suspension.. pics request

[K13 ASJ]

hi folks, i am having trouble deciding what suspension to go for, i am mainly lowering for looks but handling and comfort are also very important. as the title sugests i am wanting some pics of how your suspension looks, preferably side on views of s3's on 19" wheels and if you could write to say what your using and how you find them that would be great.. Thanks in advance Allan

 

[Gryphon001]

Well, it's no S3 by any stretch of the imagination... and it's on 18's ... but here goes anyways;

H&R Sport springs and Koni FSDs... on 18's the comfort is right up there with stock and it handles great... with 19's don't expect much comfort out of the setup. It feels exponentially stiffer than 18s.

The 19s I did have are all black anyways so its hard to really get a good feel for the setup...

 

[K13 ASJ]

Cheers for the reply, your car looks great! sits spot on with the 18's. was thinking about eibach pro's/ koni fsd, think there probz out of the question if you say there not great for comfort on 19".
theres surly somone with a s3 on 19"s with the car lowered 30-40mm?? is there??

 

[nally]

those pics are sweet photshop of just cool background lighting

 

[Gryphon001]

I dont think it matters what suspension you choose, the 19s are going to be a hard ride.

My setup is actually softer and more comfortable than the stock one on a 2011 TDI loaner I had. Eibach will be better for comfort since the springs are a bit softer than H&R from what I've been told.

 

[Sock]

I got Vmaxx coilovers ( only hight adjustable ) and they ride great, and personally I feel a bit better than standard as they are more forgiving with the bumps.

Only got the standard 18" wheels

Here's the thread with pics on:

http://www.audi-sport.net/vb/new-a3-s3-sportback-8p-chassis/126885-down-we-go-pics.html

 

[K13 ASJ]

already had a look at your thread mate, car looks great! don't think i want to go quite so low but still good to hear the vmaxx are a deacent coilover. think 40-50mm is about the max i wil lower, how low is yours?

 

[Sock]

Not sure exactly , front is as low as they go and the back is about 15mm higher

Still got to do a few adjustments when I get time

 

[A3SBQ]

Hi m8.

Here is mine. I am running BBS 18" and KW's v2.
Hight and stiffness adjustable.
The ride feels much more comfi thane standard S Line setup.
Sorry for the low backend.

 

[warren_S5]

Only caution I'd have with running 40-50mm lower is that FSD's are supposedly (so Ive been told) been designed to run with OEM ride heigh (or there abouts), and if I want to lower then I need to go for a shortened stroke damper. There's so much conflicting info about suspension on the web it's hard to know what to believe.

My car is on 19's, but at standard ride height (factory suspension). Apologies lighting was not great, but you can see there is potential for lowering, just be careful of wheel offset as you may get some light rubbing at rear unless you sort out back arch screws (especially with 3 bloaters in the back)

 

[N8]

I went out in Socks S3 with V-Maxx yesterday and the ride really is superb, if you want a price let me know.

 

[Ads]

Only caution I'd have with running 40-50mm lower is that FSD's are supposedly (so Ive been told) been designed to run with OEM ride heigh (or there abouts), and if I want to lower then I need to go for a shortened stroke damper. There's so much conflicting info about suspension on the web it's hard to know what to believe.

I've read LOADS about this and i'm yet to read a positive review (professional or consumer) from anyone who has run FSDs any lower than 20-30mm below standard.
These shocks are definitely not to be run with a 40-50mm drop as they won't do the job you are paying for them to do.

 

[GNJ_Motorsport]

Not sure exactly , front is as low as they go and the back is about 15mm higher

Still got to do a few adjustments when I get time

I am considering the V Maxx kit for my S3 going off your reviews of them. I will get some Bilstein B16's or KW V3's next year I think for it but I would rather lower it for a bit cheaper for now and spend the money getting the power I want from it (stage 2+)

 

[N8]

Give me a shout if you want hooking up lad.

 

[GNJ_Motorsport]

Give me a shout if you want hooking up lad.

We sell them through my business so I can get them @ trade but thanks mate. Just trying to gauge peoples opinions on what is the best way to go with the S3 before I start modding it heavily. Can't beat the opinions of those that have been there and done it! I notice you are involved with Shark? I was supposed to be at the Trade day on Saturday but we couldn't make it in the end. Was really disapointed as I was looking forward to it!

 

[N8]

Well there you go!

 

[RonstarS3]

Where you from pal?

We sell them through my business so I can get them @ trade but thanks mate. Just trying to gauge peoples opinions on what is the best way to go with the S3 before I start modding it heavily. Can't beat the opinions of those that have been there and done it! I notice you are involved with Shark? I was supposed to be at the Trade day on Saturday but we couldn't make it in the end. Was really disapointed as I was looking forward to it!

 

[GNJ_Motorsport]

Where you from pal?

I live in Clayton-le-Moors near Accrington mate. Just spotted you are from Blackburn! Post some details of your S3 so I can spot you if I see you

 

[RonstarS3]

The S3 has gone pal, got an ibis sportback BE, should soon be sporting BBS CK's. Need to change all my avatar etc but don't want to let go ha ha

 

[K13 ASJ]

Thanks for the replys. my cars already on the 19's there 8.5j et48 with 225/35/19 tyres on. Been reading up as much as i can on suspension and saw some people refering to vmaxx as 'jom quality', had the joms on my mk4 and they were terrible (had to send both front coilovers back in the 1st year for replacment), so think vmaxx is probly not for me. Also had AP coilovers on my mk5 they were great, really comfortable, great amount of height adjustablity, and excellent on the corners so i really considered getting them for the s3. But as KW are regarded as better quailty i am probly going to go for the kw v1 basics, as i dont really need adjustable dampning etc i see these as all i need. my next question is, will i be able to use them on there lowest setting with no rubbing issues.

 

[basssound]

Here's two of mine from a few weeks ago, dropped 60mm rear, 50mm front, running 18" Sline alloys and using
KW Variant 1 inox range.
The handling is rediculous for a road car and the ride is very slightly stiffer than the already lowered and stiffened Sline suspension.
Will be raising the rears and dropping the front 5mm to even out the arches.

 

[Gryphon001]

heard some good things about KW and if you want to spend a bit more you could go for Koni or H&R... H&Rs are a stiffer ride than Koni I have heard, but both are supposed to be very good quality. I got to drive a friends A3 on Stasis coilovers, and the ride quality was superb. The Stasis are basically rebadged Koni, which Stasis set the stiffness on to their prefference and put a premium on though.

And stick to the coilovers... if you get the height and stiffness adjustable ones you should find a good combination for your tastes. Take it from someone who regrets going with springs and dampers over coils... even though I still love my setup for the ride quality and handling, the difference in the wheel gap bothers me.

Good luck with your project, keep us up to date.

D.

 

[N8]

KW are the best coilovers IMO