Anyone put an S3 suspension in their A3 ?

[ninsei]

Looking to lower the car but not void the warranty.

[VWVW]

Looking to lower the car but not void the warranty.

Suspension-related warranty will still be voided when you put S3 suspension on an A3, at least according to my dealership anyways.

Even putting on the A3 sport suspension on a normal A3 will void suspension-related warranty.

[AnthonyA3]

It won't void your warranty. It will void you suspension warranty because they're not going to cover aftermarket parts. They might even try to blame wheel bearings on your suspension but they night not.

[mroberte]

Dealership I went to, was a pain in the ass about my suspension too when I complained about my warped rotors.

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[coolwater]

Unless you are doing the install yourself, I'd recommend you install aftermarket Springs or coilovers. The labor is going to be about $400 so might as well get your money's worth in terms of looks and performance.

-cW

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[TCHUN003]

I have oem s3 springs for sale if u want them

[Michaelp4283]

I'm working on it. I still can't get decent reliable information about which shocks to use. I see Bilstein b6 and b8 and when I talked to the rep they told me they were problematic and discontinued. I called a vendor who messaged Bilstein and they were told the opposite and that the parts are still active. My only safe choice is to buy OEM S3 shocks for way more money. If I knew something that would work I would've pulled the trigger already.

[AnthonyA3]

Blisten B14 coilovers for under $1000

[Michaelp4283]

wouldn't B14's be lower than S3?

[coolwater]

wouldn't B14's be lower than S3?

You can run the b14s at stock s3 height. The bilsteins are designed for a milder drop than other kits.

-cW

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[Michaelp4283]

but their literature quotes a drop from 30-50 mm not 0-50mm

[coolwater]

but their literature quotes a drop from 30-50 mm not 0-50mm

They allow adjustment above and below those ranges.

-cW

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[VWVW]

I'm working on it. I still can't get decent reliable information about which shocks to use. I see Bilstein b6 and b8 and when I talked to the rep they told me they were problematic and discontinued. I called a vendor who messaged Bilstein and they were told the opposite and that the parts are still active. My only safe choice is to buy OEM S3 shocks for way more money. If I knew something that would work I would've pulled the trigger already.

My vendor told me there is nothing wrong with the Bilstein B6 and B8. They are still active. They are listed in all of their websites.

but their literature quotes a drop from 30-50 mm not 0-50mm

30-50 mm relative to the standard A3 ride height, so 5-25 mm relative to the S3 ride height.

[Michaelp4283]

interesting and helpful thanks guys. So would the S3 springs / Bilstein combo ride softer than the B14 or is the B14 better all around?

[VWVW]

interesting and helpful thanks guys. So would the S3 springs / Bilstein combo ride softer than the B14 or is the B14 better all around?

S3 springs + B6 will be softer than B14. Another option could be ED springs or Eibach prokit + B8 (B12 basically). That would also be softer than B14. If you are worried about comfort, I would go ED springs + B8 or the B12 kit.

[Tim W.]

Guy, I can do the install myself. How much of a drop do you get off of putting S3 springs on my A3? I do have 19's with Sport suspension.

[Michaelp4283]

S3 springs + B6 will be softer than B14. Another option could be ED springs or Eibach prokit + B8 (B12 basically). That would also be softer than B14. If you are worried about comfort, I would go ED springs + B8 or the B12 kit.

So B6 and not B8 for S3 OEM springs for sure?

[VWVW]

So B6 and not B8 for S3 OEM springs for sure?

If you are set on S3 OEM springs and not going to ever lower your car further, then B6.

B6 is meant to work between 0 to -30 mm ride height. Hence, it captures the whole OEM range, from standard (0 mm), to sport suspension (-15 mm), and S sport suspension (-25 mm).

B8 is designed to work between -30 and -50mm ride height.

That said, B6 will work better for the S3 OEM springs, but B8 should work well as well (the 5 mm) is minimal.

Please note that all these numbers are referred to the standard suspension.

- - - Updated - - -

Guy, I can do the install myself. How much of a drop do you get off of putting S3 springs on my A3? I do have 19's with Sport suspension.

like max 10 mm?

[VWVW]

Here you go...from official Bilstein FAQ...

http://www.bilstein.com/sg/products/...-service/faqs/

Down to which lowering level can the BILSTEIN B8 Sprint shock absorber be fitted?

Down to 50mm. The ideal depth for driving dynamics is however between 30mm and 40mm; any lower and the driving performance becomes poorer again, unless a major adjustment of the entire vehicle is carried out.


Down to which lowering level can I go with BILSTEIN B6 sports shock absorbers (not shortened) in conjunction with shorter springs?

Down to 30mm. That is what is typically offered for new vehicles straight from the factory. Any lower and a shock absorber with a shortened stroke has to be fitted, so that the spring tension - which ensures the required distance between the car body and the wheel - is maintained, whatever the driving situation. Otherwise the spring may slip out of its fitting and the vehicle will abruptly go out of control.

[Michaelp4283]

Here you go...from official Bilstein FAQ...

http://www.bilstein.com/sg/products/...-service/faqs/

Down to which lowering level can the BILSTEIN B8 Sprint shock absorber be fitted?

Down to 50mm. The ideal depth for driving dynamics is however between 30mm and 40mm; any lower and the driving performance becomes poorer again, unless a major adjustment of the entire vehicle is carried out.


Down to which lowering level can I go with BILSTEIN B6 sports shock absorbers (not shortened) in conjunction with shorter springs?

Down to 30mm. That is what is typically offered for new vehicles straight from the factory. Any lower and a shock absorber with a shortened stroke has to be fitted, so that the spring tension - which ensures the required distance between the car body and the wheel - is maintained, whatever the driving situation. Otherwise the spring may slip out of its fitting and the vehicle will abruptly go out of control.

So a 200lb lighter A3 on S3 springs probably isn't even quite 25mm lower I'm guessing. Should be safe with B6, though I do wonder what the downside of a B8 shock would be. Thanks for the info!

[VWVW]

So a 200lb lighter A3 on S3 springs probably isn't even quite 25mm lower I'm guessing. Should be safe with B6, though I do wonder what the downside of a B8 shock would be. Thanks for the info!

Yup, I also doubt the OEM S3 springs actually give 25 mm drop.

No worries, but if you are worried about what your rep told you. I'd suggest you contact Bilstein directly to confirm if there is any issue with B6 and B8.

[AnthonyA3]

Honestly man I've read so many threads about the B14 that I personally think it's a waste to go with the S3 coils and blisten shocks/struts. You're pretty much spending the same amount with out the benefits of coilovers. Do a search on the b14s on here and the other VW forums and you'll see 99% of owners love the B14.

[Lusky]

I have B14's on my 2016 A3 couldn't be happier. Not sure how much I dropped but 25" FTG on 18x9.5 et39 and 255/35 RE-71R's


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[VWVW]

I have B14's on my 2016 A3 couldn't be happier. Not sure how much I dropped but 25" FTG on 18x9.5 et39 and 255/35 RE-71R's


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Standard A3 suspension is 27" FTG.

[Michaelp4283]

Yup, I also doubt the OEM S3 springs actually give 25 mm drop.

No worries, but if you are worried about what your rep told you. I'd suggest you contact Bilstein directly to confirm if there is any issue with B6 and B8.

It was actually Bilstein directly that told me this information. I tried calling their other location and somehow got the same guy who angrily repeated his statement again.

[coolwater]

B14s have been the best suspension setup I've had. Perfect balance of comfort and performance.

-cW

[VWVW]

It was actually Bilstein directly that told me this information. I tried calling their other location and somehow got the same guy who angrily repeated his statement again.

hmm...I would have questioned why they still have that part listed as active.

[ninsei]

So, to be clear, OEM S3 springs and OEM S3 shocks will just fit nicely in a 2015 A3 ?