I need some opinions/thoughts...from the lowered people...

[Twista616]

I'm itching to finally lower and put some new shoes on my car, yet every time I drive down the 405/101 or any road for that matter, I second guess myself on lowering.

Unfortunately, my b8.5 a4, rides high and I can't stand it. I was going to go with H&R OE springs(i would need shocks as well, since im on non-sport currently), now im leaning toward H&R Coils.


My questions to all the SOCAL enthusiasts, preferably the ones who are lowered...how bad is it? BTW, im not slamming my car. a one finger gap.

Any input would be greatly appreciated. If i ask in the main forum, i get answers from all over the country that dont apply.

Thanks

[Im-AUDI-here]

I just recently had Bilstein PSS10's installed and while the ride isn't terrible it certainly isn't stock. I'm not really bothered by it though as I'm the type of driver that swerves around shitty parts in the road and slows down for major bumps. I have no experience with any other suspension setups but any care I have regarding stock like ride quality is immediately dismissed after taking one look at how good my car looks lowered. I say go for it. Keep your old suspension parts so that you can go back to stock if you decide you don't like it. And for the record, the Bilsteins ride extremely well for a car that is lowered.

[datwagn]

One finger gap? You'll be fine.
Im much lower so I of course have to drive a bit more carefully, but honestly its worth it.
Id much rather drive careful because my car is low and looks damn good, than have ugly 4x4 wheel gap.

[pjunk1]

i've been on coilovers for about 30k miles. yes, drive more carefully and take parking lot entrances & my own driveway at an angle, slow down for dips, scanning for pot holes, etc...etc... the look and the much improved handling versus all the adjustments is well worth it for me.

when i bought my first Audi back in 1997 i only changed out the springs and had quite a few nightmares since i was driving LA streets a lot and i was a lot more careless then. i had to deal with chronic tearing of CV boots, cracked BBS wheels (yes, cracked), bent wheels so bad that air would escape from the bend resulting in having to reorder Avante Garde wheels from Germany since there wasn't any inventory in the entire US at the time, premature wearing of tires, unable to avoid driving over truck axle part on the 10 that barely got lodged under my car and having to jack up the car to remove. now, that's a list.

i told myself i wouldn't lower again but here i am with an entirely different result. it's all up to you and what you're willing to do to avoid issues.

get the coilovers and you won't have to worry about matching springs to dampers. also, you'll have the luxury of height adjustment and, depending on which h&r coilover, damping adjustment.

[Slave IV]

If you get something really good like Ohlins, they will be more comfortable than stock, plus it will feel more planted than ever.

[TypeS2K5]

I'm on H&R coils with a 1/4" gap all around and came from the OEM Sport Suspension. Considering I dropped over 1.5" it still rides, for the most part, just as comfortably while still being firm enough through the corners to keep it fun. I drive in and around DTLA every day and it's actually very tolerable...definitely couldn't say the same of my RSX on Tein coils.

My opinion? DO EHT! [drive]

[pjunk1]

If you get something really good like Ohlins, they will be more comfortable than stock, plus it will feel more planted than ever.

i hear Ohlins are very nice set-up but comes the price. how far behind would you say the pss10's are to the Ohlins since i hear great things about them as well...as far as comfort & performance is concerned?

[Slave IV]

I've tried PSS10's and PSS9's and Ohlins (not on a B8) and nothing comes close to the Ohlins in terms of comfort or performance. Quality comes at a price. I hear Motons are very similar to Ohlins but I haven't tried those and they cost about the same or more.

It really depends on what you are after...if you just want something to lower the car, I'd say some springs and konis will be more than anyone needs. If you want to actually increase performance and comfort, there is no compromising. I haven't tried them yet either but I hear the new koni FSD dampers are very close in feel to some Ohlins and part of that is because they use similar dual valve technology. I have heard that the Konis don't react as fast as the Ohlins though so they will generally be fine but some cases where the valves will be fooled and you may bottom out depending on the springs you use.

Coming from the B5 S4 world, there have been countless stories of people swapping out suspension multiple times because nothing was satisfactory to them until they got Ohlins..all of them said they should have just got the Ohlins to begin with to save a lot of time, money and headache, even though they cost more up front.

I'm personally not big on lowering or doing too many suspension mods but I plan on getting these for my S4:
http://performanceshock.com/images/B5_Raceline_studio_web.JPG

There is a similar kit for B8's that is $5k+ and I just searched and found these:

http://exaltmotorsports.com/images/F134446.jpg

for $2.5k and they should be superior to any other coilovers besides maybe KW V3/Clubsports and other comparable ones...The Ohlins should definitely be more comfortable than anything else readily available, including the KW's. That's probably the route I would go if I had a B8.

[Im-AUDI-here]

i hear Ohlins are very nice set-up but comes the price. how far behind would you say the pss10's are to the Ohlins since i hear great things about them as well...as far as comfort & performance is concerned?

The Ohlins are supposed to be very nice but I didn't like the idea of having to send them back to the factory every 1 to 2 years, depending on the series, for maintenance in order to maintain the factory warranty. Too much hassle as far as I'm concerned. I decided on the Bilsteins because of reviews and the fact that I can dial in the dampening to suit my needs. I currently have mine set at 3 and as I stated previously, the car rides exceptionally well for being lowered and handles a million times better. They are very controlled over bumps and do not cause my car to bounce unnecessarily.

[Slave IV]

No one I know who owns them actually does that maintenance thing for them..There is no need unless you are an active racer or something like that. They will last the life of your car as is and if needed, you can have them rebuilt when that time comes.

Plus, I don't think the second set I posted above has any of those maintenance requirements but I could be wrong. Actually, they only time I heard about that is through Stasis and they have become pretty questionable themselves...

[Im-AUDI-here]

No one I know who owns them actually does that maintenance thing for them..There is no need unless you are an active racer or something like that. They will last the life of your car as is and if needed, you can have them rebuilt when that time comes.

Plus, I don't think the second set I posted above has any of those maintenance requirements but I could be wrong. Actually, they only time I heard about that is through Stasis and they have become pretty questionable themselves...

Good to know as I may try these out in a few years or once I get tired of the Bilsteins. So far I'm pleased with them but I definitely wouldn't mind a more comfortable ride. They were at the top of my list but the whole maintenance thing turned me off to them at the time. Glad to know that it's really not necessary.

[pjunk1]

thank for the info guys. i'm not thinking about new co's any time soon. for what i need, pure DD, my koni co's are great!

but, i think your thorough info will definitely be handy for OP.

[Twista616]

I just recently had Bilstein PSS10's installed and while the ride isn't terrible it certainly isn't stock. I'm not really bothered by it though as I'm the type of driver that swerves around shitty parts in the road and slows down for major bumps. I have no experience with any other suspension setups but any care I have regarding stock like ride quality is immediately dismissed after taking one look at how good my car looks lowered. I say go for it. Keep your old suspension parts so that you can go back to stock if you decide you don't like it. And for the record, the Bilsteins ride extremely well for a car that is lowered.

I plan to keep my stock set up, since I'm not sure If I will buy out this lease. Love your color and setup. Looks super clean! We have the same base car for the most part.

This is exactly what i'm looking for. Since you guys know what kind of roads are around, its better to hear from you than others. I dont think i can shell out the $ for the Ohlins just yet. I would prefer a comfortable/sporty ride, so now I have to decide on which coils to get. Everyone has a different opinion for each setup, so there is always a small risk involved.

[Sedan Guy]

I am on ST Coilovers. The car sits about 25in. fender to ground and the the ride is a bit stiff even on OC roads. On rough roads I definitely feel the harshness.

[Slave IV]

Yeah, pretty much anything else is going to be harsh, besides the Koni FSD's I mentioned.

[Twista616]

Yeah, pretty much anything else is going to be harsh, besides the Koni FSD's I mentioned.

you think FSD's with H&R OE springs would be comfortable enough? I have to research these new struts.

[CreoSTi]

Also, don't forget that your wheel/tire setup will also have an impact on comfort for daily driving. My 18" wheels + all season tires rides less harsh/stiff than my 19" wheels + Bridgestone RE-11s.

Personally, I wouldn't go with coilovers again (as I never adjust them after I dial them in). After several setups over the years, I'm perfectly happy with a good spring + strut combo.

[Slave IV]

Yes..Tires are always the most important thing when it comes to handling and comfort.

As for the FSD/H&R combo, I think you should be fine but definitely do your research on them and what's recommended. I think you may be better off with Neuspeed, as they generally use higher rates (made by Eibach), which should help with the bottoming out thing. Again, I don't have any experience with any of these setups for the B8 but most general concepts should apply.

[Twista616]

I appreciate your help. Research has started...


Yes..Tires are always the most important thing when it comes to handling and comfort.

As for the FSD/H&R combo, I think you should be fine but definitely do your research on them and what's recommended. I think you may be better off with Neuspeed, as they generally use higher rates (made by Eibach), which should help with the bottoming out thing. Again, I don't have any experience with any of these setups for the B8 but most general concepts should apply.

[Pat_McGroin]

Do it right the first time, avoid springs. The majority of people who buy springs first usually end up wishing they saved that money and purchased CO in the first place. Springs are hit or miss, mostly miss. Coming from experience, I wasn't to happy with the reverse rake I had nor how much lower they got me(not much at all.)

[Ais4Slow]

....slam that shit

[dhcivic27]

Also, don't forget that your wheel/tire setup will also have an impact on comfort for daily driving. My 18" wheels + all season tires rides less harsh/stiff than my 19" wheels + Bridgestone RE-11s.


Yes..Tires are always the most important thing when it comes to handling and comfort.

I vouch on the wheel and tire combo mentioned by Creo and Slave. I'm running on Stock Sport with B5 perch plate and with my 19 VMR Wheel with Nexen tires (finger gap tire to fender), I rub my tires to the fender on every small bump or hard corner. Now I updated to Nitto Invo, same tire dimensions on the same wheels, problem went away. Remember also that smaller wheels will give you more rubber = smoother ride.

In terms of going lower, I've been on the same boat for 2 years now and still haven't came up to a reason why need to go lower, other than missing the 1 finger gap.

[Im-AUDI-here]

I plan to keep my stock set up, since I'm not sure If I will buy out this lease. Love your color and setup. Looks super clean! We have the same base car for the most part.

This is exactly what i'm looking for. Since you guys know what kind of roads are around, its better to hear from you than others. I dont think i can shell out the $ for the Ohlins just yet. I would prefer a comfortable/sporty ride, so now I have to decide on which coils to get. Everyone has a different opinion for each setup, so there is always a small risk involved.

Thanks! It actually sits a bit lower now that the suspension has settled more than what the pic shows. Sometimes I think about going lower but I'm happy with it for the most part.

If you ask 5 different people you're bound to get 5 different answers. This was the issue I ran into when making my decision. I decided to just pull the trigger on the PSS10's and so far I have no regrets. I do miss the stock comfort but it's the price you pay when going low plus it really does ride well. The bumps are where you really notice the difference but when I'm cornering at higher speed on a curvy road I forget all about the stiffness and focus on the fun!

[V8Star]

Something no one has really pointed out yet, is that the B8.5 has a high cut off front bumper. Even if your on H&R super sport springs / no fender gap, you will have nearly 7 inches of clearance between your front bumper and the ground. Thats a ton! You may scrape the plastic covers underneath as they are a little lower, but that is not to worry.

Go with a set of quality coilovers and you will be happy. H&Rs are definitely worth considering.

Most people who buy springs regret the bouncy ride, espescially after 15-20k miles.
Most people who buy full adjustable coilovers that do not track their cars regret the purchase because once its dialed you will never change it.

The H&R ride nice for daily coils, especially on the 5-405.

Or you could bag it [;)]

[AK47]

....slam that shit

http://www.egarage.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/IMG_4027.jpg

AIR!