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g6rav said:
Has anyone lowered their s3 just by changing the springs on the standard 17" avus wheels.
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Yes. A long time ago...
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What's the ride like?
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The ride is fine - dependant on how low you go and how high a quality (how well developed) the lowered springs are.
Fitting H&R or Eibach springs won't kill the ride...it'll be stiffer than standard nut it won't knock your fillings out on speedbumps, if that's what you are worried about.
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I was looking at the Eibach springs. Are they good? Any other recommendations?
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Eibach are fine....if slightly stiffer than the H&Rs - that is to say they seem slightly less complient on the first few mm's of travel.
Some will prefer that...
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Is ok just to change the springs on the standard dampers?
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Will it work? Yes.
Will it handle better? Yes. To a point.
Will it be nice to drive? No, not really.
Will it make the car quicker point to point...probably...but you'll struggle to keep control.
OK if the car is brand new...mine were fitted to a new car and wore the dampers out in a year or so...assuming your car has any miles on it, the standard dampers are best thrown in the bit. They are awful, at best.
You see, the standard dampers are under-damped standard, add stiffer springs and they run out of ideas when you push on. you will find that at moderate speeds they will be fine...and at high speeds you will be fighting the car to keep it tracking straight as the suspension loses it's grip of the heavy car, and wallows all over the road.
It will be quicker...if you have the ability and the balls to keep your foot in, and drive round it...but it's not ideal.
Also, with standard dampers you will hit the bumpstops quicker - giving terminal understeer, and with the weak dampers unable to control the car's weight over yumps, you'll risk catching the sump on a hard landing (ask how I know? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif )
The dampers are the weak link in the S3's suspension - the standard springs aren't bad.
If you want to actually drive the car, change the dampers to something decent (Bilstein would be my choice (was my choice) or Koni).
If you only want a lowered look for parking outside the local wine bar and impressing the girlies...go for the springs only.
Best you look out some sea-sickness pills though, if you go this route.
If you are a real driver, do your self a favour and change the springs and dampers.
If you can justify it...also consider a pair of uprated anti-roll bars.
...and don't forget to get the suspension set up more aggressively than standard.
...and have a play with your tyre pressures too...there are gains to be found there.
