A5 BE+ - Eibach Pro-Kit & H&R TRAK+ Spacers

[vervdc]

Hi guys,

So as some of you may already know, a couple weeks ago I took delivery of a new A5 Coupe BE+. As much as I love the look of it, the Sport suspension it came with made it look like a Q5 as apposed to an A5. To resolve this I decided to have a set of Eibach Pro-Kit's installed, and at the same time decided to experiment with spacers. Choosing the size of spacer has been a lot more difficult than I anticipated, as although there are thousands of threads on which to choose for the A5 (typically 20FR/25R), there are so many variables including width of wheel (many are 8.5 whereas mine are 9), offset, camber changes based on how much the car has been lowered, and even the tyre (I have Dunlop SP Sports which buldge quite a bit compared to others) so its not so straight forward as "just get 20/25 and it will be flush". I decided to get one set of 20mm (40mm axle) and stick them on the back first to see how it looked, then I could either put them at the front and get 25mm for the back or if not keep them at the back and get 15mm for the front. Luckily I did this, as I really would not want to go more than 20mm at the back on mine, or they would protrude. I'm even worried 15mm at the front may protrude, so deciding whether to maybe go 12mm at the front.

Anyway, what a difference the springs and spacers have made! Completely transformed the car. Unfortunately the pictures really don't do it justice. The back of the car looks SO much wider and flatter, and makes it seem a lot more sporty without being over the top. My only complaint is the front is still not low enough for me (sits higher than the back) although hoping once they have settled it goes lower, and with the spacers installed will look better.

Ride quality hasn't really changed much to me (feeling bumps etc.), although maybe a tiny bit. I haven't had a chance to test it properly around corners yet, but will do this weekend.

Anyway, here are some pictures so others can get an idea of what theirs would look like if they went for the same setup. once I have the front spacers installed, I will update this.

On another note, yes, the wheels are a b*tch to clean!!! I found this out yesterday.

 

[Agric04]

Not usually a fan of lowered cars.......but you're right it does look better now......and knowing the wheels are a b*tch to clean is not helpfulness.....I'll soon find out for myself! Lol

 

[vervdc]

I agree, I personally don't like cars that are "slammed" where it looks too aftermarket, however I've always known the Pro-Kit's provide an OEM appearance. I'd imagine it would look similar to the factory "S-Line" suspension, very happy with the outcome.

 

[satj]

Hi vervdc
I'm looking to have pretty much the same done to my 2013 A5 BE, which has the standard sport suspension at present.

Am I right I'm saying that if I went for the Eibach Pro Kit springs, the only real noticeable lowering I'll observe is 5-10mm?

I believe the lowering figures Eibach provide are with respect to the standard base A5 suspension, not the sport or s line suspensions?

I would've really liked a 20mm drop in addition to the lowering the sport suspension already provides... i might just get the spacers at first to see how they look :S

 

[vervdc]

Hey satj,

Excellent, great choice! I've read somewhere before (from an Audi specialist fitter) that actually the drop figures Audi provide over SE (for Sport and S-Line) are exaggerated. This means that the drop of the Pro-Kits (which are accurate) is actually lower than you would expect. Now that mine have settled down, I definitely wouldn't want them any lower, I think its perfect. The only thing I would say is I would have preferred if the front sat a little lower, as it sits absolutely marginally higher than the back - however it may only appear like that as my spacers aren't as aggressive on the front. I'm not sure on the exact figures of how much its dropped unfortunately, but was a huge difference to the standard sport I had on.

Just bare in mind spacers on a non-lowered car will look a bit odd, so don't let that put you off.

 

[satj]

Hey satj,

Excellent, great choice! I've read somewhere before (from an Audi specialist fitter) that actually the drop figures Audi provide over SE (for Sport and S-Line) are exaggerated. This means that the drop of the Pro-Kits (which are accurate) is actually lower than you would expect. Now that mine have settled down, I definitely wouldn't want them any lower, I think its perfect. The only thing I would say is I would have preferred if the front sat a little lower, as it sits absolutely marginally higher than the back - however it may only appear like that as my spacers aren't as aggressive on the front. I'm not sure on the exact figures of how much its dropped unfortunately, but was a huge difference to the standard sport I had on.

Just bare in mind spacers on a non-lowered car will look a bit odd, so don't let that put you off.

Cool!

I'm actually booked in to have the springs fitted tomorrow, and have since ordered the H&R Sport springs instead! the drop is 1.3" on the front and 1.25" on the rear with reference to the SE spec suspension. Confused :s

May I trouble you to post a pic of what the side profile of the car looks like today? Don't worry if it's not convenient

Cheers!

 

[satj]

I went with the H&R Sport Springs in the end, and here is how they look...

http://www.audi-sport.net/xf/thread...-sport-springs-trak-15mm-20mm-spacers.242429/

VERY happy

 

[Double V]

I can't see any difference. Am I blind. :$

 

[Max Wilson]

@vervdc How much lower do these springs drop the car by all together? 25mm?

 

[vervdc]

Hi Max, unfortunately I'm not actually 100% sure - I would measure but I just traded mine in! All I know is the rear and fronts have different drops, the front has a bit more of a drop than the rear - however I noticed in practice that the front still sits higher than the rear annoyingly (although this may be because I never fitted spacers to the front and only the rear giving the illusion of it sitting higher). Sorry I couldn't help! BTW - I had the rear spacers removed yesterday before I traded it in, so up for sale if you're interested.

 

[Max Wilson]

@vervdc Cheers for the response. I didn't realise you had replied. Wish I had seen this sooner! Guessing all these parts are gone now? Getting mine done next month.

 

[vervdc]

@vervdc Cheers for the response. I didn't realise you had replied. Wish I had seen this sooner! Guessing all these parts are gone now? Getting mine done next month.

No probs! Ha no worries, I still have them somewhere, fronts, backs and longer bolts. I'll take a look this weekend for them!