coilovers or springs???

**joes_a4** · 09-23-2008 07:40 PM

whats the diffrence of them both? i know that coilovers you can adjust. is that why they are so expensive? i was thinking about going streeet springs? which one would you guys prefer? a little help would be appreciated! Thanks

**big_greasy_taco** · 09-23-2008 07:49 PM

theres tons of info on this topic, just gotta search...

having said that the quick answer is: springs are cheaper, but will eventually blow your oem shocks.
coilovers are the way to go if you can afford them.

**SykoraA4** · 09-23-2008 09:43 PM

also good to note if you already have the sport factory suspension. if so, sport springs wont drop you down much lower. and ECStuning sells an adaption kit so that you can make your spring/shock combo adjustable, but i havent heard of too many people who have used it. im pretty sure if you bought race springs, shocks and the kit from ecs you would be in the coilover ballpark anyways.

**Mike@PureMS** · 09-23-2008 10:20 PM

Coilovers are height adjustable. They feature a matched shock/spring combination with a threaded body shock that allows you to adjust the height.

Springs/shocks are fixed height setups usually and only drop your car xyz amount and don't change. There are a ton of exceptions to both of these, and a lot of variables depending FWD/Quattro. Best to research what you're looking for, or talk to some experts to help you sort through the tons of options.

**kingtr** · 09-23-2008 11:30 PM

I only have one thing to say: Are you actually going to take the time (or pay someone) to adjust the height up and down if you get coilovers (for winter or whatever)?

This was all I asked myself when deciding. I knew I wouldn't, so I ordered Vogtland springs and Bilstein HD shocks from Mike. That was about 3 years ago I think, still very pleased. I've blown both front shocks, but I think that is just a product of time, rough roads and big heavy wheels. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

**A3toB5** · 09-24-2008 06:57 AM

Originally Posted by kingtr

I only have one thing to say: Are you actually going to take the time (or pay someone) to adjust the height up and down if you get coilovers (for winter or whatever)?

This was all I asked myself when deciding. I knew I wouldn't, so I ordered Vogtland springs and Bilstein HD shocks from Mike. That was about 3 years ago I think, still very pleased. I've blown both front shocks, but I think that is just a product of time, rough roads and big heavy wheels. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Lost of people tell me that the spring and shock combination if not combined will blow shocks. What does one look for in deciding which combo to go with.. Vogtland and Bilstein I heard are good ( how low was ur drop ?) I don't want to go too low thinking of going with 17" S4 OEM rims. I live in NYC

**joes_a4** · 09-24-2008 10:38 AM

you guys have pictures of your car droped with the shokcs and the springs (not the coilovers)? and can you guys tell me the detail.

**pyongwonse** · 09-24-2008 04:48 PM

blistein with h&r race, also with s4 side skirts

**joes_a4** · 09-24-2008 06:17 PM

Originally Posted by pyongwonse

blistein with h&r race, also with s4 side skirts

how much did that run you?

**biketsai** · 09-24-2008 07:11 PM

Race springs are about $250 from Tire Rack.
I have my old set with 6,000 miles on them for sale if you want.
They will fit an AWD A4 1.8t
I ran my springs on Stock sport struts and it make a big difference!
Here I am with 18" wheels

**joes_a4** · 09-24-2008 07:26 PM

Originally Posted by biketsai

Race springs are about $250 from Tire Rack.
I have my old set with 6,000 miles on them for sale if you want.
They will fit an AWD A4 1.8t
I ran my springs on Stock sport struts and it make a big difference!
Here I am with 18" wheels

to bad i got a fwd 2.8.

**kingtr** · 09-24-2008 08:33 PM

My first car (silver one) had vogtland sport springs and bilstein HD shocks (from Mike@purems). I went from non-sport to these, huge difference. About a finger gap all around as the pic shows (sorry not best pic...)

My current car has eibach pro kit springs with bilstein HDs up front and Koni adjustables in the rear (had konis up front but didnt like them, swapped with my mechanic). Almost exact same drop as the vogtlands, but I liked the vogtland ride better. Roughly one finger all around or about 24.75" from ground to top of wheel well arch.