How do S5 owners with H&R Coilovers feel about the ride quality?

[socalfun64]

Hi Guys,

I had a set of H&R Street Sport Coilovers on my 2013 A4 and they handled awesome, but were a little stiff for day to day driving. Now that I've moved to a 2015 S5, I'm again considering going with the H&R coilovers. Thing is, the S5 is so much nicer in my opinion and more costly, I am not sure I want to put H&R on there or if I should wait and get Bilstein B16 PSS10's. The Bilsteins are backordered for who knows how long, and obviously twice the price.

So, anyone have H&R's on their S5 that will share their feelings about ride quality?

[Beast]

Had them on my A5 found them a bit stiff for daily driving also... but it all comes down to personal pref and where you live.

[4ringnut]

If you have to ask for reassurance, you already know the answers

[4RingRook]

Definitely stiff - but not anywhere close to uncomfortable in my mind.

[RVJ]

Are you talking about the Street Performance Coilovers? I know Mops runs them and likes the ride.

[Mops@Nemesis]

Are you talking about the Street Performance Coilovers? I know Mops runs them and likes the ride.

I've run them for nearly 4 years now, and love them. If they were any softer, I'd not be happy. I had plans to move to PSS10, but I'm selling now. If I had PSS10, I'd go a bit stiffer in the rear over Streets actually. But I have very good roads here in NC, and even if I did not, I'd still want a firm ride. If you want super comfy, go V1. They are just as soft as oem, and with sway bars, it will still comer very well.

[zhclvn]

I daily drive them on the RS5. It is kinda stiff here and there but most of the time Im very happy :D

[Brozee]

I bought them secondhand and drive my car daily in Michigan, and quite low. I've had no complaints, definitely isn't too hard for me. But I'm used to riding in friends "civics" and super slammed GTIs/BMWs. Outside of the popping noise from the drivers side front that I cant put my finger on, they've been great.

[ians]

I went through H&R OE spring -> H&R street coil -> PSS10. It is really personal taste, for me H&R is too soft for my taste. The firm from PSS10 is what I like. I should put on PSS10 form day 1.

[socalfun64]

Thanks all (except the smart ass). I appreciate the feedback, especially Ians whise had all 3. Think Ill wait for the bilsteins.

[jwr9152]

[QUOTE=socalfun64;10794958 The Bilsteins are backordered for who knows how long[/QUOTE]

I just picked up a set of Bilsteins this week to replace H&R OE Springs and they are fantastic. Love them. You might want to check with site supporters, because both AWE and USP had them in stock.

[01northernS4]

Handling aside, did you find the H&R OE spring more stock like and comfortable than the H&R street coil? Are you talking H&R OE spring and/or H&R street coil when you say too soft?

I went through H&R OE spring -> H&R street coil -> PSS10. It is really personal taste, for me H&R is too soft for my taste. The firm from PSS10 is what I like. I should put on PSS10 form day 1.

[01northernS4]

Fantastic on handling I'm sure but what about day to day driving? Which of the 2 are more stock like and comfortable ride?

Thanks!

I just picked up a set of Bilsteins this week to replace H&R OE Springs and they are fantastic. Love them. You might want to check with site supporters, because both AWE and USP had them in stock.

[ians]

Handling aside, did you find the H&R OE spring more stock like and comfortable than the H&R street coil? Are you talking H&R OE spring and/or H&R street coil when you say too soft?

Both OE spring & street coil are bit too soft for my taste. Both ride very stock like but street coil handle unprefect road way better. Once u try PSS10, it is completely different level. It is just right, not too harsh, not too soft, car feel way more firm and now I have no hesitate to take corner as fast as my RWD e92 with kW v2. With h&r, I have no gut to corner that fast

[01northernS4]

Thanks Ians for the feedback! Good to know.

Would you say, in your personal experience, the H&R OE springs handles better, same or worse than stock? I know the H&R street coils and PSS10 will be better but interested in the H&R OE springs at the moment.

I drove an S4 with them and it felt more planted and better handling overall but did notice a tiny bit of bounce here and there... but nothing excessive... the S4 also had almost 100k on the odometer and I have 5k so it may have to do with the worn older shocks. Still good value I think overall for those wanting the look, comfortable ride and better handling than stock.

Thanks again!

Both OE spring & street coil are bit too soft for my taste. Both ride very stock like but street coil handle unprefect road way better. Once u try PSS10, it is completely different level. It is just right, not too harsh, not too soft, car feel way more firm and now I have no hesitate to take corner as fast as my RWD e92 with kW v2. With h&r, I have no gut to corner that fast

[astonmartin007]

@01northernS4 Hey bud, it's now been over a month that I'm driving on H&R OE and I am very please with them. I find the daily drive perfect.
Too bad you don't live in Mtl I would let you try my ride ;)

Thanks Ians for the feedback! Good to know.

Would you say, in your personal experience, the H&R OE springs handles better, same or worse than stock? I know the H&R street coils and PSS10 will be better but interested in the H&R OE springs at the moment.

I drove an S4 with them and it felt more planted and better handling overall but did notice a tiny bit of bounce here and there... but nothing excessive... the S4 also had almost 100k on the odometer and I have 5k so it may have to do with the worn older shocks. Still good value I think overall for those wanting the look, comfortable ride and better handling than stock.

Thanks again!

[Beast]

Both OE spring & street coil are bit too soft for my taste. Both ride very stock like but street coil handle unprefect road way better. Once u try PSS10, it is completely different level. It is just right, not too harsh, not too soft, car feel way more firm and now I have no hesitate to take corner as fast as my RWD e92 with kW v2. With h&r, I have no gut to corner that fast

lol they were too soft? Mine were rough AF, even more so in winter when the roads were all buckled...

[jwr9152]

Fantastic on handling I'm sure but what about day to day driving? Which of the 2 are more stock like and comfortable ride?

Thanks!

In my opinion the pss10's ride better and handle better. I have them set to 6 in the front and 7 in the rear. With those settings the car feels firm, but not harsh. The OE springs felt harsh over bumps, and don't feel near as controlled.

[LAXlittleant26]

I've been running them on my '13 S5 for about 2 -3 weeks. I think the ride quality is much improved over stock.

[01northernS4]

The H&R OE sport springs?

I've been running them on my '13 S5 for about 2 -3 weeks. I think the ride quality is much improved over stock.

[01northernS4]

Seems to be differing opinions... some say same as stock, some say too soft... haven't really heard rougher than stock though...

lol they were too soft? Mine were rough AF, even more so in winter when the roads were all buckled...

[01northernS4]

Thanks astonmartin007! Getting them installed tomorrow so fingers crossed!

@01northernS4 Hey bud, it's now been over a month that I'm driving on H&R OE and I am very please with them. I find the daily drive perfect.
Too bad you don't live in Mtl I would let you try my ride ;)

[shonseb]

I'm surprised many people found the H&R Street coils stiff, I actually found them to be softer than stock. I'm considering making the switch to H&R RSS or Bilsteins PSS to adjust stiffness.

[jwr9152]

I'm surprised many people found the H&R Street coils stiff, I actually found them to be softer than stock. I'm considering making the switch to H&R RSS or Bilsteins PSS to adjust stiffness.

I wonder if it has anything to do with V8 versus V6?

I thought I read that the H&R RSS were suffering from some ride height issues?

[shonseb]

I wonder if it has anything to do with V8 versus V6?

I thought I read that the H&R RSS were suffering from some ride height issues?

I didn't know about the ride height problems, they are advertised as being able to go lower than street coils. I had HR streets on my A5 well. It came with the stock sports suspension and the HRs still felt softer than that.

[mozman68]

I love mine...I would refer to them as "firmer" than stock...but in a good way. Great response and love the ability to tune in the proper heights.

[patmusk]

Just put them on my RS5, much improved from OEM and I'm a very happy camper.

[MilesM]

I've daily'd them on my '14 S5 for about a year and a half now and love them. Definitely not too stiff... IMO the ride on my RS5 when it was even OEM was stiffer than the H&R's on the S5.

[i1overice]

+1 on daily on B8 S5. It may be stiffer than stock but not unbearable by any means.

[ians]

lol they were too soft? Mine were rough AF, even more so in winter when the roads were all buckled...

I didn't compare the ride quality based on memory of different setup. My comparison is based on the ride from my E92 335i with KW v.2. So when compare to KW, both H&R OE spring & street coil are too soft for my taste.

[jwr9152]

I didn't know about the ride height problems, they are advertised as being able to go lower than street coils. I had HR streets on my A5 well. It came with the stock sports suspension and the HRs still felt softer than that.

I'm not 100% sure, just thought I had read people were complaining about it. Might want to double check before you get the RSS.

[Beast]

Remember the quality of ride can differ from person to person.... your best bet would to be to find someone local with H&R coils and go for a test drive.

[socalfun64]

I had them on my A4. They handled awesomw when paired with sways and endinks. Ride was a little harsh but I didnt mibd so mych asmostly drove it for fun. I just feel that for the $$$ of the S over A4 ($20,000+), it deserves an overall better ride quality. Maybey it is more compliant, (softer), but still firm due to more weight, thats what I wanted to know.

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[socalfun64]

OP here. So I ended up going with the bilsteins pss10. Amazing handling, especially when paired with the EC AK, sway bars and endlinks. I have mine set at 8 front and rear as I like to drive hard in the local canyons and backroads. A little stiff around town but not as bad as expected. Highly recommended, although pricey (get what u pay for I guess).

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[Mike@PureMS]

I've run both H&R and Vogtland coils on my S5. H&R's were definitely a bit more firm on poor roads. Vogtlands were more comfortable there.
H&R's were better and more planted on the highway at speeds. Vogtland had just a little more float to them at speed.
Both were great, and had about 10k miles on each set before I sold the car.