Lowered: will replacing stock shocks effect ride quality?

[Linchburg]

Basically, I'm currently running H&R OE Sport springs on stock (non-sport, non-S-line) suspension. I'm wondering if adding a different set of struts (Bilstein, etc) would have a positive effect on ride quality. The alternative is I try a set of coilovers, but not sure if the ride would be better/worse there either.

I've read through a few threads that showed up in search and it seems there's varying opinions.

Thanks in advance

[bigblue]

Of course it will help... your not supposed to lower on stock suspension to begin with... even with s line suspension... Bilstein sports or koni fsd shocks would help... or just go with h&r coilovers

[Calbee]

ive heard of a few people that are on stock suspension. i will be getting my springs soon and i will be on stock shocks too. isit really that bad?

[Termin8r]

i have stock shocks and it rides almost the same as it did with oe springs!!

[Linchburg]

Of course it will help...

The stock struts simply cannot cope with aftermarket springs

i have stock shocks and it rides almost the same as it did with oe springs!!

this is what I mean by contradictory...

I know new shocks wouldn't hurt, just wondering if the difference will be noticeable and justify the cost. I don't mind it the way it is now but spending a few $$$ to improve things is something I'd consider

[k9lovr]

Have stock shocks as well...ride is fine...will it reduce the life of the factory shocks...maybe, but when that time comes I will then replace all 4 shocks with a good aftermarket shock.

[Greg Nelson]

The 'power' of the Internet to misinform by folks who have not a clue - posts #2 and #3
Tea Party economics, anyone

[Calbee]

^GREG! have you read my pm lol

[piotrowr]

The 'power' of the Internet to misinform by folks who have not a clue - posts #2 and #3
Tea Party economics, anyone

well said

[bigblue]

Fuck you comparing me to the tea party. Thats very offense... but what I said is truth... OE shocks can't take the lower ride height, they've not valved for that. They won't last very long.

[Calbee]

Fuck you comparing me to the tea party. Thats very offense... but what I said is truth... OE shocks can't take the lower ride height, they've not valved for that. They won't last very long.

Classy.

[Linchburg]

So...

Has anyone gone from using stock struts to using after market and found the ride quality increase?
If so what was your setup before/after?

[Okan509]

ugh.... Blake! haha

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...spension-Setup! - if you can't find the answers you are looking for, do a little more internet research, this thread is garbage

[hoppy6698]

Fuck you comparing me to the tea party. Thats very offense... but what I said is truth... OE shocks can't take the lower ride height, they've not valved for that. They won't last very long.

That might be the case if there was a basis for the argument. However, I bought my H&R Sport Springs from the guys at ECS tuning who had hit 50k on his stock shocks and sport springs without any negative impacts. Like most of us, he eventually upgraded to full coilovers. But my point is that someone has to actually sit on these springs long enough to cause failure before we can report that it will do so.

The B8 suspension is not the B7 or B6. The new model is significantly better than previous years, as most have noted in these forums.

To the OP:
I have the same setup, no issues. However, the springs have made my ride tighter than I would like with a little too much 'feedback' on rougher patches, so I will be going to a full coilover set as well. Most here will recommend ST (US derivative of KW) or KW actuals, both are the same internals, supposed to feel closer to OEM softness and still allow the drops we like.

[Calbee]

well this is kinda offtopic but its starting to worry me. im about to buy some H&R sport springs. will it be too low (i dont like covering the tires) if i originally have the sport suspension. and is the ride really that uncomfortable?

[ItsDubC]

Some thoughts to contribute to this thread:

• There are cars both old and new that have been running aftermarket springs on OEM shocks for 1000s of miles.
• There is no way to prove scientifically (AFAIK) if shock failure is caused solely by the accompanying spring based on ppls' experiences. Ppl can share their experiences all day but experience does not equate to empirical evidence when everyone drives differently on different roads w/ varying degress of caution for road imperfections.
• Ride comfort is subjective.

[hoppy6698]

well this is kinda offtopic but its starting to worry me. im about to buy some H&R sport springs. will it be too low (i dont like covering the tires) if i originally have the sport suspension. and is the ride really that uncomfortable?

I have some good pics of where my suspension ended up settling (really did not change much from install, if at all), but can't find them atm. Let me specify on the ride - its tighter, but not Lotus-tight. Ie. I don't feel like I'm riding in a go kart. On highways and most roads, its a great ride and feedback is much improved. I would also note that I have tracked the car a few times and the springs definitely kept the rolls tight in corners (although I think the H&R RSB did just as much if not more).

However, I decided not to track it anymore and really want a full up coilover suspension that can be adjusted for harsh winters, when I do get hit by them.

For the @ $250 spent on springs, I think it would have been more worth it if I could do the install. However, I since learned that the shop-hours for install of springs is about the same as for coils, which makes the $450 I paid for the springs a waste of time when I upgrade to coils.

Like most here, if you intend to have a shop install it, I would recommend to save up for coils. ST (KW sub-company) coils can be had for about $750.

Edit: Found pics:

[b6onboost]

Well, the issue is that installing a shorter spring (lowering) causes the stock shocks to constantly ride around more compressed than usual. IE lower an inch and the shock compresses an inch. What this does is place the shock valve body lower in the tube than it was designed for. Lowering springs are stiffer than stock as well, so they resist road imperfections more, meaning the shock has to work harder to control the body movement. When you combine the fact that you are overworking the shock and that the valve body isn't sitting in its optimally designed location, you have a recipe for significantly reduced shock life.

How reduced? Depends on the spring rate, the oem shock (stock vs sport), and the roads you drive on. A mild spring on sport shocks driven on smooth roads may not see much life reduction. An aggressive spring on non-sport driven on battered roads could last only a year or two.

Shocks don't normally blow, they gradually lose effectiveness over time. Its common for someone to not realize the degredation in ride quality until they throw new shocks on or ride in someone elses car and have that realization moment. Ride quality is personal preference too, what one says is bad another thinks is fine.

OP: I pretty much guarantee a new set of shocks, better suited to the lowering spring you are using, will have a positive effect on ride, handling, and longevity.

[neova]

Shorter springs have less coils than OEMs, but still need to bear the same weight of the car thus the spring rates of the lowering spring is higher. The higher spring rate will *work* the OEM shocks harder, and when things work harder it wear out faster. Audi doesn't use a different shock for the s-line and non s-line models AFAIK. Now that doesn't mean it's okay to use OEM shocks with lowering springs, it just means that it will be a trade-off in terms of longevity.

Now, the bigger question is what you want from the lowering spring - better handling? better looks? I will tell you that a properly matched set of springs & shocks will handle much better than just throwing on a lowering spring, even if the product company tells you that it's designed to "fit" OEM shocks. Sure the part will fit, but will it handle better?

The spring's job is to absorb bumps, and the shocks job is to supress rebounds. When a shock isn't matched to the higher spring rate it will not provide a very compliant ride. When your car go over bumps it might feel "bouncy" because the the OEM shock isn't strong enough to hold the car down. Overtime, when the shock is worn, each time you go over a bump on the road it will take a couple "bounces" before your car settles down. You probably won't notice anything different when the shocks are new, maybe long enough that you will probably trade it in for a new car before the shock wears out =)

Now, for the short term, using OEM shocks with lowering springs will be okay, not ideal in terms of getting the best handling out of your car but for a couple hundred bucks your car will look a bit better. Eventually, you will wear out your OEM shocks faster than it would so you may end up buying another set of shocks. So really, you might be going to pay for a set of springs & shocks over time so might as well buy a coilover system. The added benefit of the coilover is that the spring and shocks are matched and you can also fine tune the ride height so you don't have to worry about if the spring you bought is too low or worst - not low enough.

on my previous cars I did the spring on OEM shocks route (found out the hard way when my new OEM shock wore prematurely after 25,000km) then spring+shock (ended up pissed cuz it wasn't low enough for summer wheel/tire setup but too low for winter setup). Finally I did the coilover route. The only challenge would be to find a coil-over setup that has a low enough spring rate so that's its comfortable. A popular coilover with japanese cars is the Tein CS, about 8&6kg/m spring rate which is one of the softer rates as most coilover spring rates are in the 10 and 12kg/m's

Whatever you end up doing, you now know the pros and cons of each option - which is the #1 rule when modding your car.

[Greg Nelson]

Fuck you comparing me to the tea party. Thats very offense... but what I said is truth... OE shocks can't take the lower ride height, they've not valved for that. They won't last very long.

I deserve that and apologize - my bad

That said, there has been (and am sure will continue to be) a 'lively' discussion here as to installing aftermarket lowering springs (H&R, Eibach) over OEM shocks. Some, as you, say No Way ("truth"), others have said they've had No Problem (truth?).

I changed out the H&R sports on my '09 3.2L b/c the drop immediately was greater in front (1.875", advertised as 1.5") than at rear - suspected this b/c more weight across front due to to heavier 3.2L V6 engine. H&R sells one model of springs for B8 - they do not differentiate between 2.0T and 3.2L. I installed KW V1s six months later.

I did install Eibach springs over OEM shocks on my B5 V6 and had no problems for 6 years - car was sold in July 2009.
Realize big weight difference between B5 and B8.

IMO, 'truth' is elusive - 40 years ago I said never trust anyone over 30, today I say never trust anyone under 30.

Again, please accept my apologies.

[Linchburg]

OP: I pretty much guarantee a new set of shocks, better suited to the lowering spring you are using, will have a positive effect on ride, handling, and longevity.

Whatever you end up doing, you now know the pros and cons of each option - which is the #1 rule when modding your car.

Thank you both for the comprehensive answers.
I'll need to think about this more, the cost of 4 Bilstein sports is pushing $700, might as well get coils at that point.

I've heard ST and KW v1's are comparable, is this the case or are there significant differences I should know about? I know KW are more popular around here.

[ItsDubC]

^Don't get STs if you live in a climate that gets snowy winters. The galvanized steel STs won't hold up as well to salt as the stainless steel KW V1s.

[Blake P]

There are some great replies in this thread and some pretty crappy ones. The fact that the OP knew to ask the question makes me think he already knew the answer and was just hoping for reassurance.

bigblue: I see you get involved in alot of B8 discussions and I think that's great. Please realize we're a bunch of light-hearted guys who poke some fun at each other now and then, so you'll either have to grow thicker skin or see your way back to the B6 forum. Using offensive language toward other members will not be tolerated.

[quality_sound]

Fuck you comparing me to the tea party. Thats very offense... but what I said is truth... OE shocks can't take the lower ride height, they've not valved for that. They won't last very long.

You do know that most aftermarket springs are no stiffer, and in most cases are actually softer, than OEM springs, right? The only thing that might compromise the OEM shocks when lowering is the lower ride height. You *might* bottom them out which will damage them. That's it.

[United3]

H&r makes the audi oem sports and they also have their own "sport" line correct or no???

[A4 Centaur]

The complaints and worrying about Lowering Springs is the reason I went with Vogtland Coilovers from Actuning.

Had Koni Coilovers on my B7 and they were great.

Just don't want issues with the shock tubes since I plan on keeping the car for longer than 5 years.

[Ludachrisx8]

I'm on stock non sport suspension and I just installed H&R OE Sport about a week ago. The ride is not bad at all. Handling is more responsive. Quattro FTW!

[B G 8er]

I am running H&R OE Sport Springs with my original sport suspension shocks. I replaced the stock 18" Pirelli P7's with 19" Mich Pilot SS's just before the spring swap. However, I am certain most of the increased harshness in the ride is from the stiffer side walls on the 19" tires than the springs.


The H & R OEM Sport springs actually seem to "smooth" out the bumps!

So far so good.

Great way to go with the H&R OE Sports if you don't want to give up too much ride quality and still want to clear speed bumps and driveways. However, regarding your question with the standard suspension shocks, the concensus I have heard is that it is too much of a stretch for the original non sport shocks to be used with aftermarket lowering srings or coilovers, etc. Could get bouncy very quickly.

I have even heard of some upgrading to OEM S4 shocks with their suspension upgrades.