Which suspension set-up is better?

Defratos

Defratos

You’re Dethpicable!!
Joined
May 26, 2004
Messages
2,232
Reaction score
0
Points
36
Location
London....Relocated to the Mid East
Website
00626e1.netsolhost.com
Hey guys, I've already posted this in the handeling section but didn't get many replies. Do u guys have any comments:

I've heard some one on here say that this is probably the best set-up for an S3:

H&R Springs
Blistein dampers
Forge adjustable arms
Nuespeed ARBs

Now, what about:

Koni coil-over setup (fully adjustable, height and damper adjustment)
Forge adjustable arms
and Nuespeed ARBS (front and rear)

any comments? I know the ride is supposed to be a bit more harsh, but does it handel that lil bit better on the track?
 
[ QUOTE ]
Now, what about:

Koni coil-over setup (fully adjustable, height and damper adjustment)
Forge adjustable arms
and Nuespeed ARBS (front and rear)

any comments? I know the ride is supposed to be a bit more harsh, but does it handel that lil bit better on the track?

[/ QUOTE ]

Forge or Milltek (do they still make them?) adjustable arms will do the same job.

Neuspeed ARBs just work...but so may H&R or Eibach...who knows!

Koni coilovers are fine...I have them on my GTI.
But, they are noisy and harsh...probably more so than the H&R / Bilstein combo, but I can't say for sure as I never tried them.

The set up you originally mentioned was a ROAD set up...it's perfect for ROAD use.

For track use, it could do with stiffer rear springs and dampers, and the ability to play with the damping.

So, in answer to your question, using Koni coilovers will be fine. Overkill for the road...but probably ultimately better on the track...but who knows...it may not be.
 
Just remember...there is no perfect right and wrong with suspension...it's all down to driving ability and perception.

Any upgrade will be better than stock...but after that, it's all about component choice and set-up

A perfect setting for me may be awful for you.

All the best bits badly set up will be a waste and awful to drive...

Standard stuff well set up will be better than cheap upgrades badly set up.

You pay your money, and take your choice.

Personally, If I were spending £1200+ on a complete set-up...I'd want one that just works, straight out of the box.
Hence, my preference for suggesting the H&R/Bilstein/Forge/Neuspeed combo.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Ah, I understand. Ok but is the H&R or Blistein at all adjustable? or you can't damper adjust it?


[/ QUOTE ]

The Bilstein damping is fixed...and to be honest...there is absolutely no need to change it...it's PERFECT for a fast-road S3.

It just works...


[ QUOTE ]

I would agree with you on the fact that Koni is harsh ride, but I don't have anything to compare it with.

[/ QUOTE ]

Konis tend to be harsher, in my experience...
Coilovers also tend to be both noiseier and harsher in my experience...

As to whether you would need to adjust the damping...or whether there is a need to have anything other than the proven Bilstein damping is a matter for debate.

I never tracked my S3...
But I presumed that in order to get the car doing what I wanted on the track ,I would need to go harder on the rear damping...

But, David - who bought my S3 - does trackdays like a man possessed...and swears that there is no need for stiffer rear damping...or front for that matter.

Perhaps, if the track preformance is your priority, you should contact David R for his thoughts - assuming he doesn't read this and post here.
He'll be much better placed to comment on the on-track performance of the H&R/Bilstein/Forge/Neuspeed set up...
 
Interesting. I wouldn't know from experience because I haven't taken mine to the track yet, but I think I'm slowley being won over by the blistien, because at the end of the day I would like a nicer all round ride, and for the days that I do take it to track, well, I guess I'll just see what others say, might even pm David R. Cheers for the help Glen, /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beerchug.gif
 
Glen (Ess Three), whats your take on uprating the rear ARB on an S3 as a cheap handling mod? eg. 16mm from V6 4motion or 19mm from R32, but retaining the standard front item(19mm?).
Of course I know it will be cheaper in the long run to get the full works done at once with changing the springs,shocks and ARBs all at once, but I get satisfaction from doing things step by step... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ok.gif
 
This should reduce understeer (according to a recent tuning article I read anyway...)

Will be interested to read other opinions.

Greg
 
[ QUOTE ]
Glen (Ess Three), whats your take on uprating the rear ARB on an S3 as a cheap handling mod? eg. 16mm from V6 4motion or 19mm from R32, but retaining the standard front item(19mm?).


[/ QUOTE ]

Hard to say...it should work, but I never tried it...

The problem is that the S3s ARBs in general are too soft...so even though you fit a large rear bar, to reduce understeer - which it will - you will still roll at the front, roll off the edge of the tyre / run out of ideas on standard damping, and understeer anyway.

Uprated dampers, with a std F ARB and R32 R ARB may work...

But then there the usual concerns of fitting a large rear ARB on standard rear damping, and the 'unloading' of the rear ARB at awkward times...not something I'd be keen to suggest.

But, the Neuspeed combo works incredibly well...not cheap...but it just works.


[ QUOTE ]

Of course I know it will be cheaper in the long run to get the full works done at once with changing the springs,shocks and ARBs all at once, but I get satisfaction from doing things step by step... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ok.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

I understand...

My view:

Tyre pressures first...

Then springs / dampers...
You can get away with lowered springs on standard dampers if the car is new and the dampers are in good order...but it's not nice at the limit...not something I'd do again.
Ideally springs and dampers next.

Then play with suspension geometry...rear tie bars, front camber etc
Waiting will wear the insides of the rear tyres though, if you are quite low (more than -20mm)

Then ARBs


It's up to you how you go though...
 
I thought that every time you swapped springs, then dampers etc etc you would need a 4-wheel alignment done and @ >£120 a time i think i would only want to shell once.
 
Dunc, would you go as far as to change the Knoi's over lets say Blistein dampers? for a smoother ride? or have u personally gotten used to the ride feel? My bro has the Koni set-up so I kinda know how the ride feels but nothin to compare it with.
 
well I havent driven a car wih Bilsteins to be able to compare.

I have driven cars with KW coilovers and H&R Comfort coilovers and they are much better (softer) but its down to money at the end of the day - maybe one day...

Dunc
 
IMO the H+R's are defineatly better than koni. I used to have koni's on my old mk2 golf 16v.

KW are good too but they corrode big time!

H+R are original factory equipment on golf R32's.(cup kit)
I later found this out after a "R" kind of di*ked all over me around two roundabouts!

I blitzed him on the straight though, I hope he saw the CL badge /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/goofy.gif
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

U
K24 or 2283 - Which is better for RS6 K04 Hybrids
Replies
3
Views
3K
adamss24
A
M
Which is right: bigger/smaller cylinders?
Replies
3
Views
2K
MarkLand
M
R
when tuning an s3 is manual gearbox better or dsg
Replies
2
Views
2K
redlinehigh
R
Charlie Farley
Installer remapping -v- tuning box setups , what is the better route?
Replies
13
Views
2K
Daniel1512
Daniel1512
pazaudi
Better MPG after map?
Replies
1
Views
993
Gazwould
Gazwould
Top
Back