A3 on 18's, Next Step Lowering, But How Much???

[RyanS3TT]

Im looking into lowering my A3 now, and im looking at sets of Eibach springs and shocks, and Janspeed springs and shocks.

Ones 45mm

Ones 35mm

Ones 30mm.

Whats the best set to buy to get to help get the suttle lower look, not ruin ride comfort and help handling?

I want ride comfort the most, then handling. however lowering my car is mainly for the look.

 

[Ash B]

I'd go between 35m - 45mm. looks soo much better

 

[<tuffty/>]

I have Eibach Pro 25mm front/20mm rear springs and they haven't really lowered mine much from std tbh... looks ok though but I am thinking 30mm or maybe even 35mm may give the look I was after.

That said, coupled with the Bilstein B8's I have too the handling is nothing short of amazing and the ride quality is really good.

The sump on A3/S3's is pretty low and 'dropping' the car is asking for trouble so avoid 45mm, 30mm would be subtle I think...

<tuffty/>

 

[mat20vt]

30mm drop on mine, springs were from dpm. gives a real nice ride height. B8 shocks on mine too

 

[<tuffty/>]

Having seen Matt's car parked next to mine, 30mm for teh win for a nice subtle look... his A3 is on 17's too

<tuffty/>

 

[abdus]

30mm Eibach
and GAZ shocks

 

[mat20vt]

o and with the 30mm drop, i've no trouble with speed bumps, rough roads etc.

 

[A3_Turbo]

55mm on mine H&R Cup kit.

No probs what-so ever..

Jason

 

[mat20vt]

got any pics of yours with 55mm drop mate??

you got a decent spec car mate!:icon_thumright:

 

[Prawn]

I've never heard of Janspeed shocks and springs for an A3, Janspeed are an exhaust company based in salisbury..... Why would they be making cheap shocks and springs?

I'd give a MASSIVE recommendation for Weitec stuff.

I'm running a 50mm drop Weitec ultra GT kit from DPM, and it's brilliant. Compared to Jason's H&R cup kit it rides like a limo, and it nowhere near as bumpy as cars of a similar height on coilovers.

I don't get any problems with speed bumps provided I slow down enough, and it looks just right without costing the earth!

30mm and you're going to wish you'd done more, it doesn't make enough of a difference really! I'm on 50 and I still think it could be lower sometimes.

 

[S3 Rav]

mines on h&r springs. lowers by about 30 odd mm but imo gives a very nnice stance

 

[A3Tom]

40mm Wietec Kit on mine and its great. I'm running 18's and have no worries with speedbumps and the ride quality is spot on. It looks ace too

 

[DPM]

Yeah i'd say go for the Weitec 40mm kit...

http://www.dpmperformance.co.uk/weitec-40mm-ultra-gt-kit-a3-8l-18t-0996-p-1451.html

Damian @ DPM

 

[RyanS3TT]

Thanks for the help guys, Im thiknig 40 would be perfect. Prawn can u put up a pic of your car droped 50 from the side please?

Previous experiecne i dropped my old car 60mm and it was a horrendous ride, and speedbumps nailed me, as for the car after that.. that was 80mm at the back and it was fine. so.. I contridict myself and I keep thinking I can go lower. but to be honest i jsut want the archs to sit above the tyre about 10mm ish. i think it would look great and finish the look. I will post a pic of my car with the 18s and maybe if someones good with photoshop they could PS it and show me different drops?

Or would that be too hard or taking the pi**

but eyah can people please post pics of their drops and how it handles/ride comfort so I can choose.

Also add where you got them from

Thanks guys. Ryan

 

[mat20vt]

dpm were cheapest i found

 

[Prawn]

Hi mate, I've not really got any decent side on pics believe it or not, but here are a few from a Mini race meet at combe last year:

This is about the most side on pic I've got:

Can take a proper side on shot for you tomorow if you still want more

 

[A3Tom]

Mine the day the 40mm kit was fitted, its settled down a bit more now so the wheels fill the arches really nicely.

40mm Wietec kit with KW ARB's. The rides great and it handles really well, sticks to the road like sh*t to a blanket.

Not a great pic, I'll try and get something better..

Tom

 

[RyanS3TT]

Prawn looking at your car I think i need to go 50.. or even more ???

Toms looks nice but thats only a 40 drop.

your car doesnt look as low as I thight it would but it does sit nice.

Youve helped me decide now 40-50mm

Also Prawn.
Did your bumper used to ahve the lower spots before your intercooler pipe?

Thanks, Ryan

 

[Prawn]

No mate, I never had spots, as it's a pre facelift car like yours

even the 50mm kit isn't very low is it! although with 2 people in it sits at a pretty nice height, I always notice when at petrol stations, walking back to the car with a few mates sat in it it looks about perfect!

 

[ruairi83]

Here is a few of my car. Pre Facelift A3 TDI with S3 front end.

18" RS6's and down 45mm on Spax Spings and Standard Shocks... No Rubbing at all mate.

Hope these help.

 

[A3Tom]

Prawn looking at your car I think i need to go 50.. or even more ???

Toms looks nice but thats only a 40 drop.

your car doesnt look as low as I thight it would but it does sit nice.

Youve helped me decide now 40-50mm

Also Prawn.
Did your bumper used to ahve the lower spots before your intercooler pipe?

Thanks, Ryan

Its sat a bit lower now its all had chance to settle, I'll try to take a pic later on for you. I would have gone lower but needed to stay a bit sensible due to all the speed bumps around here. Plus the reason I went lower wasnt for looks, it was for the handling which I'm very VERY pleased with.

Swings and round abouts really, you could go super low but I'm not in a position to do that as I wouldnt get further than a mile from my house

 

[kaizokuninja]

anyone had any experience with the Koni STRT lowering springs and dampers? Its a little more affordable for me being on a tighter budget than a lot of you it seems =D

 

[RyanS3TT]

Wow Ruairi, that sits very nice.
I seen some SPAX 45s on ebay a minute ago, around £100.. I may go for them.
Youre on standard shocks?

Does anyone know if ther is a need to get uprated shocks?
Will it improve ridecomomfort once lowered?

how does yours drive in comparison to before you lowered it Ruairi.

Ryan

Here is a few of my car. Pre Facelift A3 TDI with S3 front end.

18" RS6's and down 45mm on Spax Spings and Standard Shocks... No Rubbing at all mate.

Hope these help.

 

[A3Tom]

Wow Ruairi, that sits very nice.
I seen some SPAX 45s on ebay a minute ago, around £100.. I may go for them.
Youre on standard shocks?

Does anyone know if ther is a need to get uprated shocks?
Will it improve ridecomomfort once lowered?

how does yours drive in comparison to before you lowered it Ruairi.

Ryan

If you're lowering a car you should get shocks to suit the new springs. The standard shocks work fine on standard springs but you should really change the shocks to match the springs as its considered best practice.

Plus its worth doing when the suspensions off the car anyway, do it all at once and then its done and you dont have to worry about it.

T

 

[ruairi83]

Wow Ruairi, that sits very nice.
I seen some SPAX 45s on ebay a minute ago, around £100.. I may go for them.
Youre on standard shocks?

Does anyone know if ther is a need to get uprated shocks?
Will it improve ridecomomfort once lowered?

how does yours drive in comparison to before you lowered it Ruairi.

Ryan

Ryan,

My car is on standard shocks and they are great havent had any problems with them this past 1.5years. I drive my car for work daily and havent has any major probs.

I replaced the passenger drive shaft and top strut mount but that was £60 all in for both fitted.

handles great mate and is far better ride.

 

[ruairi83]

Here you go mate:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=250367810024

Hope it helps. If you need anymore pics just message me.