ECS Bilstein vs. Bilstein B12 vs. Koni Cup Kits

[TagEldinAhmed]

I'm currently saving up to re-do my suspension and have decided on going with the Eibach pro-kit springs, however can't decide on which shocks to go with.
I daily drive my B7 Quattro with sport suspension on these amazing SoCal roads, and love how it handles and rides so far. I want to keep as much of the comfort as possible while it making it slightly stiffer and better handling, so I'll also be pairing it with an 034 rear-sway bar for the occasional canyon run and future plans to AutoCross or track.
After looking for reviews for those three suspension kits and failing to find any good ones on the B7, I just thought I'd post here and try my luck at seeing if anyone has had experience with any of them, as well as their opinions are.

However, one of the conclusions I've been able to reach through some of the reviews is that the Koni FSD shocks don't inspire much confidence and are quite bouncy at freeway speeds, which is why I've put them farther down the list and focused more on the Bilsteins.
While Bilstein themselves offer the B12 cup-kit, which is paired with the EPK springs, ECS also offers their own cup-kit, which consist of the Bilstein B8 shocks and EPK springs. While I know that the B8 shocks are the ones made for lowering springs, I can't figure out what the difference is between those and the ones in the B12 kit (as well as why there's a $130+ difference).

Here are links to the products:
ECS Cup Kit: https://www.ecstuning.com/Audi-B7_A4-Quattro-2.0T/Suspension/Cup_Kits/ES2586560/

Bilstein B12 Cup Kit: https://www.ecstuning.com/Audi-B7_A4-Quattro-2.0T/Suspension/Cup_Kits/ES2983852/
http://www.bilsteinus.com/products/performance-suspension-kits/bilstein-b12-pro-kit/

Koni FSD Cup Kit: https://www.ecstuning.com/Audi-B7_A4-Quattro-2.0T/Suspension/Cup_Kits/ES2525266/

Note: I know these prices are getting close to coilovers, but I like the mild drop that the Eibachs offer, and I'm more of a set it and leave it kind of guy.

Thank you in advance!

[miA4]

I'm currently saving up to re-do my suspension and have decided on going with the Eibach pro-kit springs, however can't decide on which shocks to go with.
I daily drive my B7 Quattro with sport suspension on these amazing SoCal roads, and love how it handles and rides so far. I want to keep as much of the comfort as possible while it making it slightly stiffer and better handling, so I'll also be pairing it with an 034 rear-sway bar for the occasional canyon run and future plans to AutoCross or track.
After looking for reviews for those three suspension kits and failing to find any good ones on the B7, I just thought I'd post here and try my luck at seeing if anyone has had experience with any of them, as well as their opinions are.

However, one of the conclusions I've been able to reach through some of the reviews is that the Koni FSD shocks don't inspire much confidence and are quite bouncy at freeway speeds, which is why I've put them farther down the list and focused more on the Bilsteins.
While Bilstein themselves offer the B12 cup-kit, which is paired with the EBK springs, ECS also offers their own cup-kit, which consist of the Bilstein B8 shocks and EPK springs. While I know that the B8 shocks are the ones made for lowering springs, I can't figure out what the difference is between those and the ones in the B12 kit (as well as why there's a $130+ difference).

Here are links to the products:
ECS Cup Kit: https://www.ecstuning.com/Audi-B7_A4-Quattro-2.0T/Suspension/Cup_Kits/ES2586560/

Bilstein B12 Cup Kit: https://www.ecstuning.com/Audi-B7_A4-Quattro-2.0T/Suspension/Cup_Kits/ES2983852/
http://www.bilsteinus.com/products/performance-suspension-kits/bilstein-b12-pro-kit/

Koni FSD Cup Kit: https://www.ecstuning.com/Audi-B7_A4-Quattro-2.0T/Suspension/Cup_Kits/ES2525266/

Note: I know these prices are getting close to coilovers, but I like the mild drop that the Eibachs offer, and I'm more of a set it and leave it kind of guy.

Thank you in advance!

I would look into the Koni Sports. I have that same setup and I love it.

[TagEldinAhmed]

I would look into the Koni Sports. I have that same setup and I love it.

The yellows? I originally wanted those, but then I read that you need to pretty much take them off a B7 to adjust them, and I also feel like it would take me forever to find the right settings. That's also ignoring how expensive they are lol


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[Charles.waite]

Im pretty much in the same boat as you. Want a bit of a lower ride height but really don't care to mess around with adjustability since j don't have time to mess with it not do I care to adjust it ever. Set it and forget it for sure.

I'm sort of set on the Bilstein b12 kit. Mostly because the price is great, Bilstein is solid and dependable, and I trust the Bilstein engineers to pair the proper spring rate with the proper damping rate more than some product dude at ECS. I know people have run bilsteins with Eibach springs for like a decade but I feel like the feedback is mixed. That people like the drop but don't like the ride that much.

Also check b6 a4 suspension reviews as well. B6s are 99% the same cars. Same chassis, identical suspension parts. All the suspension kits are the same between the b6 and b7 if you notice.

[TagEldinAhmed]

Im pretty much in the same boat as you. Want a bit of a lower ride height but really don't care to mess around with adjustability since j don't have time to mess with it not do I care to adjust it ever. Set it and forget it for sure.

I'm sort of set on the Bilstein b12 kit. Mostly because the price is great, Bilstein is solid and dependable, and I trust the Bilstein engineers to pair the proper spring rate with the proper damping rate more than some product dude at ECS. I know people have run bilsteins with Eibach springs for like a decade but I feel like the feedback is mixed. That people like the drop but don't like the ride that much.

Also check b6 a4 suspension reviews as well. B6s are 99% the same cars. Same chassis, identical suspension parts. All the suspension kits are the same between the b6 and b7 if you notice.

I think I might be leaning towards the B12 Kit as well, but any idea what the difference between those shocks and the B8 shocks is? And most of reviews I can find are on the B8 A4, not much regarding the B6/B7 :/


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[Okedokey]

They are B8 shocks in the B12 kit.

[TagEldinAhmed]

They are B8 shocks in the B12 kit.

Woah, really? Any idea why there's a price difference then?


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[konarider94]

Yea I dont understand what ecs is doing. The B12 kit is B8 shocks with eibach springs.

Then ecs says they make their own kit with B8 shocks and eibach spring for $800 or the same B12 kit for $667. Yup sounds about right on par for ecs.

[TagEldinAhmed]

Yea I dont understand what ecs is doing. The B12 kit is B8 shocks with eibach springs.

Then ecs says they make their own kit with B8 shocks and eibach spring for $800 or the same B12 kit for $667. Yup sounds about right on par for ecs.

Lol thanks for the info though, I appreciate it. Seems like other websites have a similar problem thought, EuroCode has like 4-5 listings of the B12 Kit on their site at slightly different prices, and there doesn't seem to be a difference.
http://www.ecodetuning.com/store/audi/a4/b7-2006-2008/2-0tfsi/quattro/suspension.html


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[Charles.waite]

Yea I dont understand what ecs is doing. The B12 kit is B8 shocks with eibach springs.

Then ecs says they make their own kit with B8 shocks and eibach spring for $800 or the same B12 kit for $667. Yup sounds about right on par for ecs.

Haha. So pays to do your research huh? I didn't even realize that the b12 kit came with Eibach Pro kit springs. Nice work ECS.....

So you pay $130 more for essentially the same thing. Nice...

Makes me lean even more towards the b12 kit.

The Koni Sports seem okay but I've read a few places that their durability is suspect. And as I mentioned before, I really like that the springs and struts are matched in the b12 kit.

[TagEldinAhmed]

Haha. So pays to do your research huh? I didn't even realize that the b12 kit came with Eibach Pro kit springs. Nice work ECS.....

So you pay $130 more for essentially the same thing. Nice...

Makes me lean even more towards the b12 kit.

The Koni Sports seem okay but I've read a few places that their durability is suspect. And as I mentioned before, I really like that the springs and struts are matched in the b12 kit.

Looks like the B12 Kit is gonna be the way to go for me too! [emoji106]


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[konarider94]

Im running the b8 shocks on s line springs right now and Im very happy with the combination. They are a really nice shock. I ended up cutting a new groove in the front shock to lower the spring perch. This got rid of the weird reverse s line rake.

The eibach springs wont have the reverse rake issue Im sure.

[Charles.waite]

Im running the b8 shocks on s line springs right now and Im very happy with the combination. They are a really nice shock. I ended up cutting a new groove in the front shock to lower the spring perch. This got rid of the weird reverse s line rake.

The eibach springs wont have the reverse rake issue Im sure.

How much lower on the shock did you have the new perch groove cut? 1/4"?

[TagEldinAhmed]

Im running the b8 shocks on s line springs right now and Im very happy with the combination. They are a really nice shock. I ended up cutting a new groove in the front shock to lower the spring perch. This got rid of the weird reverse s line rake.

The eibach springs wont have the reverse rake issue Im sure.

That's pretty interesting, I'm guessing you went with the B8 instead of the B6 because you're considering the S-Line springs as lowered?


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[Charles.waite]

I always considered the b4 shocks as stock non-sport replacements. B6 as stock sport replacements and b8 as for aftermarket springs.

But there are people running lowering springs on non-sport shocks who don't complain about getting bounced out of the sunroof over bumps so I don't see why b8 shocks wouldn't work decently with sport springs.

Stock sport ride height bugs me though, it's just a tad too high and there's the reverse rake issue. And by the time you get a groove machined in the front shocks you may as well have just bought springs as well...

[Okedokey]

Excuse my ignorance, what is reverse rake please?

[TagEldinAhmed]

Excuse my ignorance, what is reverse rake please?

Correct me if I'm wrong but, a normal rake is when the car's stance is leaning forward, sometimes evened out when the lowering springs offer a slightly bigger drop at the back, evening out the stance.
A reverse rake is the front is actually higher, so it looks like it's leaning backwards, can also be evened out with lowering springs that offer a bigger drop at the front.
Audi's usually have a reverse rake, which is why people use the B5 perches on the B7 vs. BMWs which usually have a normal rake.



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[Okedokey]

Ah ok, thanks, nice explanation.

[konarider94]

That's pretty interesting, I'm guessing you went with the B8 instead of the B6 because you're considering the S-Line springs as lowered?


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That's correct. I also added the new groove in the shock 3/4" below the normal ride height. It sits level now. If I were to do it again I might consider 7/8" to 1". With a longer shock I'm not sure there would be any compression on the front spring with the top nut tightened.

In regards to pricing of groove cutting bilstein will do it for $10 per groove. Then you would have to pay shipping I bet. Not sure if you can buy direct so you only have to pay one way. I just put it on the lathe at work. I have a mill in my garage. Still working on getting a lathe. I bet you could find a local shop to do it for pretty cheap.

[Okedokey]

That's correct. I also added the new groove in the shock 3/4" below the normal ride height. It sits level now. If I were to do it again I might consider 7/8" to 1". With a longer shock I'm not sure there would be any compression on the front spring with the top nut tightened.

In regards to pricing of groove cutting bilstein will do it for $10 per groove. Then you would have to pay shipping I bet. Not sure if you can buy direct so you only have to pay one way. I just put it on the lathe at work. I have a mill in my garage. Still working on getting a lathe. I bet you could find a local shop to do it for pretty cheap.

got pics of this mate?

[konarider94]

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y191/matt1994xj/Audi/bilsteins_zpssyb2ym4d.jpg

This is the shock. I'll have to get the car later. I'm driving all day.

[o1turbo30v]

Bilstein B12, then sell your used eibachs

[Charles.waite]

Excuse my ignorance, what is reverse rake please?

I was going to snap a pic of my car this morning since its plainly obvious (much worse on my b7 than it ever was on my b6 for some reason) but I was running late for the bus and forgot. Basically, Tag said, the front appears to sit higher than the rear. Its not actually, the case, but the wheel wells are cut/designed strangely so that there is a larger gap between the tire and the fender in the front than there is in the rear. If you were to measure the chassis height I'm pretty certain the car is actually level (but don't quote me as I've never sat under the car and measured), its just a bizarre thing that is most prevalent in the b6/7 generation a4s in the US. As far as I know the b5 and b8+ A4s aren't as affected by this. Its also possible that outside of the US, A4s aren't prone to this as they may use different spring setups.

In any event its plainly obvious in all pictures of my car for instance. The front is a good 1/2" higher than the rear.

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160623/c12b6098d6b0f67e3a64ee85f3da8b56.jpg

[ECS Tuning-Audi]

Our kit is literally just B8 Bilstein shocks paired with Eibach pro springs. You can go to the B8 section select two Bilstein front shocks, two rear shocks, and select B7 Eibach pro springs add them all to the cart on our website and it comes to the same price.

We just put this all in one kit so its easier than having to search for everything on the site.

Jason

[TagEldinAhmed]

Our kit is literally just B8 Bilstein shocks paired with Eibach pro springs. You can go to the B8 section select two Bilstein front shocks, two rear shocks, and select B7 Eibach pro springs add them all to the cart on our website and it comes to the same price.

We just put this all in one kit so its easier than having to search for everything on the site.

Jason

We understand that, we were just wondering how that differs from Bilstein's B12 Kit.


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[ECS Tuning-Audi]

Bilstein probably has a deal with Eibach that allows them to get their springs at a lower cost. Thus being able to offer a complete kit at a lower retail price.

Jason

[TagEldinAhmed]

Bilstein probably has a deal with Eibach that allows them to get their springs at a lower cost. Thus being able to offer a complete kit at a lower retail price.

Jason

Oh okay, so they're both just the same.


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[ECS Tuning-Audi]

They could be. I don't know the specifics as to which Eibach spring Bilstein includes in their kit. It may just be the B7 Eibach pro or it could be a more finely tuned version.

Jason

[Charles.waite]

I know Bilstein lists a few different b12 kits for the b6/7 depending on front axle load. So basically just to accomodate different engine/tranny combos.

[konarider94]

This is how it sits with 20mm spacers all around and the front bilsteins lowered 3/4"

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y191/matt1994xj/Mobile%20Uploads/20160623_170446_zps0uvknlf1.jpg

[Charles.waite]

Well that looks pretty damn perfect...

[TagEldinAhmed]

I know Bilstein lists a few different b12 kits for the b6/7 depending on front axle load. So basically just to accomodate different engine/tranny combos.

That might explain the 5-6 choices available on EuroCode's website lol


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[TagEldinAhmed]

This is how it sits with 20mm spacers all around and the front bilsteins lowered 3/4"

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y191/matt1994xj/Mobile%20Uploads/20160623_170446_zps0uvknlf1.jpg

Looks great! I'm just trying to reduce that wheel gap a little...
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160623/520220e7dcf38d957d6c9515cce84b95.jpg


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[king_j]

Any update to the guys using the b12 kit?

Currently have the eibach pro kit on oe sport shocks.
Need to change it out.

Either go with koni yellow or the b12 kit.


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[Okedokey]

I installed the B12 kit with H&R springs. Looks amazing, drives amazing. Also upgraded the front control arms, the steering feels like new now.

[Charles.waite]

The H&R springs come with the b12 kit right?

[Okedokey]

Yeah mate, https://www.ecstuning.com/Audi-B7_A4-FWD-2.0T/Suspension/Cup_Kits/ES3018/

Is it just me or are these epic cheap? https://www.ecstuning.com/Audi-B7_A4-FWD-2.0T/Suspension/Cup_Kits/ES2983770/ or is the wrong image?

[TagEldinAhmed]

The H&R springs come with the b12 kit right?

Wasn't the Bilstein B12 kit the one with the Eibach Pro Kit springs? The one linked is just an ECS H&R Cup Kit that includes B8 shocks.


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[TagEldinAhmed]

Yeah mate, https://www.ecstuning.com/Audi-B7_A4-FWD-2.0T/Suspension/Cup_Kits/ES3018/

Is it just me or are these epic cheap? https://www.ecstuning.com/Audi-B7_A4-FWD-2.0T/Suspension/Cup_Kits/ES2983770/ or is the wrong image?

Pretty sure those are K-Sport coilovers lol picture's wrong. Should be the Bilstein kit with the sportline springs.


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[Charles.waite]

Wasn't the Bilstein B12 kit the one with the Eibach Pro Kit springs? The one linked is just an ECS H&R Cup Kit that includes B8 shocks.


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Ahh you're right. Bilstein says that their B-12 kits come with Eibach. So, Okeydokey, did you get the ECS kit you linked to above? Because thats not quite the B12 kit since it comes with different springs and is a kit that ECS puts together on their own.

And yea thats just the wrong picture.

[TagEldinAhmed]

Ahh you're right. Bilstein says that their B-12 kits come with Eibach. So, Okeydokey, did you get the ECS kit you linked to above? Because thats not quite the B12 kit since it comes with different springs and is a kit that ECS puts together on their own.

And yea thats just the wrong picture.

The ECS kit I had liked in the original post had Pro-kit springs, making it identical to the B12 kit, unlike the sport line ones in the link posted two messages before this.
Sadly however, I still haven't changed my S-Line suspension so I can't give you any feedback.


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