Suspension upgrade on a budget?

S

SteveSAS

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Hi Guys,
My 2002 S3 has now 93k on original suspension & was wanting to upgrade for improved handling & also to lower slightly (not slam to the ground) to sit better on the 18inch wheels & low profile tyres.

Ok so am only using on road for moderate to fast driving & don't want to sacrifice too much on ride quality but would like it to corner flatter than standard.

The big thing is I have a top budget of £500 so it worth doing this or do I not have enough money to improve over my standard suspension?

Also if I go ahead do I need anything else as in adjustable tie bars? Should I upgrade any bushes to powerflex?

Thanks for any advice
 
If you go for shocks and springs try and get short pistoned shocks. I originally fitted apex 30mm springs and standard shocks and the ride quality was choppy. I changed the shocks and ride quality is ideal for daily driving.
 
Ok, thanks for advice, how you know if shocks are short pistoned shocks? Looked on DPM and they do AP suspension & shocks for £321, are they good? Do I also need the adjustable tie bars that start at over £200?? Also any bushes that you would recommend upgrading to powerflex ones while you were there?

Thanks
 
The ap spring and shock set up make the car sit front end high from memory.
The ap coilovers are on for low 400s are they not?
You will want them depending on drop

The lower you go the more you need them.

Silver project do tie arms at around 100 but no idea how tested these are
 
Eurocarparts have AMAX coilover kits on offer for £166.50 full set. I just ordered mine and popped in a voucher code on checkout SAVVY12 copy and paste and you'll get them for £146.52 delivered to your door. I'll be getting mine this week.
 
s3black said:
Eurocarparts have AMAX coilover kits on offer for £166.50 full set. I just ordered mine and popped in a voucher code on checkout SAVVY12 copy and paste and you'll get them for £146.52 delivered to your door. I'll be getting mine this week.
Click to expand...
Christ that's cheap.
 
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s3black said:
I know. Hence why I'm giving them a go. Thought that they were cheap even before I found that discount code.
Click to expand...
Do you have standard set up at the moment?
Keep us updated once you have these fitted would like to know what you think of them & pics as well :yes:
 
No problem. They look the same as the fk's and I didn't mind them at all.
 
Just to say my coilovers for £146 arrived today and look great. Can't wait to get them fitted
 
Ive been using the Fk Ak for a while, great set for a budget, similar price, no probs & suit my driving
 
If you want to just lower the car then they will be fine I have no doubt.
And ok for a road car.
But anyone reading should be under no illusion. these are not going to handle well at all
Possibly worse than stock.
 
I have to agree with Daz, I bought some cheap coilovers for my L reg Honda Civic Vti back in the day, The car was stripped out so quite a bit lighter than an A3/S3 but skipped everywhere I went hard around corners..... Hitting potholes was a nerve racking experience. They didn't last long before they leaked etc. You really do get what you pay for in my opinion.
 
Well we all have our own Uganda and I certainly wouldn't write them off for anyone as everyone has their own budget and needs.
I'm using fk at the moment and they are awful
Defo not better than oem
Just ordered a new set up Inc bushes and corrector but my s3 is a track car and mine will be horrid on the road I have no doubt lol
 
daz-20vt said:
Well we all have our own Uganda and I certainly wouldn't write them off for anyone as everyone has their own budget and needs.
I'm using fk at the moment and they are awful
Defo not better than oem
Just ordered a new set up Inc bushes and corrector but my s3 is a track car and mine will be horrid on the road I have no doubt lol
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I have FK Highsport coilovers on mine, and they are a pile of crap, the ride is terrible on the road. I am going to replace them with these as I have been told these are quite good for the money

http://www.gnjmotorsport.com/search...audi-a3-8l-quattro-1.8t-1.9-tdi-inc-s3-12-96/
 
DarrenS3 said:
I have FK Highsport coilovers on mine, and they are a pile of ****, the ride is terrible on the road. I am going to replace them with these as I have been told these are quite good for the money

http://www.gnjmotorsport.com/search...audi-a3-8l-quattro-1.8t-1.9-tdi-inc-s3-12-96/
Click to expand...

Just so you know. Ap I'm sure will be a nicely made kit and for the money I'd consider them a good deal.
However I've seen these fitted on another car on asn and the end result the front sits higher than the rear a very small amount. But it looks weird.
 
Essexman said:
'Possibly', But proven to handle better than stock for me ! :)
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Better than old knackered stock ones maybe, most oem shocks aren't performing properly past 60k miles.

Most people probably just need new shocks.....
 
Yes that^ Antwan, and the fact i wanted a more solid/ firm sporty ride than the smooth soft stock in comparison (accepting it would feel harsh on most roads before i even bought them), but of course a nicer ride than solid go kart/ f1 style suspension ! lol, no probs or leaks, so its all good for me with the FK AK so far , im aware you get what you pay for, people spend £kkk's on all the bigger brands offering more & i have too in the past with other cars, These have proved to be all i need for now though, & just wanted to make OP aware of that
 
I have used AP coilovers on my old gti6 before and thought they were bang on, good quality, good price and made it handle like it was on rails. Granted gti6's only have them on the front due to torsion bar on the rear but never the less my experience of them was good.
 
For got to mention i have also used FK coilovers on my old vectra and in my opinion they were dog s*#t and thats an understatement!! Very very harsh and noisy and also leaked after only a couple of months.
From past experience you get what you pay for, if your budget will stretch to more than the price of these and you value your spine then get a better brand.
 
s3black said:
Eurocarparts have AMAX coilover kits on offer for £166.50 full set. I just ordered mine and popped in a voucher code on checkout SAVVY12 copy and paste and you'll get them for £146.52 delivered to your door. I'll be getting mine this week.
Click to expand...
Hi mate, any updates on how these worked out for you?
 
audi upgrades
SteveSAS said:
Hi mate, any updates on how these worked out for you?
Click to expand...

Hi, fitting this week as its been a bit hectic and only round to getting my manifold turbo gasket changed tomorrow afternoon. So if the guy has time he may be able to pop my front coilies on for me I hope. Keep you posted though.
 
s3black said:
Hi, fitting this week as its been a bit hectic and only round to getting my manifold turbo gasket changed tomorrow afternoon. So if the guy has time he may be able to pop my front coilies on for me I hope. Keep you posted though.
Click to expand...
Did you manage to fit these yet?
 
Good deal on at demon tweeks for bilstein shocks springs also on offer check them out as I just bought some b4 shocks rear and front for 120 quid all in. Not the cheapest but I've heard they are good. Using standard springs with them as don't want to lower, but check the lowering springs out as I'm sure hnr are at 40 quid for a set! Demon tweeks.
 
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Update... Got round to fitting my coilies the other day and I have to say that for just over 140 they are perfect. I'm sitting about 1.5 fingers between arches and they are not too hard and not too soft. With most of the bounce coming from the tyres. They went in first time and I didn't even need Spring compressors at all as I was replacing the top mounts and bearings!!! Argh so I'll be selling them on as they are now useless lol. Camber is good on front and back and I may only need a slight wheel alignment but it's marginal and can't really feel any pull at all. All in all very much worth the money and time
 
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