Sport vs Stock Suspension

**Castro27** · 12-22-2008 12:45 PM

My 98 B5 has sport suspension right now from the factory and it might be about time to replace it. So i figure that I might as well lower the car if I have to replace the suspension anyway. My question is, how much lower is the sport than the stock and how much lower from stock will it take to have the look where the top of the tires are just about even with the fender? I am not really trying to get coils, but I want the right drop. Might be a tall order... what do you think?

**CONTROL ONE** · 12-22-2008 12:53 PM

huh?

Are you asking the difference between A4 and S4 ride heights?

**Castro27** · 12-22-2008 06:04 PM

No, I am basically asking how much of a drop it will take from the stock suspension to get the tires to fit flush with the fenders. About how many inches.

**GunSupplier** · 12-22-2008 07:45 PM

Originally Posted by Castro27

No, I am basically asking how much of a drop it will take from the stock suspension to get the tires to fit flush with the fenders. About how many inches.

Reference this thread for a general idea of height: http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...hlight=springs

I'm not sure about the exact measurement, but I'd say right around an actual 1.5 inches is where front and rear tires are pretty much flush. It's really hard to tell how much a set of springs and shocks will lower the car ahead of time, even if the company claims they lower a certain amount. Sometimes certain people get slightly more drop or slightly less with the same kit.

In general on S4s, the front seems to need a tad more lowering, since it seems to sit a bit higher than the rear.

As far as spring + shock combos go, the Vogtland/Koni kit is a mild drop. The Bilstein + H&R drops significantly more, too much for some. I actually just bought some coilovers. I need to replace my blown shocks anyway, and never thought I would be buying coilovers, but with the savings I got with coupons and sales, it was a great time to buy. I don't need the damping adjustment of coils, but it will be nice to be able to adjust them to the exact obsessive compulsive height I want it at, instead of just settling for a certain pre-set height with shocks + springs.

If you are dead set on exact height, there are some nice sales on coilovers going on, so you might want to take a closer look.

**MacDaddy** · 12-22-2008 09:10 PM

Originally Posted by Castro27

No, I am basically asking how much of a drop it will take from the stock suspension to get the tires to fit flush with the fenders. About how many inches.

don't you have a tape measure?

**Castro27** · 12-22-2008 10:51 PM

Originally Posted by MacDaddy

don't you have a tape measure?

Yes, but I dont have a car with stock suspension. I have one with sport suspension. (See the opening to the thread)

GunSupplier,

Thanks for the help. How much did you get your coils for? I found a set of ST (supposed to be similar to KW) on another VW forum for about $740 shipped. I can't even find a regular kit for that cheap so it might be a good deal. And like you, I'm kind of obbsessed with having it come out how I want it, so I'm not sure I want to take the chance with a set height kit.

**MacDaddy** · 12-23-2008 06:19 PM

sport suspension is only 1/2" lower than regular

**GunSupplier** · 12-23-2008 06:24 PM

Originally Posted by Castro27

Thanks for the help. How much did you get your coils for? I found a set of ST (supposed to be similar to KW) on another VW forum for about $740 shipped. I can't even find a regular kit for that cheap so it might be a good deal.

No problem.

I got my Vogtlands for $950 from PureMS (when they still had the price-reduction). To be honest, anything below $1000, or even lower is a pretty damn good deal. Typical shocks + springs cost around $700-$800, so if you are scoring a set of full-on, tried and true coil-overs (examples: H&R, Vogtland, Stasis, KW, Koni, Eibach etc.) for only $100-$200 more than a set of springs + shocks, then you are in fantastic deal territory.

I don't really know anything about ST coils, but $740 is a great deal if they are very similar to KW. As much as I hate to repeat advice, I'll repeat this piece of advice: Suspension isn't an area to skimp on. Paying $100-$200 more initially may be the difference between loving and hating your new set-up. Cheaping out on silicone hoses from eBay isn't a big risk, but cheaping out with suspension components is always a gamble.

Keep us posted as to what you decide.