The car is a 2015 Audi S3, standard suspension -NON-mag ride. My ride quality is comparable to dynamic mode in a mag ride car.
Tire and Wheel Package:
245/35/19x8.5, I run both et 43 and et 47.
GTF (ground to fender) Measurements:
H&R Sport Springs:
25 3/8" all around
never rubbed with et 43
Emmanuele Design Springs:
Front 25 1/4"
Rear 25 3/8"
never rubbed with et 43
VWR Springs:
25" all around
To my knowledge, these are the second set of VWR lowering springs to be installed on an S3, in the states.
The car was sitting too low. VWR has responded to me quickly.
They will be updating this kit.
see post 51 and 54
My 1-10 ratings are based on the fact that I'm simply adding springs to a car without changing the struts or sways!!!
*These are only my opinions. And I'm not a scientist or expert in any way!
This image above, is of all three front springs.
The front H&R & VWR are very similar. However, you really have to concentrate on them.
To me, the front VWR is hybrid. The H&R is more progressive.
The rear H&R is definitely progressive.
The rear VWR is definitely hybrid.
The ED springs are both linear.
H&R Sport Springs (progressive design)
These springs are specific to the S3
I had the H&R on my car for roughly 8,000 miles of spirited and daily driving.
They handle great. But are they a good match for our dampers? Probably not. They can be bouncy.
some folks in our community feel that if our dampers were better, these progressive springs would be incredible.
others feel that these springs handle so well, the bounce is not a big deal, it's a fair trade-off.
ride height: 10/10
slight rake to level
ride height is sublime, some think the rear sits slightly higher - giving the car a slight rake. some days I saw this, some days I didn't. either way, nobody has ever complained about the way these cars sit on mag ride or not.
anyone who wants moar low, should see H&R's Super Sport springs, which sit lower. Are they stiffer? Or just lower? Not sure.
steering: 10/10
steering input is direct and confidence inspiring.
turn-in is good. (oem turn-in is poor).
comfort: 6/10
the car handled big bumps like a sports car, it wasn't terrible at all, just a little stiff. however, smaller imperfections and bumps, the car would bounce a bit too much for my liking. this is probably ok for some of you, it's a very subjective thing.
if you have mag-ride, you want to drive in "auto" mode for an extensive period of time and get a good feel for it, then compare it comfort mode. you may prefer "auto" for d2d driving.
*see below for more info on mag-ride and H&R Sports
handling: 10/10
winner winner chicken dinner.
the car felt amazing with the H&R sports. forget how an S car should handle, it now felt like it handled the way an RS car would handle.
the car now handled a lot better than a 335 would handle.
for anyone who did a rear sway bar (RSB) at the same time as these springs, awesome, I'm sure your car is a dream to drive. but this chassis really only needs these springs to handle well enough for spirited driving. it stays very planted and flat. the highway feel is amazing. twisties the same.
I had incredible confidence when driving the S3 with these springs, even without a RSB.
In twisties, on car club cruises, I easily outran numerous (heavier) tuned S4's which were on coilovers. You can run wild with these springs.
*there is also a "pogo effect" that folks with mag-ride mention. you should do your own research on it. I don't know if there is a defective part on some of the mag cars, that make some of the H&R mag-ride cars ride like shit? Because some mag-ride cars love this combination. And you would think that a "pogo effect" would keep them from pleading their blinding allegiance to these springs. So perhaps this isn't a consistent issue? I think a "pogo effect" would be more than a subjective thing, right?
Purchased from - Modded Euros
Shipping - lightning fast (had them next day in Phl)
Customer Service - excellent
^ H&R Sport springs 245/35/19x8.5 et 47 on Conti DW (summer tires)
you can see there is a slight rake
sits very nicely IMO
Emmanuele Design Springs (ED) (linear design - like oem)
These springs will fit an A3/S3
I had the ED springs on my car for roughly 250 miles of spirited and daily driving.
There was an issue with the initial run of the front springs.
The top coil or two was collapsing into the next spring. The tires were rubbing on the fender wells, up front.
To the early adopters, the folks who were not speaking up about this issue, you let dozens of others go ahead and install the springs (knowing there was an issue) - shame on you.
Thomas (the owner of ED) handled it professionally and quickly. He soon had a new set of springs out to me.
He also sent a durable pad that is inserted on top of the OEM pad, between the OEM pad and the body.
This pad will give the car more rake, similar to the H&R springs, maybe slightly better.
ride height: 8/10 without the rear pad. 10/10 after the correction (with provided pad)
level without rear pad. slight rake with the pad.
some think the rear sits slightly lower (without the pad) - giving the car a backwards rake. some say it's fine. I realize that our fenders are lower in the back, creating an illusion.
with the revised front springs and the rear pad, the ride height looks to be perfect.
steering: 8/10
steering input is not as direct and not as confidence inspiring as H&R.
turn-in is MUCH better than stock, but not as good as H&R.
comfort: 10/10
the car didn't have the same bounce over slight and small imperfections, as it did with H&R.
the S3 is simply more comfortable to live with - while riding on these springs.
handling: 7/10
the car felt pretty good, in a "good for oem" sort of way... the way an S car should come from the factory. not quite RS territory. a 335 would easily out-handle my car while it was on ED springs. too much body roll.
for anyone who did a rear sway bar (RSB) at the same time as these springs (or prior), awesome, I'm sure your car handled a lot better than mine did. these springs are more comfortable for a reason, they are not as stiff as H&R.
While the car stayed planted and flat from "NORMAL speeds" to the beginning of aggressive driving, if you PUSH a car (like me) the springs will text message you, telling you to get a RSB.
highway feel is good, not as good as with H&R, another indication that a RSB would be a worth while investment here.
twisties feel good, especially compared with stock - but not good enough to confidently run wild.
Purchased from - Emmanuele Design
Shipping - fast
Customer Service - excellent +++ wow!
VWR Springs (hybrid design)
Be aware there are both Golf R springs and S3/RS3 kits from VWR
I have the S3/RS3 version (obviously)
While the R springs have been out for a little while, the S3/RS3 springs arrived at VWR (Alabama) on Tuesday April 6, 2016.
They drop shipped orders (for USP Motorsports) as soon as Wednesday. I received mine Friday (2 day shipping to PA).
They are almost exactly what I hoping they'd be
I was anticipating that the ride quality would be ideal, handling would be good, and ride height would be similar to a touch higher than H&R Sports.
The only thing that I was wrong about, is the ride height. And it's a big surprise.
My car is slammed! It sits lower with these springs than it does with the other two sets I've had.
They claim 20-30mm drop. I think it's more.
ride height: n/a springs were recalled
steering: 9/10
steering input is direct and confidence inspiring.
turn-in is good.
comfort: 9/10
the car handles big bumps very well. good rebound now. over smaller imperfections and bumps, the car has a more controlled bounce, when compared with H&R.
I can easy live with the comfort these springs provide, on a day to day basis.
aside from the issues. which I assume they'll figure out.
handling: preliminary score (not enough miles) 9.5/10
Pretty much the same as H&R Sports, maybe a tick below.
You can run wild with these springs, aside from the issue.
My theory is that the H&R Sports are stiffer, but I'm lower now, on these VWR springs. So the effect is that both springs handle really well. But only one of them are super comfortable.
How can these springs handle so well, while being so comfortable?
Purchased from - USP Motorsports
Shipping - lightning fast, once they arrived at port!
Customer Service with USP - not much contact, n/a
Customer Service with VWR now that I'm dealing with an issue:
VWR USA - good, super fast communication, helpful
VWR UK - good - anxious to assist.
^one image here of the VWR springs (several more in a post 4-5 posts below)
and then on the next page, after the springs settled.
-
Notes:
I had my car aligned 500 miles after installing the H&R springs, back in 2015. I then drove the car approx 8,000 miles. Then installed the ED springs. Drove the car for around 3 weeks. And then installed the VWR springs.
I have not yet done a second alignment.
Once I have 250-500 miles on the springs that I'm going to settle with, I'll get an alignment done.
The timing is good, hopefully all the roads will be repaired by then.
And I would prefer to have the alignment done while my winter setup is on (S4 Peelers).
Summary:
There is no perfect spring.
With the mk6 Golf R, you could just put VWR springs on it and call it a day. It was perfect ride height for a DD. Good ride, handling was good. Wait, it wasn't firm enough, so most of us went and added a RSB.
On our S3's, you have a few options now. With the H&R sport springs, they are so stiff, you really don't need a RSB unless you autocross or track your car. The height is probably perfect for a DD.
You next option is to go the route of the old VWR springs on the mk6 R, get both the ED springs and a RSB. It'll be a good combination of comfort and handling.
If you want firm handling, while maintaining great ride quality, you'll have to wait and see what becomes of the new VWR springs.
There is a fourth option, but I've never owned the springs. H&R Super Sports. I imagine they'll be slammed at 25", while having dynamic handling like H&R Sports, and the bounce of the H&R Sports.
You have options.
I wish you luck and hope this helps in some way.
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Originally Posted by Sepang_S3
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