Lowering

[jonnysimm]

hi all ive been thinking about lowering my car because it looks alot better i know other people have asked but what would you say is the best springs to buy or is there a kit? and would i have to replace the shocks ? also what would people say on how much to lower it by?

Many Thanks to any advise.

 

[marknjayne]

what car (engine variant) and s-line or not?

 

[sportback A3]

I'd consider your driving style, the roads you travel on daily. If your shocks are old I'd certainly consider new ones. I've read up on eibach 35 mm progressive are a very good choice, for retained ride quality and excellent when used hard in cornering etc.. I hope this helps, but I'm sure there are other members with their own opinions

 

[jonnysimm]

Thanks for the advise and its a 2.0l tdi 2004 sport. Someone i know told me i would need to replace the shocks if i lowered it. Could i just replace the back ones or would i have to do all round?

 

[marknjayne]

you dont have to replace the shocks

 

[jonnysimm]

Would they hold out the if i was to lower it ? what ever height ?

 

[marknjayne]

course they would,s-lines are 15mm lower than non s-line from the factory,there are loads of people just using springs with no issues,unless you go to say 40-50mm you will be fine

 

[sportback A3]

As above, but I'd still take into account the mileage your shocks have covered, also if you drop it too low, your shocks won't get chance to work, they are valved and you need some absorbsion, shorter shocks will help prevent you looking like a nodding dog..

 

[jonnysimm]

would these be any good? 190625196849 on ebay of is it best getting new ones?

 

[sportback A3]

I think new eibach springs are about £120 from the net traders, new front struts are about £50 per corner! And also have them re aligned and the geometry checked. Personally I'd not buy 2nd hand/used

 

[jonnysimm]

Would i have to change the struts aswell ? plus can you still have people in the back of the car ? and would the ride change alot as in stiffness ? and thanks again for advise.

 

[FranA3]

get some coilovers then you can adjust the ride height to your heart content mine are v-maxx so comfortable to be fair

 

[jonnysimm]

where can you get them from? and did you replace the shocks?

 

[FranA3]

coilovers are shocks and springs as one unit on the front and new shocks and springs separate on the rear , they come as a complete kit mate , they range in price from around £230 ish up to well over 3k depends on what you want, budget set can be bought for the same price or a little more for the price of a decent spring kit

 

[jonnysimm]

ok thanks fella need to make my mind up. think i just wanna lower it about 40mm fill the arch up. just gotta think about speed bumps. lol

 

[FranA3]

my car doesn't hit any speed bumps only on the front but thats because I've got a leon cupra R front lower splitter on that catches on speed bumps but other than that i wouldn't worry at all mate at 40mm lower

 

[jonnysimm]

Do you think tht would be enough?

 

[FranA3]

it all depends on what your after really mate 40mm lower will look nice tho but if your running standard wheels you will have to chuck some spacers on to bring the wheels out a touch so they fill the arches better otherwise they might look a bit lost under there

 

[munchkincoupe]

jonnysimm - you're in Warrington right? Get your car to Awesome GTI in Irlam Awesome - VAG Specialists

Have a look at this thread and see what floats your boat height wise http://www.audi-sport.net/vb/new-a3-s3-sportback-8p-chassis/131647-stance-thread.html

....and this one http://www.audi-sport.net/vb/new-a3-s3-sportback-8p-chassis/139055-a3-lowered-18s.html

I can thoroughly recommend Awesome GTI though - I'm in Warrington and they did my Springs/dampers/strut tops/geometry and just had a remap recently too

 

[Ads]

A Sport with 50mm lowering springs at the front and 40mm at the back (Eibach Sportline) is fine with Sport shocks. It's what I'm running.
As for mileage... mine had covered 50k and the ride was, and still is ,fine.

 

[jonnysimm]

yes mate im from warrington ill have a look on there or go down and ask them. and im running 18inch wheels on it atm would you recommend spacers ? and thanks everyone who has given advise.

 

[munchkincoupe]

What width are your 18s and what's your tyre profile?

 

[MartayMcFly]

I'm on S3 shocks with H&R springs and the car is annoyingly bouncy. Going to be looking at Billy B8 shocks, or maybe coilovers pretty soon. Might even go back to standard until I get something better.

 

[Ads]

I'm on S3 shocks with H&R springs and the car is annoyingly bouncy.

Yeah I've heard this about S3s.
Lowering an S3 on springs is a different ball game to lowering an A3 on springs.
An S3 on H&R -25mm drops the car about 60mm below standard A3 height, whereas an A3 on H&R -50mm drops it 50mm below standard height.
I think this extra 10mm, even though on S3 shocks, is just a step too far.

 

[DPM]

On a 2004 vehicle, depending on the mileage, I'd say change the shocks as well.

If I can be any help with info or prices just give me a shout.

Damian @ DPM Performance

 

[jonnysimm]

Thanks again guys i think ill go and have a look soon to see whats best. is it hard to fit them? because i fitted one few months back because it snapped ???? and was a right pain in the ****. so it there a tool that i could get to compress the spring to get it in easy because the spring compressor i had wasn't any good

 

[FranA3]

they are a pain to do the fronts i did mine on my own the hardest thing was getting the shock out of the hub , the rear is a 15 min job really really easy

 

[monster_munch]

I have a 2004 TDI sport, and have been thinking about this aswell.

Its completely standard now, but Im thinking of fitting an S3/votex spoiler, then some S line (RS6?) 18" alloys and getting it lowered.

Is that definitely right that s line cars are lowered 15mm? Can you get 15mm lowering springs, or will s line springs fit on my sport?

 

[munchkincoupe]

S-line springs will fit it and you can pick them up used from here or ebay but they do tend to be a bit crashy which is why people go for H&R or Eibach springs instead

 

[monster_munch]

Thanks for the reply. I have messaged someone on here selling s line springs and they are still available. I presume they are all the same size though, so it will look high at the front?

Better start searching for some s line wheels aswell!

 

[munchkincoupe]

Springs set the height of your car and the dampers are matched to the spring height. Sport models are 10-15mm lower than standard models, S-line are 20-25mm lower than standard models, S3 is 30-35mm lower than standard so you're only going to see 10mm drop from your Sport ride height!