Background -- I am not a car expert, and I've never tracked my car. So my review is basically from the PoV of a car enthusiast who likes to drive fast.
After almost a year of looking at different options, I finally decided to pull the trigger on this kit. I'm a firm believer of "buy it nice, or buy it twice", and based on everything I've researched, I truly believe this is the best suspension mod for the Audi S3 with Magnetic Ride. And after driving it, it absolutely confirmed that belief.
My existing suspension mods: SuperPro rear sway bar, SuperPro front & rear end links, 034 subframe mount inserts, 034 dogbone mount.
With my existing setup, there was a noticable improvement in cornering over stock. Ride quality stayed mostly the same -- maybe a slight bit tighter than stock. I am very aware of the placebo effect, so I don't try to make myself sense something based on preconceived expectations.
Right around this same time, I also noticed that steering feel was better in Auto, so I switched my individual mode steering setting to "Auto". The steering feel in dynamic felt vague. Auto felt tight and direct.
MSS Sports Kit installation and initial driving impressions
I was advised to keep my rear sway bar at the stiffest setting, and was told the front springs will settle more than the rears, so I decided on a conservative 15mm drop all around. I was not really looking for a drop, this was purely a performance mod to me. After installation, the tech drove the car out and I immediately thought the rear sat too low. I asked to have the rear raised in order to remove the reverse rake and have it level with the fronts. I'm not exactly sure how much the rear was raised, but I imagine it's almost to the top. I'll have to get under and check it.
This was the final result:
Driving home (in the pouring rain no less), I immediately noticed how the bumps were handled differently, particularly in dynamic mode. The best way I could describe it is like mogul skiing. Previously, it felt like a skiier who is unskilled, skipping over peaks, and inconsistently flexing his knees to absorb bumps. With MSS, it felt like an expert mogul skier who seemingly glides over the bumps. That's how the car felt. It was gliding over imperfections in the road.
I flipped the drive select back to individual, which has steering and dampers set to Auto. It felt ok, but the car felt less planted. The overall ride was softer, but the bumps actually felt a little harsher for some reason. I felt the road less, and when going over bumps, I felt those. In dynamic, I felt the road more, and it felt like the suspension handled the bumps better (see mogul skiing reference).
So my new individual setting is:
Engine/Transmission - Dynamic
Damper Control - Dynamic
Steering - Auto
Engine Sound - Comfort
Comfort mode felt about the same. Granted, I rarely drive in comfort mode. Ditto for Auto mode.
Cornering is a dream. I did not think it could get better with the rear sway bar, but the MSS springs transformed the car's dynamics. I've never driven a race car before, but I imagine this is a sample of what it might feel like.
Another change I noticed is that the car just stayed level. Taking off from a stop, and braking... It just feels like a video game. The car just goes, with no motion from the chassis. Because of this, the car feels like it has a little more pep from a stand still. It's as if the power is delivered more efficiently to the wheels. I'm not sure if that's the case, but it feels like it! Downshifting also feels different. No more lurching, even at higher RPM.
The kit also comes with a handy wrench for the adjusters, and a MSS hat.
Big thanks to Greg from Excelerate Performance who patiently answered all my questions and made me feel comfortable through the process.
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Originally Posted by onequick4door
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