Lowering S3 advice and pics wanted :P

[daveturbo]

I really want to lower my 8p audi s3. The thing is i dont want to make the handling worse because she handles a beauty on the standard setup. I am not too bothered about the suspension becoming stiffer as i am use to driving a jaw breaking mk4 golf slammed on coilovers! Although at the same time i would like to keep as much smooth nice ride as possible. I am hoping to lower the car by 25-30mm specially the front as i think that sits a tad higher in comparission to the back as standard setup.

Can anyone please shed some light on different setups that have been tried and tested. Any pics would be a grate help aswel thanks

Dave.

 

[Kelza]

H&R springs 25mm ...

 

[Kelza]

Same springs on a different s3 with 18's

 

[MartayMcFly]

If you want the front lowered and the closest to OEM setup go for the Eibach springs. They lower the front ~25mm and you don't need to change anything else.

As above, I've got the H&R springs, but with the original dampers the car is pretty bouncy over rough ground. It's not crashy (or at least not any crashier than standard) but can get annoying when going more than 50/60mph.

I also have H&R ABRs on, as I found the standard set up understeered way too much. Now the car turns in a lot better, and corners a lot flatter too.

Standard wheels but H&R suspension mods

New hotness, same H&R set up

 

[pinterovski]

KW V3 Coilies B-30mm F-35mm

 

[GNJ_Motorsport]

I've got the H&R 25mm springs on our S3, I like them. The ride quality is no worse than the standard set up but it corners a bit flatter. By no means the complete solution to making the S3 handle brilliantly but you seem happy with the standard handling, which to be fair is better than most hot hatchbacks!

We can do these for £195 delivered.

H&R 25mm Lowering Springs S3 8P / S3 8P Sportback 2.0T FSi Quattro (11/06-) - GNJ Motorsport

 

[daveturbo]

thanks for all the advice guys and pics. much better stance on the H&R springs! Can anyone tell me the pros and convs to Eibach springs v H&R (including ride quality and how much the car will lower front and rear, also if any additional setup is required e.g anti roll bar or dampers

Thanks again, Dave.

 

[daveturbo]

If you want the front lowered and the closest to OEM setup go for the Eibach springs. They lower the front ~25mm and you don't need to change anything else.

As above, I've got the H&R springs, but with the original dampers the car is pretty bouncy over rough ground. It's not crashy (or at least not any crashier than standard) but can get annoying when going more than 50/60mph.

I also have H&R ABRs on, as I found the standard set up understeered way too much. Now the car turns in a lot better, and corners a lot flatter too.

Standard wheels but H&R suspension mods

New hotness, same H&R set up

Really like this car mate! stance is really good to! How much is that suspension setup? also what wheels are they and how much can you get a set for?

Dave

 

[DPM]

Remember the Eibachs are only the front springs.

Give me a shout if you need any prices and I'm sure we'll be able to get the best offer for you.

Damian @ DPM Performance

 

[MartayMcFly]

Really like this car mate! stance is really good to! How much is that suspension setup? also what wheels are they and how much can you get a set for?

Dave

Thanks, still a lot of little things needing done, but really happy with it. The bottom is pic is actually a bit of a cheat as the standard wheels are actually in the boot there so it's a little lower, but now the springs have settled it's actually around that height anyway.

I got the ARBs here: H&R Audi S3 + S3 Sportback 8P Stabilisatoren-Set VA + HA Audi Tuning, BMW Tuning, VW Tuning, Opel Tuning, Mercedes Tuning, Mini Tuning

and got the springs second hand off a member on here, so they were cheap as chips.

The wheels are often known as Speedlines, but mine are actually BBS RS861s (Speedline took over as OEM when BBS stopped making them). They're off a S-Line A6, but came with various fitment on most Audis from around 04-08 and can set you back anywhere from around £700 up to £1200 depending on condition and who's selling them. I paid just under £800 for mine, not including tyres, so around £1200 all in, but they need a refurb as the lacquer on the lips has failed.

Martin

 

[daveturbo]

looks good mate.

 

[daveturbo]

KW V3 Coilies B-30mm F-35mm

Defo love this pic! where u get the coilovers from and how much? (i had coilovers on my mk4 golf and the ride was HARSH to say the least, what is the ride like?) also again love the wheels what make are they?

 

[daveturbo]

any more pics or comments about this topic?

 

[Acheron]

*sigh* I had no intention of lowering my S3 until I saw this thread

/adds another mod to the list

 

[pinterovski]

Defo love this pic! where u get the coilovers from and how much? (i had coilovers on my mk4 golf and the ride was HARSH to say the least, what is the ride like?) also again love the wheels what make are they?

Thnx buddy! I get the coilies from german ebay barely used in perfect condition for 450GBP
The ride is perfect and not harsh at all mate,i really love KW V3's and they are definitely the best kit out there!!!
Wheels are 19's VMR V710's.

 

[GNJ_Motorsport]

Thnx buddy! I get the coilies from german ebay barely used in perfect condition for 450GBP
The ride is perfect and not harsh at all mate,i really love KW V3's and they are definitely the best kit out there!!!
Wheels are 19's VMR V710's.

That is a bargain well done mate

 

[pinterovski]

That is a bargain well done mate

It's 4 months now and i'm still smiling

 

[S3RYE]

wish i could find a set 2nd hand! looks like im going to have to fork out for brand new KW v2's. Would like 3's but they are very pricey!!

 

[daveturbo]

YOU DEFO got a BARGAIN on them coilovers then mate they are like over 1500 on the bay!! lol might have to stick to springs myself the car set me back enough let alone the fuel and modification list i have in mind haha the joys

 

[Acheron]

Can someone with the H&R's shed some light on the change in ride quality versus stock?

The roads in South Africa are not fantastic to begin with and I find the stock S3 to be quite hard anyway...just concerned that I might be shooting myself in the foot for the sake of stance and slight handling improvement.

 

[MartayMcFly]

Can someone with the H&R's shed some light on the change in ride quality versus stock?

The roads in South Africa are not fantastic to begin with and I find the stock S3 to be quite hard anyway...just concerned that I might be shooting myself in the foot for the sake of stance and slight handling improvement.

It's hard to be sure because I fitted the anti-roll bars at the same time and now have lower profile tyres on, but the ride is definitely worse than stock in terms of crashiness. The car also bounces around now, probably because the initial inch of travel in the dampers is gone. As they say though, no pain no gain... I guess.

I think some people may have a slightly different experience, but I need to get some Bilstein dampers or go for coilovers.

 

[Lensey]

Just had mine lowered on 25mm H&R's