Shoes and shocks

**dmansr25sd** · 03-24-2010 06:04 AM

Hey I'm looking at getting some new wheels and shocks.

For suspension I was going for koni fsd & eibach springs becauase I don't really want to spend a ton here, its a DD and an occasional autoX car for me.

For wheels, vmr V708 rs4 reps in gunmetal. I am debating between 18's & 19's x 8.5". I drive on some rough roads, but I don't want to pay all this money and not look as good as I can.

Also was looking at putting continental extremecontact dws's since I can get them mounted and balanced with the wheels. Its a margainal price increase from dedicated summers, so if I want I can always toss winters on my stockers later.

Big questions I have are
1.) How is the drop on the koni's and they're not adjustable correct
2.) What wheel offset 38mm or 45mm
3.) Should I be worried about rubbing or anything like that

So thoughts on suspension, wheels, tires, anything.

**EBG 18T** · 03-24-2010 06:16 AM

koni fsd/eibach is too soft for auto-x. This a very comfortable setup, adding a 22mm OEM RS4 rear bar will help rotation some. ride height will be similar to OEM sport. The FSD's are not designed for lowered applications.

VMR 19's are too heavy for auto-x. Conti DWS has a fairly soft sidewall and not ideal for auto-x or performance driving.

I would not go over 18's knowing the roads in Andover. The Conti DW would be better option for spring, summer & fall. Mount winter tires on your stock wheels.

**dmansr25sd** · 03-24-2010 06:40 AM

I have an rs4 sway bar, didn't mention that, just installed it last week. First and foremost it will be a DD so I am willing to live with a sacrifice of performance for comfort, I have lived this long without any suspension components.

What do you mean by the fsd's not meant for lowered applications? Do they not work well, don't give a significant drop, or can't go that low? I'm just looking not to be 4x4 with new wheels really, no slammed shit.

Oh and the roads in Andover aren't what I'm worried about haha, I am in New Haven CT now and will be going back to school in Troy NY, both pothole ridden, so maybe i should seriously consider 18's more.

**EBG 18T** · 03-24-2010 06:58 AM

Originally Posted by dmansr25sd

I have an rs4 sway bar, didn't mention that, just installed it last week. First and foremost it will be a DD so I am willing to live with a sacrifice of performance for comfort, I have lived this long without any suspension components.

What do you mean by the fsd's not meant for lowered applications? Do they not work well, don't give a significant drop, or can't go that low? I'm just looking not to be 4x4 with new wheels really, no slammed shit.

Oh and the roads in Andover aren't what I'm worried about haha, I am in New Haven CT now and will be going back to school in Troy NY, both pothole ridden, so maybe i should seriously consider 18's more.

FSD's don't work with many lowering springs. They are not using a shortened stroke design like the Koni yellow (sport). Thus the reason Koni worked with Eibach to provide a matched setup. They don't lower much, which for many of us is fine. The FSD/Eibach w/ 22mm rear bar will handle decent and will be an excellent DD. Just don't expect it to be competitve at AX.

I saw N. Andover listed there on the left. But IIRC Troy is MUCH worse than our roads here. With that in mind i would keep to 18's. The 18's look good and actually IMHO look better than 19's if you aren't lowering to the car too much. Plus the ride quality of 18's will be slightly better than 19's. If you have the $$ flow i would suggest getting winter tires for your OEM wheels and putting strickly summer tires on the 18 VMR's.

**-Audi_tuning-** · 03-24-2010 07:38 AM

I wouldnt really worry about the rubbing, I ran 19x8.5 last season and I had to drop mine more than three inches before starting to rub... as for the roads around here we all know they suck so 18's would probably be best... all 4 of my 19's are egg shaped from the the MA/NH roads...

**dmansr25sd** · 03-24-2010 07:42 AM

Thanks EBG for all the info!

I am still really debating the 18's vs 19's I have been reading around and it seems very split. Some say that it doesn't compromise ride quality significantly, but I am sure there is an increase in pothole worries. And yeah none of the three places I am in often have good roads...I hate New England

The drop on the fsd set looks just right from the pics I see to keep it as an all season dd though

Any thoughts on rub and offset?

**EBG 18T** · 03-24-2010 07:49 AM

Originally Posted by dmansr25sd

Any thoughts on rub and offset?

VMR deisgned the wheels with the proper offset to avoid rubbing in most situations. I am lower than what the FSD/Eibach combo will be and my 18" VMR's are the pefect offset. No rubbing & look good. I run them as my winter wheels and after 3 winters they are still perfectly straight. Solid wheel company.

Keep in mind a 18" wheel on a slightly higher suspension is usually better looking than a 19" with the shorter sidewall on the higher suspension.

**vedub84** · 03-24-2010 10:17 AM

I have koni fsd and they come as a package with eibach lowering springs it dropped my avant about 1.25 all around and its def as comfortable as stock but not that stiff, i think this set up with h sport sways would be perfect for a dd

**dmansr25sd** · 03-24-2010 11:10 AM

Thanks for all the responses guys, I think you all convinced me to go with the 18's considering the conservative drop.

Originally Posted by EBG 18T

VMR deisgned the wheels with the proper offset to avoid rubbing in most situations. I am lower than what the FSD/Eibach combo will be and my 18" VMR's are the pefect offset. No rubbing & look good. I run them as my winter wheels and after 3 winters they are still perfectly straight. Solid wheel company.

Hey EBG which wheel offset are you runing then the 38 or 45