Suspension reviews, please

[MartayMcFly]

You may have read that one of my front springs has decided to snap in two, so now I'm going to go ahead with plans to overhaul the suspension.

I don't want coilovers if they're going to be too firm for daily driving, so I'm looking for a springs and shocks set-up with around 30mm lowering that'll handle well when pushed but still be usable on Scotland's rough, uneven, cracked roads.

The problem/questions I've hit is knowing how much value is lost going down the price scale:

1. Are H&R 25mm lowering springs worth an extra £56 (30%) over KW 30mm ones, which are another £35 more than Eibach 25/20mms?

2. Are Bilstein B8s worth their £55 premium over Koni FSDs?

3. Is a KW 30/25mm springs and shocks kit as bad as the £380 saving over B8/H&R combo suggests?

It's not that I don't have the money, it's just that I'd rather save a few hundred pounds if the performance and ride quality gains are out of sync with the extra expenditure. With Neuspeed ARBs and Forge tie-bars, I'm looking at £1300+ just for parts so want to be sure it's money well spent.

 

[fingermouse]

B8`s and h&r`s work out of the box and are spot on imo can`t say for the rest

 

[DPM]

As said, the Bilstein B8's and H&R's are the best handling kit available for the S3 8L but they are stiff.

If you're wanting to lower it slightly but not be too stiff on the road then the Weitec Ultra GT kit is a good option...

http://www.dpmperformance.co.uk/weitec-2015mm-ultra-gt-suspension-kit-s3-8l-0199-p-1452.html

Damian @ DPM

 

[Robert dB]

Why is it that brits mostly talk about the Bilstein B8's? While you can also get the B6 and don't have to bother about installing other ARBs....

It might be that B6 coilover's aren't know or available in the UK, but here on the mainland it's well known and proven to handle spot on.

Just a suggestion.

I've had these B6's mounted together with -25mm springs (from Chiel Bos, dutch specialist with great value for money) and nothing but joy while riding my S3. Whole different feel with exact steering and not a "too" bouncy ride, I'd call it quite smooth but hard enough for quick cornering. Anyways good luck on the new setup.

 

[Ess_Three]

People choose B8s because they are shortened, to work with lowered springs...the damping is perfect, and you don't have the hassle of setting coilovers up (or the noise).
also, being non-adjustable means those that aren't too clued up on suspension can't fiddle with them and completely mess up the handling.

The B8s just work...and work well.

 

[<tuffty/>]

^^^ word....!

 

[MartayMcFly]

As said, the Bilstein B8's and H&R's are the best handling kit available for the S3 8L but they are stiff.

If you're wanting to lower it slightly but not be too stiff on the road then the Weitec Ultra GT kit is a good option...

http://www.dpmperformance.co.uk/weitec-2015mm-ultra-gt-suspension-kit-s3-8l-0199-p-1452.html

Damian @ DPM

What would you recommend if I said I wanted it ~30mm lowered, not 20/15?

 

[fingermouse]

i would say dont but thats just me

 

[Ess_Three]

What would you recommend if I said I wanted it ~30mm lowered, not 20/15?

I would say budget for a new sump and maybe a bottom end re-build if you are unlucky when you rip your existing sump off!

 

[DPM]

KW do a 30/25mm kit...

http://www.dpmperformance.co.uk/kw-3025mm-suspension-kit-s3-8l-0199-p-1265.html

Damian @ DPM

 

[A3Tom]

I have a Wietec Ultra GT kit on my A3. Its the 40mm drop kit though.

Had it fitted for just over a month now and its bob on. Not too low and the rides firm but not to the point that is crashing about all over the place.

Seems great so far.

T

 

[Keeno]

I have a Wietec Ultra GT kit on my A3. Its the 40mm drop kit though.

Had it fitted for just over a month now and its bob on. Not too low and the rides firm but not to the point that is crashing about all over the place.

Seems great so far.

T

Yeah, but the S3 sits lower as standard than an A3...

 

[MartayMcFly]

I would say budget for a new sump and maybe a bottom end re-build if you are unlucky when you rip your existing sump off!

Why do you say that? ChriS3 had his S3 on Eibach coilovers down -35mm in this pic, apparently. Was it bottoming out on the sump much?

http://audi-sport.net/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=244

 

[voorhees]

Koni FSD's and H & R springs with a 25mm drop works for me,I reckon the sump would be damaged if you lower it too much unless your tippy toeing everywhere in your slammed car but wheres the joy in that?

 

[A3Tom]

Yeah, but the S3 sits lower as standard than an A3...

Ahhh, dont get the 40mm kit then!.

 

[<tuffty/>]

The suggested drop of a kit or springs isn't particularly accurate as its relative it would seem. I have B8's and Eibach Pro springs that are 20mm rear and 25mm front. I personally don't think its any more than 5mm (10 ish at a push) lower than my std setup which would suggest it was at least 10mm (maybe 15mm) lower than say an A3 but the handling is oh so much better.

Looking under the front of my car, the plastic sump cover is very low to the ground, the sump not far behind it... they have (in their wisdom) added those stupid speed bumps that only sit in the middle of the road rather than span both lanes... I am concerned about going over those with the height my car is at now....

The S3 doesn't need to be that low to handle but each to thier own. Mine is a daily driver so it needs to be practical and B8's + 25mm springs is the way to do it.

Go lower if you want but be aware of the fact that the car will be stiffer and the sump will be dangerously low. There are other issues such as ARB's hitting and you need to get special shorter drop links etc...

<tuffty/>

 

[MartayMcFly]

OK, don't want it so low as to worry the sump... maybe 25 is the sensible limit.

How about Koni FSDs and Eibach springs? Would that give me a better ride than B8s and H&Rs? Maybe a combination of the two - FSDs and H&Rs, or B8s and Eibachs (like tufftybloke)?

Would the compromise in handling with the Weitech kit be worth the saving?

 

[Ess_Three]

Why do you say that? ChriS3 had his S3 on Eibach coilovers down -35mm in this pic, apparently. Was it bottoming out on the sump much?

http://audi-sport.net/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=244

I don't remember ChriS3s car being any lower than mine...and mine was on H&R -25mm springs.

My sump was scuffed underneath...round the drain plug. Enough to chamfer the alloy down...and that was with with the Bilsteins on.

If you drive the car hard on back roads, and don't want to worry about your sump...I thing -25mm is around the limit.

You don't get a second change with an alloy sump.

 

[DPM]

Ahhh, dont get the 40mm kit then!.

There's no 40mm kit for the S3, just the A3.

Damian @ DPM