Difference between $500 Coilovers vs $1500 Coilvers?

[jbura1036]

Hey guys,

Just wanted to get your take on something. Is there a real big difference between a coilover set like this one that's around $550 like this one....

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-solo_wer...xoCBi0QAvD_BwE


and one's that are $1500 like this one...

http://www.modbargains.com/KW-Coilov...i-B8-A4-S4.htm

This is all for my 2010 A5 2.0 Quattro S-Line. Is the major difference between the two ride quality since they both have the ability to lower the car at about the same height?

Thanks Guys!

[Audibot]

Lots of things. Materials, construction, damping characteristics, quality, and brand recognition, to start with. KW is renowned the world over for making fantastic suspensions. Also includes R&D cost and certifications.

On my B7, I had 4 different suspensions: Stock, H&R, JOM, and Voltland. H&R (new $1100+) rode well but the rear was always lower than I wanted (rake was wrong) and from side-to-side, it would never line up. JOM Bluelines ($400) were easily setup and level, but they were cheap and did not dampen as much as I wanted (would rub on bumps). The Voltland GT1s were fantastic--easy to get setup, settled in at the perfect height, and drove so much more comfortably than any other than stock.

[JamesRS5]

Go with the bigger names and you’re getting a product that’s had R&D for a specific vehicle, it will have a damper that contains quality parts and it will improve the vehicle both dynamically and asthetically.

Go with to the cheaper brand and it won’t have had the same R&D if any, it will improve the vehicles aesthetics but you will soon feel the cost savings when it comes to dynamics.

Been there with FK coilovers, look nice and shiney but terrible rebound damping had the car bouncing almost out of control, I pulled the damper apart to look at the insert, when I compared the damper insert on their spare parts list, the same part number was used in just about all their dampers, no matter what the weight of the car or spring used.

FK’s solution to the bouncing ride was to send out a stiffer spring. Considering it was already underdamped this was only going o make a bad situation worse. They went in the bin and Bilstein went on, the difference was $1000 but also a fantastic handling car.

[DreDay]

@jamesrs5 you nailed it. Great insights.


Sent from the Amazon.

[keinmitleid]

I don't mind paying $1500+ for coilovers, I just would hate to get them and not go as low as I want them to go. Not talking stretch tires and stupid camber, just as low as possible without rubbing and ridiculous camber. Not worried about stiffness, I actually prefer it.

[Brozee]

The main thing that no one has pointed out yet is stainless vs non. If you live in the northeast/midwest and drive your car year round then you're better off getting a stainless set. These stainless sets (Bilstein, K&W) also are the more expensive ones. I live in Michigan and I use H&R Street Sports (+/- $1000) which are higher end coilovers, but a step below K&W and Bilstein, and he H&R are also non stainless steel. But I garage my S5 in the winter. The ST brand coilovers are made by K&W and are nearly identical besides the ST are non-stainless steel. And as you go up, the more configuration options you have, such as damper adjustment, greater height control, etc. I've enjoyed my middle of the road coils for a few years now with no complaints.

[JamesRS5]

Amount of lowering available on the higher end dampers is usually less than the cheaper options for the R&D reason mentioned above - go too low and you will destroy the geometry and handling of the car. Bilstein and KW would rather a cars handing improved with their product than just allow it to drag its exhaust along the road.

Damper material is a very valid point but don’t get too wrapped up in stainless, it all depends on the grade of stainless used and it’s chromium content, cheap Chinese low chromium content stainless will suffer from pitting corrosion on the threads unless you keep them greased. The suspension I junked was stainless, it’s the damper inside that stainless shell that makes the difference.

[ChaserBBS]

i went with ST Coils, ive had them for about a year now and absolutely love them , they ride like a dream. Hard to believe the more expensive brands ride better.

[SuperMex]

It’s like asking what the difference is between a Kia and an Audi. Sure they’re both cars but one is better quality


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[CollecTTor]

Been there with FK coilovers, look nice and shiney but terrible rebound damping had the car bouncing almost out of control, I pulled the damper apart to look at the insert, when I compared the damper insert on their spare parts list, the same part number was used in just about all their dampers, no matter what the weight of the car or spring used.

This is the main issue. The fly by night Chinese companies will put the same damper on any chassis that has a following and demand. They don't specify performance based on motion ratios, spring rates, vehicle/chassis weight distribution, intended use, etc. It's one size fits all, and they make them bolt up. Then they go on to add "36 way adjustable" capability, which just opens up a whole can of worms. Increasing compression stiffness affects rebound stiffness, and vice versa. There's an inherent amount of cross talk between the two, and without knowing what the baseline is, you're just guessing what clicks of a knob will do. Sure you might get relative changes, but as far as actually being able to dial in the package to the vehicle, forget it. Lastly, just look at who will provide you spring rates. If they don't know them, why would you buy their product? Throw in shock/strut shaft size and seal materials, and the real deals quickly separate from the junk. Bilstein inverted monotubes have BIG shafts (~45-50mm diameter on my TT), and can handle full droop, airborne jumps with ease. Cheap, tiny shafts, not so much. This is also an unpublished number most of the time. At the end of the day, you get what you pay for.

[ChaserBBS]

every one just needs to go air.

[CollecTTor]

every one just needs to go air.

No thanks.

[Audibot]

every one just needs to go air.

I like where you're at

[jbura1036]

Definitely gonna be saving up for higher end coilovers now, I was just trying to see if I could get away with saving a little bit of money and using the money I saved on other mods Always great help and info on this forum, as always, thanks a lot guys.

[ChaserBBS]

What coils are you considering>?

[JoshDub]

On the street you can probably get away with cheaper coils for awhile. On the track, people blow them out pretty quickly.

[wkhanna]

On the street you can probably get away with cheaper coils for awhile. On the track, people blow them out pretty quickly.

what brand(s)/style(s) are considered good for improved handling on the street & acceptable for mild track use maybe 2 - 3 times a year?

[Twotonicnite]

Love my Bilstein B16s (PSS10s)- Ran them hard on a track a few weeks ago and they performed flawlessly. Being able to switch to 'comfort' mode while cruising with the SO is an added bonus.

[JamesRS5]

I would personally only go for the two top brands, Bilstein and KW and if you can stretch your budget to the electronically adjustable kit then you really will see a vast improvement in both comfort and handling.

[JoshDub]

what brand(s)/style(s) are considered good for improved handling on the street & acceptable for mild track use maybe 2 - 3 times a year?

Bilstein, KW, H&R, and Koni (do they make a kit for the B8?)

[JamesRS5]

I know this will not be a popular statement so I’m wearing my flame proof jacket- H&R make great springs but I’m not sure their dampers are as good as the leading brands.

Koni are only rebound adjustable so a compromise although they are good quality.

[wkhanna]

thanks for the input, guys!
been awhile since i have been modding cars, so was not sure if things have changed much.
back when i was heavy into performance mods, koni, bilstein & kyb were the popular choices for serious folk....

[JamesRS5]

I believe KYB own the design for the Audi DRC suspension or at least made the equipment so they know what they are doing for sure. They used to be more for the Japanese car scene but still good stuff non the less.

Bilstein invented the McPhearson strut (suspension as we know it) so you really can’t go wrong with any of their kits, obviously the more you spend the better and more functions your setup will have.

[JoshDub]

I know this will not be a popular statement so I’m wearing my flame proof jacket- H&R make great springs but I’m not sure their dampers are as good as the leading brands.

Koni are only rebound adjustable so a compromise although they are good quality.

Have you had any negative experiences their H&Rs dampers? I've never heard anything bad, and I felt like their coil over was built well as well as drove great.

But I also have a set of BC's on our E53 (because the only other option was something like $3k KW's) which I have also been impressed with thus far.

[JamesRS5]

Only the usual reports on leaks Josh but I’m sure all damper manufactures will have those. H&R usually have a Bilstein B6 insert inside but then they allow you to run them really low, lower than Bilstein themselves would, maybe this causes earlier failure if guys wind them all the way down?

BC are a nice damper, I know we went through a few months of development on another car forum to get a good spring/damper combo to give good comfort and nice handling. In the end they made a damper with the option for a predominantly road driving or more track orientated driving springs. I believe BC dampers are the same as Apex or at least come from the same factory?