Factory Sport Suspension Replacement Suggestions

[t6dpilot]

Hey B7 A4 experts, need your recommendations for replacing/upgrading my shocks on my A4. It is an '08 that has 131k on the clock and is starting to get a little funky feeling over bumps. I am thinking it is time to replace the shocks and struts. What does the brain trust here recommend? Car is already lowered with the factory sport suspension, so I don't think I need to go any lower. I put the H&R sport springs and shock set up on my 96 A4 and loved the look and ride, but that may not be necessary for this car. Shock and strut replacement should do the trick, no? Recommendations...?

[miA4]

I have Koni Sports set to the softest setting and my car rides awesome. I have them paired with Eibach ProKit springs.

[king_j]

miaA4, is wheel gap the same front and back?



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[miA4]

I have minimal wheel gap for both front and rear. I can fit a finger in between the tire and fender.

[Theiceman]

im interested in this thread also as I have factory sports suspension ( red struts ) . My car is at 255K so I think il be doing this project in the spring. is there a direct replacement and who is the big supplier ?

[Okedokey]

Bilstein B12 Pro Kit.

[king_j]

Ajusa.com has the b12 kit for $587.
Never used the site before, just saw it while searching.


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[Okedokey]

This is what I used.

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-h-and-r-...ks/29369-1bsc/

plus 034 control arms

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-034motor...-401-1004~034/

and get this too: https://www.ecstuning.com/b-febi-par.../8do498800kit/

[papadelogan]

When I had my sedan I bought the complete control arm kit from FCP Euro and was very pleased with the bits included. I plan to buy from them again for the Avant and I want the same thing eventually for springs & shocks: fresh bits without lowering it. OEM Sport suspension level is just about right for me and finding quality parts to do that for a reasonble price is tough. Seems like 99% of the information here is for lowering your car.

[Axis]

im interested in this thread also as I have factory sports suspension ( red struts ) . My car is at 255K so I think il be doing this project in the spring. is there a direct replacement and who is the big supplier ?

Check germanparts.ca

They have the front Bilstein sport shock replacement @134$ and rears @145$.

[67Twisty]

I replaced mine with the Koni yellows and Eibachs. It is lower than OEM sport with almost no fender gap on 18" BBS wheels. Eliminated the reverse rake but I now need to be more careful on speed bumps and steep curbs. Feels fine for a DD although I took the fronts out again and set to 80% firm. The eibachs are softer than the original sports so I wanted a firmer rebound.

[Okedokey]

Yeah, the pro kit drops it about another 1.5cm over stock sport. I think it does actually look better and the improvement is massive when changing over control arms, shocks and springs. I did a brake upgrade (pads and rotors), braided lines, brake flush and caliper paint job while I was there.

[blauslc92]

Bilstein also makes the "OEM Sport" replacements, they are called B4 as well, but make sure it says for Sport, they are different part number than standard. Rockauto has them for around $55 each.
Fronts should be 19-164472
Rears are 19-164489

The only problem I see with this is that if you are using B5 spring perches, you won't be able to reuse on this setup, as the OD of the B4 strut is larger than stock Red struts.
I am running the rear ones on my car that originally had OEM sport suspension, and the rear rides well.

[Okedokey]

Bilstein also makes the "OEM Sport" replacements, they are called B4 as well, but make sure it says for Sport, they are different part number than standard. Rockauto has them for around $55 each.
Fronts should be 19-164472
Rears are 19-164489

The only problem I see with this is that if you are using B5 spring perches, you won't be able to reuse on this setup, as the OD of the B4 strut is larger than stock Red struts.
I am running the rear ones on my car that originally had OEM sport suspension, and the rear rides well.

B8s are for B7 cars.

[blauslc92]

B8s are for B7 cars.

Correct, B8s are the yellow Sport struts and shocks, those are the high performance version. The B4 oem sport I mentioned above are supposed to be used as a replacement to the Oem sport red shocks. At least that what Bilstein shows in their catalog.


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[Axis]

Correct, B8s are the yellow Sport struts and shocks, those are the high performance version. The B4 oem sport I mentioned above are supposed to be used as a replacement to the Oem sport red shocks. At least that what Bilstein shows in their catalog.


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Pretty sure thats correct

[Okedokey]

Fair enough.

[pat_do]

Valving on the sport red shicks are stiff.

Can i run regular shocks with oem sport springs to help smooth out the jarring ride?

[Okedokey]

I wouldn't the dampening rate is different. The B8s are very nice mate. I just installed them.

[o1turbo30v]

Bilstein B12 Pro Kit.

^^/end thread

[Charles.waite]

Valving on the sport red shicks are stiff.

Can i run regular shocks with oem sport springs to help smooth out the jarring ride?

It'll be a bit bouncey if you do that. Also the non-sport shocks aren't valved properly to last as long on the lower Sport springs.

[pat_do]

It'll be a bit bouncey if you do that. Also the non-sport shocks aren't valved properly to last as long on the lower Sport springs.

Uhmm dont want that

[t6dpilot]

Thanks for the replies guys. So a couple of comments... I do not want to lower my car any more. I had a B5 A4 and installed the H&R sport spring and shock system. Liked it at the time, but don't want to lower this car any more than it is. So, I think just a shock and strut replacement should fit the bill nicely - unless you can give me a good reason to replace the springs too. Don't think that is necessary as the factory springs should still be good.

The other thing that I am concerned about is removing the pinch bolt to get at the struts. I did a wheel bearing replacement last summer and I could not get that F'er out. Tried PB Blaster and an impact wrench and that bolt would not budge. I DO NOT relish the thought of going at that again. Any suggestions on how to handle that? I am all ears. One of the posters suggested replacing all the suspension components - is that really necessary? I would welcome your thoughts and ideas on how to tackle this without going whole hog on unnecessary suspension part replacement. Thanks.

[king_j]

I think Bilstein makes a strut that's a replacement for the oem sport struts.

Look into the vogtland jr cup kit, it's basically a aftermarket kit that is similar to the oem sport in terms of drop.


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[dwinters14]

Thanks for the replies guys. So a couple of comments... I do not want to lower my car any more. I had a B5 A4 and installed the H&R sport spring and shock system. Liked it at the time, but don't want to lower this car any more than it is. So, I think just a shock and strut replacement should fit the bill nicely - unless you can give me a good reason to replace the springs too. Don't think that is necessary as the factory springs should still be good.

The other thing that I am concerned about is removing the pinch bolt to get at the struts. I did a wheel bearing replacement last summer and I could not get that F'er out. Tried PB Blaster and an impact wrench and that bolt would not budge. I DO NOT relish the thought of going at that again. Any suggestions on how to handle that? I am all ears. One of the posters suggested replacing all the suspension components - is that really necessary? I would welcome your thoughts and ideas on how to tackle this without going whole hog on unnecessary suspension part replacement. Thanks.

Did you read the replies before you? there have been 3 options given to you to solve your dilemma.