Suspension options

[buggravy]

I searched, but didn't find much since most want to drop more than I'm able to. Trying to figure out what all my options are. I want to get rid of the obnoxious gap, but for clearance reasons I can't go down more than 1" - 1.25". The seemingly obvious choice is the OEM/Euro kit, and that's the direction I'm leaning. However it's pushing the limit of how far down I can go, and is sort of a gamble in the event that it does end up being too low. I'd like to go KW HAS based on good feedback, and for adjustability, but have some concerns. I've been told by a few that the HAS kit for the SQ5 can operate above the listed minimum drop of 1.75", but also read in a thread on here of concerns that even at the minimum drop the threads are barely engaged, and could possibly strip. I was also given the recommendation of the HAS A4 Avant kit that starts at a .6" drop, but I'm a little sketched out about springs not specifically designed for the car. Bags are not of interest to me. Any other options I'm missing in that 1" - 1.25" range, or any feedback on the above options?

[Jimminez@Nemesis]

KW Street Comfort coilovers seem to fit your needs. Listed drop is 1.2-2.7 front and 1.4-3.0 rear.

[ModItNow]

How about some H&R OE springs, I would install some bilstein shocks at the same time though..


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[tcm glx]

I would suggest HR Springs with Bilsteins...

[SQive]

The EU OEM SQ5 is only 30mm lower. You could do what I've done and just fill the well as much as possible. I think it looks decent and doesn't compromise my curb-jumping ability.

[buggravy]

The EU OEM SQ5 is only 30mm lower. You could do what I've done and just fill the well as much as possible. I think it looks decent and doesn't compromise my curb-jumping ability.

Keeping it stock is a strong consideration too. Even though the new tire/wheel combo is the same diameter as stock, going to a 20" wheel with a lower offset makes it all look a little more natural to my eye.

[Pittdawg]

Keeping it stock is a strong consideration too. Even though the new tire/wheel combo is the same diameter as stock, going to a 20" wheel with a lower offset makes it all look a little more natural to my eye.

Does a 265/45/20 tire fit on the stock 20's? My stock 255/45/20 tires don't seem to have much clearance from the suspension as is; I imagine you need the lower offset of aftermarket wheels to fit any larger tire on a 20 inch wheel and fill the well better?

[buggravy]

Does a 265/45/20 tire fit on the stock 20's? My stock 255/45/20 tires don't seem to have much clearance from the suspension as is; I imagine you need the lower offset of aftermarket wheels to fit any larger tire on a 20 inch wheel and fill the well better?

I'm on stock size DWS 06 on aftermarket wheels, so I can't comment on other sizes.

[jaboki]

I want to get rid of the obnoxious gap, but for clearance reasons I can't go down more than 1" - 1.25". The seemingly obvious choice is the OEM/Euro kit, and that's the direction I'm leaning. However it's pushing the limit of how far down I can go, and is sort of a gamble in the event that it does end up being too low.

Do you only own SUVs at your place? Just curious as I don't think a 1.5 - 2" drop will make it lower than a average sized sedan?

[buggravy]

Do you only own SUVs at your place? Just curious as I don't think a 1.5 - 2" drop will make it lower than a average sized sedan?

Yeah, we're running 2 Qs and an Outback. Below is what I'm dealing with. Cars high center, and at stock height I've barely got 2" of clearance with nobody/nothing in the car. I will ultimately look at reworking the driveway somehow, but it will be a production, as that asphalt berm is is built into the whole neighborhood by the city to direct rain flow, so it will require permits, etc. to touch.

[jaboki]

Did you decide on a setup? I'm curious. :)

[buggravy]

Did you decide on a setup? I'm curious. :)

Still up in the air. In between street comforts, oem Euro, and H&R Sport/Bilstein. These are getting delivered today. Bridjit.com. Won't be a game changer, but should give me a little more wiggle room, and might shape the decision. Kinda leaning Street Comfort, but on the fence about whether it's worth the extra $.

[VroomVroom]

If it helps, the two options I pursued were KW Street Comfort, and H&R + Bilstein B8's. I don't want to generate any negative vibes here, but a couple of very trusted sources swayed me heavily. I have no regrets at all. By comparison, I spent ~ $800 less, the ride quality is great, the handling is improved, the look is to-my-eyes perfect, and I've not given up daily driver functionality. Obviously I can't say from experience that your driveway would be a non-issue, but hopefully this pic gives a little bit of context. Only the very tallest curbs are problematic for me. Living in the SF area, I've encountered a lot of steep ingress/egress angles, and I've never had an issue. I wouldn't want to go any lower, but I have no loss of confidence in driving my SUV. Good luck...

[buggravy]

Unfortunately it's not the front that's in danger, it's the the under carriage just in front of the back wheels. Your car looks fantastic, but if that's the drop on H&Rs I worry it will be too much for me. I haven't been able to get my head around the H&R specs, and what's misprint, and what's not. Site says the 29001-3 drops it 1" in front, and .8" in rear. That's supposedly the US site, but I feel like that's based off the Euro SQ5, as your drop (and others' pics as well) looks way more than that. I really like what I read about the H&R/Billstein combo, and the look is perfect.

[soul strong]

Ever thought about air ride? Then you can go as low and high as you want


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IG: q5chris

[buggravy]

Ever thought about air ride? Then you can go as low and high as you want


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IG: q5chris

Nah, that's just more than I can be bothered with, on several levels.

[jaboki]

What's weird is this guy has the same H&R Springs, but it seems a bit higher

[buggravy]

/\ Yeah, searching H&R SQ5 made my head spin. I'm still not clear if it's the -1 or -3, if the listed drop is from Euro or US height, and if the problem with the TDI rated front springs was limited to early in production.

[agautohaus]

If anyone is looking for a european suspension conversion, reach out to me via PM!

I have been selling quite a few of these kits and have been told I have the best prices around!

[riceboy22]

I didn't see this earlier, but for -3 you should get exactly a 2" drop. That sounds like it will be too much for you. The numbers on the H&R website are based on the Euro ride height like you guessed. The -1 has been reported as more like 1.5" front and 1.8" rear (which is somewhat odd since they have the same front spring). FWIW, H&R says the -3 is the correct spring set for the US spec SQ5.

BTW, the car above looks higher because he was running tires that were 23 mm (almost an inch) shorter in diameter than the OEM setup.

[buggravy]

I didn't see this earlier, but for -3 you should get exactly a 2" drop. That sounds like it will be too much for you. The numbers on the H&R website are based on the Euro ride height like you guessed. The -1 has been reported as more like 1.5" front and 1.8" rear (which is somewhat odd since they have the same front spring). FWIW, H&R says the -3 is the correct spring set for the US spec SQ5.

BTW, the car above looks higher because he was running tires that were 23 mm (almost an inch) shorter in diameter than the OEM setup.

Thanks for clarifying all this. After lots of back and forth I'm pulling the trigger on the OEM Euro/ROW kit. Seems like the best compromise of everything, and I'm stoked on the pics I've seen from people who have gone that route. I like that it's ultimately how the car was designed to begin with as well.

[jaboki]

Thanks for clarifying all this. After lots of back and forth I'm pulling the trigger on the OEM Euro/ROW kit. Seems like the best compromise of everything, and I'm stoked on the pics I've seen from people who have gone that route. I like that it's ultimately how the car was designed to begin with as well.

Good choice!

I might follow suit depending on your feedback. :)

[riceboy22]

Thanks for clarifying all this. After lots of back and forth I'm pulling the trigger on the OEM Euro/ROW kit. Seems like the best compromise of everything, and I'm stoked on the pics I've seen from people who have gone that route. I like that it's ultimately how the car was designed to begin with as well.

It seems like the best choice for what you need. You'll also get true OEM ride quality.

I did drive my coworker who has a 3.0T Q5 to a client today though, and he said, "Your car is lowered right? It drives really smooth." And that included going through NYC.

Good choice!

I might follow suit depending on your feedback. :)

If you don't have a driveway like @buggravy's you have no excuse not to go lower LOL! The H&R + Bilstein setup will also be significantly cheaper.

[jaboki]

If you don't have a driveway like @buggravy's you have no excuse not to go lower LOL! The H&R + Bilstein setup will also be significantly cheaper.

I agree!

My problem is - wife: "I wish we got the 2.0/3.0, it was more comfortable" lol

[baldy]

Does anyone have pictures of eibach springs installed on a 3.0 TDI? I have H&R springs /Bilstein B8 on my B7 A4 and find it rides much harsher than my friends car that has Eibach springs / Bilstein B8. I'm trying to find a Q5 TDI to buy (technik, S-Line, glacier white or Gray, in Canada) , but want to have my upgrades ready in advance.

[riceboy22]

My problem is - wife: "I wish we got the 2.0/3.0, it was more comfortable" lol

I suppose that could be a legitimate reason lol. You should just quote @VroomVroom though about the ride quality actually being improved over stock with the H&R + B8 combo. And my coworker was honestly surprised mine is lowered when compared to the ride quality with his 3.0T.

You could alternatively just pick up the NIB KW Street Comforts that someone has listed in the AW classifieds!

[Adplaya]

What's weird is this guy has the same H&R Springs, but it seems a bit higher

Think it's the angle coupled with 20in wheels vs 21in wheels. Drop is 1.5 in my experience


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[riceboy22]

Think it's the angle coupled with 20in wheels vs 21in wheels. Drop is 1.5 in my experience

He was running 295/35R20 tires, so that opened up the gap by another 11.5 mm. It sounds small but ends up pretty noticeable. I think that's why everyone has been going to 295/40R20.

If your drop was about 1.5" I'm assuming you have the 29001-1 springs right? And did you get around to putting the Bilsteins on yet?

[Adplaya]

He was running 295/35R20 tires, so that opened up the gap by another 11.5 mm. It sounds small but ends up pretty noticeable. I think that's why everyone has been going to 295/40R20.

If your drop was about 1.5" I'm assuming you have the 29001-1 springs right? And did you get around to putting the Bilsteins on yet?

Actually the box said -3, and I vaguely remember someone on the forums calling H&R to clear this up and they said that the later editions of the -3 and -1 are actually the same. If i can find it I'll quote it. ALSO I have an appointment on Tuesday to get the shocks installed. . Was going to do it myself, but work is about to get retarded and I need to just get it done already haha

[riceboy22]

Actually the box said -3, and I vaguely remember someone on the forums calling H&R to clear this up and they said that the later editions of the -3 and -1 are actually the same. If i can find it I'll quote it. ALSO I have an appointment on Tuesday to get the shocks installed. . Was going to do it myself, but work is about to get retarded and I need to just get it done already haha

Nice. You'll definitely be way happier with the Bilsteins installed.

I actually called H&R lol. They told me the front springs are identical for both kits for the US now but the rear springs are different for the -3. The earlier kits they sent out had the TDI SQ5 front springs which left the US TFSI SQ5 higher in the front. Have you measured FTG? The installs that I know of (including mine) ended up at 30.5" with the -3 kit.

[Adplaya]

Nice. You'll definitely be way happier with the Bilsteins installed.

I actually called H&R lol. They told me the front springs are identical for both kits for the US now but the rear springs are different for the -3. The earlier kits they sent out had the TDI SQ5 front springs which left the US TFSI SQ5 higher in the front. Have you measured FTG? The installs that I know of (including mine) ended up at 30.5" with the -3 kit.

HAHA! Of course it was you! I'll definitely have to measure today, then. And I'm absolutely excited for the shocks.. any ride improvement on these TX roads is a vast improvement. Hows the dash cam? Still strong?

[riceboy22]

HAHA! Of course it was you! I'll definitely have to measure today, then. And I'm absolutely excited for the shocks.. any ride improvement on these TX roads is a vast improvement. Hows the dash cam? Still strong?

Yeah it's awesome. I managed to tuck in the last bit of wiring that was exposed into the plastic headliner in the back. I said to myself, "Adplaya said it can all be hidden, so I'm hiding this sh*t!"

[DocTJ]

So if I'm understanding this correctly, the euro/ROW set up, it's more comfortable than the US spec, and lower? So I'm getting better ride quality and better appearance?


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[agautohaus]

So if I'm understanding this correctly, the euro/ROW set up, it's more comfortable than the US spec, and lower? So I'm getting better ride quality and better appearance?


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I would guess that the European suspension is the same exact ride, not better. @guianm what do you think?