A3/S3 Saloon with Eibach Springs

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VWNCC

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Hi fellow 8V owners, does anyone have a A3 or S3 saloon with Eibach springs? I am interested in the Eibach and would love to see some pics after installation before deciding on the lowering springs.

Thanks in advance. :grinning:
 
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I have a hatchback with these if no other saloon owners come forward :)
 
MA3RC said:
I have a hatchback with these if no other saloon owners come forward :)
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Thanks for the quick response. How do you like Eibach springs so far? How long have you had it? Do you have the stock shocks? Which stock suspension do you have?
 
Yeah I find the springs great. They've been on my car for a year now. They're such a massive improvement on what I had previously (Sport Suspension). Yeah I left the shocks and everything else untouched.

I bought the springs originally for the aesthetics, to lower the car and swallow up the arch gap. Overall ride comfort has improved as there is no longer the pogo effect when going over speed bumps etc and the car stays very flat whilst cornering at speed. With a good set of tyres you could compare it to being on rails, you can push the car harder than with the stock suspension and still feel more in control.

You will notice a slight difference when hitting the pothole though as there isn't as much travel in the spring compared to the stock suspension so it will thud a bit heavier. (Although I guess this might be different if you're coming from S or Sline suspension).

Overall very happy and can only recommend them :)

I can upload some before and after pictures if you like of the car?
 
Whatever spring you go for also consider replacing the strut top mount and bearing as these are notorious to wear - shouldn't be any additional labour. Don't think there are any aftermarket uprated mounts available so prob best just to get OEM ones fitted. Having mine done this week - springs were fitted six months ago.
 
MA3RC said:
Yeah I find the springs great. They've been on my car for a year now. They're such a massive improvement on what I had previously (Sport Suspension). Yeah I left the shocks and everything else untouched.

I bought the springs originally for the aesthetics, to lower the car and swallow up the arch gap. Overall ride comfort has improved as there is no longer the pogo effect when going over speed bumps etc and the car stays very flat whilst cornering at speed. With a good set of tyres you could compare it to being on rails, you can push the car harder than with the stock suspension and still feel more in control.

You will notice a slight difference when hitting the pothole though as there isn't as much travel in the spring compared to the stock suspension so it will thud a bit heavier. (Although I guess this might be different if you're coming from S or Sline suspension).

Overall very happy and can only recommend them :)

I can upload some before and after pictures if you like of the car?
Click to expand...

Before and after photos would be great :D sorry to hijack :D
 
Here ya go, bear in mind @Gazjs that you have an S3 so they will differ in heights to begin with and probably after. Eibach Pro Kit:

Before:


After:


Before:


After:


Before:


After:
 
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That's a very nice and subtle difference without screaming out "I'm lowered"

Is the pro kit around 35mm?

Thanks for the pics, looks very nice indeed.
 
MA3RC said:
Yeah I find the springs great. They've been on my car for a year now. They're such a massive improvement on what I had previously (Sport Suspension). Yeah I left the shocks and everything else untouched.

I bought the springs originally for the aesthetics, to lower the car and swallow up the arch gap. Overall ride comfort has improved as there is no longer the pogo effect when going over speed bumps etc and the car stays very flat whilst cornering at speed. With a good set of tyres you could compare it to being on rails, you can push the car harder than with the stock suspension and still feel more in control.

You will notice a slight difference when hitting the pothole though as there isn't as much travel in the spring compared to the stock suspension so it will thud a bit heavier. (Although I guess this might be different if you're coming from S or Sline suspension).

Overall very happy and can only recommend them :)

I can upload some before and after pictures if you like of the car?
Click to expand...

Thanks MA3RC for the detailed response. I have an S-line car with the standard SE suspension (I know weird huh)...so I plan to get the Eibach prokit with the Bilstein B8 shocks together. Your car and the stance look great.

One question though...according to Eibach's application guide, the sportback and saloon share the same springs...won't that cause raking/reverse raking issues?
 
Rob2k68 said:
Whatever spring you go for also consider replacing the strut top mount and bearing as these are notorious to wear - shouldn't be any additional labour. Don't think there are any aftermarket uprated mounts available so prob best just to get OEM ones fitted. Having mine done this week - springs were fitted six months ago.
Click to expand...

My car has only ~25k km, should I replace the strut top mount and bearing altogether? Do they wear more because of lowering?

(I will be switching both springs and shocks).
 
Gazjs said:
That's a very nice and subtle difference without screaming out "I'm lowered"

Is the pro kit around 35mm?

Thanks for the pics, looks very nice indeed.
Click to expand...

Yeah that's the look I wanted, I still wanted to use the car without scraping and worrying about rubbing etc. You're right with 35mm so I believe it sits 5mm lower than an SLine / S3.
 
VWNCC said:
Thanks MA3RC for the detailed response. I have an S-line car with the standard SE suspension (I know weird huh)...so I plan to get the Eibach prokit with the Bilstein B8 shocks together. Your car and the stance look great.

One question though...according to Eibach's application guide, the sportback and saloon share the same springs...won't that cause raking/reverse raking issues?
Click to expand...

No problem :) Ah right so your car would sit higher than my original, so your drop will appear bigger. I wouldn't have thought they were the same as the cars have different weights. Speak to @DPM He sorted me out with mine for a competitive price and is a wealth of knowledge.

Be sure once they're fitted and settled (around a month) to get the 4 wheel alignment sorted otherwise you'll be munching through tyres like no tomorrow. Oh and you may want to re-calibrate your headlights as the throw will be different as the car is sitting lower
 
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VWNCC said:
My car has only ~25k km, should I replace the strut top mount and bearing altogether? Do they wear more because of lowering?

(I will be switching both springs and shocks).
Click to expand...

I'd definately ask for advice from your installer - mine said they generally advise doing mounts and springs together.

Speaking from my own experience I had the springs fitted at 6k miles with original top mounts and now have a squeak at 13k miles that we suspect is the top mount or bearing. I honestly cannot comment whether or not the lowering accelerates wear but looking at other threads here, VW and Skoda (MQB) forums this does seem to be an Achilles heel.
 
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These top mounts problems are becoming increasingly common. Has anyone else on here had them replaced? I want to know as I am thinking about Eibachs as i had them on my last car and were a certain improvement on handling for the price.
 
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I'm thinking about springs right now Rob and think my car suffers from this creak from my suspension which is definitely apparent over bumps now and then. Have you told your dealer about this? I was thinking about going to Coventry Audi but haven't got round to ringing them up to go out with a technician/get it booked it.
 
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sj43 said:
I'm thinking about springs right now Rob and think my car suffers from this creak from my suspension which is definitely apparent over bumps now and then. Have you told your dealer about this? I was thinking about going to Coventry Audi but haven't got round to ringing them up to go out with a technician/get it booked it.
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No mate I've not been back to Audi as without changing back to standard springs I'd imagine having to pay anyway so I've picked up the top mounts, bearings and new bolts for £103 and been quoted £120 to have them fitted so it's being done this Friday so I'll let you know - sure is annoying on a 40k car !! Also having the wheel alignment done since recently putting 19s on it.
 
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MA3RC said:
No problem :) Ah right so your car would sit higher than my original, so your drop will appear bigger. I wouldn't have thought they were the same as the cars have different weights. Speak to @DPM He sorted me out with mine for a competitive price and is a wealth of knowledge.

Be sure once they're fitted and settled (around a month) to get the 4 wheel alignment sorted otherwise you'll be munching through tyres like no tomorrow. Oh and you may want to re-calibrate your headlights as the throw will be different as the car is sitting lower
Click to expand...


Yea, and the thing is, the same springs are used in the S3 saloon, S3 sportback, A3 2.0TDI quattro saloon, and the A3 2.0TDI quattro sportback. They all have different weights so I am a bit skeptical. I checked numerous websites and the official Eibach websites. They all state the same thing.

To make things worse, my car is a A3 2.0T quattro saloon, which is only available in north america, so Eibach doesn't have anything specific for this application (but I guess they would not even if Europe has the 2.0T quattro as the S3 and 2.0TDI quattro use the same springs). The 2.0T quattro is lighter than the S3 saloon, but it being a Canadian-spec car, ends up being heavier than the euro-spec S3. So, I am not sure if I should go with Eibach.
 
H&R are a very popular choice but I can't imagine their range being any more comprehensive than Eibach.

When I was researching springs I was told that H&R are more track focussed with the Eibachs being slightly more forgiving.
 
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Rob2k68 said:
H&R are a very popular choice but I can't imagine their range being any more comprehensive than Eibach.

When I was researching springs I was told that H&R are more track focussed with the Eibachs being slightly more forgiving.
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Yea, that's what I have been hearing as well. That's why I want to get the Eibach + Bilstein B8 (basically the Eibach-Bilstein B12 kit). However, it just seems weird that Eibach puts the same springs on all the 2.0T(DI) quattro models, whether it is 5-door or 4-door.

H&R does have a set for the 2.0T quattro but based on all the pictures I have seen, it has a reverse rake look to it.
 
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I got you Rob, 100% for a premium car or ANY car for that matter they should wear that fast! Will be good to hear how you get on. How are the 19's going in combination with the eibachs? They look absolutely class mate!
 
Yeah, Rob, how is your ride with the Eibach sportline...how is it compared to stock?
 
VWNCC said:
Yeah, Rob, how is your ride with the Eibach sportline...how is it compared to stock?
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With mag ride the bounciness at the rear has almost gone but the rides maybe 20-25% harsher but still fine in comfort mode and more plugged in when in dynamic so overal a trade off I'm happy with.
 
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Thanks Rob. I guess if I go with pro-kit instead of sportline, it should be less harsh...
 
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VWNCC said:
Thanks Rob. I guess if I go with pro-kit instead of sportline, it should be less harsh...
Click to expand...

Yes I would think so mate. It does say in the blurb from Eibach about the Pros that comfort isn't sacrificed but the drop is only 10mm so weigh that up in your decision over which to get.
 
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Rob2k68 said:
Yes I would think so mate. It does say in the blurb from Eibach about the Pros that comfort isn't sacrificed but the drop is only 10mm so weigh that up in your decision over which to get.
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Thanks. Do you think I would have any problem with getting the S3 saloon Eibach prokit springs for my car? It is a A3 2.0T quattro saloon (north american spec), so even though it is lighter than the S3 saloon (north american spec), but it is heavier than the Europe S3 saloon.
 
VWNCC said:
Thanks. Do you think I would have any problem with getting the S3 saloon Eibach prokit springs for my car? It is a A3 2.0T quattro saloon (north american spec), so even though it is lighter than the S3 saloon (north american spec), but it is heavier than the Europe S3 saloon.
Click to expand...

Not sure to be honest. Do a search on eBay for Eibach 8VS (the model code for saloon) and it will bring up loads of options for different engines.
 
Rob2k68 said:
Not sure to be honest. Do a search on eBay for Eibach 8VS (the model code for saloon) and it will bring up loads of options for different engines.
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I checked the Eibach official application guide and numerious websites...basically the S3 saloon, A3 2.0TDI quattro saloon, S3 sportback, and A3 2.0TDI quattro sportback share the same pro-kit springs. There is no specific product for the A3 2.0 TFSI quattro as that's north american only.. That's why I have to "improvise" and use something that is the closest to it.
 
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I'm also considering eibach sport line springs for my saloon. On my last car (CTR FN2) I had H&R and car was very stiff. My question is how those springs lower s3 without mag ride. What about ride quality with 19 rims. Is this 20mm possible?
 
mw1978 said:
I'm also considering eibach sport line springs for my saloon. On my last car (CTR FN2) I had H&R and car was very stiff. My question is how those springs lower s3 without mag ride. What about ride quality with 19 rims. Is this 20mm possible?
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Mine went down 15mm front and 20mm rear with mag ride. Ride maybe 20% harsher but better handling and much reduced bounciness. Changed recently from 18s to 19s and no noticeable change to ride comfort so I wouldn't worry about that.
 
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Im running H&R supersport if you're interested.

Uploadfromtaptalk1456436925155


Uploadfromtaptalk1456436947550
 
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Think they're quoted at 45mm. Non mag ride. Wheels are 8.5 x 19 ET45. Running 235/35Y19 P Zero. Handles great, not harsh at all. Slightly bumpy on rough roads when I've got 4 adults in. I've done over 50k miles since I fitted them and never looked back.
 
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Don, love the RS6 wheels, but I won't be able to have my car sit so low. I have considered the H&R sport before, but it gives the car a reverse rake look. With the aim to improve handling and reduce bounciness, I would like to keep the ride as close to stock as possible, that's why I am aiming for the Eibach springs.
 
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Today I finally mounted eibach sportline springs on my non mag ride S3 saloon. I'm very happy because I was afraid that my ride quality will drop. I'm very surprised because is very comfortable LOL
Image
Image


Stock springs measured from the flor to fender
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Eibach sportline and after 100km
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Image
 
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Car looks awesome well done - so about an inch drop then in old money.

Think we spoke on F/B ;o)
 
Just fitted eibachs to my 2l tdi s line.
Overall the ride hasn't changed probably got better if anything, stays flat in the corners now unlike before

I believe the ones I got are 35mm too but I had s line suspension so it's not much difference in height which I am slightly disappointed with but I'll have to get coilovers in the future

Before eibachs




After which I fitted myself




You can tell the back is lower but with the fronts you can hardly tell.

Planning on getting some 19's for it and I'll see how it sits then
I also picked them up for a bargain of £52 new off amazon

Hope this helps
 
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@Ben Lawrence which springs did you go for? Pro?

I've got exact same car except sportback and toying with AMD's £300 supp/fitted eibachs.

£52!!...What is the actual part number if you don't mind me asking? You sure you have the right ones :huh:

To me the drop looks just about what I'm after and maybe after a couple wks it'll settle more so.
 
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@J7USS
I got them from Amazon, take a look but I may have had the last ones.
In the description it said new/used (box maybe damaged) for £52 I couldn't leave them there
They came and there was nothing wrong with them so over the moon with the bargain
I believe there the pro kit (road use)
 

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