Want to lower my A3 - Springs Or Coilovers?

jonokemp

jonokemp

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So I have been toying with the idea of lower my 2006 S-Line A3 as I can't stand the arch gap. I was originally looking at a set of H&R 30mm springs, but under my impression that won't drop the car much. So I have been thinking maybe around 50mm?

My thinking is that is that too low to go for just springs? Will that knacker out my current standard shocks? So my thought was then to go for coilovers?

I am wanting a usable car with still decent ride comfort but to get rid of that arch gap, any help if welcome!
 
Go coil overs your only end up replacing the springs with coil overs anyway :)
 
I have the H&R 35mm lowering springs with Bilstein B8's. Ride quality is improved vastly and that's coming from the A3 SE!
 
My H&R springs and front Bilstein B8 shocks have covered around 100 miles. My rear Bilstein B8 shocks have only covered like 2 miles. Will this cause problems?
 
Well assuming their are the original ones from the factory around 73,000 miles! I'm thinking either going springs and shocks or coilovers, just don't know which it going to be the better option for me
 
plasma said:
My H&R springs and front Bilstein B8 shocks have covered around 100 miles. My rear Bilstein B8 shocks have only covered like 2 miles. Will this cause problems?
Click to expand...

No, why would it?

jonokemp said:
Well assuming their are the original ones from the factory around 73,000 miles! I'm thinking either going springs and shocks or coilovers, just don't know which it going to be the better option for me
Click to expand...

I'm sure @DPM will give you expert advice but I would go for springs and shocks rather than coilovers, I find coilys too stiff for our roads.
 
Eibach Pro street S Coilovers with
Eibach ARBs I love them on my car. Been on the car about 4 years and only having to change 1 shock due to weeping. Have pushed my car to the limits on track and had fun on the roads with these suspension kit. Low enough to the ground and still have passengers in the rear
 
Coil overs all the way. Then you can adjust the arch gap to suit the look and height for the roads in your area.
 
I have been swaying more towards springs and shocks, as I think 50mm is going to be a perfect drop for me, seeing from other peoples cars. Would love some advice tho @DPM
 
Get coilovers for aggressive drop and improved handling, especially if you like tracking your car. Good coilovers are generally more expensive than springs/shocks.

Get springs/shocks if your budget is limited and you still want a comfortable ride.

I have the H&R springs 35mm drop with bilstein B8's. Body roll and handling has definitely improved but whether it's worth the £600 plus £400 for laser wheel alignment and fitting is questionable.
Better off just buying a rear wheel drive BMW or the like if handling is your thing. VAG FWD are not really designed for handling.
 
jonokemp said:
I have been swaying more towards springs and shocks, as I think 50mm is going to be a perfect drop for me, seeing from other peoples cars. Would love some advice tho @DPM
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Go for eibach sport line springs and bilstein B8 shocks... Perfect combo
 
Sayam said:
Go for eibach sport line springs and bilstein B8 shocks... Perfect combo
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I wouldn't entirely agree with this notion that the Eibach pro are the 'perfect' match for the B8's. They are supplied together as a kit in the B12 suspension but that's probably because of manufacturer relationships more than anything else. Dig a little deeper and the H&R springs are more stiff and more sporty than the eibachs. This was why I opted to get the H&R's and B8's separately. If you want more of a comfortable ride go for the Eibachs, but then that defeats the whole purpose of getting shortened uprated B8 dampers.
 
if you want comfort go for springs if your not bothered go for coilovers
 
I think its only worth putting on coilovers or uprated springs/shocks on VAG cars for aesthetic looks. I use to have an E46 M3 coupe and even in OEM form it still handles better than my A3 2.0 TDI sportback with Bilstein B8's and H&R springs.
 
plasma said:
I wouldn't entirely agree with this notion that the Eibach pro are the 'perfect' match for the B8's.
Click to expand...

I'm discussing the Sportline springs and not the Pro-Kit.

Dig a little deeper and the H&R springs are more stiff and more sporty than the Eibachs. This was why I opted to get the H&R's and B8's separately.
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I agree and don't need to dig deeper, already knew that and that's why I wouldn't recommend H&R springs on the whole.

If you want more of a comfortable ride go for the Eibachs, but then that defeats the whole purpose of getting shortened uprated B8 dampers.
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I don't agree with the notion that a stiffer spring with or without a firmer damper can't lead to an increase in comfort.

I admit to know very little about coilover suspension, and that's why I stay shtum on that topic - but I have tried and have extensively driven lots of spring and damper combinations - both 'home grown' like yours and kits supplied by retailers. These including but not limited to the Mk5 golf/8P/Leon platform is various guises.

plasma said:
I think its only worth putting on coilovers or uprated springs/shocks on VAG cars for aesthetic looks. I use to have an E46 M3 coupe and even in OEM form it still handles better than my A3 2.0 TDI sportback with Bilstein B8's and H&R springs.
Click to expand...

Apples and oranges...compare the M3 to the RS4.
 
Sayam said:
Apples and oranges...compare the M3 to the RS4.
Click to expand...

Of course the M3 and my Audi 2.0 TDI 8P are on opposite ends of the scale in terms of speed, but I honestly expected the H&R springs and Bilstein B8 dampers to at least come near to the stock M3 in terms of handling. There is still a vast difference in handling and road feel between the two. I mean I once drove the Yaris T Sport with uprated suspension and the engine isn't as powerful as my 2.0 tdi but it still handled as good if not better.
 
plasma said:
Of course the M3 and my Audi 2.0 TDI 8P are on opposite ends of the scale in terms of speed, but I honestly expected the H&R springs and Bilstein B8 dampers to at least come near to the stock M3 in terms of handling. There is still a vast difference in handling and road feel between the two. I mean I once drove the Yaris T Sport with uprated suspension and the engine isn't as powerful as my 2.0 tdi but it still handled as good if not better.
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Not being a c11nt but I'd say you weren't comparing like for like again. The Yaris was my first car as it happens lol and it's literally a go kart with a heater!

Our A3s are front wheel drive, nose heavy and to make that worse we both opted for the diesel engine. Your old M3 was RWD, balanced and came from factory designed to be a good handling car.

My friends has a 2006 1 series with the 163BHP 2.0 diesel engine. Compare that to my A3 and the difference is night and day. The 1 series has this really fake heavy steering, really stiff suspension and well the interior, say no more. Yet his incredibly stiff suspension does nothing for his handling...admittedly it comes down to driving ability too but I think the 1 series is a fair comparison for the A3 and the A3 leaves it behind.

I think what you've done with your suspension is a good choice. The next thing to change would be going for a stiffer whiteline rear anti-roll bar. That makes a huge difference!
 
Well i think from everything said springs and shocks sound like a good plan to get rid of that arch gap and improve the handling slightly! Although i'm more doing it to get rid of the arch gap! Now it's just a matter of which set to go for on @DPM website! What are the Vogtland 50mm sets like? I haven't got a huge budget but also don't want something useless
 
jonokemp said:
I have been swaying more towards springs and shocks, as I think 50mm is going to be a perfect drop for me, seeing from other peoples cars. Would love some advice tho @DPM
Click to expand...

Springs & shocks will give you a more comfortable ride over coilovers and 50mm will definitely give you a good stance.

Did you have a budget in mind?

Damian @ DPM Performance
 
Springs and shocks it is then! I was hoping for around the £400 mark, I could push to £500!
 
I was considering the Vogtland, what are the quality like on these?
 
It's a good quality kit and excellent value for money.

Not massively known in the UK but massive in Europe and the US, they also make the springs for the Koni coilovers so the products are top notch.

Damian @ DPM Performance
 
Is definitely go for AP coilovers considering your budget and how you want to just "get rid of the arch gap".

The AP's are softer than you'd think, on par with s line maybe softer, I've used mine daily for over 2 years now and I'm really really fussy when it comes to comfort.

Had springs and wouldn't go back for as long as AP will be making coilovers.
 
Your car looks spot on! Defiantly found the set i want to get! Thanks
 
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@DPM

What would the Vogtlands drop a 2.0tdi Quattro Sline BE by??
 
DPM said:
Vogtland don't list a springs and shocks kit for the Quattro model.

Damian @ DPM Performance
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What would you suggest for a Quattro S Line then to drop about 30mm? and keep a comfortable ride?
 
We have the AP 20mm kit at £299 delivered, the Bilstein 30mm B12 Pro kit at £665 delivered, the Koni 35mm STR.T kit at £420 delivered and the ST by KW 30mm kit at £450 delivered.

Damian @ DPM Performance
 
DPM said:
We have the AP 20mm kit at £299 delivered, the Bilstein 30mm B12 Pro kit at £665 delivered, the Koni 35mm STR.T kit at £420 delivered and the ST by KW 30mm kit at £450 delivered.

Damian @ DPM Performance
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Are these figures taking into account the Sline being 25mm lower?? (I think that is the correct number)
 
DPM said:
No, all quotes are from standard spec height.

Damian @ DPM Performance
Click to expand...
Looks like itll be coilovers then, what is best for comfort near to standard and good drive ability whilst not being bouncy
 
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