Questions about aftermarket non-adjustable suspension

[Denio24]

After thinking long and hard about whether keeping the a4 or not after recent oil consumption issues, i have decided to keep the car. Some things are in need of replacement, such as the whole suspension as the car has 135k mi. I was going to place some coilovers on the car, but i have now decided to place some stiffer springs and better dampeners than the oe stock solution. Can anyone make some suggestions other than the koni/bilstien shock and eibach combo? Im not exactly looking for a comfortable ride but if a spring could match somewhere between stiff cornering and a comfy ride that would be great. Im also assuming that the eibach springs are like the oem sport suspension setup.

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[martin0079]

I run OEM sport springs and Bilstien B8 sport shocks. In the front I have the snap ring for the spring perch machined an inch lower than OEM and it is great for DD especially during winter. I am currently installing a new set now.

[Denio24]

So would it be more effective to go with stock sport springs and machine the groove for snap ring rather than lowering and stiffer springs? Im coming from non sport suspension.

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[miA4]

I have Koni Sports and Eibach pro kits. They are absolutely amazing and comfortable to ride on. I drive over 25k miles a year so I can definitely vouch for them.

[emptys6gt3]

I have a set of Bilstein B8 sports and H&R springs. Getting ready to install. Likely will get the front shock body machined with an extra groove or two to provide some adjustability to the front. Any ideas for some minor adjustability to the rear?

[Denio24]

Probably going to go with the b12 kit (which i believe comes with the b8 shocks and eibach springs at a discount). Also, as far as lowering for the rear i guess you can make your own perches that are thinner than the oe rubber, or cut the springs. What prices are we generally paying for these kinds of kits?

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[pezgoon]

Don't ever cut the springs... it causes a safety issue being that what is left is not hardened differently than it was designed to be (from the heat of cutting it) and the part that now supports the car, wasn't designed to, and can very easily snap sending a spring into your tire obviously while your doin 100 down the highway (most inopportune moment)

[adam044]

Just curios, why don't you want coil overs?

[Denio24]

Just curios, why don't you want coil overs?

I actually bought a set, but sold it as i didnt know if i was going to keep the a4. Anyway now the second time around id rather put something on and be done with it.

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[martin0079]

So would it be more effective to go with stock sport springs and machine the groove for snap ring rather than lowering and stiffer springs? Im coming from non sport suspension.

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In my opinion with the crappy roads and heavy snow in the winter it is better. More ground clearance less likely to be scrapping the car on the ground. I have to get to work no matter what the weather is outside so that plays a role with my decision. When you spend money on springs and they are too low then which most of them appear to be unless you want to roll around with stretched tire and tard camber then you have too repurchase and rework the job.

[Denio24]

Can the b8 shock have higher machined grooves to accomodate if i want to have neuspeed race springs, but adjusted to a higher height? I definitely want a stiffer spring than oe sport. Maybe there is another spring out there for me that has a high spring rate while still keeping things above ground for the winter.

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[emptys6gt3]

There is real estate available, just need a lathe. The H&R springs supposedly lower 1.7 up front and 1.6 in the rear or something like that.

BTW, I'm not going to do it, but springs have been cut to adjust height for many decades now, mostly old wives tales. Now if you take a oxy-ac torch to the springs to get them to sag or droop, you are on your own.

[miA4]

if you get bilsteins, you can get this kit... https://www.ecstuning.com/b-ecs-part...l6saAkbY8P8HAQ

[pezgoon]

There is real estate available, just need a lathe. The H&R springs supposedly lower 1.7 up front and 1.6 in the rear or something like that.

BTW, I'm not going to do it, but springs have been cut to adjust height for many decades now, mostly old wives tales. Now if you take a oxy-ac torch to the springs to get them to sag or droop, you are on your own.

Although that is true, newer springs are built differently than older springs were, the springs are engineered to have certain sections do certain things when an impact hits, when you take away that certain section by cutting it out, then the spring can no longer work as designed. Although it may not snap (most people do oxy torch or grind them, both introduce huge amounts of heat) it still will not work as designed, and say you cut 1" off, but you lost the stiffest part, now youll bottom out because its more like you cut 2.5-3" off etc during an impact, you seein what I'm sayin? Older springs were one solid rate throughout the whole spring, newer springs are multi-rate springs, that have different sections to do different things

[emptys6gt3]

Progressive springs are as old as the hills, nothing new with spring design that has not been done at least 50 years ago. Metals may have changed slightly, but not to any extent that you or I could determine without testing equipment. A coil spring is a coil spring, it is what it is, not a lot of unknowns there. Lots of misinformation or confusion in your post.

Is cutting optimal, no. Will it still work as a spring, yes (spring rate higher (active coils reduced), may lose some progressivity (depending on how much cut)). Will you die from doing it, extremely rare.