Coilovers or springs

[phxS4]

Hi All,

I recently just bought my S4 about 2 months ago and am on my way to modding. In the next couple of months I will be looking to do some suspension work and would like to get your opinions as I am a bit new to the Audi family.

I don't really plan on taking my car to a track but could occasionally take it for a drive up north to the mountains and have some canyon fun. I also am looking to eliminate most of the wheel well gap to give it a cleaner look... Keep in mind I am not trying to dump this thing like a cholo - but also not digging the 4x4 stance right now.

That said... I have done some research around springs and coil overs... obviously there is the price difference and functionality with being able to do adjustments with the coil overs over springs. But I am kinda a "set it and forget it" type of guy and doubt I will really want to do any adjustments after install.

Also, is there anything else that is required for putting on springs or coil overs (outside of an alignment)? I thought that I read somewhere that spacers might be needed... but figured I could get confirmation here. And if you could give reference to brands and where I can pick them up - that would be a tremendous help.

Thanks everyone...

[infinkc]

I went with coilovers since they have a strut that is made for lowered cars. I however now am considering switching to springs with some aftermarket struts like bilsteins. I do not adjust my height at all, the coilovers are a tad noisy for me.

[lapisia]

I went with coilovers since they have a strut that is made for lowered cars. I however now am considering switching to springs with some aftermarket struts like bilsteins. I do not adjust my height at all, the coilovers are a tad noisy for me.

noisey? which ones?

[Bomiz]

I just ordered my set of coilovers today. I didn't want to get Springs because of people saying they get bouncy after 6 months and make the stock shocks wear way quicker. I just ordered the new Solo Werks coilovers coming out and they were testing them yesterday and heard they were fantastic. They are budget as well. No noise, good ride, handling improved. I'll let you know how they are after they are installed.

[eboosted]

I've ordered the H&R street coilovers, where did you hear good things about the Solo Werks coilovers?

[Bomiz]

I've ordered the H&R street coilovers, where did you hear good things about the Solo Werks coilovers?

From the people testing it out and the person they tested it on. The kit comes out monday. Plus it's located in CA, so if I have any problems it'll be really easy to sort stuff out.

[dennisA4]

If you have the budget, always choose coilovers over springs. Even if you are a set and forget type of person (me too) you still have the ability to look at the car and change it until it's perfect. THEN leave it.
Plus, the springs will be matched to the shocks/struts so they won't wear out, the ride won't be bouncy, etc. Many many people who get springs end up selling them and going for coilovers anyway, or wish they got them instead.
I would personally go for more of a "street" coilover since my car is a high mileage daily driver/commuter. I like a more compliant suspension.

[cfritos]

I have billstein pss10 coilovers an i love them. being able to adjust the ride comfort and height is nice, although i pretty much set the height and leave it, as with the adjustable ride quality.

[phxS4]

I don't have any huge commutes or anything...I work 100% from home and my car is going to be rather low mileage. But I don't want something that is super stiff - just middle of the ground i think would work for me. As for budget... I don't want to spend anything too crazy. If I could keep it at or under 1k - I would be happy. But really don't know reputable dealers that I can shop around for this stuff... Again... newbie to Audi mods.

If you have the budget, always choose coilovers over springs. Even if you are a set and forget type of person (me too) you still have the ability to look at the car and change it until it's perfect. THEN leave it.
Plus, the springs will be matched to the shocks/struts so they won't wear out, the ride won't be bouncy, etc. Many many people who get springs end up selling them and going for coilovers anyway, or wish they got them instead.
I would personally go for more of a "street" coilover since my car is a high mileage daily driver/commuter. I like a more compliant suspension.

[stactum]

I have billstein pss10 coilovers an i love them. being able to adjust the ride comfort and height is nice, although i pretty much set the height and leave it, as with the adjustable ride quality.

How much of a drop you had by default with PSS10? I am looking at them too and I heard in their tallest setting they create about 1-inch drop.

[lapisia]

Forgive me in hijacking this thread a bit but I was also between coilovers and springs and being in Canada, winter is a big concern for me. I don't track so going for something like bilsteins seem like an overkill for me. Any budget coilovers that will be able to give me a good looking drop, retain oem ride comfort, and is a good quality set that can withstand the winter? so far I am leaning towards OE springs due to the winter.

[Bomiz]

Forgive me in hijacking this thread a bit but I was also between coilovers and springs and being in Canada, winter is a big concern for me. I don't track so going for something like bilsteins seem like an overkill for me. Any budget coilovers that will be able to give me a good looking drop, retain oem ride comfort, and is a good quality set that can withstand the winter? so far I am leaning towards OE springs due to the winter.

Since you have winter you're going to want stainless steel coilovers. Those will run you over 1k at least. So I' guessing you're good with anything SS

[lapisia]

Since you have winter you're going to want stainless steel coilovers. Those will run you over 1k at least. So I' guessing you're good with anything SS

any recommendations?

[Okan509]

any recommendations?

H&R

[cfritos]

Since you have winter you're going to want stainless steel coilovers. Those will run you over 1k at least. So I' guessing you're good with anything SS

I believe KW and billstein are the only onces that are SS, however KW has a sagging problem. I do have a friend that runs HR here and the northeast where we get some significant snow and it just requires a little more maintence and prep before the winter.

[eboosted]

From the people testing it out and the person they tested it on. The kit comes out monday. Plus it's located in CA, so if I have any problems it'll be really easy to sort stuff out.

I've heard great things about Raceland as well from people testing it, but when I put those on a car they were clunky and bouncy, so please stasy away from US$ 500 coilovers

[cfritos]

How much of a drop you had by default with PSS10? I am looking at them too and I heard in their tallest setting they create about 1-inch drop.

to be honest, im not sure. i am lowered on the stock 19 peelers to one finger gap all around, and it can still go quite a bit lower. It also as a lot of room to go higher, i would say it least an inch and a half higher.

[phxS4]

H&R

Any suggestions on where to buy em?

[lapisia]

H&R

I thought they're just plated steel and not SS

to be honest, im not sure. i am lowered on the stock 19 peelers to one finger gap all around, and it can still go quite a bit lower. It also as a lot of room to go higher, i would say it least an inch and a half higher.

What kind to regiment do you or your friend recommend? I was initially looking at the HR ones but have second thoughts finding out they're not SS

[cfritos]

I thought they're just plated steel and not SS



What kind to regiment do you or your friend recommend? I was initially looking at the HR ones but have second thoughts finding out they're not SS

im not sure what exactly. to treat them for the winter, there is a special anti corrosive lubricant that they put on them and in the spring, you just need to clean them off well.

[dennisA4]

I don't have any huge commutes or anything...I work 100% from home and my car is going to be rather low mileage. But I don't want something that is super stiff - just middle of the ground i think would work for me. As for budget... I don't want to spend anything too crazy. If I could keep it at or under 1k - I would be happy. But really don't know reputable dealers that I can shop around for this stuff... Again... newbie to Audi mods.

Buy from one of our many sponsors and have installed locally for around $500.
I got KW V1 coilovers during a sale for under $1k. Really liked them for a daily driver.
You also don't need to worry about getting stainless steel coilovers in AZ.... another way to save some cash.

[ModBargains.com]

Vehicle suspension is something that I’m extremely passionate about. Paring up an aftermarket spring with more aggressive spring rates will definitely cause your OEM non-sport or sport shocks to wear out over time. This is due to the fact that OEM shocks are simply not meant to handle the more aggressive spring rates. Think of it this way, you're putting a shorter spring with a longer shock body. The shorter springs will cause the shocks to compress to its maximum setting every time you hit a bump due to the longer travel distance. What this can cause is what's known as bump steer and jarring of the ride (what you’re experiencing). This is what for the most part affects ride quality.

Let's break this down in terms of cost. You'll spend about $230-300 bucks for aftermarket springs, another $250-300 for an installation, and another $65-$125 for an alignment. When your OEM sport or non-sport shocks blow your going to have to spend another $700-800 on shocks, another installation fee, and another alignment. If you calculate that all together, you would saved a whole lot more mone5y doing it right the first time around. With that being said, I would most definitely recommend that you go with a coilover system and do it right the first time.

The answer is simple; you get what you pay for when it comes to vehicle suspension. As such a crucial component of your vehicle, suspension is definitely something you do not want to cheap out on. A coilover suspension basically gives you a matched lowering spring and shock absorber combination with the added benefit of adjustable ride height and spring rates through a moveable spring perch or perches. Coilovers are to your car's advantage by reducing unsprung mass, increasing suspension travel, and allowing the car to be corner balanced.

The more popular choices among our customers are H&R, ST, and KW. Coming from the makers of KW suspension systems the only main difference between the ST Variant 1 and KW Variant 1 is the steel they use. While KW uses Stainless Steel for their shock housing, ST uses Galvanized Steel. However, this does not mean a drop in quality, durability, or appearance. Although coilovers that use galvanized steel are more prone to corrosion due to environmental influences (i.e. mixture of salt water); those in the lower states: California, Texas, Florida, Nevada, etc. don't have to worry about corrosion. Those in the mid to upper States that snow still don't have much to worry about as long as they do not drive in heavy snow conditions upon where salt is used on roads. to further ensure those with doubt about Galvanized Steel, ST has corrosion resistant zinc plating on all of their threaded strut housings for further protection.

[eboosted]

The regular steel bodies from H&R should last many years, SS is too much for a suspensión. Even the OEMs aren't SS

[eboosted]

I'd suggest to go either ST or H&R, I've rear some not very good reviews about ST even though they come from the same KW factory, some clunking sounds however they perform good opn the street, the H&R are a good set as well, they come preseted so no rebound or compression adjusment for them.

If you have 4K go with the KW DDC ECU, if you don't, go with H&R, if you are still short go with ST, but do not ever go with only springs.

[phxS4]

Vehicle suspension is something that I’m extremely passionate about. Paring up an aftermarket spring with more aggressive spring rates will definitely cause your OEM non-sport or sport shocks to wear out over time. This is due to the fact that OEM shocks are simply not meant to handle the more aggressive spring rates. Think of it this way, you're putting a shorter spring with a longer shock body. The shorter springs will cause the shocks to compress to its maximum setting every time you hit a bump due to the longer travel distance. What this can cause is what's known as bump steer and jarring of the ride (what you’re experiencing). This is what for the most part affects ride quality.

Let's break this down in terms of cost. You'll spend about $230-300 bucks for aftermarket springs, another $250-300 for an installation, and another $65-$125 for an alignment. When your OEM sport or non-sport shocks blow your going to have to spend another $700-800 on shocks, another installation fee, and another alignment. If you calculate that all together, you would saved a whole lot more mone5y doing it right the first time around. With that being said, I would most definitely recommend that you go with a coilover system and do it right the first time.

The answer is simple; you get what you pay for when it comes to vehicle suspension. As such a crucial component of your vehicle, suspension is definitely something you do not want to cheap out on. A coilover suspension basically gives you a matched lowering spring and shock absorber combination with the added benefit of adjustable ride height and spring rates through a moveable spring perch or perches. Coilovers are to your car's advantage by reducing unsprung mass, increasing suspension travel, and allowing the car to be corner balanced.

The more popular choices among our customers are H&R, ST, and KW. Coming from the makers of KW suspension systems the only main difference between the ST Variant 1 and KW Variant 1 is the steel they use. While KW uses Stainless Steel for their shock housing, ST uses Galvanized Steel. However, this does not mean a drop in quality, durability, or appearance. Although coilovers that use galvanized steel are more prone to corrosion due to environmental influences (i.e. mixture of salt water); those in the lower states: California, Texas, Florida, Nevada, etc. don't have to worry about corrosion. Those in the mid to upper States that snow still don't have much to worry about as long as they do not drive in heavy snow conditions upon where salt is used on roads. to further ensure those with doubt about Galvanized Steel, ST has corrosion resistant zinc plating on all of their threaded strut housings for further protection.

Thanks for the good bit of info there. I had springs on a previous car I had and worked fairly effective. But that was also a vehicle that was half the price of my S4... So circling back to what you said with "you get what you pay for" I do want to do it right and just not worry about it. If you can PM some quotes for H&R, ST and KW I would appreciate it. Will give me an idea for what my budget needs to be.

[ModBargains.com]

Thanks for the good bit of info there. I had springs on a previous car I had and worked fairly effective. But that was also a vehicle that was half the price of my S4... So circling back to what you said with "you get what you pay for" I do want to do it right and just not worry about it. If you can PM some quotes for H&R, ST and KW I would appreciate it. Will give me an idea for what my budget needs to be.

Sure thing, PM coming your way

[13S4]

Vehicle suspension is something that I’m extremely passionate about. Paring up an aftermarket spring with more aggressive spring rates will definitely cause your OEM non-sport or sport shocks to wear out over time. This is due to the fact that OEM shocks are simply not meant to handle the more aggressive spring rates. Think of it this way, you're putting a shorter spring with a longer shock body. The shorter springs will cause the shocks to compress to its maximum setting every time you hit a bump due to the longer travel distance. What this can cause is what's known as bump steer and jarring of the ride (what you’re experiencing). This is what for the most part affects ride quality.

Let's break this down in terms of cost. You'll spend about $230-300 bucks for aftermarket springs, another $250-300 for an installation, and another $65-$125 for an alignment. When your OEM sport or non-sport shocks blow your going to have to spend another $700-800 on shocks, another installation fee, and another alignment. If you calculate that all together, you would saved a whole lot more mone5y doing it right the first time around. With that being said, I would most definitely recommend that you go with a coilover system and do it right the first time.

The answer is simple; you get what you pay for when it comes to vehicle suspension. As such a crucial component of your vehicle, suspension is definitely something you do not want to cheap out on. A coilover suspension basically gives you a matched lowering spring and shock absorber combination with the added benefit of adjustable ride height and spring rates through a moveable spring perch or perches. Coilovers are to your car's advantage by reducing unsprung mass, increasing suspension travel, and allowing the car to be corner balanced.

The more popular choices among our customers are H&R, ST, and KW. Coming from the makers of KW suspension systems the only main difference between the ST Variant 1 and KW Variant 1 is the steel they use. While KW uses Stainless Steel for their shock housing, ST uses Galvanized Steel. However, this does not mean a drop in quality, durability, or appearance. Although coilovers that use galvanized steel are more prone to corrosion due to environmental influences (i.e. mixture of salt water); those in the lower states: California, Texas, Florida, Nevada, etc. don't have to worry about corrosion. Those in the mid to upper States that snow still don't have much to worry about as long as they do not drive in heavy snow conditions upon where salt is used on roads. to further ensure those with doubt about Galvanized Steel, ST has corrosion resistant zinc plating on all of their threaded strut housings for further protection.

+1.... I spent $800+ for H&R OE's installed. I love the look of them, but the ride sucks. It's not worth the money at all.

I regret not doing coil-overs the first time, and when my shocks wear out I will be switching to Coils. I get a lot of snow too, so being able to raise the car might be handy. I doubt i'd ever do that, but it would be nice to know I have the option.

[wwhan]

How much of a drop you had by default with PSS10? I am looking at them too and I heard in their tallest setting they create about 1-inch drop.

Not true, the PSS10 coilovers have a very large adjustment range. One can set the height to about 0.5" lower than stock if they wish.

Also note that most aftermarket coilovers (KW & Bilstein for instance) use the same coilover part number and spring rate for all the B8 Audi sedans and coupes, awd and fwd, 4cyl, 6cyl (a very large weight range). KW has a different rear spring for the Avant.

[jfabes]

i'll go against the grain in this thread but support the other 95% of people running oe springs that love them and have no premature shock wear even after 50k miles. that said, if you want to go lower than oe's I would suggest coils. it really comes down to how low you want to go and your budget. the nice thing about coils is that you can get every corner perfect whereas with springs, you get what you get. if I had to do it over, I would go coils but only because I want my car lower (I think the oe's ride great), and if I do decide to lower it more, I will go with coils. as for not spending a ton of money on coils, in addition to h&r's, I've read some really good things on here about Vogtland's. I have not read many good things about ST's (made by KW). They seem to be more popular with the A4 crowd and let's face it, if a $600 coilover was really good for the S4, wouldn't everyone be running them???

[eboosted]

We'll I need to chime in here, I work in a performance shop and everyday I see cars with only spring upgrades coming to our shop asking for a better upgrade, all of them bouncy with terrible handling and blown schocks, in all cases they think the suspension is good, but after we suggest coilovers or a cup kit they can see how mistaken they were running shitty springs.

Ask someone with a good suspension to drive a car with springs on OEM shocks, they will give you a real world advice

[Mops@Nemesis]

H&R street for the perfect ride quality and no noise/clunk.

[lux]

H&R coilovers !!!!

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

[dennisA4]

Oh and if you do decide to just get springs... Puhleeaaase get whatever springs give you an even fender gap front to rear or less gap in the front.
I can't stand seeing more gap in the front than the rear.

But I still say get CO's.

[will13k7]

PSS10s! Love them. The last time I got coils I didn't get adjustable shocks and regretted it, now I can setup the stiffness for what ever I feel like in a couple of minutes.

[drob23]

Oh and if you do decide to just get springs... Puhleeaaase get whatever springs give you an even fender gap front to rear or less gap in the front.
I can't stand seeing more gap in the front than the rear.

But I still say get CO's.

Yea...I rake pretty bad to the back. I just tell myself it's cause I'm parked on an incline

[jfabes]

We'll I need to chime in here, I work in a performance shop and everyday I see cars with only spring upgrades coming to our shop asking for a better upgrade, all of them bouncy with terrible handling and blown schocks, in all cases they think the suspension is good, but after we suggest coilovers or a cup kit they can see how mistaken they were running shitty springs.

Ask someone with a good suspension to drive a car with springs on OEM shocks, they will give you a real world advice

Are they s4's? Probably not. The s4 shocks are pretty robust and the mild drop and slightly higher spring rate isn't going to chop the life by half.

Also, the op isn't asking which is better for the track, all he wants is a drop and comfortable ride....he works from home.

No one is debating which is better. Coilovers obviously are, but they don't fit everyone's needs (read: overkill).

[SHR]

I installed ST CO's when my car had 2,000 mikes on it and drove on them for 15,000 miles. All in all I didn't care for them. In order to get the adjustability you have to eliminate the rubber spring perch on one side to accommodate the adjustable metal spring perch. This IMO introduces an opportunity to transfer noise and vibration from the road to the driver. I have since replaced the CO's with the Bilstein Eibach B12 kit and I love this suspension. Performance feels better than the CO's, I have a bit more compliance in the chassis which to me feels more planted when laying into a turn, and I no longer have the bone jarring impact when hitting a pot hole and worse yet when hitting it in a turn. I think some of the experience is attributed to the quality of the product as well, I'm not saying one is better than another but there are reasons why some cost 3 times more than others. IMO Bilstein and Eibach are among the best in the business, and if I could start over I would have installed PSS 10's because of the expected quality and nearly infinite adjustability of ride quality and height adjustment. I replaced my CO's with shock/springs because I really didn't want to replace them again in a short period of time and I am leery about CO's because of my experience. The B12 kit drops my car nicely, I'm sitting at approximately 25.7" GTF and would prefer 25.5"GTF, not quite as low as I like but given the exceptional ride quality I get I can live with it where it sits, and one benefit is I no longer scrape entering some driveways like I did sitting at 25.5. My S4 is a DD which I plan to occasionally track, if the use case was flipped I would go CO's. I hope this helps.

[drew4392]

I echo what others have said in this thread as well as other discussions... I regret only installing OE Sport springs. They feel out of sync and unmatched to the shocks. Especially at high speed, they feel bouncy.

Do yourself a favor, and spend the money on quality COs.

[C14 Rider]

I went the H&R OE Sport Spring route with a driveway self install..

After it was all said and done I wish I would have gone with coilovers, I love the look but the stock shocks just are not a good match IMO..

FWIW, I don't baby this car I drive it the way it was built to be driven..

[phxS4]

Pretty sure after some consideration and feedback from most on here - I am leaning towards H&R street coils. It fits my budget and I would prefer to do it right the first time versus paying about 500 bucks for springs and install...then having to do it all over again for coils. About what type of drop would you guys suggest?