Suspension Short List

[evil_O]

Looking to get a different suspension setup for the S4 ('06). I am not happy with the current setup it has... no worries this is my ONLY complaint about the car. A local (trustworthy) shop took a quick peak at it and it appears the original owner just put new springs in it with the stock sport shocks. Not too bad but I would like something shall we say, a bit better?

With that said, I am looking at several suspensions. Here is the short list:

KW-V3 - $2048.29
H&R Street Perf. Coilover - $1258.00
FK Konig sport coilovers (dampening adj.) - $1249.95
PSS9 Coilover kit - $1695.95

Keep in mind, I am doing coilovers to get my exact look dialed in while maintaining ride quality. As far as adjusting... I am just not sure it will happen. I know the Koni Yellows (FK coilovers) are adjustable from the top, so it would be a one time adjustment as it does not appear I can get to the perch from inside the engine bay (unless I am missing something)....

I will NOT be tracking the car. So I guess I don't want to "overdo" my needs. Hence the reason I am not going STaSIS. I have heard great things about STaSIS but I just can't justify the 500 over the KW-V3 (again... I am not sure even KW is what I want as I don't think I will need dampening/rebound adjusting. In the end... it sounds like I would drive myself nuts always tinkering with the thing)

In the end, I guess I am just looking for experience with and thoughts surrounding my short list. I think I would be happy with any of them... especially over what I have now.

If it helps... I am really leaning towards the H&Rs. Good price, good name, install, adjust height, and I would be done....

Thoughts? I have searched and read many thoughts surrounding suspensions... so I guess I just needed to create my own thread to address my own selfish needs.

TIA

[swoyekr.]

I've always been a fan of koni/eibach/ground control setups

[cam]

from what i hear the vogtland setup is the most cost effective, and although it isnt dampening adjustable they say the ride is very compliant.

i have a set of koni coils on my s4, from a v6 a4, i have them set to full stiff all around, the ride is good, and i am "slammed" as you guys would say.

[littleredwagen]

I love my h&r coils

[fitzS4]

people live by the pss9's...and i think kw's prices just went up too.....when it is time i am goin to go with pss9's

[evil_O]

OK... just got off the phone with H&R (Stephanie). As it turns out, these are the current springs on the car (pulled the wheel a bit ago and found out). I wanted to double check with H&Rand make sure they are the CORRECT spring... and they are.

With all that said, they recommended I call and speak with Mike at AWE about shocks. I really like the ride height of the spring that is in the car... just don't like the mild bouncy bouncy. So... with all of that said... it looks like I am going to stay with the springs and get new shocks. For me, I think this will be a good setup. I just don't see myself adjusting the suspension at all once it is in... and did I mention I like how she is sitting now?

[littleredwagen]

Mike at AWE

good guy and company

[RAudi Driver]

ok, Evil O, get some pics posted after the install.

[docjester9]

Just installed PSS9s and the ride is still really smooth, but stiffens up in the corners when needed, but in my opinion the best bang for the buck is going to be Hsport sways, really flattened out the body roll in the corners at speed

[evil_O]

ok, Evil O, get some pics posted after the install.

Will do. Already have some posted in another thread. The ride height won't change but the ride should. Here is the thread with pics...

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...ghlight=evil_O

I am going out soon to wash and what not. I will see if my fiance can snap some extra photos.

[FastB7S4]

Yeah. Your ride height looks really good as is. I'm probably going to get H&R springs and a set of Koni adustable shocks when I can afford it. I just can't justify the price of coilovers when I know I won't ever adjust the ride height. Let us know what shocks Mike @ AWE recommends. I think Koni's are the only shocks available but I wonder if he'll say Bilstein.

[evil_O]

Yeah. Your ride height looks really good as is. I'm probably going to get H&R springs and a set of Koni adustable shocks when I can afford it. I just can't justify the price of coilovers when I know I won't ever adjust the ride height. Let us know what shocks Mike @ AWE recommends. I think Koni's are the only shocks available but I wonder if he'll say Bilstein.

+1

I was a little disappointed this morning when I talked with AWE. Not in them but rather the options that are out there. They were hoping to fit the car with Bilsteins but as it turns out Bilstein does not have an application for my car. They (of course) are not big fans of Koni. With that said they recommended COs... either H&R or PSS9s.

Not liking that answer, I called and spoke with Koni. They indicated their sports are a great setup (of course) with the H&R sports.

Talking with Koni about the drop, car, and my driving, they recommended adjusting the shock with 3/4 to 1 full turn (from full soft). If I set them on full hard 2-2.5 turns, I might rattle my teeth out.

Sooooo..... I think next week, I will be ordering up a set of Koni Yellows.

Is anyone currently running the Yellows with the H&R Sport Springs? If so... how soft/hard do you have it set? What is the ride like???

TIA

[FastB7S4]

I posed this same question in another post a couple weeks ago. I got this response from likewater who has this set-up, except with h-sport sways as well:

Well, the ride can be a little bouncy at times on some roads but otherwise it feels really good and I'm very happy with it. I think I would have preferred the coilovers in terms of the overall ride, but I have no way to compare the shock/spring setup to coilovers since I've never had them on my car. I also went with Hotchkis Sways front and rear and I'm sure that also makes a difference. I have my Koni's on the Medium setting and it's stiff but not overly so.

Hope this helps.

[evil_O]

Fast^^

Thanks for the info. I wish I could ride in something comparable around here. I would like to know what he means by a bit bouncy at times. It can't be as bad as with the stock shocks.... I mean it would have to be better right????

[FastB7S4]

I think by bouncy he means that when he hits a big dip, there is a rebound effect that feels like you are kind of bouncing. I'm sure it's definitely not as bad as aftermarket springs with stock shocks. Your ride should be much better as well as handling. I think you'll be happy. I'm going to do the same when I can afford it. In the mean time, post up your impressions when you get them installed.

[evil_O]

I think you are right. I think i will be more than happy...especially comparing it to what I have. I will most definitley post impressions. Should be in the next couple of weeks.

[evil_O]

I have one other person double checking the availabilty of the Bilstein sports. I will let you know what I find out. If not.. Konis it is.

[ichibunz]

Love my H&R and ride is great!!

[XwalkerX]

i just put kw variant 3's on my avant and its sooo much better...