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MTS Technik Adjustable Lowering Springs: Set Your Own Drop and Keep Your Factory Dampers

MTS Technik Adjustable Lowering Springs: Set Your Own Drop and Keep Your Factory Dampers

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MTS adjustable lowering springs from MTS Technik are now live on the MCG shop, and we have incoming stock of four of the core VW Group kits: MTSALSVW15, MTSALSVW17, MTSALSVW19 and MTSALSVW21. Between them they cover the Mk7 Golf, the 8V Audi A3, the Mk3 Seat Leon and the Mk3 Skoda Octavia, with the MTSALSVW21 kit also covering the Arteon, Passat B8 saloon and Superb Mk3.

What Are MTS Adjustable Lowering Springs?

Normal lowering springs give you one fixed drop. If the car sits higher or lower than you hoped, that is what you are living with. Coilovers give you full height adjustment, but they replace your dampers, cost more, and on a car with adaptive dampers they bin a system you have already paid for.

MTS Technik Adjustable Springs sit in between. In MTS’s own words, they combine “the functionality of lowering springs, threaded adjustments and a standard shock absorber in one product.” You keep your original shock absorbers and swap in:

  • Eibach-made springs. The range was co-developed with Eibach, and MTS use specially designed composite adapters so the springs can be run unground, which keeps coil contact to a minimum and helps them last longer.
  • Threaded hexaCOIL adjusters front and rear, so you can set the height within the kit’s range.
  • Dust covers, upper strut bearings and bump stops where the car needs them. MTS match the spring and bump stop characteristics to avoid the bouncy “ping-pong” feel you can get from a cheap drop.

It is also a reversible modification. Put the original springs back in and the car is standard again.

How the Height Adjustment Works

Going by the MTS installation manual, the rear is adjusted with the spring fitted to the car. The front can only be adjusted with the strut removed, so it is worth deciding on your front height before the struts go back in. The manual also calls for at least 5 mm of clearance between the tyre/rim and the strut, which matters if you are running wider wheels.

MTS adjustable lowering springs: close-up of the threaded hexaCOIL height adjuster and red Eibach-made springs from the MTS Technik Adjustable Springs kit

How Low Do They Go?

These are the lowering ranges MTS publish for these kits:

  • 30–45 mm front / 25–40 mm rear on most Golf, A3, Leon, Octavia, Arteon and Passat fitments.
  • 10–25 mm front / 5–20 mm rear on the Golf Mk7 GTI, GTI Clubsport and GTD (hatch), the Golf Mk7 Estate GTD and the Leon Mk3 Cupra / Cupra R (MTSALSVW21 kit). These cars already sit lower from the factory, so the range is smaller.
  • 35–50 mm front / 30–45 mm rear on the Skoda Superb Mk3 hatch (1.4 and 1.8 TSI, FWD).

Actual lowering can vary on cars with extra equipment such as a towbar or LPG system.

Keep Your DCC and Adaptive Dampers

This is the big one. MTS state that “the electronic/hydraulic damping force adjustment of the standard shock absorber remains active.” Because the kit works with your original shocks, factory adaptive dampers such as VW’s DCC (Dynamic Chassis Control) stay on the car, stay plugged in and keep working. Comfort, Normal and Sport still do what they did before. There is nothing to unplug, and no cancellation kit to buy.

Compare that with fitting coilovers to a DCC car. MTS’s own coilover instructions say that if the car came with electronic suspension (they name DCC and Audi Magnetic Ride), you need either a third-party cancellation kit on the leftover damper connectors or the system disabled by a tuner, to stop fault messages coming up.

Worth knowing: after lowering a DCC car, it is good practice to have the DCC ride height calibration re-run with a suitable diagnostic tool and the wheel alignment checked.

Comparison of MTS Adjustable Springs and coilovers on a DCC car: with adjustable springs the factory dampers stay connected, DCC modes keep working and no cancellation kit is needed; coilovers replace the dampers and need a cancellation kit or coding to avoid fault messages

Who Are They For?

  • DCC and adaptive damper cars that need a lower stance without losing the factory damping modes.
  • Daily drivers after a sorted drop on standard dampers, without the cost of a full coilover setup.
  • Anyone fussy about fitment. Dial in the arch gap for your wheels and tyres, which a fixed spring will never let you do.
  • Owners who want it reversible for resale.

Which Kit Fits Your Car?

Two things decide which kit you need: the rear axle type (torsion beam or multilink) and the maximum permitted front axle load on your car’s rating plate. The engine lists overlap between kits, so check both before ordering. Every kit is €475.00 inc VAT.

MTS Adjustable Springs fitment table: MTSALSVW15 torsion beam rear up to 1000 kg, MTSALSVW17 multilink rear up to 1000 kg, MTSALSVW19 torsion beam rear 1001–1130 kg and MTSALSVW21 multilink rear 1001–1130 kg, covering Golf Mk7, Audi A3 8V, Seat Leon Mk3, Skoda Octavia Mk3, Arteon, Passat B8 and Superb Mk3

MTSALSVW15: Torsion Beam Rear, Front Axle Load up to 1000 kg

VW Golf Mk7 Hatch (5G1), Golf Mk7 Estate (BA5), Audi A3 8V 3-Door, A3 8V Sportback, A3 8V Saloon, Seat Leon Mk3 5-Door, Leon Mk3 SC, Leon Mk3 ST and Skoda Octavia Mk3 Hatch (5E).

MTSALSVW17: Multilink Rear, Front Axle Load up to 1000 kg

VW Golf Mk7 Hatch, Audi A3 8V 3-Door, A3 8V Sportback, A3 8V Saloon, Seat Leon Mk3 5-Door and Leon Mk3 SC.

MTSALSVW19: Torsion Beam Rear, Front Axle Load 1001–1130 kg

VW Golf Mk7 Hatch, Golf Mk7 Estate, Audi A3 8V 3-Door, A3 8V Sportback, A3 8V Saloon, Seat Leon Mk3 5-Door, Leon Mk3 SC, Leon Mk3 ST and Skoda Octavia Mk3 Hatch.

MTSALSVW21: Multilink Rear, Front Axle Load 1001–1130 kg

VW Golf Mk7 Hatch, including GTI, GTI Clubsport and GTD, Golf Mk7 Estate GTD, VW Arteon (3H7/3H8), VW Passat B8 Saloon (3G2), FWD and 4Motion, Audi A3 8V 3-Door, A3 8V Sportback, A3 8V Saloon, Seat Leon Mk3 5-Door, including Cupra / Cupra R, Leon Mk3 SC, including Cupra and Skoda Superb Mk3 Hatch (FWD).

Each product page has the full engine code and year table. Not sure? Send us your reg and we will confirm the right kit.

The Full MTS Technik Range Through MCG

These four kits are only part of it. MTS Adjustable Springs are also listed for the Golf Mk8, Audi A3 8Y, Leon Mk4/Cupra Leon, Octavia Mk4 and BMW M2, M3 and M4, alongside MTS fixed lowering springs and full coilover kits. As the Irish distributor for MTS Technik, we can order anything in their catalogue. Browse the full MTS range on our shop or ask us about a part you cannot see listed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will MTS Adjustable Lowering Springs Work With DCC?

Yes. MTS state that the electronic/hydraulic damping adjustment of the standard shock absorber remains active, so your DCC dampers stay connected and keep working, with no cancellation kit needed.

What Is the Difference Between Adjustable Springs and Coilovers?

Adjustable springs reuse your original dampers and adjust height within a set range. Coilovers replace the dampers completely.

Can I Adjust the Height Myself After Fitting?

The rear can be adjusted on the car. The front needs the strut removed. Professional fitting is strongly recommended, and a qualified mechanic or suspension specialist needs to install suspension parts for warranty purposes.

What Warranty Do They Come With?

MTS back the Adjustable Springs with a 5-year manufacturer warranty with no mileage limit.

Do These Kits Fit a Golf R?

No. These four kits are for front-wheel-drive Golfs. MTS list separate kits for 4Motion Golfs, so get in touch and we will confirm what suits the R.

Order Yours From MCG Auto-Styling

The MTS Technik Adjustable Springs are live on the shop now, with incoming stock of the MTSALSVW15, MTSALSVW17, MTSALSVW19 and MTSALSVW21 kits. Pick your car from the links above or browse the MTS Suspension range.

Want to check fitment or ask a question first? Call us on 046-9240899, WhatsApp us on 086 333 7877, or email info@mcgautostyling.com. You can also call in to us at Castle Street, Kells, Co. Meath.