What is the best OEM equivalent replacement shock for 2016 SQ5?

[jareds941]

We're at only 69k miles, but I can tell with the extreme harshness that the shocks are shot. No need for anything "sportier" as this is my wife's vehicle and honestly isn't driven even 5k miles / year now.

I've searched this forum and haven't found much / if anything re: OEM equivalent replacments. Please let me know if you've got any suggestions!

[Audibot]

I'd use something like ECS or FCP to find the OE Manufacturer and get those. Probably either Bilstein or Sachs.

[jareds941]

I'd use something like ECS or FCP to find the OE Manufacturer and get those. Probably either Bilstein or Sachs.

Unfortunately it's not really that easy. Clarity on what shocks are for SQ5 specifically vs Q5 is limited. Thus the reason I came here hoping someone else may have navigated this before. FCP has some Sachs shocks that appear to be the OE supplier, but it's listed as for the Q5... which I'm assuming would be a bit less sporty...

For Bilstein, is a B6 an OEM equivalent option? B8 seems to be marketed as "sportier" but calls out lowering springs specifically. Which I don't have / want.

[Fast4esT]

B6 is a direct replacement for a factory shock but pretty sure is valved different

[jareds941]

B6 is a direct replacement for a factory shock but pretty sure is valved different

Bilstein CS has confirmed that the B8 is their recommendation for a stock SQ5 replacement, for what it's worth. It's nice to have that as a definitive, but I'm not sure if I want to spend that much for an OEM, 2-3k miles / year vehicle

[beefski]

KYB?


Sent from my iPhone using Audizine Forum

[Fast4esT]

no way, not in the USA. SQ5 sit higher in USA than it does in the rest of the world. B8 would work with euro sq5 springs or the lowering springs

[elRayRay]

no way, not in the USA. SQ5 sit higher in USA than it does in the rest of the world. B8 would work with euro sq5 springs or the lowering springs

+1, this is my understanding as well.

[Smac770]

You have to be careful attempting to separate "Q5" from "SQ5". They are both "Q5" vehicles. I will frequently say A4 in a context that encompasses A4/S4, but not necessary RS4 as that's a different catalog id from an Audi perspective. An S model is just the A model with a more powerful engine, sportier suspension, and some cosmetics, from a high level view.


When talking suspensions for the B8 Q5 quattro, there's 1BA standard, 1BV sport, and 1BL adaptive. These are all the same ride height.

For the B8 SQ5 quattro, there's 1BD and 2MT. 1BD runs at a -25mm or -30mm ride height compared to the Q5 quattro configs. But the NAR SQ5 doesn't get 1BD. Instead, it gets 2MT here, which is a softer, higher riding suspension, at the same ride height as the Q5 quattro. For example, the front 1BD bump stops are 81mm while the 2MT front bump stops are 96mm. The 1BA and 1BV front bump stops are 96mm, while 1BL is 100mm.


Bilstein likes to say the B8 is the replacement shock for the S4, though it's actually targeted at lowering springs in the -25 to -50mm range, rather than the stock S4 suspension which is only -20mm. But the B4 OE sport dampers would be more a match to the A model 1BE sport suspension than the S model 1BD sport suspension. Leaves the B6 dampers on the middle. But Bilstein isn't trying to mimic the factory dampers. They have their own, which they market to various applications.

So with 1BV Q5 quattro sport and 2MT SQ5 quattro sport at the same ride height, it's not a stretch for a third-party to try and use the same "sporty" damper for both applications. Which we see for the Q5 and SQ5 regarding the Bilstein B8 dampers. They are the same B8 damper p/ns for both applications. While the Q5 gets B6 damper p/ns, the SQ5 does not. Same thing we see with the A4/A5 vs S4/S5. Bilstein wants to say it's B8 dampers for S models.


The 2MT dampers are 8R0 413 031 BA front / 8R0 513 035 AE rear. 1BD uses different dampers up front, same dampers in the rear. The parts catalog identifies the rear dampers as by Monroe. Factory dampers will almost always be Monroe or ZF Sachs. It's easy enough to google search the front damper p/n and see it's by Monroe as well.

If you really want the factory feel, then get some actual Audi OE dampers by the part number. Can't offer any input on if Bilstein Q5 B6 or B8 dampers are a closer match to the 2MT factory feel.