Any reviews on H&R Street Performance coil-overs?

[millerrh]

Done some searching and not coming up with much on these coil overs as far as reviews.

Was seriously considering OE Sport springs, but running springs only on stock dampers has me a little worried after some research. These H&R coil overs seem like a decent bang for your buck to alleviate that concern. Some other options are a bit more expensive than I care to invest at the moment.

Looking for:
Subtle OE Sport like drop (~1.2 in)
More planted in corners
Slightly firmer than stock feel to just as comfortable as stock
No rebuilding required

How do these stack up? Anyone have experience with them? Are there better options for similar prices?

[jfabes]

they are a popular choice for this car. while I haven't experienced them on an s4, I had them on another car and they were definitely much stiffer than stock. I've read on here they firm up the ride nicely on the s4, but not jarring or uncomfortable. plenty of guys running them. another set to consider (considering them myself) that go under the radar are Vogtland. they can be had for a few hundred less than h&r, made in Germany, and have a good warranty. I have read nothing but good things about them as well. and with the money you save, you can buy sways or adjustable upper links :)

[S4 Paul]

Had mine on for 10k miles. Not a single complaint. With any coilover your going to get a harsher ride, thats just the reality. Might want to look into springs .

[fesmail]

I have vogtlands on my B7 for 6 years now, I've been extremely happy with them, very compliant ride. I was about to pull the trigger for my B8.5 but was advised that at their highest setting on the B8 platform, they actually sit quite low and I wasn't sure how low I wanted to go so I then opted for the H&R's and have no complaints. I've run them on many previous vehicles and they've held up very well so I would agree that these are a great product when it comes to "bang for your buck".

I'll say one thing though, I installed eurocodes AK, then a few weeks later did the coils and ecode's full USS system all at once so there was quite the wow factor in my particular experience.

[ensorgumbs]

Had mine on for 10k miles. Not a single complaint. With any coilover your going to get a harsher ride, thats just the reality. Might want to look into springs .

My understanding is that with the KW STREET COMFORT coilovers the ride is actually less harsh....no?

[millerrh]

I am actually looking for a firmer/harsher ride than stock with less give in cornering. As is, the stock ride is a bit soft for my tastes. But, I don't want too rough. So something slightly firmer is ideal. OE Sports with stock dampers seem to have reviews of being similar to stock, but slightly firmer and better in corners. Sounded perfect to me. But others complain of it being bouncy. Likely due to mismatched springs/shocks. That's not what I want. I want solid and planted. I want to feel the road and have excellent response from my suspension. But not for track so don't need to go super expensive.

Also planning on doing AK and sways/end links down the road as well. Probably will get on that AK group buy that's going on right now.

[S4 Paul]

I am actually looking for a firmer/harsher ride than stock with less give in cornering. As is, the stock ride is a bit soft for my tastes. But, I don't want too rough. So something slightly firmer is ideal. OE Sports with stock dampers seem to have reviews of being similar to stock, but slightly firmer and better in corners. Sounded perfect to me. But others complain of it being bouncy. Likely due to mismatched springs/shocks. That's not what I want. I want solid and planted. I want to feel the road and have excellent response from my suspension. But not for track so don't need to go super expensive.

Also planning on doing AK and sways/end links down the road as well. Probably will get on that AK group buy that's going on right now.

Try out the H&R then, they are great bang for you buck coils.

[drob23]

Personally, I think one of the bigger problems with just going OE springs is the inability to adjust the rake, mine sit pretty even from fender to ground on all 4 corners, but the larger wheel wells in the front give the perception of negative rake which doesn't look good IMO.

[millerrh]

Personally, I think one of the bigger problems with just going OE springs is the inability to adjust the rake, mine sit pretty even from fender to ground on all 4 corners, but the larger wheel wells in the front give the perception of negative rake which doesn't look good IMO.

That is a good point. Although from what I've seen I haven't really noticed that. Maybe because I'm used to it being a little bit bigger in the front.

Since you have OE's got some questions for you if you don't mind:

How would you say your suspension feels and handles with just OEs? Do you find it bouncy at all? Or is it firm and solid? How does it compare to stock? And how many miles have you put on them? Any other negative/positive things you can say about them?

[drob23]

That is a good point. Although from what I've seen I haven't really noticed that. Maybe because I'm used to it being a little bit bigger in the front.

Since you have OE's got some questions for you if you don't mind:

How would you say your suspension feels and handles with just OEs? Do you find it bouncy at all? Or is it firm and solid? How does it compare to stock? And how many miles have you put on them? Any other negative/positive things you can say about them?

I'll quickly reply that they're bouncy and the ride is for sure stiffer. I have ADS so decision was more complicated. I've put about 3k miles on them I'd wager. Biggest negative IMO is the rake problem. Here's a recent thread about this (lots of threads if you search the B8 S4 forum) - http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...t=springs+coil

[bkkchris]

That is a good point. Although from what I've seen I haven't really noticed that. Maybe because I'm used to it being a little bit bigger in the front.

Since you have OE's got some questions for you if you don't mind:

How would you say your suspension feels and handles with just OEs? Do you find it bouncy at all? Or is it firm and solid? How does it compare to stock? And how many miles have you put on them? Any other negative/positive things you can say about them?

I had OEs on my B8.5 S4 and was worried that they were going to be too bouncy and was pleasantly surprised to find the opposite to be true. I didn't find them bouncy at all. Pretty solid and planted in the corners, and the ride was very stock like - I did have the Eurocode AK as well so that probably contributed to the overall solid feel. If you were going fast on some big dips there might have been a bit more 'bounce', but for daily driving I found them to be really great and a good improvement overall from stock. That said on the new S5 I went with HR Street coils, just have not had a chance to install yet.

[essfour]

I had them. I loved them. I made the mistake of replacing them with Stasis-Ohlins coils and after 3 out of the 4 dampers blew out over the course of 8K miles of daily driving on the freeway I got frustrated and returned the car back to stock and traded it for my current car. If I just kept the H&R's on there I probably wouldnt have become so frustrated with my S4 and probably would have kept it lol. They are an excellent choice.

[millerrh]

I had them. I loved them. I made the mistake of replacing them with Stasis-Ohlins coils and after 3 out of the 4 dampers blew out over the course of 8K miles of daily driving on the freeway I got frustrated and returned the car back to stock and traded it for my current car. If I just kept the H&R's on there I probably wouldnt have become so frustrated with my S4 and probably would have kept it lol. They are an excellent choice.

Why did you decide to replace them with the Stasis-Ohlins coils in the first place if you loved them?

[SteveYem]

Just bumping this old thread to stoke up some more reviews on the H&R Street Performance coilovers..

[Mops@Nemesis]

Yes, they're effin awesome. Stop being such a little bitch Pull the trigger!

[SteveYem]

Yes, they're effin awesome. Stop being such a little bitch Pull the trigger!

I'm as concerned with durability in winter conditions as I am with ride quality. Unfortunately we get snow and salt and road brine here, something you probably don't see very much of in NW North China : ) Can't deal with sending out coilovers to be rebuilt every year.

[Mops@Nemesis]

I'm as concerned with durability in winter conditions as I am with ride quality. Unfortunately we get snow and salt and road brine here, something you probably don't see very much of in NW North China : ) Can't deal with sending out coilovers to be rebuilt every year.

Lol, I'm in NW NC:) I actually have a buddy that has been on them for over 3 years in NJ with no issues. Full winters and all. Where in PA are you?

[SteveYem]

Lol, I'm in NW NC:) I actually have a buddy that has been on them for over 3 years in NJ with no issues. Full winters and all. Where in PA are you?

3 years with no issues sounds good. I'm not too far from Philadelphia.

[Mops@Nemesis]

3 years with no issues sounds good. I'm not too far from Philadelphia.

Yep, and he is super low, and the roads there are shit. How far are you from Monroe Twp, NJ? What about AWE in Willow Grove?

[SteveYem]

Yep, and he is super low, and the roads there are shit. How far are you from Monroe Twp, NJ? What about AWE in Willow Grove?

I'm about a half hours drive west of AWE.

[Mops@Nemesis]

I'm about a half hours drive west of AWE.

I'd make that drive, and take a ride on them.

[Mike@PureMS]

Have installed a dozen or so of the H&R Coilovers, and they're still one of my favorite kits on the B8 chassis. Comfortable, sporty, easy to adjust, great kit.

[fesmail]

Have installed a dozen or so of the H&R Coilovers, and they're still one of my favorite kits on the B8 chassis. Comfortable, sporty, easy to adjust, great kit.

How would you rate them against the vogtlands for B8 chassis?

[Tall Mike]

For those of you that did your own install of H&R coilovers, how long did it take with basic hand tools ?

I am not exactly Mr Goodwrench but do just about all of my own work if time permits..

[Antsa4]

I just had h&r coilovers installed last week on my b8.5 a4. I had the stock sport suspension prior. The ride with the h&r's is definitly more stiff but overall it rides great. I have lowered my other cars with different suspensions but the h&r is by far the better ride

[fesmail]

For those of you that did your own install of H&R coilovers, how long did it take with basic hand tools ?

I am not exactly Mr Goodwrench but do just about all of my own work if time permits..

4 hours

[Tonyko85]

i been having mine for 2 years and i live in boston where winter sucks and roads are horrible my car rides great with the H&R suspension super smooth just gotta avoid the huge pot holes lol i i give them a 10 for the money

[SteveYem]

I'd make that drive, and take a ride on them.

I do owe them a visit to look at a fitment issue I can't solve on my car with their exhaust, so maybe I'll kill two birds with one stone. They have the H&R Street coilovers on their shop S5, no?

[Ketzer7]

i been having mine for 2 years and i live in boston where winter sucks and roads are horrible my car rides great with the H&R suspension super smooth just gotta avoid the huge pot holes lol i i give them a 10 for the money

Though I don't think we met, pretty certain I saw your car at the GTG in Peabody last Sunday. Didn't realize you were on the H&R coils. Good to see some feedback on them from someone in the area. No problems with all the salt and corrosion or anything like that?

[Tall Mike]

4 hours

Thanks..

[Mops@Nemesis]

I do owe them a visit to look at a fitment issue I can't solve on my car with their exhaust, so maybe I'll kill two birds with one stone. They have the H&R Street coilovers on their shop S5, no?

Correct, the Samoa S5 is on H&R Streets.

[Mike@PureMS]

How would you rate them against the vogtlands for B8 chassis?

Easier to adjust height, more comfortable, better matched spring/shock combination. Overall a higher quality kit.

[SteveYem]

What throws me off is that most people (except for Mops) say "the H&R Street Performance coilovers are good...FOR THE MONEY". What I want to know is....are they flat out good quality / comfortable for every day? Or just a good-enough as a compromise if you don't want to spend $2k on something else?

Comfort-wise, what I really want to know is how the ride quality is compared to H&R OE Sport springs on OEM dampers.

[jlaudio]

What throws me off is that most people (except for Mops) say "the H&R Street Performance coilovers are good...FOR THE MONEY". What I want to know is....are they flat out good quality / comfortable for every day? Or just a good-enough as a compromise if you don't want to spend $2k on something else?

Comfort-wise, what I really want to know is how the ride quality is compared to H&R OE Sport springs on OEM dampers.

logic would imply it would be better as the spring and shock are matched on coilovers where they are not on oem shocks. when you replace springs only you mess with the spring rate that was set from the factory and wear the oem dampers quicker.

[SteveYem]

logic would imply it would be better as the spring and shock are matched on coilovers where they are not on oem shocks. when you replace springs only you mess with the spring rate that was set from the factory and wear the oem dampers quicker.

I presume the rebound behavior will be better with the H&R Street Coilover than with H&R OE springs and OEM shocks, due to the spring being matched optimally with the shock as you suggest. I'm wondering how much harsher they feel (if at all) when hitting road imperfections like road seems and shallow potholes. I'm not concerned with deep potholes....those are bad news on any suspension.

[millerrh]

Or railroad tracks. Those seem to do pretty bad on my Bilsteins even at a setting of 3.

[SteveYem]

Or railroad tracks. Those seem to do pretty bad on my Bilsteins even at a setting of 3.

Good call, can't believe I forgot that one as there is an old set that I cross multiple times per week. Those are even bad on my H&R OE's.

One thing I notice on my H&R OE's is that when rolling at low speeds on almost every road surface, even ones that are seemingly smooth, the car is constantly oscillating side to side or corner to corner. It's like any little change in the roads surface sends the car into an oscillatory state, which I think is a sign of being underdamped. I think a better matched spring+damper combo would prevent this from happening.

[millerrh]

Wow that sounds horrible. I'm not too happy with the noises my PSS10s make, but the ride quality is pretty awesome now. Was super close to going with these H&Rs but nervous they would be too harsh for a daily driver.

[Ketzer7]

Noises? Do tell..

[millerrh]

Noises? Do tell..

I wrote up a thread about this awhile ago: http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...to-fix-(PSS10)

Basically, the dead coils touch each other and bind during hard turning movements at low speeds (like when parking). A bit of grease seems to have mostly solved it, but they still aren't entirely silent and I think the silencer rubber pieces I've added have contributed to a squishy sound when going over speed bumps. Sort of kicking myself for not going with the H&Rs after dealing with Bilstein, but I do like the adjustability. I still worry the H&Rs would be too hard. I was actually thinking OEs on stock shocks would have been the best ride and lowest cost, but Steve's post about poor damping and oscillations is exactly what scared me away from that route.