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  1. #1
    Senior Member Two Rings audiant's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 17 2006
    AZ Member #
    12644
    My Garage
    19 Audi Q3
    Location
    Burlington,VT

    Looking for coilover feedback/reviews

    Looking to pick up a set of coilovers for my A3 2.0T and currently considering ST coils and Bilstein B14s. The price diff isn't too much but with the current rebate on STs I'm really tempted to pull the trigger. Ive read mixed reviews on the STs- actually owned a set on my A3 8P and never had any issues.

    Anyone running STs that want to share their experience?
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  2. #2
    Veteran Member Three Rings
    Join Date
    Nov 17 2014
    AZ Member #
    295579
    Location
    San Francisco, CA

    Bilstein all the way. I have the b16 ride control and it changed the car alot. I originally was looking at St too, but it at a, in my opinion, a lower level than Bilstein.

    Better question is, how will you be using the coilovers? If just daily driving with some occasional canyon carving, st, but if you are tracking, go for the best, Bilstein.

    Since the st and b14 are so close in price, I'd still go with Bilstein.

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  3. #3
    Senior Member Two Rings audiant's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 17 2006
    AZ Member #
    12644
    My Garage
    19 Audi Q3
    Location
    Burlington,VT

    Thanks! The car is used for daily driving around town- work commute is 10 min. Car wont see the track but im also thinking Bilstein > ST based on reputation alone.
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  4. #4
    Veteran Member Three Rings
    Join Date
    Nov 17 2014
    AZ Member #
    295579
    Location
    San Francisco, CA

    Originally, I was only daily driving, but so glad I went with Bilstein as I track often now.

    The only spring setup I get, and was my other option but not available at the time was MSS setup.

    Are you on standard or sport oem suspension now? If on standard, it will be a huge difference. Far more confident.

    My review: https://www.audiworld.com/forums/aud.../#post24694004

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  5. #5
    Veteran Member Four Rings zcspec's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 10 2015
    AZ Member #
    348064
    My Garage
    Need VAG-COM work, IM me
    Location
    Orange County

    Having run Bilsteins on may different chassis, you can't go wrong in choosing them. They make quality products and for a DD with occasional track duties, you'll be fine.I personally run their PSS10s on my S3 which sees about 5-7 lapping days a year. They provide outstanding comfort on the street, yet can be bone jarringly stiff on the track if I need them to be.

    ST's on the other hand, are not a bad product. Their parent company is KW so you know quality is there. For a while, KW rear springs use to sag, but I'm sure they may have made revisions to their product.

    In short, you won't go wrong with either. My preference though, is Bilsteins.
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  6. #6
    Senior Member Two Rings
    Join Date
    Apr 12 2016
    AZ Member #
    371732
    Location
    North America

    Quote Originally Posted by audiant View Post
    Looking to pick up a set of coilovers for my A3 2.0T and currently considering ST coils and Bilstein B14s. The price diff isn't too much but with the current rebate on STs I'm really tempted to pull the trigger. Ive read mixed reviews on the STs- actually owned a set on my A3 8P and never had any issues.

    Anyone running STs that want to share their experience?
    Another vote for Bilstein!

    I have the B12...yesyes it is only a matched spring/shock combo...but it isreally great for street use, much better than OEM for sure.

  7. #7
    Senior Member Two Rings audiant's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 17 2006
    AZ Member #
    12644
    My Garage
    19 Audi Q3
    Location
    Burlington,VT

    Def leaning towards Bilstein- I want to have a mild drop due to north east winters. Wanted to keep it at 0.75-1 inch but realize thats going to be difficult considering Im on stock (non s-line) suspension. Really just want to avoid clipping my bumper in and out of driveways and still have good clearance in the winter since I do get a lot of snow where I live. Any recommendations on a retailer who regularly stocks B14s, they always seem to be on back order.
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  8. #8
    Junior Member Two Rings sporaclic's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 13 2018
    AZ Member #
    412406
    Location
    NH

    I'm going to be writing a review soon on the Stx coilovers I just installed a few hundred miles ago but I will chime in here a bit for now...

    The STs are absolutely perfect for the street. The spring rate is still conservative.
    The car does everything better and the ride quality is also better 90% of the time in my opinion.
    I have found most coilovers are typically aggressive and one thing I dislike usually is the bouncy feel they sometimes create on the highway because they are so stiff.
    The STs on the highway are absolutely butter smooth and I find them even better than stock on the highway because they have less movement yet still have enough compression for the Minor Road imperfections to not be noticeable.

    They handle significantly better than stock all around. There is still minimal body roll and if you track your car frequently they will probably feel too soft. If you don't mind a harsher ride and want no body roll at all you should look into a stiffer setup.

    Because I have my GTO which is set up real aggressive with very stiff spring rates etc... and my A3 is my daily driver these St coilovers are exactly what I wanted for my car.
    I hated the fact that I could stick my entire fist between the tire and Fender on the stock suspension. That was my main reason for getting them, I also have a stage 1 tune and felt I was overpowering the stock suspension significantly. I also have adjustable dampers on my GTO and have never adjusted them after I put them where I like them so I didn't care about that feature.
    Let me know if you have any questions


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    Last edited by sporaclic; 03-30-2018 at 08:19 AM.

  9. #9
    Veteran Member Three Rings
    Join Date
    Oct 30 2012
    AZ Member #
    103194
    Location
    Arizona

    Quote Originally Posted by sporaclic View Post
    I'm going to be writing a review soon on the St coilovers I just installed a few hundred miles ago but I will chime in here a bit for now...

    The STs are absolutely perfect for the street. The spring rate is still conservative.
    The car does everything better and the ride quality is also better 90% of the time in my opinion.
    I have found most coilovers are typically aggressive and one thing I dislike usually is the bouncy feel they sometimes create on the highway because they are so stiff.
    The STs on the highway are absolutely butter smooth and I find them even better than stock on the highway because they have less movement yet still have enough compression for the Minor Road imperfections to not be noticeable.

    They handle significantly better than stock all around. There is still minimal body roll and if you track your car frequently they will probably feel too soft. If you don't mind a harsher ride and want no body roll at all you should look into a stiffer setup.

    Because I have my GTO which is set up real aggressive with very stiff spring rates etc... and my A3 is my daily driver these St coilovers are exactly what I wanted for my car.
    I hated the fact that I could stick my entire fist between the tire and Fender on the stock suspension. That was my main reason for getting them, I also have a stage 1 tune and felt I was overpowering the stock suspension significantly. I also have adjustable dampers on my GTO and have never adjusted them after I put them where I like them so I didn't care about that feature.
    Let me know if you have any questions


    Sent from my SM-N950U using Audizine mobile app
    I've run St XTA's for about 2 years..perfect. Made by KW and quality is there just like Bilstein. Camber plates are included which is a big plus. You can dial in the firmness or softness for street or track. Can't beat it for the money. B14's are a waste...B16's if you go the Bilstein route.

  10. #10
    Junior Member Two Rings sporaclic's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 13 2018
    AZ Member #
    412406
    Location
    NH

    I also would like to note the minimum drop within their suggested range is around 1 in in the front and probably 1.2 in the rear.

    Sent from my SM-N950U using Audizine mobile app

  11. #11
    Veteran Member Three Rings INYAUDI's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 21 2016
    AZ Member #
    369108
    Location
    Southern New Hampshire

    B14s on for 2 years on mine and I live in NH. So they’ve seen snow past the fender lol. Corrosion resistance is great. I drive like a d**k on the streets and they work well. Best adjustment collars I’ve personally dealt with. Adjusting is easy even when dirty. No regrets, would buy again.
    Instagram: TonyConQuattro


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