H&R Lowering springs in combination with the stock DRC on the RS4 - yay or nay?

[ven0m]

Hey guys,

I'm only asking this because I still have a fully functioning and healthy DRC - if I wouldn't, I would already have a set of KW Clubsport coils on the way over from Germany.

My question, has anybody done this before, to combine lowering springs with the DRC shock absorbers?
What is the end result? Does the car still behave normaly or do these springs ruin the suspension dynamics? Is the ride stiffer or simply harsher?

How's the quality of these aftermarket springs?


I have never done any suspension modifications so far but I did my home work about the basics.

[HamidsVikes]

Nay...

I went with that set up originally..
front end was not low enough...
I found out that B5 perches will lower the front end...
so switched the perches...
it was good for awhile till the shocks started to fail...
installed Beilstin shocks...
front was back up high again... B5 perches wouldn't work on these shocks...
so switched it that day with H & R coils...
should have gone with the coils to begin with..
would have saved lots of $$$$ and headaches..
you will have to replace the shocks down the road anywise, so just do it once with the coils..
only one install, and the set up is soooo much better than springs alone, and way better than springs with aftermarcket shocks...
its worth the wait!!!!

[komseh]

I'd say just do the coilovers when you are ready, don't worry about half-measures before then.

Good choice on the clubsports btw, mine are due here early March. Zee Germans have been taking their time.

[singleframe]

Few of us have gone with the KW HAS kit and had solid results. Check them out.

[WinterRunner]

I say Yay! I've had them on the car for almost 40K miles, not even a hiccup. I used Gasttalt's rear spring spacer to compensate for the reverse-rake look, all is perfect!

[AvusPdx]

I say Yay! I've had them on the car for almost 40K miles, not even a hiccup. I used Gasttalt's rear spring spacer to compensate for the reverse-rake look, all is perfect!

Yes you can use rear spacers to raise the rear to even out the look. I'm actually using this for the coilover set up so that the rear are raised a little bit more.

[badbluers4]

Nay

[ven0m]

I say Yay! I've had them on the car for almost 40K miles, not even a hiccup. I used Gasttalt's rear spring spacer to compensate for the reverse-rake look, all is perfect!

Thanks man, exactly the info I was looking for. Do you mind a couple of additional questions?
- Did you use the H&R springs listed under item# 50300? They don't use that number in EU, I found them under 29312-3 (They have 3 different versions -1 for A4, -2 for S4 and -3 for RS4)
- Do you know maybe what the spring rate is on these and what was the spring rate on the OEM springs?
- The 40k says everything about the quality, do you also drive through snow/salt?
- Can you share more detail on these Gasttalt's rear spring spacer? I would very much like to get rid of this reverse-rake look.
- Were adjustable upper links required to fix the camber at the front? I doubt since it's only a 0.75" and 0.6" drop.
- Do you maybe have any pictures of your car before/after the spring change?

I'd say just do the coilovers when you are ready, don't worry about half-measures before then.

Good choice on the clubsports btw, mine are due here early March. Zee Germans have been taking their time.

ZEE Germans! :P
Yeah I'm lucky with KW and H&R being stationed in Germany, postage over to Slovenia is 20€.
The springs in question are available in Germany for 160€ + 20€ shipping. That's not a lot to experience how the car handles at lower ride height and (hopefully) stiffer spring ratio.
And I already have a Hotchkis rear sway-bar on the way over from the States - so combining these two should make a noticeable difference in stiffness and handling.

Few of us have gone with the KW HAS kit and had solid results. Check them out.

I also saw KW HAS coilovers but at the moment I'm looking to keep the DRC shocks.

Nay...

I went with that set up originally..
front end was not low enough...
I found out that B5 perches will lower the front end...
so switched the perches...
it was good for awhile till the shocks started to fail...
installed Beilstin shocks...
front was back up high again... B5 perches wouldn't work on these shocks...
so switched it that day with H & R coils...
should have gone with the coils to begin with..
would have saved lots of $$$$ and headaches..
you will have to replace the shocks down the road anywise, so just do it once with the coils..
only one install, and the set up is soooo much better than springs alone, and way better than springs with aftermarcket shocks...
its worth the wait!!!!

Thank you for sharing the negative experience! I'm aware that at any given time the DRC can fail and I will have to change to coilovers but for the time being that it's working I'm searching for a solution to get a bit more stiff ride and to close the gap between the fender and the wheel.

I would say that your bad experience with was due to bad-luck followed by some more bad-luck. I hope my experience will go more smoothly. *knocks on wood*

[badbluers4]

KW HAS kit isn't coilovers, you do keep the DRC

[Eric F]

Few of us have gone with the KW HAS kit and had solid results. Check them out.

I also saw KW HAS coilovers but at the moment I'm looking to keep the DRC shocks.

That is the purpose of the KW HAS. So that you can keep the DRC.

Here is a picture of mine with the KW HAS.

[singleframe]

Mine with KW HAS..
ImageUploadedByTapatalk1456597716.980128.jpg

[ven0m]

KW HAS kit isn't coilovers, you do keep the DRC

Thank you for your persistence and pardon me for my ignorance! I just looked at the HAS picture quickly, interpreted it as coils and searched on...

Now you have me sold! This is the way I'll go, because I can still easily lift the car when needed:
- high in the winter when I plough through the snow sideways ^_^
- medium when going on vacation in Dalmatia, because the roads are still very old, narrow and rugged (sometimes also not paved)
- low for car-meets and track days

http://www.kwsuspensions.net/kw-hohe....html?typ=4114

These are just perfect, they are triple the price compared to just springs, but that's just negligible when you have the ability to set height as you please.
TüV, quality certificate, everything you need, KW rarely disappoints.


Eric F, singleframe; how is the ride quality, stiffens and how long do you have them installed already? Any problems with the threads wearing if you change the height a lot?
I want the car to be stiffer but not harsher if you understand what I'm saying (so that it's not like putting cheap Chinese rims on your car that jolt through your spine every time you hit a pothole)

Did you guys also add any adjustable upper links at the front?

[musanoadsaba]

Another vote for the HAS kit. They are easy to adjust, although I just keep mine at 25.75 FTG. Ride is excellent, absorbs small bumps/cracks but is stiffer as you progress into the compression. I like them better than the stock springs.
No need for adjustable UCA's unless you go lower than 25.5

[highPSI-S4]

Agree again on the KW HAS Kit, I purchased and had my set installed in fall 2014.

Haven driven on the OE springs, H&R springs and now the KW HAS. The HAS kit is far more superior than both OE and H&R in overall feel and compliments the DRC very well.

[ven0m]

Why didn't I search before... found this thread and all the info I need!
http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...ring-kit/page3

Thank you musanoadsaba for your review on the 12-02-2014 - all the answers I needed. KW HAS kit ordered directly from KW Germany.
(and Hotchkis rear-sway bar is already on the way from JHM, ohboyohboyohboy)

Update on my KW H.A.S. kit. Been running it for at least 2 months now and the ride is definitely stiffer than the stock springs. Small highway rumblings are completely muted for a smooth quiet ride but larger cracks, etc are felt. Cornering is great as well as the stiffness of the spring is noticeable. I don't use my car on a track, so in line with what highPSI said, it was for aesthetics. I originally was going to use stock springs and B5 perches only, but I changed my mind so I can adjust ride height to what I exactly wanted.

Install did not require removal of the DRC lines. Alignment was set up fine without adjustable control arms.

I am running it at 25.75" fender height front and rear and have room for quite a bit of adjustment up or down still. Alignment was set up fine without adjustable control arms.

[musanoadsaba]

enjoy

[ven0m]

Agree again on the KW HAS Kit, I purchased and had my set installed in fall 2014.

Haven driven on the OE springs, H&R springs and now the KW HAS. The HAS kit is far more superior than both OE and H&R in overall feel and compliments the DRC very well.

highPSI, what was your detailed wheel/tyre setup at this height setting? (Size, offset, tyre, etc.)
ps: you're missing the front splitter :P
And thank you also for your input in both threads!




Edit: found it in your signature "Bronze Work Kiwami 19x10.5 et22 |Dunlop Direzza 265/30"
I'm running OZ Ultraleggera 19x10 et29 with Michelin PSS 275/35 so it's a bit beefier tyre, but my offset and rim size tucks the wheel more under the fender.

Do you have any rubbing on the top when you brake hard during spirited driving?


My FENDER GAP

[highPSI-S4]

highPSI, what was your detailed wheel/tyre setup at this height setting? (Size, offset, tyre, etc.)
ps: you're missing the front splitter :P
And thank you also for your input in both threads!




Edit: found it in your signature "Bronze Work Kiwami 19x10.5 et22 |Dunlop Direzza 265/30"
I'm running OZ Ultraleggera 19x10 et29 with Michelin PSS 275/35 so it's a bit beefier tyre, but my offset and rim size tucks the wheel more under the fender.

Do you have any rubbing on the top when you brake hard during spirited driving?


My FENDER GAP

That picture was actually just after getting the car from the body shop on the EU Bumper install and they sure did forget to install the Splitter.





This is the car at 24 1/4 ground to Fender, only rubs in the rear on big bumps and dips, And the front only rubs with sharp high speed cornering (60+ mph)

[your daddy]

I rock the H&Rs now, and will untill the DRC shits the bed. then its PSS9s. I am not a fan of any of the kw/st products anymore.

[singleframe]

Thank you for your persistence and pardon me for my ignorance! I just looked at the HAS picture quickly, interpreted it as coils and searched on...

Now you have me sold! This is the way I'll go, because I can still easily lift the car when needed:
- high in the winter when I plough through the snow sideways ^_^
- medium when going on vacation in Dalmatia, because the roads are still very old, narrow and rugged (sometimes also not paved)
- low for car-meets and track days

http://www.kwsuspensions.net/kw-hohe....html?typ=4114

These are just perfect, they are triple the price compared to just springs, but that's just negligible when you have the ability to set height as you please.
TüV, quality certificate, everything you need, KW rarely disappoints.


Eric F, singleframe; how is the ride quality, stiffens and how long do you have them installed already? Any problems with the threads wearing if you change the height a lot?
I want the car to be stiffer but not harsher if you understand what I'm saying (so that it's not like putting cheap Chinese rims on your car that jolt through your spine every time you hit a pothole)

Did you guys also add any adjustable upper links at the front?

little late here..sorry. But I echo what the guys have said about the KW HAS kit...they compliment the DRC perfectly AND adjustable at that! Great bang for your buck. Also, if you haven't rolled your fronts, I would do that for sure. It's not a big deal at all. Enjoy!

[WinterRunner]

Thanks man, exactly the info I was looking for. Do you mind a couple of additional questions?
- Did you use the H&R springs listed under item# 50300? They don't use that number in EU, I found them under 29312-3 (They have 3 different versions -1 for A4, -2 for S4 and -3 for RS4)
- Do you know maybe what the spring rate is on these and what was the spring rate on the OEM springs?
- The 40k says everything about the quality, do you also drive through snow/salt?
- Can you share more detail on these Gasttalt's rear spring spacer? I would very much like to get rid of this reverse-rake look.
- Were adjustable upper links required to fix the camber at the front? I doubt since it's only a 0.75" and 0.6" drop.
- Do you maybe have any pictures of your car before/after the spring change?

No worries, I don't know the model number or rates, but I can check at home. The spacer is just an aluminum puck-like piece that spaces out the rear spring assembly and makes it sit a little higher, other guys use the B5 front perch for the same effect (but lower). Yes I drive through snow, salt, rain, it's my daily driver now for the past 2 years. I had UCAs put on after the drop, but they were not needed, it was my choice to. Here she is lowered (don't mind the missing chin spoiler):



Hope this helps some.

[skhan91]

No worries, I don't know the model number or rates, but I can check at home. The spacer is just an aluminum puck-like piece that spaces out the rear spring assembly and makes it sit a little higher, other guys use the B5 front perch for the same effect (but lower). Yes I drive through snow, salt, rain, it's my daily driver now for the past 2 years. I had UCAs put on after the drop, but they were not needed, it was my choice to. Here she is lowered (don't mind the missing chin spoiler):



Hope this helps some.

looks great. how hard was the installation of lowering springs on stock drc?

Sent from my SGH-I337M using Tapatalk

[WinterRunner]

It was very easy, I just had to use my credit card. All joking aside, I know you can have them installed without unplugging and de-pressurizing the DRC system. How, I don't know...

[highPSI-S4]

It was very easy, I just had to use my credit card. All joking aside, I know you can have them installed without unplugging and de-pressurizing the DRC system. How, I don't know...

Having done the install myself twice, it's fairly easy.

There's enough slack in the DRC line that you can twist the shock and it slides out enough to give you access to the top strut mount and the strut mount bolt. It's easier if you have 2 people cause if your not careful you can kink the line.

[ven0m]

Regarding the changing of the springs the process is very nicely explained and pictured in the KW HAS installation guide. I think I will do it myself, just need to get a spring compressor first.

http://docs.kwsuspension.de/ea-KWHFS-h25310051.pdf


@singleframe; I also thought if rolling the fronts would help a bit, thanks for that reminder.

@WinterRunner; Something like that is what I wish to achieve, but I went with the adjustable KW now since the ability to raise/lower the car is worth the extra $. And I was always liked KW's quality. Thank you for all your input!

@highPSI-S4; Since were at a similarly larger tyre/wheel setup I now have a very good idea of what to expect. Thank you for the pics and feedback!

[WinterRunner]

Yeah I have no desire to raise/lower, the HAS is cool but not what I was looking for. Cheers

[MattboyR32]

Few of us have gone with the KW HAS kit and had solid results. Check them out.

Yup, had them on for 6 months now and at least one track day without issue.

[Bigjuice]

I did the H&R springs with the B5 perches on the weekend.
The ride is not too far from stock, better road feel, but the front is a little too low for my liking, and makes some noise on the front when you hit bumps.....

[singleframe]

I did the H&R springs with the B5 perches on the weekend.
The ride is not too far from stock, better road feel, but the front is a little too low for my liking, and makes some noise on the front when you hit bumps.....

Roll the fronts and you'll be fine