S3 8v improve handling and ride ?

[brown]

Hello folks, sorry another question...

I have a facelift S3 3door, looking to improve the handling and retain some road comfort (possibly improve it), what’s a tried and tested kit to use ? Not looking for coilovers, just some shocks and springs, I know some have used the B12 kit from bilstein and some use Koni, what’s best?

Not looking for lows (tho dont mind a little drop) just an improvement in handling and ride, cars done over 60k so current shocks are probably tired

And what’s the rear anti roll bar change do ? Does that help ? I’d like some playfulness in the chassis and I bit more confidence to it all, do spacers make any difference ? What else suspension wise, bushes, top mounts, etc is worth swapping out ?

Other car is an e46 M3 on KWv3 so want a kit that’s similar but not too harsh or crashy if that makes sense, looking for oem ride with just better handling.

Thanks in advance

 

[NHN]

Give Damian @ dpm a shout, he's a great guy & knowledgeable to help supply the kit you need.

B12 is good.

 

[Dubjam]

Koni Special Active shocks...plush.

B12 far too harsh for me daily driving.

 

[Neil C]

@Dubjam - can you get Koni Special Active to fit a PFL Sportback TDi S-Line ?

P.S.
Sorry for the hijack.

 

[Dubjam]

@Dubjam - can you get Koni Special Active to fit a PFL Sportback TDi S-Line ?

P.S.
Sorry for the hijack.

Of course...the struts are often the same throughout the A3 series, other than being either a 50mm or 55mm version. Its the springs that have quite a number of different weightings, but using them with your OEM springs are perfect as you engage the full gate system of the Special Actives, I use Eibach Pros though, so I do lose about 10mm of the initial gate. Still, its a world away from the crappy original suspension.

 

[Neil C]

Thanks.
My car has done 80k miles, so I'm considering refreshing the struts, bushes, top mounts, etc.
Just have to decide whether my budget can stretch to it.

 

[Dubjam]

Thanks.
My car has done 80k miles, so I'm considering refreshing the struts, bushes, top mounts, etc.
Just have to decide whether my budget can stretch to it.

I think the Konis are about £50-60 more than OEM Audi shocks (but may have gone up since Brexit and Covid), well worth it in my opinion for what you gain as the S-Line suspension is so poor. But yeah, it does become a pricey job when changing the top mounts as well.

 

[DPM]

As Nigel has mentioned, the B12 kit is a good option. It's firm but I wouldn't say harsh. The Koni shocks are definitely more forgiving which could be matched with something like the Eibach Pro springs to try and retain that comfort.

Let us know if we can be any help with info or prices.

Damian @ DPM Performance

 

[Fatbloke]

Just (3 weeks ago) put a full B12 Sportline kit and front and rear anti roll bars on my A3. Totally transformed the handling, ride, comfort. Its a pleasure to drive.
I did notice also, that at only 51,000 miles both rear dampers were completely knackered. No damping or resistance whatsoever in them. I would assume the fronts weren't much better.
I got the whole kit from Damian a while back. I wish I had fitted it sooner.

 

[w.h.i.p.p.e.t]

I’ve got similar plans, so I’m just going to to settle in here and see how this develops if you don’t mind

 

[Boydie]

This is what I did:

• Revo engine mounts
• H&R springs
• H&R ARB's
• Michellin PS4S tyres

Pretty solid handling

 

[brown]

Thank you for all the replies, it’s been really helpful, I think for what I want, increased comfort and better control the Koni special active shocks sound ideal, maybe along with some eibach springs, will also upgrade to Michelin PS4’s as they will need replacing after winter.

Will report back once it’s all fitted.

 

[Damo S]

I am currently looking at doing this, but the Koni Special actives are not listed as being compatible with the S3, only the A3 variants. This is annoying as i would like a softer ride on our poor roads, as I will be doing regular long drives in the near future. Options?

 

[AlS3BE]

I am currently looking at doing this, but the Koni Special actives are not listed as being compatible with the S3, only the A3 variants. This is annoying as i would like a softer ride on our poor roads, as I will be doing regular long drives in the near future. Options?

In a similar boat, looking to improve handling but don’t want to compromise on comfort, if anything improving it slightly.
Was looking at whiteline rear antiroll bar and maybe lowering springs but not sure which ones.
this is kinda similar to my other thread about s3 vs golf r suspension setup. Still find the golf setup better in almost every aspect including comfort.

 

[Damo S]

In a similar boat, looking to improve handling but don’t want to compromise on comfort, if anything improving it slightly.
Was looking at whiteline rear antiroll bar and maybe lowering springs but not sure which ones.
this is kinda similar to my other thread about s3 vs golf r suspension setup. Still find the golf setup better in almost every aspect including comfort.

I'm going with the ST X coilovers from DPM. I will let you know how I get on.

 

[Damo S]

Had the KW ST x coilovers on for a week or so now. Suspension is still stiff, obviously, so you still feel the bumps but they dont sound like they are shaking the car to bits, or jar through your spine, just seem to be absorbed without the harshness of before. Body roll when steering left to right seems less. Its hard to put my finger on it exactly, but the car just feels more luxurious and a lot nicer to drive. I'm also running in a new clutch so havent had a chance to properly beast it but so far it feels pretty effortless at speed on the b roads. They have adjustable ride height so had it lowered by 15mm. The car looks a little squat without appearing obviously lowered. Overall I'm really happy with these and cant wait to push it a bit more to see how it behaves.
Thanks to Damian @ dpm for the advice and good price

 

[NHN]

Damian is great, good shout.

 

[AlS3BE]

Had the KW ST x coilovers on for a week or so now. Suspension is still stiff, obviously, so you still feel the bumps but they dont sound like they are shaking the car to bits, or jar through your spine, just seem to be absorbed without the harshness of before. Body roll when steering left to right seems less. Its hard to put my finger on it exactly, but the car just feels more luxurious and a lot nicer to drive. I'm also running in a new clutch so havent had a chance to properly beast it but so far it feels pretty effortless at speed on the b roads. They have adjustable ride height so had it lowered by 15mm. The car looks a little squat without appearing obviously lowered. Overall I'm really happy with these and cant wait to push it a bit more to see how it behaves.
Thanks to Damian @ dpm for the advice and good price

Sound like a good shout. Will need to look into this once I get the warranty work sorted on my car.
Roughly how much did this set you back including fitting and tracking etc?
Any other expenses like drop links, bits and bolts etc?

 

[Damo S]

Sound like a good shout. Will need to look into this once I get the warranty work sorted on my car.
Roughly how much did this set you back including fitting and tracking etc?
Any other expenses like drop links, bits and bolts etc?

Quite a bit, about 1300 quid in total. Fitting was quite a lot because it was a fair bit of mucking about (according to them). They didnt replace anything else I don't think, so assume it was all in good order. I did ask them to just replace anything that looked like it needed it. They did the new clutch at the same time so the final bill was pretty eye watering.

 

[Dubjam]

Quite a bit, about 1300 quid in total. Fitting was quite a lot because it was a fair bit of mucking about (according to them). They didnt replace anything else I don't think, so assume it was all in good order. I did ask them to just replace anything that looked like it needed it. They did the new clutch at the same time so the final bill was pretty eye watering.

£1300??? to fit coilovers where they don't even need to use spring compressors etc? They literally just bolt on..and then some minor adjustments for ride height. Mental money.

 

[AlS3BE]

£1300??? to fit coilovers where they don't even need to use spring compressors etc? They literally just bolt on..and then some minor adjustments for ride height. Mental money.

I was reading £1300 was supplied and fitted not just fitting.
@Damo S can you confirm?