No more Eibach sport kit
- Thread starter gsrsilver
- Start date
The Eibach Pro kit was a vast improvement over the OEM S-line springs on my car.
Did you cut down the bump stops when you installed them? The Eibach Sport kit is very low, way beyond the damper range of the original shocks, its not surprising you had enough!
Why not change to the Pro?
Did you cut down the bump stops when you installed them? The Eibach Sport kit is very low, way beyond the damper range of the original shocks, its not surprising you had enough!
Why not change to the Pro?
No, didn't cut anything.
Straight swap to factory springs.
My car was too low .
Now is too high .
How can i have something between them?
You needed to cut the bump stops, obviously.
The Eibach Pro kit gives a 10mm drop over S-Line ride height, (the Sport kit you have I believe is 30mm lower than S-Line)
The Pro kit looks spot on and has near enough full suspension travel. Progressive spring rate also, which I find more comfortable over the originals also.
I think you only need to cut 10mm off, as thats the additional drop the Eibachs do over the standard S-Line springs, he should have cut 25-30mm off for his EB Sport springs though, god they must literally be bouncing off the bumpstops over ever pot hole.
I have some Koni Active shocks (FSD's) going on this week, lockdown depending...
Hi Guys, confused here, I have Sports on my S3 and the ride is spot on, I haven't cut any bump stops or anything like that.
I might be wrong but they look like they could be caliper covers to me
Stance looks good though!
Of course, you've just reduced suspension travel by xx amount, therefore the bumpstop designed to work with standard suspension travel is too big..
You can also use shortened ones that are designed specifically for the task if available.
When I bought Eibach Pro springs for my A3 E-Tron, the smaller bumpstops were included in the box!
Isn't this always the case?
But even with the matching shorter bumpstops, the car didn't feel good on speedbumps and potholes.
Liked the looks (because stock the E-Tron sits verrrrrrry high!), liked the behavior on flat roads, but didn't like the behavior on potholes/speedbumps/etc. The o.e.m. shocks couldn't handle it (while only 40.000km/25000miles on them) I guess.
So back to stock and looking door coilovers or a matching S-line shocks+springs set, but very hard to find... (because - > E-Tron - >higher axle loads etc.)
Isn't this always the case?
But even with the matching shorter bumpstops, the car didn't feel good on speedbumps and potholes.
Liked the looks (because stock the E-Tron sits verrrrrrry high!), liked the behavior on flat roads, but didn't like the behavior on potholes/speedbumps/etc. The o.e.m. shocks couldn't handle it (while only 40.000km/25000miles on them) I guess.
So back to stock and looking door coilovers or a matching S-line shocks+springs set, but very hard to find... (because - > E-Tron - >higher axle loads etc.)
Definitely no bumpstops on my Eibach springs I purchased last week! You got a freebie
Forget coilovers, I just installed Koni Special Actives, with Eibach Pro's, and on 19's and the ride is blissful - better than the original on 18's. I'll do a write up soon once I've put some more miles on them, which might take a while considering lockdown, but man, its good.
19's on the originals shocks/springs was horrible, a little better on the original shocks and eibach springs, but on the Koni's with Eibachs, its just wonderful.
I will be selling my originals Sline shocks and springs if they are suitable for you. The rears have 1k on them (warranty replacement a couple of months ago), the fronts 25k.
Very interested in your Koni Special active + Eibach Pro experiences!
And what about total costs?
'Much' cheaper than A-brand coilovers like Bilstein B14 or KW V1/V2?
If so, this would maybe also be an option for me, if those Konis are available for the A3 E-Tron.
If not, thanks for the offer to buy your original S-line shocks and springs.
Have to find out if they physically fit (e-tron is fwd and 55mm struts) and can handle the E-Tron axle loads (front 1070kg rear 1050kg).
And what about total costs?
'Much' cheaper than A-brand coilovers like Bilstein B14 or KW V1/V2?
If so, this would maybe also be an option for me, if those Konis are available for the A3 E-Tron.
If not, thanks for the offer to buy your original S-line shocks and springs.
Have to find out if they physically fit (e-tron is fwd and 55mm struts) and can handle the E-Tron axle loads (front 1070kg rear 1050kg).
The Bilstein is WAY to stiff for me, i went out in one on 18’s with the B12 kit and it was worse than standard for brittleness and harshness. On 19’s it would have been unbearable for me. Great for the track as they lock up the drive wonderfully, just not the streets of London. The Koni’s are like a magic carpet and feel overall like a much more expensive suspension and still lock up nicely for spirited driving (due to their multi valve system).
This is obviously all subjective but i use a low mileage original setup as a benchmark to describe the differences. Many have high mileage shocks so the move to something new even be it the Bilsteins feel better than what they had.
Total cost is probably around £450 but only as I got two of the Koni struts on Amazon at a bargain price and the Eibachs from Autodoc super cheap. In reality it would probably cost around £700 and new top mounts.
My struts are 55mm, drop me a PM and i can get the part numbers for you.
This is obviously all subjective but i use a low mileage original setup as a benchmark to describe the differences. Many have high mileage shocks so the move to something new even be it the Bilsteins feel better than what they had.
Total cost is probably around £450 but only as I got two of the Koni struts on Amazon at a bargain price and the Eibachs from Autodoc super cheap. In reality it would probably cost around £700 and new top mounts.
My struts are 55mm, drop me a PM and i can get the part numbers for you.
Thanks for the good explanation.
Also good to hear you drove A B12 kit. I thought this would be my best non-height-adjustable choice and those would be 'comfortable', but guess not (compared to what you've experienced now with the Koni's).
My 'benchmark' would be the same, I bought my 2017 A3 E-Tron in 2018, ex demo car from dealer, with only 14000km/8700 miles, and now 27000miles on it. So I know how it feels and supposed to feel on original shocks (and springs).
I like the overall stock behavior (as mentioned E-Tron sits very high. S-line suspension wasn't an option, I guess something to do with ride height and possible vulnerable high voltage batteries underneath). Only dislikes are the looks and behavior (tilt feeling? Don't know how to describe in English...) when cornering (when driving sporty).
The way you describe the Koni Special Active shocks sounds like how I also want it... (stock non-sline-shocks+Eibach Pro was horrible on speedbumps and potholes).
Are they 'build' for lowered springs?
(for example Bilstein B6 is for standard or S-line springs and B8 for >3cm lower springs)
Looked at local Dutch Koni prices...
143,- euro X 2 (front) = 286,-
99,- euro X 2 (rear) = 198,-
Total = 484,- euro
+ Eibach Pro springs (because I sold my first set when I decided to go back to stock ride height) = 200,- euro
+ 2 X new top mounts = 40,- euro
Total = 724,- euro ex fitting and new wheel alignment... Hmmmm
Guess I can't buy coilovers which behave at the same (comfort) level for this price.
Maybe if I search better, I can find the parts for lower prices...
Are your Koni Special Activess also 8745-1325 (front) and 8745-1327 (article numbers)?
Also good to hear you drove A B12 kit. I thought this would be my best non-height-adjustable choice and those would be 'comfortable', but guess not (compared to what you've experienced now with the Koni's).
My 'benchmark' would be the same, I bought my 2017 A3 E-Tron in 2018, ex demo car from dealer, with only 14000km/8700 miles, and now 27000miles on it. So I know how it feels and supposed to feel on original shocks (and springs).
I like the overall stock behavior (as mentioned E-Tron sits very high. S-line suspension wasn't an option, I guess something to do with ride height and possible vulnerable high voltage batteries underneath). Only dislikes are the looks and behavior (tilt feeling? Don't know how to describe in English...) when cornering (when driving sporty).
The way you describe the Koni Special Active shocks sounds like how I also want it... (stock non-sline-shocks+Eibach Pro was horrible on speedbumps and potholes).
Are they 'build' for lowered springs?
(for example Bilstein B6 is for standard or S-line springs and B8 for >3cm lower springs)
Looked at local Dutch Koni prices...
143,- euro X 2 (front) = 286,-
99,- euro X 2 (rear) = 198,-
Total = 484,- euro
+ Eibach Pro springs (because I sold my first set when I decided to go back to stock ride height) = 200,- euro
+ 2 X new top mounts = 40,- euro
Total = 724,- euro ex fitting and new wheel alignment... Hmmmm
Guess I can't buy coilovers which behave at the same (comfort) level for this price.
Maybe if I search better, I can find the parts for lower prices...
Are your Koni Special Activess also 8745-1325 (front) and 8745-1327 (article numbers)?
Yeah the 'wallowing' and 'crashy' cornering - the worst aspect of the S-line suspension. It was like a stoned Cadillac.
The Eibach springs made it better, but it was never 'complete'.
The Koni's are technically built as an OEM replacement, so you will lose around 10mm of travel with the Eibach's like the OEM struts, unlike the Bilstein's that have shorter piston rods.
The Koni and Eibach's have eradicated it all, and it's still cushy and soft when just pottering about and dialed in when required. I can only imagine it would be even better on 18's.
Koni
8745-1325 FRONT
8245-1327 REAR
Eibach
E10-15-021-13-22
Thanks.
Your order numbers for the Konis are the same as for my car.
Eibach Pro is different, because I have a Sportback E-Tron and you have a Saloon Diesel, so difference in axle loads.
Sounds like an excellent kit.
Hoping it's not 'too low'.
I mention this because weird enough, on my stock shocks + Eibach Pro springs the ride height was to low, I scraped the bottom often (when driving slowly) on certain speedbumps).
Ground clearance, underneath the car, looking at the lowest points (for example the round plastic jacking points) was only ~9.5cm, measured from the ground....
Maybe it wasn't that low, but stock shocks where to weak to quickly react?
This is the only reason I'm doubting to buy a non height adjustable 'kit'...
With coilovers I can just raise it an extra centimeter, if I scrape the bottom...
What do you mean with?
The Koni's are technically built as an OEM replacement, so you will lose around 10mm of travel with theEibach's like the OEM struts, unlike the Bilstein's that have shorter piston rods.
Do you mean this is a drawback, compared to Bilstein B8? Or is the overall travel/performance/feeling good on speedbumps/potholes/etc?
Your order numbers for the Konis are the same as for my car.
Eibach Pro is different, because I have a Sportback E-Tron and you have a Saloon Diesel, so difference in axle loads.
Sounds like an excellent kit.
Hoping it's not 'too low'.
I mention this because weird enough, on my stock shocks + Eibach Pro springs the ride height was to low, I scraped the bottom often (when driving slowly) on certain speedbumps).
Ground clearance, underneath the car, looking at the lowest points (for example the round plastic jacking points) was only ~9.5cm, measured from the ground....
Maybe it wasn't that low, but stock shocks where to weak to quickly react?
This is the only reason I'm doubting to buy a non height adjustable 'kit'...
With coilovers I can just raise it an extra centimeter, if I scrape the bottom...
What do you mean with?
The Koni's are technically built as an OEM replacement, so you will lose around 10mm of travel with theEibach's like the OEM struts, unlike the Bilstein's that have shorter piston rods.
Do you mean this is a drawback, compared to Bilstein B8? Or is the overall travel/performance/feeling good on speedbumps/potholes/etc?
The springs generally 'set' the height, not the shocks.
Coilovers are great, but you'd need pressure adjustment and possibly rebound adjustment for a comfortable ride, otherwise it would be like riding on concrete (been there done it), spend around 2-2.5k+ upwards and it'll be lovely.
When lowering a vehicle on standard struts, you 'lose' the piston travel in however much the spring is lowering the car by. Why you need to also cut or replace the bump stops to match otherwise every time you hit bumps there is less piston travel, so the bump stop is hit prematurely. At a 30mm drop, on UK roads, you'd be forever bouncing off the stops.
10mm like the Pros give is generally fine 'ish', but anymore, you want matched shocks. The Bilstein kit is better in that respect as it is designed for lowering springs with shorter piston travel..but the rebound is gassed far to heavy for the road (in my opinion).
Theres no perfect solution but I feel I have found the best compromise, especially as it allows me to run 19's, in comfort without Magride. If I ran the Bilsteins with 19's, I'd need a replacement spine in a year.
My ride with sportlines and standard shocks is no worse than standard springs. Plus I have 19s and standard bumstops. Don't see the point in stripping down again to change them.
Cool, its your car, run it the way you like it's entirely up to you, however science isn't often incorrect but anecdotal evidence can be.
Last edited:
