Mismatching shocks and springs when lowering...

[Scrumdiddly]

So Im new to this whole "modding" thing and I could really use some pointers. Been searching all over this site and a couple other enthusiast forums to no avail...Im looking for some info on lowering my A4. Found a good deal on Eibach Pro lowering springs, but am skeptical about putting them on my stock shocks. Does anyone have stock shocks with aftermarket springs? Any problems? Thinking about returning the springs and going with a full kit (like H&R's Touring Kit) but on a little too much of a budget for that at this time. If anyone could point me in the right direction, thatd be sweet...thanks.

[brownishwater]

So Im new to this whole "modding" thing and I could really use some pointers. Been searching all over this site and a couple other enthusiast forums to no avail...Im looking for some info on lowering my A4. Found a good deal on Eibach Pro lowering springs, but am skeptical about putting them on my stock shocks. Does anyone have stock shocks with aftermarket springs? Any problems? Thinking about returning the springs and going with a full kit (like H&R's Touring Kit) but on a little too much of a budget for that at this time. If anyone could point me in the right direction, thatd be sweet...thanks.

It depends.

If your car came with the sport suspension, the stock shocks should be fine with lowering springs. Your shocks will wear out slightly quicker, but you should still be able to get a good 50K miles or so out of them.

If your car does not have sport suspension, technically you can still get lowering springs, but your destined to blow your shocks and a relatively short amount of time.

Ideally, I would recommend saving up until you can afford a kit with both shocks and springs.

[Sly Raskal]

^^^ Good advice. Couldn't have said it better myself.

[rnp614]

I believe eibach pros are what come with koni fsd's. Just buy the koni fsd shocks and you're good to go.

[Matt@EuropaParts]

If you have springs already or are getting a good deal on them, just upgrade to the FSD's (http://www.europaparts.com/koni-fsd-kit-2100-4002.html). They're what comes with the Eibach/FSD kit, so they should match perfectly (Ignore the price; it should be $577.08 w/ free shipping). You should get proper shocks at the same time for a few reasons: First, the car will ride better with the correct springs/shocks. Second, running stock shocks with aftermarket springs will lead to premature failure (how premature is dependent on which shocks you have). Third, you'll need to do twice the work to replace the shocks, which may not be a big deal if you're doing it yourself, but will result in another labor charge for a shop, and another alignment regardless of who does the labor.

[VMRWheels]

even if your stock shocks don't blow out, they'll wear to the point where they really wouldn't be doing their jobs anymore. It'll be a gradual process, it'll be hard to tell unless a friend sits in your car and tells you about it, or if you sit in somebody else's car