H&R lowering springs and Bilstein B8 dampers dissapointed with ride! Issues?

[Sayam]

UPDATE:

Taken the car to VW Audi Specialists in Harrow for the rear shock absorber fitting, 4 wheel laser alignment and inspection. Outcome is that everything is fine! Have to say I'm impressed by the garage, they certainly know their stuff and a guy called Chris told me about uprated poly bushes and parts from the Golf R32 that could be fitted to my car.

Car now corners like a F1 racing car with no understeer!!

Glad to hear it's all sorted

What do you think of the ride now?

 

[plasma]

Glad to hear it's all sorted

What do you think of the ride now?

Ride has definitely improved. I now feel what's going on underneath me and can count ate better with the road but it hasn't sacrificed ride quality. It still soaks up bumps as well as before except now reduced bouncyness and body roll and feels more composed at higher motorway speeds.

My mate has a Honda S2000 and I'm going to the track this weekend to race him. His still confident his rubbish Honda will beat my Audi even though I have the upgraded suspension and remap. His in for a surprise....

 

[RafaelF]

or maybe you will get suprised, but s2k and A3/S3 my fav cars

 

[chrisyegan]

Post a pic of your SE lowered plasma

 

[plasma]

Will do when I get home from work.

 

[plasma]

One more thing, I accidently ordered the wrong suspension kit for my car. It's the Bilstein B12 kit but it's for the 50mm struts and front axle load 1020kg, although I'm not entirely sure about this. Ordered it from Demon Tweaks and it will cost more for me to return so I'll rather just sell it on.

Is there a way I can physically check with the springs and dampers if they fit 50mm struts?

 

[plasma]

Here are some pics I took while I waited at the garage to have them fitted. Will post more of the car itself

 

[Oldredeyes1]

Here are some pics I took while I waited at the garage to have them fitted. Will post more of the car itself

I had the same problem, get in touch with JOM they do an adaption sleeve that changes your new strut from 50mm to 55mm. They charged me £25 posted. Perfect solution.

 

[plasma]

I had the same problem, get in touch with JOM they do an adaption sleeve that changes your new strut from 50mm to 55mm. They charged me £25 posted. Perfect solution.

Well it doesn't make a difference now because I ordered the correct parts. So now I have a spare Bilstein B12 suspension kit for sale. And anyway I wouldn't recommend just using adaptor sleeves because this particular Bilstein B12 kit is tuned for cars with a maximum front load of 1020kg, which I think is the smaller 1.6 petrol and 1.9 tdi engines that have 50mm struts

 

[s3_trev]

Id have done the same mate to be honest. I personally would have felt a bit naff buying a Bilstein setup and then adding a JOM component to it. No offence to anyone with JOM suspension.

 

[plasma]

Here are the long awaited pics. Please let me know your thoughts.

 

[plasma]

One more thing, I got a 4 wheel laser alignment by VW Audi Specialists in Harrow. The car still pulls slightly to the left when he steering wheel is straight. I know the tread on the front left tire is like 3.5mm and the other side is like 6mm. Would this cause the difference? Shall I go back to the garage and ask them to re-check?>

 

[Sayam]

Did you check cold pressure inflation before you had the alignment done?

Also, check it on the middle lane of the motorway...it could be the road crown pulling your car left.

 

[plasma]

I added air on all tyres 30 PSI 2 weeks ago. The car still pulls to the left on a normal road.

Does my car look good with the lowering and wheels?

 

[Sayam]

I added air on all tyres 30 PSI 2 weeks ago. The car still pulls to the left on a normal road.

Does my car look good with the lowering and wheels?

Car looks good buddy but that air pressure seems way too low to me.

I run 40PSI in the front and 36PSI in the rear...

 

[plasma]

Does this improve handling?

I honestly thought the b8 bilsteins will improve Handling but I think it's mostly down to my wider tyres and good brand, they're continentals with good tread. Previous tyres were Chinese autoguards!!'

 

[RafaelF]

what tyres u use? 225 40 r18?

 

[S3Alex]

Does this improve handling?

I honestly thought the b8 bilsteins will improve Handling but I think it's mostly down to my wider tyres and good brand, they're continentals with good tread. Previous tyres were Chinese autoguards!!'

Changing the pressures will alter the handling,and may increase/decrease understeer etc.
Obviously running the tyre way too soft will cause problems,and overinflated can lead to excessive wear,but in between that will be down to individual preference

 

[Sayam]

As Alex says pressure definitely affects the handling.

Increase the pressure and see how you get on

I reckon your handling improvement has come from the dampers and not the wheels

 

[S3Alex]

As Alex says pressure definitely affects the handling.

Increase the pressure and see how you get on

I reckon your handling improvement has come from the dampers and not the wheels

Likewise...I'm sure the biggest part of the handling improvement is from the dampers.

 

[plasma]

what tyres u use? 225 40 r18?

Correct, yes.

 

[mechanic69]

As Alex says pressure definitely affects the handling.

Increase the pressure and see how you get on

I reckon your handling improvement has come from the dampers and not the wheels

I'm running 37psi all round

 

[RafaelF]

I run 2.7bar = around 39psi on all wheels