S3 Springs/dampers are going

Stevier88

Stevier88

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So i've had my s3 saloon for just over a month now and love it, but its not without its flaws. one being the suspension! i read about the so called 'bounce' on the s3's but didnt think it would be any worse than my previous a5 s line suspension, but oh was i wrong. going over a bump anything over 3mph is like a pogo stick and had a slight a**e clench moment going around a bend on a back road at loch lomond and thought i was going to end up in the loch.

Even my girlfriend who knows nothing about cars apart from that they have wheels and you can drive them said ''OMG its really bouncing isnt it'' when she was driving it

I've looked into a few options to replace the OEM suspension

H&R/eibach springs- cheapest option at about £230 for springs but dont think they reduce the bounce problem. can anyone confirm this?

B16 bilstein- seems to be the best choice but at circa £1800 including fitting its a pricey mod and not sure i would take full advantage of the various settings.
B14 bilstein- i'm swaying towards this option at the moment as its falling in between the b16's and should be superior to the H&R springs and should hopefully reduce the bounce. £850 from dpm performance. Has anyone got these fitted?

the car also doesnt seem as grippy as a previous quattro a5 i had, not sure if this is the haldex, tyres or down to the suspension again?

stevie.
 
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I have b14s, you will first wonder if they are actually fitted as they are almost OEM in comfort!
It's when you hit the corners or start driving aggressively or doing high speed that they start to shine.

A very decent upgrade, while having them installed have the alignment done to golf r specs as it has more negative camber to make the car feel more sprightly.

Also consider a anti roll bar is on the rear ;-)
 
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I have a Sportback and it doesn't bounce. Am I missing something or is the SB a bit heavier and doesn't have this issue?
 
Drive faster on undulating roads with crests and dips.
 
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Stevier88 said:
So i've had my s3 saloon for just over a month now and love it, but its not without its flaws. one being the suspension! i read about the so called 'bounce' on the s3's but didnt think it would be any worse than my previous a5 s line suspension, but oh was i wrong. going over a bump anything over 3mph is like a pogo stick and had a slight a**e clench moment going around a bend on a back road at loch lomond and thought i was going to end up in the loch.

Even my girlfriend who knows nothing about cars apart from that they have wheels and you can drive them said ''OMG its really bouncing isnt it'' when she was driving it

I've looked into a few options to replace the OEM suspension

H&R/eibach springs- cheapest option at about £230 for springs but dont think they reduce the bounce problem. can anyone confirm this?

B16 bilstein- seems to be the best choice but at circa £1800 including fitting its a pricey mod and not sure i would take full advantage of the various settings.
B14 bilstein- i'm swaying towards this option at the moment as its falling in between the b16's and should be superior to the H&R springs and should hopefully reduce the bounce. £850 from dpm performance. Has anyone got these fitted?

the car also doesnt seem as grippy as a previous quattro a5 i had, not sure if this is the haldex, tyres or down to the suspension again?

stevie.
Click to expand...


H&R's won't cure the bounce, I've been there and tried that then gone back to the drawing board. The issue is damping related.

The Bilsteins are an absolute revelation. You can take advantage of the weak Euro get a set of B16s from Germany for less than £1,200, and fitting should be max £200 inc VAT. Haven't tried the B14's, but I've yet to read a bad review of them. Having seen the feedback, if I was doing it again I'd probably go with the 14's.

Have a look here for more views

http://www.audi-sport.net/xf/threads/coilovers-for-the-8v.241997/

Let us know what route you eventually go down, the more feedback the better :smiley:
 
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B14s cost me around £800 from Germany, it's just a no brainier upgrade.
With the alignment you then have a weapon on the corners.... Just ask all the 911s at Nurburgring
 
Na, I have been driving fast on all sorts of roads, no issues. Maybe is the person driving and not the car? :whistle2:
 
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The S3 is one of the worst damped cars I've been in, for its price bracket and market.

Shocking. Pun intended.
 
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Did you ever own the Mk1 S3, that was shocking!
 
OP

You are not alone in the damper/bounce problem:
(nor the reduced grip compared to other cars)


"I've noticed this too - can be quite unpredictable on uneven corners when you're giving it some."
http://www.audi-sport.net/xf/threads/s3-understeering-in-wet.223943/#post-2231766

"Which then comes back to entry/exit speeds as well as mid-corner compressions etc, which I must admit, have definately caught me out in the S3, it get weirdly unsettled by them..."
http://www.audi-sport.net/xf/threads/s3-understeering-in-wet.223943/#post-2231663

"Has anyone found that during high speed cornering the car feels a little bouncy and there doesn't necessarily feel like a limit that can be exploited?"
http://www.audi-sport.net/xf/threads/feedback-from-those-with-s3s-now.203206/page-14#post-2159666

"Suspension not particularly well set up for fast cornering"
http://www.audi-sport.net/xf/threads/feedback-from-those-with-s3s-now.203206/page-15#post-2182040

"I've noticed some degree of float on bumpy corners at speed."
http://www.audi-sport.net/xf/threads/feedback-from-those-with-s3s-now.203206/page-14#post-2159870

"One month in, I find myself raving about the interior more than the dynamics"
http://www.audi-sport.net/xf/threads/feedback-from-those-with-s3s-now.203206/page-15#post-2182236
 
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I cant be ***** to read all that... Are they across all variants of the S3 or just the 3dr?
 
Dandanfings said:
B14s cost me around £800 from Germany, it's just a no brainier upgrade.
With the alignment you then have a weapon on the corners.... Just ask all the 911s at Nurburgring
Click to expand...
definately swaying towards this option. do you have the link for the german sites? going to call round a few garages and get a price for fitting. Hopefully get them fitted in a few weeks and wont need to carry a spare pair of briefs in the car!
 
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Fitting Eibach Sportline springs reduced the bounce by around 75% on my Sportback.

I have mag ride and 18s which I believe come with taller springs and a higher ride height from the factory which I believe exacerbate the bounce in the first instance.

Drive slowly over a tall speed bump and count the bounces !! Mag ride settings don't really help with this there's a slight improvement in dynamic over comfort maybe half a bounce.
 
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Stevier88 said:
definately swaying towards this option. do you have the link for the german sites? going to call round a few garages and get a price for fitting. Hopefully get them fitted in a few weeks and wont need to carry a spare pair of briefs in the car!
Click to expand...

I don't no, the retailer I used was very slow and I wouldn't recommend them to anyone.
Just hunt around German eBay as there are a few vendors there.
 
Rob2k68 said:
Fitting Eibach Sportline springs reduced the bounce by around 75% on my Sportback.

I have mag ride and 18s which I believe come with taller springs and a higher ride height from the factory which I believe exacerbate the bounce in the first instance.

Drive slowly over a tall speed bump and count the bounces !! Mag ride settings don't really help with this there's a slight improvement in dynamic over comfort maybe half a bounce.
Click to expand...
interesting, did you find that the handling, grip etc. improved with just the springs? agree that the mag ride has little to no effect in comfort and dynamic although dynamic does seem slightly better.
 
Dandanfings said:
I don't no, the retailer I used was very slow and I wouldn't recommend them to anyone.
Just hunt around German eBay as there are a few vendors there.
Click to expand...
cheers mate i'll have a look.
 
Strange, I find mag-ride has quite a noticeable difference between Comfort & Dynamic although I've got a Saloon so maybe that's contributing to the different feel. It's a bit soft & bouncy in Comfort but firm & controlled in Dynamic.
I find the S3 is deceptively fast too, so you don't know how well it sits on the road until you glance at the speedo and realise you're actually going round the sweeping bend at 125 of your favourite speed measurements.
 
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Martinbanshee said:
Strange, I find mag-ride has quite a noticeable difference between Comfort & Dynamic although I've got a Saloon so maybe that's contributing to the different feel. It's a bit soft & bouncy in Comfort but firm & controlled in Dynamic.
I find the S3 is deceptively fast too, so you don't know how well it sits on the road until you glance at the speedo and realise you're actually going round the sweeping bend at 125 of your favourite speed measurements.
Click to expand...

To be honest Martin I'm starting to wonder if our S3's were made in a different factory!

Not disputing what the OP says but this is probably the most scathing ride assessment I've seen for the saloon.

It just doesn't compute with my experience at all. I barely notice any bounce unless it's something approaching a crater which I usually dodge anyway.

Makes me wonder what sort of roads you guys are driving on?
 
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I'm telling you, no bounce.
 
There 100% is a 'bounce' more of a delayed damping than anything but its not horrific. Worrying at high speeds though I may add
 
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Being pedantic for a moment, it is a mismatch between the spring and damper characteristics,, specifically the rebound.
 
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Please excuse this if its a silly question, its genuinely asked.

I want to get rid of the S3 'bounce' and the B14s look the way to go without spending silly money. However I do not, under any circumstances, want to lower the car, even by 15mm.

Is there not a simple change of damper that would do a more than halfway decent job of improving matters, without affecting ride height?
 
DickiePhitt said:
Please excuse this if its a silly question, its genuinely asked.

I want to get rid of the S3 'bounce' and the B14s look the way to go without spending silly money. However I do not, under any circumstances, want to lower the car, even by 15mm.

Is there not a simple change of damper that would do a more than halfway decent job of improving matters, without affecting ride height?
Click to expand...

Coilovers like the B14s / 16s are height adjustable, so you can stay stock height if you fancy, or play about until you find the perfect height for your own personal taste.
 
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I have a theory - it cold be complete tosh but bear with me .....

The saloon was designed with 19s in mind and was launched with 19s and mag ride standard. On the sportback 19s recently became on option at £2k so a nice revenue stream for Audi - as we know mag ride has to be taken with 19s presumably to accommodate the slightly harsher ride that you get with the lower profile 35 section tyres. So ...... given the fenders (wings) differ between saloon and sportback models I have a suspicion that in order to restore the wheel envelope and snow chain clearance between the 19s (that remember are 10mm larger diameter than the 225/18 combo) and the fender wheelarch eyebrow that was designed for 18s then the sportback mag ride springs are longer than stock (and saloon) springs which exacerbates the bounce.

Guessing the only way to verify this or not is to see it the mag ride springs are part number common between models.
 
Stevier88 said:
interesting, did you find that the handling, grip etc. improved with just the springs? agree that the mag ride has little to no effect in comfort and dynamic although dynamic does seem slightly better.
Click to expand...

Yes definitely, this could however purely be down to a lower centre of geometry. The ride is maybe 20-25% harsher though which I don't mind as most of my previous cars have been hot hatches including a Clio Trophy which was a track day missile. Have to say that the drive feels more involving - no change to steering feel.
 
H
Stevier88 said:
So i've had my s3 saloon for just over a month now and love it, but its not without its flaws. one being the suspension! i read about the so called 'bounce' on the s3's but didnt think it would be any worse than my previous a5 s line suspension, but oh was i wrong. going over a bump anything over 3mph is like a pogo stick and had a slight a**e clench moment going around a bend on a back road at loch lomond and thought i was going to end up in the loch.

Even my girlfriend who knows nothing about cars apart from that they have wheels and you can drive them said ''OMG its really bouncing isnt it'' when she was driving it

I've looked into a few options to replace the OEM suspension

H&R/eibach springs- cheapest option at about £230 for springs but dont think they reduce the bounce problem. can anyone confirm this?

B16 bilstein- seems to be the best choice but at circa £1800 including fitting its a pricey mod and not sure i would take full advantage of the various settings.
B14 bilstein- i'm swaying towards this option at the moment as its falling in between the b16's and should be superior to the H&R springs and should hopefully reduce the bounce. £850 from dpm performance. Has anyone got these fitted?

the car also doesnt seem as grippy as a previous quattro a5 i had, not sure if this is the haldex, tyres or down to the suspension again?

stevie.
Click to expand...

Hi there Stevie,

Just out of interested what mode are you in on mag ride? As you have the saloon, that is a standard feature is it not?

Thanks
 
4K said:
H


Hi there Stevie,

Just out of interested what mode are you in on mag ride? As you have the saloon, that is a standard feature is it not?

Thanks
Click to expand...
Yes mag ride is standard on the saloons. I usually switch between comfort and dynamic depending on how I'm driving and type of road etc. I've had a play about with the individual settings as well to try and find the best combo.
 
IMO, If going for a play in the car, you'd definitely want 'Dynamic' or at very least 'Auto'. 'Comfort' is good for picking up shopping from Tesco or taking your Gran to bingo.
MagRide is reactive so it continuously adapts to cornering, acceleration and deceleration, it doesn't just make things softer or firmer.

Basically:
Dynamic=Firm
Auto=Medium
Comfort=Soft
All with continuous adaptation.

Now....the steering setting is a completely different ball game.
 
Martinbanshee said:
IMO, If going for a play in the car, you'd definitely want 'Dynamic' or at very least 'Auto'. 'Comfort' is good for picking up shopping from Tesco or taking your Gran to bingo.
MagRide is reactive so it continuously adapts to cornering, acceleration and deceleration, it doesn't just make things softer or firmer.

Basically:
Dynamic=Firm
Auto=Medium
Comfort=Soft
All with continuous adaptation.

Now....the steering setting is a completely different ball game.
Click to expand...
i have to admit i havent really used the auto setting! normal daily comute setting is
Steering-comfort
Suspension-comfort
Gearbox-comfort
engine sound-dynamic

i do have it in dynamic alot but usualy shift to M and use the paddles as i think S is a bit too agressive driving about town revving at 4-5k rpm.

I had a play about yesterday again in dynamic at higher speeds (within the speed limit of course) slight bend to the right which had a slight bump, felt the bounce right away, car felt very unsettled and floaty and not planted.
 
Steph67 said:
Coilovers like the B14s / 16s are height adjustable, so you can stay stock height if you fancy, or play about until you find the perfect height for your own personal taste.
Click to expand...

I asked the same question of DPM Performance who are selling them in the UK and they replied today

"Related Product:
Bilstein B14 / PSS Coilover Suspension Kit

Your Question:
I don't want to lower the ride height of the car, even by 15mm. Is there a way of achieving this with the B14s?

Our Answer:
Thank you for your question. Even on the highest setting the Bilstein B14 / PSS coilover suspension kit will still give you a slight lowering on the Audi S3 8V model."

Why is nothing straightforward with this car :sob:
 
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