Which suspension setup would you recommend?

[erikas3]

Well I'm finally saving my pennies to get rid of the 4x4 look my car has. Currently, in on stock 16's but will be upgrading to 18's soon. Since im on a tight part-time job budget, I will have to settle for a spring&shock combo instead of coilovers . I have found kits on both ECS and MJM Autohaus. The ECS kit has Bilstein shocks with H&R race springs. MJM has Bilstein shocks with Neuspeed race springs. Which kit is better? Or would you guys recommend something else that falls into the same price range? Thanks

[RowdyAudi]

Modifying a car on a part time budget sucks... especially an Audi... I can feel for ya because I'm in the same boat... about your suspension, I threw some b5 S4 rims and bilstein shocks and H&R race springs and I regret it sooooo much... the Bilsteins are awesome, but the springs are really "bouncy" and harsh, unless you are either in really smooth road, or throwing it around a corner really hard.... also keep in mind that the H&R race springs will also knock your wheels out of spec alignment without a camber kit which for me has led to pretty uneven tire wear... now my tires make a ton of road noise so annoying... all in all H&R makes a good product, but for daily driving needs... I would go with the H&R sport springs or the Neuspeed if i could go back... I guess it doesn't matter now though since I hope to get rid of my Audi ASAP... Anyways good luck with whichever setup you choose... just thought I'd tell you my experience with the H&R race springs...

[speedydragon]

I'm on the highset groove on my Bilstein grooved struts + neuspeed sport kit. Only my old 16in stockers, I had a 1.5 finger gap up front and 2 finger gap in the rear. Now with 18s, still at the highest groove, I have 2 finger gap up front and 3 in back.

[erikas3]

After searching around, I have found out that some guys are running H&R race springs on stock sport struts. Since I have the stock sport suspension, would this be a effective way to lower my car? (Sport shocks have 123K if neither has been replaced by PO's.)
Thanks

[biketsai]

I am running stock sport struts, but its just not the best ride. Def nice looks for $200, but eventually youll get sick of it.

[Ewok_Fetus]

I felt almost no difference in the ride quality between H&R race/bilstein and the stock sport setup... Difference for me was around corners and hard bumps, which we don't have many bad roads in my area, it is fine...

[GetBoosted84]

I replaced my stock non-sport setup with the following a little while ago and I am loving it.

2.8 Sport Struts paired with H&R Race springs. It is so much better handling now and the price wasn't obnoxious.

[erikas3]

Thanks for the responses. Do you think that my shocks (at 123K) can handle such a setup at least till I have enough cash to buy Bilsteins? Thanks

[Ewok_Fetus]

Thanks for the responses. Do you think that my shocks (at 123K) can handle such a setup at least till I have enough cash to buy Bilsteins? Thanks

All 4 of mine were completely blown at 110k... I am sure they blew at 85k or earlier...

[erikas3]

All 4 of mine were completely blown at 110k... I am sure they blew at 85k or earlier...

Never mind to that idea then, I'll keep saving.

[RowdyAudi]

Thanks for the responses. Do you think that my shocks (at 123K) can handle such a setup at least till I have enough cash to buy Bilsteins? Thanks

Yeah, due to the age of your shocks I would just save until you can replace them... why install the springs, blow a shock and then have to tear your suspension apart again to fix it.... Also I heard from my service manager at Audi... and the performance shop that did the install on my H&R's, due to the more aggressive spring rate of the race springs they tend to not match well with the valving of OEM shocks, and can actually cause the valving to blow....not sure how correct this is but it seems to make sense... with wear and tear items like suspension, brakes, clutch, tires... you're better off starting fresh than trying to save a couple dollars by using old worn parts....

[MJM Autohaus]

You'll be happy with the NEUSPEED springs.

[A4orce84]

I like my vogtland/Koni setup a lot, I did a lot of research (you can probably find my posts on Audiworld) comparing every spring/shock combo out there.

I settled on the Vogtland/Koni's since they were a good price and a bit lower than Sport, but not as low as Race springs.

--Asif

[Ewok_Fetus]

I like my vogtland/Koni setup a lot, I did a lot of research (you can probably find my posts on Audiworld) comparing every spring/shock combo out there.

I settled on the Vogtland/Koni's since they were a good price and a bit lower than Sport, but not as low as Race springs.

--Asif

But you still don't have an exhaust do you asif! LOL!

[onemoremile]

I like my vogtland/Koni setup a lot, I did a lot of research (you can probably find my posts on Audiworld) comparing every spring/shock combo out there.

I settled on the Vogtland/Koni's since they were a good price and a bit lower than Sport, but not as low as Race springs.

--Asif

Good choice.

[A4orce84]

But you still don't have an exhaust do you asif! LOL!

Yeah Yeah Kyle...it's coming! I just graduated college last month, moving to Austin in July to start my job. Once I start making some $$ I'll probably get a Borla during AWE Holiday sale! =)

--Asif

[kingdon]

THE best set up is H&R coilovers. I just installed a few weeks ago and I love them they ride good over bumps and handel great in a corners. I got them from www.tirerack.com for $1058.00 ship.