is a nice set up but by the time you add shipping costs is it worth it. When l was researching the differant suspension options l did like the idea that the mendola came painted and comes with anti roll bars, aswell as abit more adjustment on the rear arms. All in all though the red9 has no anti roll bars but to be honest l dont get much body roll when its thrown into a corner . My only moan is it needs to be painted better to last longer, but this will not bother alot of people. Heres a few pictures of the Mendola set up...

[Nige]

The bottom mount for the coilovers on that mendola unit looks low.

[threefiftysix]

It is very low. I got some dimension from the USA and I can't see how they wouldn't trail on the floor on my car which is not excessively low.

Will be off to CofG for setting up - false economy not to. In for a penny... In for thousands of pounds! Need new wheels and tyres too before it is set up

There is no getting away from the fact it drives like a dog with the vw suspension, I've spent so much I may as well go the whole hog and have a car I enjoy driving.

[mdmax72]

At least you can sell the front beetle suspension bits on ebay. It'll help towards the set-up thats what l did eventually....

[ims101]

Red 9 had my old gear off me they gave me a couple of hundred quid for it all and it saved me selling it on flea bay!!

Rich did you find yours stiff at first (the stearing on your car that is) how long did it take to soften off??

[mdmax72]

It was abit stiff to start with, my steering that is . think you just need to use it down the lanes of the country and not just clocking up the miles if you know what l mean. Give it abit of time to see if it loosens up, if not i'm sure Chris will change the front to make it alittle lighter...What camber did he set the front??. Should be on your print out..

[ims101]

the final front axle camber is set at left -0.32' right -0.44'
if that makes any sense to you??

[mdmax72]

Mine is set at left 0.39 and right 0.50 so not alot of difference. See how you get on.