u/Embarrassed_Ad8496

Hello folks. Car is a 2015 Sportwagen TDI SEL Manual. I have questions including a strange one....

As the title suggests, I'm going to be doing a complete suspension OEM+ refresh (car is stock with 115k miles - half in TX half in WA). Mostly it will be factory/OEM parts with some exceptions. Here's the running list so far:

Rear axle beam bushing -> Powerflex Street

BFI Control arms w/ ball joints & solid rubber bushings

*Front subframe bushing deadset kit*

*Rear subframe inserts*

https://www.urotuning.com/products/strut-shock-installation-kit-vw-audi-2015-mqb-mk7-mk7-5-golf-gti-alltrack-sportwagen-8v-a3-5q0412331d-kt?variant=31876149379127

Velt strut & shock mounts

SKF front strut bearings

Koni Special Actives

Bump stops, & dust sleeves

Sway bar end links

Sway bar bushings (not sure if I also have rear?)

Spring pads

Questions:

1. What else am I missing "while I'm in there"? I'd like to not have to really do any major suspension work for another 5-10 years. I'm also considering including axles while I'm there (I will also be doing a brake overhaul) or maybe just do proactively replace boots and repack grease 'cuz OEM axles are really $$ @ 600+ each and I don't know how much Raxels is currently.

2. *Items* are not 'necessary' but they seem like they would be helpful, aren't insanely expensive, mostly positive reviews I've found, and are really easy to install. But, I'm open to thoughts on these.

3. Open to any other feedback/recommendations including but not limited to regarding brands to seek or avoid, longevity issues, comfort issues, etc.

4. and here's the strange one. In my research, springs for this car are expected to last ~100K. There's nothing noticeably wrong with them (there has been creaking while under load, but probably a bushing). However, since I want this setup to last another 10+ years I'd rather proactively replace them (esp since the shocks/struts are already coming out). Here's the thing... I've been actually contemplating a MILD lift (like ~0.5") but I definitely do NOT want to lower it because it's a daily and I take it on trails to parks sometimes and I have my BMW e30 as my fun car. This means the ALLTRACK path (like on IDParts website) because the lift is ~2" and most aftermarket springs (which nearly all lower or aren't for the torsion beam suspension). I believe I've narrowed it to 2 options (coilovers not considered b/c they tend to be much more expensive and I already bought the Konis - found a great deal & it was low stock on tirerack)

a. stock replacement springs and a mild lift kit or just keep it stock

b. Eibach pro-kit (estimated -1.5" front / -1.2" back) with a lift kit would bring it back to ~ stock height though I did find one person report this setup dropped ~1"

This is what I've found for lifting:

https://www.b2bfab.com/products/b2bfab-mk7-golf-sportwagen-camber-correcting-lift-kit

https://leveling-liftkit.com/products/lift-kit-for-volkswagen-golf-7-vii-2012-2019?variant=50284142133554

I'm considering the simple spacers with the Eibachs - this will effectively keep the same height and I don't think it'd impact geometry enough to need to mess with things like camber or axle length or rear strut extender? Is this just silly? What potential problems 10 years from now should I expect?

I've actually been pretty impressed with the car's handling (dodged a deer in the middle of the road @ 75mph and kept up with sports sedans when I took it to an AX, but in fairness I'm a driving coach) so I'm hoping someone will just tell me I'm being a dummy and just get stock springs and mild ~0.5" spacers 😅. But then, OEM springs are so expensive it pushes me back to Eibachs & spacers.

Your wisdom and experience is appreciated!