Best Suspension Option

I was looking to get some advice for my 2016 A3 Quattro. What I'm looking to do is get a modest drop to get rid of some of the stock wheel gap but I'm not looking to go crazy and tuck the wheels or anything like that. The car is my daily driver which I commute 82 miles each day in. I wouldn't be opposed to stiffening things up a little bit within reason but obviously would like to maintain some civility. I also live and drive in New Jersey and we are known for our shitty road quality. I have no plans to track the guitar as well.

What would you guys suggest or have you had good luck with?

One thought I had was looking to buy someone's lightly used stock S3 suspension (non mag ride) as I think that sits a bit lower but I wasn't sure if that was my best option. Thanks in advance for the advice!

Lots of good spring options out there. 034, eibach, H&r... I went w H&r sport springs. Between 1 and 1.5 inch drop. Definitely stiffer but not harsh.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...5bcb0a3028.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...fec0a0d439.jpg


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks for the pics. That drop looks great. Something like that or just a little bit higher is exactly what i'm looking for. My stock suspension has just about 60,000 miles on it so I'm wondering if I should be getting new shocks and struts to go with whatever springs I pick.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by aintitthelife98

Thanks for the pics. That drop looks great. Something like that or just a little bit higher is exactly what i'm looking for. My stock suspension has just about 60,000 miles on it so I'm wondering if I should be getting new shocks and struts to go with whatever springs I pick.

---

Maybe look at Emmanuel Design (EMD) springs. I don't have any experience with them myself but I read a lot of positive things about them when I was looking at lowering mine.

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Audizine mobile app

At 60k miles, I would recommend swapping out the shocks when you do the springs. It's not mandatory of course, but the amount of work involved would make it worthwhile IMO (plus the extra alignment cost).
I also have H&R Sports and am super happy with them, but I like a firm ride.

For your application you might want to try the EMD springs. The H&R sports are noticeably stiffer than the OEM Sport springs.

Dropped my wife's 2016 Monsoon Grey A3 Quattro on Eibach Pro-kit with Bilstein B8's. This was AFTER I made the mistake of spring only EMDs with her stock dampers. I also have a 2015 S3 with stock suspension still (mag ride) and the B8 + ProKit rides same...which is good! Dont cut corners. GET the B8s all around. You wont regret it. Learn from my lesson.

You can get the shocks and struts for around $6-700, and the springs for $2-300. So at most, $1k to do it right. You can install yourself too with spring compressors and a few other tools.
Finally, get an alignment after.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by RyanE6

Maybe look at Emmanuel Design (EMD) springs. I don't have any experience with them myself but I read a lot of positive things about them when I was looking at lowering mine.

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Audizine mobile app

---

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Chaoscreature

At 60k miles, I would recommend swapping out the shocks when you do the springs. It's not mandatory of course, but the amount of work involved would make it worthwhile IMO (plus the extra alignment cost).
I also have H&R Sports and am super happy with them, but I like a firm ride.

For your application you might want to try the EMD springs. The H&R sports are noticeably stiffer than the OEM Sport springs.

---

Guys, the EMDs by themselves are too soft with the OEM dampers. its fine until a moderate bump then BAM! like you've never heard before. Ive not tried the combo of EMD with B8's...but I love my new combo.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by S3_Miles

Guys, the EMDs by themselves are too soft with the OEM dampers. its fine until a moderate bump then BAM! like you've never heard before. Ive not tried the combo of EMD with B8's...but I love my new combo.

---

Making me wanna try the Eibach. Damn, do I really wanna install front springs again...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by S3_Miles

Dropped my wife's 2016 Monsoon Grey A3 Quattro on Eibach Pro-kit with Bilstein B8's. This was AFTER I made the mistake of spring only EMDs with her stock dampers. I also have a 2015 S3 with stock suspension still (mag ride) and the B8 + ProKit rides same...which is good! Dont cut corners. GET the B8s all around. You wont regret it. Learn from my lesson.

You can get the shocks and struts for around $6-700, and the springs for $2-300. So at most, $1k to do it right. You can install yourself too with spring compressors and a few other tools.
Finally, get an alignment after.

---

Appreciate the response. Do you have any pics of your wife’s car with that setup?

Has anyone tried swapping a non-mag ride S3 suspension onto an A3?

That would provide me a modest drop from what I'm reading and I would assume a bit sportier ride than my stock suspension. I know a lot of S3 guys swap theirs out to go lower and more aggressive so it may be a reasonably affordable option as well.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by aintitthelife98

Has anyone tried swapping a non-mag ride S3 suspension onto an A3?

That would provide me a modest drop from what I'm reading and I would assume a bit sportier ride than my stock suspension. I know a lot of S3 guys swap theirs out to go lower and more aggressive so it may be a reasonably affordable option as well.

---

The only differance maybe just the springs...

Buy a set of used S3 springs.

I have 2 sets

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.aud...5e9e75fbaf.jpg

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by aintitthelife98

Appreciate the response. Do you have any pics of your wife’s car with that setup?

---

Sure and video! Just did it today so you could see -
https://imgur.com/gallery/iWUHbEG

Ive tried several lowering springs. Neuspeed, EMD, and 034. Also did Bilstein coilovers as well. The struts and shocks were non modified B8's.

First was the Neuspeed setup. The ride was pretty smooth but driven over any medium to large bumps the springs would bang together and make noise. That includes the front and rear setup. Since the B8 struts have internal bump stops these were left alone (for now). The rear bump stops were trimmed 1 1/4". As it turned out the fronts were riding on the bump stops at static ride height so they had no real room to compress and there fore made a loud bang going over bumps. The rears had plenty of room for compression ( about 1 1/2") at ride height but the springs still made noise. The only thing I could think of was that the Neuspeed were progressive rate and the closeness of the coils would bang against each other.

Second were the EMD's. Pretty much like the Neuspeeds. Except they were not progressive. They were even worse when going over bumps. I noticed that with the Neuspeed and EMD coils, they used a much thinner coil material, so they seemed softer. The 034's used 1/2" coil stock, much thicker than the others.

Third are the 034's. They have a nice ride (firm but smooth). Bumps dont seem to effect these as much. BUT. These are installed on modified B8 struts. I took the B8 strut apart and trimmed 1" from the internal bump stop. So instead of riding on the bump stops, I now have an inch before it contacts. Its not alot but it handles the bumps much better. The rears are the same from the other two tests. No noise what so ever. So these are what Im currently running and Im happy so far.

The Bilstein coilovers work very well. They do provide a some what smooth yet very firm ride. A little too firm for my everyday driver. But they were the most controlled and predictable of all the spring/shock setups. But as was said, too firm for my liking.

Attachment 175884

Has anyone considered or have feedback on these Ground Control coilover conversation?
https://groundcontrolstore.com/colle...conversion-kit

I currently have Bilstein pss10 on my s3 and love em! Best purchase I’ve made for my car. Then lowering range is pretty solid compared to compared to the KW (and others),and you have 10 settings for rebound and compression.

I did get 034 strut mounts and bearings as well as I’ve heard the OEM ones may fail prematurely with coilovers (not 100% sure but easy to have them installed at the same time)

Link below (I bought mine from tire rack):

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-bilstein...48-251570~bil/


Sent from my iPhone using Audizine

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by S3_Miles

Guys, the EMDs by themselves are too soft with the OEM dampers. its fine until a moderate bump then BAM! like you've never heard before. Ive not tried the combo of EMD with B8's...but I love my new combo.

---

Well now I am second guessing what I should be doing. I am getting EMD springs installed today, probably as I type this. I have Mag Ride, will that make a difference? I am now seeing they make plug-ins to "cancel" the mag ride....

Can't speak to the mag ride cars, but I would never install spring on stock shocks again.

Anyone have any feedback on the APR roll control kit or even this Spulen coliover kit?
https://www.uspmotorsports.com/APR-R...iABEgII_PD_BwE
https://www.uspmotorsports.com/SPULE...udi-A3-S3.html

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by forcefedB5

Well now I am second guessing what I should be doing. I am getting EMD springs installed today, probably as I type this. I have Mag Ride, will that make a difference? I am now seeing they make plug-ins to "cancel" the mag ride....

---

Not like you can easily swap out the shocks without spending a fortune...have to get isweeps($500).

https://www.ecodetuning.com/ec-s38v-...8v-s3-rs3.html

I installed 034 springs on my mag ride S3.

The 034 springs work fine with the mag ride shocks.

However we all seem to have different tastes as suspension goes...

I recently removed my mag ride shocks. Installed a set of RS3 shocks.

https://www.audizine.com/forum/showt...t-with-the-old

I like them better than the mag rides.

Also theres a Tuning box now for the mag ride that allows users to adjust the mag ride settings.

Maybe thats whats needed... to dial in the mag ride shocks to various springs other than stock....

https://www.audizine.com/forum/showt...?highlight=dcc

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by MikTip

Not like you can easily swap out the shocks without spending a fortune...have to get isweeps($500).

https://www.ecodetuning.com/ec-s38v-...8v-s3-rs3.html

I installed 034 springs on my mag ride S3.

The 034 springs work fine with the mag ride shocks.

However we all seem to have different tastes as suspension goes...

I recently removed my mag ride shocks. Installed a set of RS3 shocks.

https://www.audizine.com/forum/showt...t-with-the-old

I like them better than the mag rides.

Also theres a Tuning box now for the mag ride that allows users to adjust the mag ride settings.

Maybe thats whats needed... to dial in the mag ride shocks to various springs other than stock....

---

I am by no means a suspension expert. I was just hoping to lower it a little bit, get a little bit nicer ride and not have any issues. I guess we will see what happens. I am hoping I don't get any banging when going over bumps.

Who makes the tuning box? I might look into that, but I am sure it would probably be cheaper to go with the iSweeps and coils.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by forcefedB5

I am by no means a suspension expert. I was just hoping to lower it a little bit, get a little bit nicer ride and not have any issues. I guess we will see what happens. I am hoping I don't get any banging when going over bumps.

Who makes the tuning box? I might look into that, but I am sure it would probably be cheaper to go with the iSweeps and coils.

---

https://www.audizine.com/forum/showt...?highlight=DSC

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by MikTip

https://www.audizine.com/forum/showt...?highlight=DSC

---

Alright, now I do recall reading about that on here. Thank you for the links and sorry to hi-jack the thread!

Bilstein B8 performance plus shocks and struts, Eibach springs, /end thread.