Coilover fitting?

S3featesV9

S3featesV9

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well as im in the process of getting some new wheels for my car, i thought i might aswell get some lowering going on.

thinking coilovers, but are theyre good spring/damper set ups available? as most of my budget is going on wheels/tyres!

also how much am i looking at for a garage to fit either coilovers, or spring/dampers?


i probably could do it myself as i used to be a mechanic. but have never actually done a job like this.

is there any decent guides on here? or even better, if someone could give me a hand for some back pocket money?

ive been looking at the fk's as they seem quite cheap and popular ?http://www.dpmperformance.co.uk/fk-...sion-kitbr-s3-8l-18t-quattro-0998-p-8227.html but unsure on spring/damper set ups.

all help and info gratefull.

thanks,
 
I had fks on my old mk2 vr6 and the ride was firm to say the least!
 
Noah's MkIV VW H&R Coilover Installation HOWTO

Rears are a little different on the S3 to the FWD Golf but the fronts are the same... don't forget to undo the headlight leveller arms from the front wishbone and rear tie bar before removing suspension components as they will break off...

<tuffty/>
 
Very easy? How low can I go without needing adjustable tie bars? Or is it worth waiting until I can afford to buy adjustables?

Anyone else got views on fk coilovers?
 
25mm is borderline for tie bars but tie bars are recommended if you want to dial the geometry in properly...

<tuffty/>
 
Gunna need some then. Think I'm going to drop about 40mm with 18s on. Hopefully look ok!!

And LCR top mounts aswell I suppose? Money money money!

Anything else I should consider doing?
 
The search bar is your friend (albeit for an A3) - The Definitive Cheap Ebay Coilover Thread (Jamex) With" how to"guide

It's a piece of ****, you won't struggle.

Personally I have a set of Weitec GT's and my girlfriend has the cheap ebay Jamex coils, in my honest opinion her car drives and rides better than my Weitecs around town and in the real world.

If you aren't going on track then go as cheap as you can is my advice, they come with a warranty and lets face it if the ride quality is good the only other box to tick is price.
 
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I bought some brand new off the bay last week £160 delivered after I knocked a fiver off, fitted them Saturday, have to say I'm impressed, you sacrifice comfort as it's a little bumpy but I'm well happy. Only problem was getting the old front shocks out of the hubs, had to jack the shock up from under the spring support and hammer the hub down (but please be careful even with spring clamps) fitting after that was a doddle.

Cheers Kai
 
Hey guys just to jump in on this thread as am thinking about future Xmas presents for me :) so was thinking that some new coilovers for the car (S3) might be a nice upgrade.

So after reading some of the stuff on here and having a quick look using Google these are what i have found that would be in my price bracket :

Pro Sport Audi A3 Adjustable Coilovers 1996-2003 - Free UK Delivery - Audi A3 Prosport Coilovers 1996-2003 - Audi A3 - Audi - Coilovers Direct
(Supposedly the replacement of the jamex stuff)

FK AK Street Coilover Suspension Kit S3 8L 1.8T Quattro 09/98> - £225.00 : The premier online mail order VAG suspension and performance specialists. We offer a wide range of all the best branded suspension and performance parts for all VAG vehicles

FK Highsport Coilover Suspension Kit S3 8L 1.8T Quattro 08/98> - £375.00 : The premier online mail order VAG suspension and performance specialists. We offer a wide range of all the best branded suspension and performance parts for all VAG vehicles

So questions are what other bits n bobs would i need when changing this or do the kits come with new droplinks topmounts etc?
 
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I thought as long as it fits an A3 Quattro that they also fit an S3 but obvioulsy i am not an expert so happy to be informed otherwise.

To be honest yeah £450 isnt a bad price but i am not looking for a massive upgrade just something to replace the old OEM stuff and a reasonable price so under £300 would be ideal. Are the FK kits really that bad as i thought they were on a par with the Jamex/ JOM stuff that people have been fitting and say are quite good for the money.
 
they probably are good. just what a few ppl have said in this thread and a few others. im happy to go with the cheapest things going. never going to take car on track, just want a bit of lowerage..40mm or something
 
I am not fussed on my car dragging its ar5e along the ground but a bit lower would be nice but also like to keep the ride quality that OEM offers so nothing rock solid.

I think the FK Highsports might be a tad harsh, And yes the S3 does need a specific coilover set so thanks for pointing that out as it narrows the search.

Still the FK sports for £225 do seem almost too cheap
 
ap are weitec but with metal adjusters and cheaper dampers good choice though i managed to get weitec for £530
 
Changed my suspension for the second time a few weeks ago to H&R coilovers. I put a cheap weitec spring & shock kit on two years ago and instantly regretted it, the rear shocks knocked straight away. Complained to Weitec and they sent a new pair straight away, but they knocked too, complained and the next pair also knocked, finally the 4th pair (which looked completely different to the first pair) didn't knock. Car handled well so I was pleased for a while, did some reading and realised I should've got bilstein shocks, very expensive but the rears are some of the few that don't knock after a while.
18 months and 20k miles later both front and both rear shocks were knocking and leaking and the ride was terrible. I brought the H&R kit (new) from someone on the AudiSRS forum for £650 (rrp over 1k) after reading that the rear shocks in the kit are just rebranded bilsteins (and maybe the fronts). Car handles amazingly, ride is firm but comfy, and no more knocking, car feels new when going over rough roads, drains etc. Anyway, point is, wish I'd done a bit more research and paid more money, my experience is you get what you pay for.

Changing the suspension is easy, I used the guides above, made sure I had the right tools before starting including a decent set of spring compressors and allowed a whole day to do the job.
 
I got the cheapy FK coilovers. They're great for the price. Car does handle better than shagged stock springs, I plan on getting some LCR top mounts as I get an occasional knock and an R32 RARB to finish it all off.

For the price you can't go wrong IMO.
 
Will keep my eye out for a bargain but if not for the money i think i will give the cheap FK`s a whirl.
 
Does anyone know where to buy the strut splitter bit or have the part number for it?
 
I would like to weigh in as I have been in a couple a3 quattro's nofirst was my friends and he had the jamex kit for all purposes of riding round town and obtaining a shattered spine they were perfect hit any sort of country road and you might want to trade your seat in the car for one being toed behind it on your teeth.
Thats the reason why i didn't go jamex/jom/fk as they are all the same. I ended up with AP's they have been excellent not harsh at all but you keep the lows. If your more about looks and how low you can get it then you will be dissapointed as the rear doesn't drop that far but you still get a good stance.

Changing them is a easy job, just remember to do the level sensors and the wheel speed sensors or you may find yourself wiring new ones in :S.
 
So no one has the part number for the strut splitter then! So whats everyone use, a flat headed screwdriver or sumet?
 
I've got my ap's sitting nice and quite low on 19s (not to low:) I just removed the black part of the adjuster on the rear and set the front 7mm lower to alow for some give.
 
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