Top mounts! Whats the definitive answer?

[Golfboy666GTI]

What is the ideal top mount to use in S2's/RS's?
It must be a question that so many of us ponder, yet can find the definitive answer.
The more research I do on the forum the more my head hurts lol

So in my mind there two uses for our cars, daily driven/road driven and track work so whats the best top mounts for each?

For road are we best to stick with OEM/Audi "green" top mounts, and if so which are the brands to buy and not to buy? There seem to be so many options that look all the same, but some must are better quality than others. Some of these brands range from Torpan, Febi, Audi, FEQ etc. Prices also seem to fluctuate hugely, same with wear rates? What lasts and what doesnt?
Then we seem to have the 034 Motorsport top mounts. People used to rave on about how good they are, now they seem to be get a lot of negative feedback? Why is this? Are they not what they are cracked up to be?

For the track are solid top mounts the way to go? And if so what stress do they put on the chassis?



Looking forward to the feedback.

[Error404]

I am also pondering this since I have just taken off a set of trashed Meyle HD mounts. Admittedly they have lasted longer than OE blues or greens, but still only around road 500 miles plus 100miles round Donington. Having never drvien with solid mounts I'm not sure how they would fare on the road, but for sure they are the way to go on track. Kev aka Bambridge has produced some solid mounts with a poly "comfort ring" that look good but still under testing AFAIK.
I'm drawing up something of my own concoction at the minute

[Jamo]

Solid ones are awful on the road, had a set of those compbrake ones and couldn't wait to get them off. Top mounts are consumable on this range of cars there's no getting around it it seems

Bambridge Poly mounts look a good bet dont know who has feedback on them though?

[rj scotty]

I have pro mounts. been on since 2008 or 7500 miles ago and can't fault them.

The "glue" that holds the bearing race to the rubber mount has let go but this is of zero consequence when the the strut/bearing/rubber mount is torqued up in a stack assembly.
Just makes them a bit tricky to uninstall/install.

No magic though just a spherical bearing and a rubber mount done well

[Jamo]

I would have loved a set back in the day but Corey was locked into distribution and I wouldn't buy from him.

[rj scotty]

Can we not get somebody like Bambridge to revers engineer a set ? my car is garage bound until august.

[Error404]

is Mance not doing them anymore?

I have a hunch that MK4 golf ones will fit with some minor fiddling but they would only work with coilovers as they are about 15-20mm taller than B3/B4 platform ones.

[andy10v]

I have a hunch that MK4 golf ones will fit with some minor fiddling but they would only work with coilovers as they are about 15-20mm taller than B3/B4 platform ones.

Were you thinking of modifying oem ones or aftermarket ones?

[coolhand]

I'm still running a complete set of QRS Motorsport top mounts all around, these are motorsport spec billet spherical types.... I've had them on for at least 3-4 years, absolutely no issues and the road feel is fine, overall handling AND comfort with these, solid subframe bushes, Konis & 18" wheels is excellent for a car which is supposed to be sports coupe IMHO....!
More to the point, the missus and her mum haven't grumbled after 150+ mile tours of the Great Ocean Road* in it ;-)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Ocean_Road

[johne]

My 034 street density top mounts have been fine and I'd use them again but I know some folks don't like them. That said, some of the issues raised with them aren't really issues when you actually use them.

The real problem is that the original design by Audi is rubbish and that constrains any alternative at a reasonable price to at best only ever be an improvement not a long lasting solution.

As has been said earlier, you have to consider top mounts a service item and how long they last will depend on what you do with your car.

John

[Golfboy666GTI]

My 034 street density top mounts have been fine and I'd use them again but I know some folks don't like them. That said, some of the issues raised with them aren't really issues when you actually use them.

The real problem is that the original design by Audi is rubbish and that constrains any alternative at a reasonable price to at best only ever be an improvement not a long lasting solution.

As has been said earlier, you have to consider top mounts a service item and how long they last will depend on what you do with your car.

John

My car is daily driven (on roads like the UK). I replaced the top mounts (Torpan) in Feb and by early April they are toast. The handling of the car is now rubbish, it doesnt have any feel and doesnt load up on turn in giving no confidence. Replacing the top mounts transform the handling but its such a pain its all over in a few months.

[s2driveruk]

the greens are ok but in my experience go within a few '000 miles, blues extend that a little and are slightly more compact so drop the car an extra few mm. The 034 Street Density ones are the most disappointing products i have bought in the 12years of owning the car, appeared to litterally disintegrate in use and rattled within a few hundred miles with significant play.

So far, the HD Mayle's have proven to be pretty robust, been on the car over a year and a few '000 miles across both track and normal roads.

To be honest as Jamo says, they are a poor basic design and they are built to fail, hence should be a consumable and changed at reasonably regular intervals if you want to get the best out of them.

[mouse]

I have pro mounts. been on since 2008 or 7500 miles ago and can't fault them.

The "glue" that holds the bearing race to the rubber mount has let go but this is of zero consequence when the the strut/bearing/rubber mount is torqued up in a stack assembly.
Just makes them a bit tricky to uninstall/install.

No magic though just a spherical bearing and a rubber mount done well

I've had Pro Mounts on the front of my daily driven S2 since 2008 some 40,000km ago with no problems. (I havent pulled them apart to look at them but there's no knocking typical of worn standard mounts).
Comfort is fine with stock springs and bilsteins and have done a handful of track days.
If Mance still makes them you should be able to get them directly from him.
The general consensus is that they are not required for the rear - OE or Meyle HD at the back should be fine.

[Jamo]

:
The general consensus is that they are not required for the rear - OE or Meyle HD at the back should be fine.

Coupe only

[Error404]

Anyone know if Mance is still making these?