check the seating of the spring ,are they located properly on the plates ? if someone is stupid enough to fit non rated springs for the vr it is not unusual for them to Mess up the seating (location) of the springs as well . The weight distrubution of the gti and vr engine are different and they wear differently. Since the shocks were not operating at the correct height due to the lower springs,I'd take the springs off to check the condition of the shocks before fitment.