B8 S4 Coilover recommendations - looking for specific advice based on use - not drop

[Audi Advocate]

I searched relentlessly in here and I can find a ton of recos on coilovers - all brands - based on drop/clearance but nothing really on ride performance.

I have:
- 2012 B8 S4
- Alu Kreuz
- Rear H&R sway
- No "true" ADS - only throttle, steering and rear diff settings unde "Dynamic/Comfort/Individual and Auto" .

I track 2-3 times a year, corner aggressively and live in Toronto - home of the original 4" deep pot-hole.

I am looking for (non-cheap end) coilover set-up with a compliant ride that can take to the track/aggressive driving without sacrificing as a daily driver. Ride height is not as critical as performance.

Appreciated!

[littleredwagen]

I have been eyeing up the H&R RSS coils they sound like a match for your needs
http://www.awe-tuning.com/h-r-coilov...19-1-coilovers

[Usa]

I'm in the same boat as you and thinking it's just better off to keep stock everything except throw on some H&R springs... I've been warned about the pot-hole love and how uncomfortable my ride would be with a set of PSS10's for example living in the north east. What are your thoughts?

[AKPS4]

I think your search will lead you to Bilstein PSS10 or H&R RSS. I have been looking as well and my main gripe with the RSS is the unlabeled adjustment knob. Either you can put your own marks on the knob or remember the adjustment but you'll need to start at one end or the other and then begin adjustments from there. Any coilover, regardless of cost, should have labeled adjustment knobs if it want to be called adjustable.

[1AkitaOne1]

I have the Bilstein B16 Electronic Damping Controller (EDC) with the IRC Wifi Ride Control option on my 2011 S4. I also have the following: Eurocode front and rear sway bars with adjustable end links, Alu Kreuz chassis brace, Stoptech ST60 BBK in front, Endless MX72 brake pads front and rear, stainless braided brake lines front and rear, Castrol SRF Synthetic brake fluid, Borla exhaust, Injen cold air intake and i run Neuspeed RS52 18 by 9 wheels with 265/35/18 tires for the track (HRE 567R 19 by 9 1/2 wheels with 275/35/19 tires for the street). Everything works very well together. On the street the car runs a lot smoother than stock. On the track it is much stiffer, corners flatter and has much less body roll. You simply dial up the suspension with a button on the dash. To fine tune the suspension you use the Iphone to set everything up to your liking. Make sure to set up the ride height and alignment properly when you finish the setup and before you track. Just keep in mind you will start with one little thing and before you know it you will spend well over $20K. Be careful my friend and drive carefully!

[Mops@Nemesis]

I'm in the same boat as you and thinking it's just better off to keep stock everything except throw on some H&R springs... I've been warned about the pot-hole love and how uncomfortable my ride would be with a set of PSS10's for example living in the north east. What are your thoughts?

Springs alone will be the more uncomfy option. The PSS10 can ride as nice as you like. Even H&R streets ride better than lowering springs alone.

I think your search will lead you to Bilstein PSS10 or H&R

Yep. I'm ordering the PSS10 very soon. The standard ones.

[1AkitaOne1]

The shocks and springs that I mentioned above are an electronically adjustable set of the PSS10's. Great suspension with the convenience of pushing a button to adjust the firmness.

[myrison]

I'm in the same boat as you and thinking it's just better off to keep stock everything except throw on some H&R springs... I've been warned about the pot-hole love and how uncomfortable my ride would be with a set of PSS10's for example living in the north east. What are your thoughts?

Whoa - not a good idea if your goal is anything other than just lowering for appearance. (I've done it so I speak from experience).

Springs alone for better performance or ride quality are not good. Search for a recent thread "I don't like my car at high speed" (the name should give you an idea what you're in for with just lowering springs)

I've been looking at the pss10s as well.


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[Usa]

Whoa - not a good idea if your goal is anything other than just lowering for appearance. (I've done it so I speak from experience).

Springs alone for better performance or ride quality are not good. Search for a recent thread "I don't like my car at high speed" (the name should give you an idea what you're in for with just lowering springs)

I've been looking at the pss10s as well.


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Yeah I read that, which is why I'd do shocks as well... I want to do the PSS10s I've just been advised against for the north east terrain.

[OldSport//]

I have the same goals and am also thinking PSS10's. Seems like we have a theme going in this thread.

[PsYkHoTiK]

I have the RSS+ on the RS5. Rides harder than the stock RS5's suspension for sure but corners really well. It has a linear spring though and can ride rather harshly in the city (I don't really mind - especially since I'm alone in the car most of the time). I do get the slight bobble head effect in "rough" downtown roads. But, I also track it ~6-8 times a year and daily drive it on a short commute.

Since you only do 2-3 track days a year, I would perhaps look at the PSS10 and other street performance coilovers rather than a more track oriented/club sport set up. On a street car, it's compromises that you can live with. If possible, ask around and see if you can ride shotgun with someone else that has coilovers installed in their car (if it's the same platform - B8/B8.5, it should feel the same).

[SteveYem]

Do not go for H&R Street Performance coilovers if comfort is a goal. Mine are downright harsh in the cold temperatures we have been experiencing, so I imagine you would have similar results in Canada.

[drob23]

I have the Bilstein B16 Electronic Damping Controller (EDC) with the IRC Wifi Ride Control option on my 2011 S4. I also have the following: Eurocode front and rear sway bars with adjustable end links, Alu Kreuz chassis brace, Stoptech ST60 BBK in front, Endless MX72 brake pads front and rear, stainless braided brake lines front and rear, Castrol SRF Synthetic brake fluid, Borla exhaust, Injen cold air intake and i run Neuspeed RS52 18 by 9 wheels with 265/35/18 tires for the track (HRE 567R 19 by 9 1/2 wheels with 275/35/19 tires for the street). Everything works very well together. On the street the car runs a lot smoother than stock. On the track it is much stiffer, corners flatter and has much less body roll. You simply dial up the suspension with a button on the dash. To fine tune the suspension you use the Iphone to set everything up to your liking. Make sure to set up the ride height and alignment properly when you finish the setup and before you track. Just keep in mind you will start with one little thing and before you know it you will spend well over $20K. Be careful my friend and drive carefully!

Not to derail, but what are your thoughts on the Neuspeed RS52 wheels (I'm assuming 18x9 et 40)? I'm considering throwing some A048 tires of the same size 265/35R18 but might just go R888 at 255/35R18. I have a 355mm ST60 in front, so I'm assuming you don't need spacers? I'm slightly dropped on H&R OE springs, and will probably dial in about 2.1 deg of camber up front. Really don't want any rubbing issues, which I believe will only happen up front with this fitment.

The other wheel I'm considering is a TSW nurburgring at 18x9.5 et 40, but then I pretty much have to run the 265 tire and will have an extra 6mm of wheel.

Thanks for the info!

[1AkitaOne1]

I like the RS52 wheels, not bad for the money. Relatively light and strong. They are around 20 pounds. I would have preferred my 18 by 9 Enkei RPF1 wheels. They had an ET of 37, fit the stock brakes and had no rubbing issues no matter how low I go. The best thing of those wheels is they only weigh 17 pounds! On the track you can run either the 255/35/18 or the 365/35/18 Hankook RS3 tires on these wheels with no problems. I would NEVER run a spacer on my car and would only purchase wheels that fit as intended. By the way if you know anyone who is interested (and has the stock B8 S4 brakes), the Enkei wheels are for sale.

[drob23]

I like the RS52 wheels, not bad for the money. Relatively light and strong. They are around 20 pounds. I would have preferred my 18 by 9 Enkei RPF1 wheels. They had an ET of 37, fit the stock brakes and had no rubbing issues no matter how low I go. The best thing of those wheels is they only weigh 17 pounds! On the track you can run either the 255/35/18 or the 365/35/18 Hankook RS3 tires on these wheels with no problems. I would NEVER run a spacer on my car and would only purchase wheels that fit as intended. By the way if you know anyone who is interested (and has the stock B8 S4 brakes), the Enkei wheels are for sale.

Exactly what I was looking for, was about to have some PF01's redrilled for me but found out they don't clear the ST60 calipers. Was pretty bummed about that. I ran 3mm spacers on my forgestars when I was first doing track events, and one time the bolts came loose and I thought something was seriously wrong. No more spacers for me on the track.

The TSW wheels are also very light (around 18-19 lbs I believe), but the 9.5" width is a little more than I want with beefier track tires. But I'm crossing my fingers that enough neg camber will eliminate the chance of rubbing. But the price on those nuespeed wheels from moddedeuros is 950 shipped, which is pretty hard to beat.

[o1turbo30v]

If you want or care about adjustable dampening get the aft mention Bilstein PSS10, if you want comfort/non adjustable dampening get the H&R Streets, the difference is about $1000.

[ECS Tuning-Audi]

Do not go for H&R Street Performance coilovers if comfort is a goal. Mine are downright harsh in the cold temperatures we have been experiencing, so I imagine you would have similar results in Canada.

Pretty much any shock is going to ride harder in colder temps until the fluid gets moving around. Tires get harder too, so do suspension bushings and the like, just something you have to accept unfortunately.

That being said H&R streets are a nice middle of the road coilover.

Jason

[SteveYem]

If you want or care about adjustable dampening get the aft mention Bilstein PSS10, if you want comfort/non adjustable dampening get the H&R Streets, the difference is about $1000.

FWIW, adding to my previous post: the H&R Street Performance coilovers on my 2015 S4 get so stiff in cold temperatures that the car loses traction and skips out when hitting a bump or rut when cornering. There is a spot on the road I take home every day from work, about 3 minutes into my drive, where I have experienced this phenomenon consistently in the cold temperatures we have been experiencing during the past month here in southeast PA. I understand that you can't fool mother nature....temps are sub-freezing, hydraulic fluid viscosity goes up, resulting in overly stiff shocks. What I'm wondering is if the more expensive adjustable shocks (Bilstein et al.) handle this any better. I suppose one could adjust to a lower stiffness setting during the cold months to offset the increase cold-temp viscosity of the fluid.

But I will say that after extended drives in cold temperatures, like 1+ hours, the ride becomes much more comfortable. I guess after enough oscillations there is sufficient heat built up in the dampers, even in cold ambient temperature, to get the fluid viscosity back down to nominal levels and provide the advertised (implied?) level of comfort.

[SteveYem]

Pretty much any shock is going to ride harder in colder temps until the fluid gets moving around. Tires get harder too, so do suspension bushings and the like, just something you have to accept unfortunately.

That being said H&R streets are a nice middle of the road coilover.

Jason

Good point, I wasn't even thinking about tires and bushings, but those would also contribute to the sensation I am noticing lately. I'm really looking forward to warmer temps within the next few weeks so I Can get back to a reasonable level of comfort!

[ECS Tuning-Audi]

Good point, I wasn't even thinking about tires and bushings, but those would also contribute to the sensation I am noticing lately. I'm really looking forward to warmer temps within the next few weeks so I Can get back to a reasonable level of comfort!

Yep! Trust me I am too! My B6 A4 on coils gets pretty stiff in single digit temps and below. I do mostly highway driving so it's not too terrible but when I'm on bumpy side roads it's not fun haha.

Jason

[Works2shoot]

Can you have near stock ride height for the PSS10s?

[B44]

Go vogtlands they really good.

[XLR8 Craig]

Go vogtlands they really good.

I'm a huge personal fan of Vogtlands myself, had them on prior B5 S4's and loved them. The H&R premium were very nice too.

My Vote go for Bilstein PSS10 or KW V3 or DDC in the B8 if you pan to daily/track the car. But my opinion is rather subjective.

[AKPS4]

Seems like plenty of interest in PSS10's. I wonder if a group buy can be setup.

[bpang1]

I'm just posting so I can follow this. I don't want to lose comfort as well.

However, I will note that Bilstein PSS systems are typically looked at as one of the best options on MANY platforms for their compliance in daily driver use. I have also been told that KW V3s are also very good when not set stiff but I will need to follow up with the race shop that I talk to about that.

[chillindrdude]

I have Bilstein PSS10s. They strike a nice balance between DD compliance and body roll control on the track.

A very worthwhile upgrade for the B8S4

[tgsweat]

How many of you get the binding issue with the Bilsteins? That's what keeping them off my list although I want them so bad.


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[Audi Advocate]

Pretty much any shock is going to ride harder in colder temps until the fluid gets moving around. Tires get harder too, so do suspension bushings and the like, just something you have to accept unfortunately.

That being said H&R streets are a nice middle of the road coilover.

Jason

Thanks Jason - good to know - I appreciate the experience from a North Easter's pov as well. - Cheers!

[GeoJoe]

Subbed

[Maitre Absolut]

if you are running the car year round I strongly suggest full stainless steel which eliminates H&R for the B8

I researched before getting the KW HAS kit, it seems there is no setup that is without issues even in the high end PSS10 and KW V3.

[saxon]

Ohlin SL's

loved mine!

[Mops@Nemesis]

Seems like plenty of interest in PSS10's. I wonder if a group buy can be setup.

PM me. I'll take good care

[Audi Advocate]

if you are running the car year round I strongly suggest full stainless steel which eliminates H&R for the B8

I researched before getting the KW HAS kit, it seems there is no setup that is without issues even in the high end PSS10 and KW V3.

We are enduring the same harsh climate - curious of you are V1 or V2?

I had heard about having to over-oil some kits to stop rusting - KW is stainless ?

Thanks !

[brainpan]

if you are running the car year round I strongly suggest full stainless steel which eliminates H&R for the B8

I researched before getting the KW HAS kit, it seems there is no setup that is without issues even in the high end PSS10 and KW V3.

Good to know about the H&R, they were on my list, I was under the impression they were full stainless

[Maitre Absolut]

We are enduring the same harsh climate - curious of you are V1 or V2?

I had heard about having to over-oil some kits to stop rusting - KW is stainless ?

Thanks !

Yes KW is stainless. ST is the galvanized steel version.

Good to know about the H&R, they were on my list, I was under the impression they were full stainless

They make a SS kit just not for the S4

[Shimmy]

kwv3 or clubsport. I ran the kwv3 on my m3 and they ride amazing.

[myrison]

I have Bilstein PSS10s. They strike a nice balance between DD compliance and body roll control on the track.

A very worthwhile upgrade for the B8S4

I just got my B16 / PSS10 put in on my '14 S4 3 days ago. I also put in the iRC module that allows the suspension to be adjusted via iPhone/Android. Man it's a sweet setup.

I upgraded from H&R OE sport springs, which I was very dissatisfied with (floaty is the best description I've read, and it's accurate).

I realize I haven't had them long enough to post a meaningful review, but I can confidently say that these give a very nice looking drop with ZERO sacrifice in ride quality in comfort mode, and an awesome experience in sport mode.

I have no experience with other coilovers so I can't compare. I can just say these are a great investment. Good luck with your choice.


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[Audi Advocate]

I have the Bilstein B16 Electronic Damping Controller (EDC) with the IRC Wifi Ride Control option on my 2011 S4. I also have the following: Eurocode front and rear sway bars with adjustable end links, Alu Kreuz chassis brace, Stoptech ST60 BBK in front, Endless MX72 brake pads front and rear, stainless braided brake lines front and rear, Castrol SRF Synthetic brake fluid, Borla exhaust, Injen cold air intake and i run Neuspeed RS52 18 by 9 wheels with 265/35/18 tires for the track (HRE 567R 19 by 9 1/2 wheels with 275/35/19 tires for the street). Everything works very well together. On the street the car runs a lot smoother than stock. On the track it is much stiffer, corners flatter and has much less body roll. You simply dial up the suspension with a button on the dash. To fine tune the suspension you use the Iphone to set everything up to your liking. Make sure to set up the ride height and alignment properly when you finish the setup and before you track. Just keep in mind you will start with one little thing and before you know it you will spend well over $20K. Be careful my friend and drive carefully!

Wow - nice mods - am envious you are in Cali - here in the Northeast I must go KW it looks like since they are stainless and even at that will likely have to take care of them.

Seems like most interest is in PSS10's - are they less expensive than the KW?'s I have V2's priced out at CDN $2400 installed.

[chris@fifteen52]

KW is offering a rebate on coil this month.

[myrison]

About the same installed on the Bilstein if you don't get the iRC. If you do, another 600-800


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