I feel as though I am chasing my metaphoric tail ... which I thought would end once I finally purchased a car. One person's "too stiff" may equal another's "just right." Nevertheless, this is exactly the spirited, yet constructive, responses I was hoping to get to help me make my decision. I just wish I could drive or ride in a modified Super to get another personal point-of-reference besides stock (from when buying).

Some random responses and queries ... I am waiting for an e-mail response from VDubCustoms. The VW 5-100 bolt pattern is what I'm wed to more than VW brakes, but that intrigues me. It's not clear from their site if they can/will do rear discs and if so, whether I would have use of the hand brake.

I may call them on Monday if I haven't yet received a response. (Some companies, local and otherwise, suck at responding.) Later today, I will try to find Kerscher's and CSP's Web sites. Seems to me I've been at both before. I will call Machine 7 on Monday as well.

Do brake kits need other ancillary items? ... like hoses, discs, master cylinders, etc.? I have never asked before but VDubCustoms say what's not included and it makes me wonder that I'm supposed to assume something I'm not savvy enough to assume.

Okay, Kerscher uses Eibach and Koni as mentioned by vujade. What's stopping me from going to a local shop and getting those individually (plus whatever else I need)?

And since this has developed into a Kerscher-MaXX compare-and-contrast-fest, how much more of a bullet would I be biting if I go Kerscher? (I realize this is most likely a ballpark figure if anyone knows.)

Thanks for all of the responses so far, and upcoming. Whatever I end up with is what I will live with until the project reaches its conceptual end. Then and only then will I go back and tinker as I will be in the tinkering stage anyway.

Buying the right car is only the begining, roll your sleeves up cause the real work is going to begin.

the kerschers are gonna run you close to $700 vs $450 for the Maxxs

No one realizes, or has posted, that the choice of wheels and tires has a lot to do with the ride quality. The MaXX springs are just 10% over the stock rate, those 40 series tires on wide 17" wheels contribute a lot to the ride.

I kind of thought that might be the case. That's part of the reason I like the BBS wheels I'm kind of wedded to. They're modern, lightweight and being 16s, I will still have some sidewall as a cushion.

One helpful chap suggested 205/45s on the front and 225/50s on the back. At that suggestion, there will be some harshness. Some harshness was expected as a trade-off for superior handling but I am not trying to push the superior handling envelope.

I'm afraid I don't know what "10% over the stock rate" means. Is there some non-subjective measuring tool when it comes to springs and struts?

And let me ask another basic question. What are the functional differences between springs and struts? I never really gave it a thought before.

I don't know about that 10% either. I just know with adjust a drops and stock springs when i bounced on my bumper(i'm only 170 lbs) the control arms bounced off the ground. With the Maxx's i'm lucky to get 1/2" of movement. Ride-wise a lil on the stiff side but do able for a street car, and they more then make up for the lil dicomfort in the twisties.

Nick