Best springs for ride quality

[Montoya fan]

I recently bought a 2017 s3 with magnetic ride. I came from a 2016 golf r. This one is stiffer than my golf r which had DCC which is the adjustable suspension. It’s not bad, but unlike the golf r it needs to be lowered slightly. I’m wanting some springs that have great ride quality for everyday use. I’ve heard that some springs can improve the ride on the 2017 s3 because it is stiffer than previous years also. Is there truth to this? Thanks.

[diztek]

based on what ive researched ive narrowed it down to APR or 034. seems to have longevity of oem shocks in mind and a moderate drop.

[TCHUN003]

Emmanuel design springs

[Montoya fan]

Anyone have experience with a good old eibach pro kit?

[AIK]

I'm also looking at springs for my S3 with dynamic ride. Is H&R sport spring any good compare to 034 springs & emmanual design springs?

[HBird]

I have 034 and have been extremely pleased with them. Even driving with the suspension set to Dynamic for more than a month now, the ride isn't harsh. The car absorbs bumps and feels planted.

[sean_entrust]

I have 034 and have been extremely pleased with them. Even driving with the suspension set to Dynamic for more than a month now, the ride isn't harsh. The car absorbs bumps and feels planted.

second what Hunter said, I've had 034 since 2000 miles on my s3 and they've been perfect.

[bmc333]

I've got VWR on mines. Had them on my GTI as well and love them for good combo of comfort, drop and performance.

[VWVW]

Anyone have experience with a good old eibach pro kit?

I do, but I have it paired with Bilstein B8 shocks (B12 kit basically). It has been great. Handles great and not harsh at all.

[ModdedEuros]

We put well over 40,000 miles on a set of Neuspeed S3 sport lowering springs but if you are looking to pair it with shocks I would just go with Bilstein B14's which are on back order for a few more weeks everywhere. We run Bilsteins in a lot of our cars and gives you flexibility and ride comfort. Will have them back up on our S3 coilover page once back in stock

[Four_RingCircus]

Has there been any reviews or feedback on the APR springs since they were released? I've yet to see anything.

[Min0rity]

On 034 for a two days and ride quality is great barely less noticeable over stock. Here’s a crappy cell phone pic.


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[Blindsay06]

On 034 for a two days and ride quality is great barely less noticeable over stock. Here’s a crappy cell phone pic.


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Nice, I am looking for springs for my A3, want to drop it a little to get rid of that 4x4 look but nothing too extreme. I also do not want to sacrifice a ton of ride quality. Are you using the stock struts or something else with those springs?

[VWVW]

Nice, I am looking for springs for my A3, want to drop it a little to get rid of that 4x4 look but nothing too extreme. I also do not want to sacrifice a ton of ride quality. Are you using the stock struts or something else with those springs?

Even if they were using stock strut, they would either be the mag ride strut or the S3 standard sport strut, both of which are valved firmer and physically shorter than the A3 strut (assuming you have the standard A3 suspension). My point is that even if it works well for them, it definitely wouldn't work as well for the A3 standard suspension (perhaps it is still sufficient for your need). However, I highly recommend going with the Bilstein B12 kit (Eibach prokit springs + Bilstein B8 shocks). I have a short review posted in this forum. Do it right or don't do it at all.

[Min0rity]

I’m using the stock mag ride struts. It really is only a bit stiffer compared to stock. Like other have said if anyone else were to ride in my car they wouldn’t know the difference. I can’t compare the ride to a stock A3 though.


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[Blindsay06]

Even if they were using stock strut, they would either be the mag ride strut or the S3 standard sport strut, both of which are valved firmer and physically shorter than the A3 strut (assuming you have the standard A3 suspension). My point is that even if it works well for them, it definitely wouldn't work as well for the A3 standard suspension (perhaps it is still sufficient for your need). However, I highly recommend going with the Bilstein B12 kit (Eibach prokit springs + Bilstein B8 shocks). I have a short review posted in this forum. Do it right or don't do it at all.

What about the APR springs then? I believe they said theirs are designed to work with the stock struts?

[VWVW]

What about the APR springs then? I believe they said theirs are designed to work with the stock struts?

All lowering springs manufacturers claim that. Also, please ask yourself this...

Even if they did, did they design it for the S3 stock strut or the A3 standard suspension strut. They have different valving and dimensions. Something has got to give...

Do it right, or do it twice.

I can understand why S3 magride owners would go with springs because it is extremely difficult to delete the magride without error. For A3 and S3 owners with non-magride, please do yourself a favor and get springs+shock at the same time or coilover.

[Blindsay06]

All lowering springs manufacturers claim that. Also, please ask yourself this...

Even if they did, did they design it for the S3 stock strut or the A3 standard suspension strut. They have different valving and dimensions. Something has got to give...

Do it right, or do it twice.

I can understand why S3 magride owners would go with springs because it is extremely difficult to delete the magride without error. For A3 and S3 owners with non-magride, please do yourself a favor and get springs+shock at the same time or coilover.

This is the kit you suggest? - https://www2.bilstein.com/en/product...n-b12-pro-kit/

and im not trying to do it incorrectly, I just dont want to drop the car a ton/lose a bunch of ride quality.

edit: not seeing that the kit fits a 2015?

[S3DUDE]

based on what ive researched ive narrowed it down to APR or 034. seems to have longevity of oem shocks in mind and a moderate drop.

You are recommending APR already? really?, I mean the just released their kit what, like 4 weeks ago or less? 034 had their own mule car where they have been doing real road course testing. We need more data on APR.

[S3DUDE]

We put well over 40,000 miles on a set of Neuspeed S3 sport lowering springs but if you are looking to pair it with shocks I would just go with Bilstein B14's which are on back order for a few more weeks everywhere. We run Bilsteins in a lot of our cars and gives you flexibility and ride comfort. Will have them back up on our S3 coilover page once back in stock

Not to sound rude but the guy has a Magnetic ride. He is just looking for springs. If we are going to recommend a complete suspension kit then this is a whole different topic. My .2c.
Perhaps an aftermarket coilover kit for someone that just has the basic suspension

[S3DUDE]

What about the APR springs then? I believe they said theirs are designed to work with the stock struts?

There is not enough feedback to make a fair assessment. There are companies that had springs for 2 plus years before APR came to the game

[diztek]

You are recommending APR already? really?, I mean the just released their kit what, like 4 weeks ago or less? 034 had their own mule car where they have been doing real road course testing. We need more data on APR.

I said “ive narrowed down my research” to apr and 034. Didn’t say which one ive decided on. Ive eliminated emmaulle as ive heard they are too soft and Im not enthusiastic about using a plastic plate on the rears. H&R has numerous reviews of them being way too bouncy. VWR springs supposedly were designed for the UK cars that are a bit lower than the US cars and someone had to return them. Not sure if they revised the springs for the u.s. market. 034 is my number one choice as I know they’ve done the research and testing and Ive never had any issues with their products. APR is a reputable company that spends a great deal of focus on the S3 and I cant imagine them selling a spring without testing it on the track prior. In my opinion, eibach and nuespeed seems to release products with a wide range of models in mind. I prefer to purchase from companies that have focused a lot of attention on the specific model im applying the products to.

Everything ive stated is just my opinion based upon other’s opinions and feedback.

So ya, ive narrowed my spring of choice to 034 and APR.

[PsiBlast]

Have you considered MSS? IMO, it's the best solution out there for mag-ride equipped S3s (but not the cheapest).

[VWVW]

This is the kit you suggest? - https://www2.bilstein.com/en/product...n-b12-pro-kit/

and im not trying to do it incorrectly, I just dont want to drop the car a ton/lose a bunch of ride quality.

edit: not seeing that the kit fits a 2015?

Bilstein has not listed the B12 for the application but Eibach has listed it.

I have confirmed with Eibach that Bilstein B12 and Eibach B12 are identical. Also, I have confirmed with Eibach that the individual part numbers of the Springs, front shocks and rear shocks.

Basically, you will need to get the Eibach springs + Bilistein B8 shocks.

Do you have the quattro or FWD A3? The springs will be different, but the shocks will be the same.

As per my review in another thread, the Eibach + B8 drops the car to 0.5" lower than the S3 standard ride height or 1.5" lower than the standard A3 ride height. It is noticeably firmer, but is not uncomfortable in anyway. However, this may be subjective so you might wanna go test the standard S3 suspension to get a feel of roughly what to expect (the kit is more refined and less harsh). Like, if you can accept the S3 standard suspension harshness, you will be okay.

[sean_entrust]

Have you considered MSS? IMO, it's the best solution out there for mag-ride equipped S3s (but not the cheapest).

IMHO MSS is overpriced and not worth it. You can't change the height while they are on the car which is a design flaw if you ask me. At that money I'm replacing everything.

bottom line is the 034 springs are the best option for Mag ride. I'm sure APRs new ones are gonna be pretty good too.

[Blindsay06]

Bilstein has not listed the B12 for the application but Eibach has listed it.

I have confirmed with Eibach that Bilstein B12 and Eibach B12 are identical. Also, I have confirmed with Eibach that the individual part numbers of the Springs, front shocks and rear shocks.

Basically, you will need to get the Eibach springs + Bilistein B8 shocks.

Do you have the quattro or FWD A3? The springs will be different, but the shocks will be the same.

As per my review in another thread, the Eibach + B8 drops the car to 0.5" lower than the S3 standard ride height or 1.5" lower than the standard A3 ride height. It is noticeably firmer, but is not uncomfortable in anyway. However, this may be subjective so you might wanna go test the standard S3 suspension to get a feel of roughly what to expect (the kit is more refined and less harsh). Like, if you can accept the S3 standard suspension harshness, you will be okay.

My A3 is Quattro

[VWVW]

My A3 is Quattro

https://eibach.com/de/en/products/st...ional-partners

You can find the part number of the springs here. Couple that with Bilstein B8 and it would be a nice setup. However, I'd suggest you go test an S3 with standard suspension first to see if you are okay with the firmness.

[XLR8 Craig]

Have you considered MSS? IMO, it's the best solution out there for mag-ride equipped S3s (but not the cheapest).

Thanks for your input, they are definitely not the cheapest but that is not the goal. The goal was the design a solution that handles better than the average lowering spring, rides better than stock and is designed AROUND the factory in car chassis control. No one spring on the market provides the ride quality and handling performance achieved by the MSS Spring Kit based off personal experience. But the beauty of options are, there is a spring for everyone based off all three check boxes. Price, ride quality and performance, but you sacrifice somewhere to get the best two characteristics you can. Can't go wrong with APR, 034, Eibach, or ED!

[PsiBlast]

IMHO MSS is overpriced and not worth it. You can't change the height while they are on the car which is a design flaw if you ask me. At that money I'm replacing everything.

bottom line is the 034 springs are the best option for Mag ride. I'm sure APRs new ones are gonna be pretty good too.

I'm not sure who told you that, but yes, you can change the height while they are on the car.

And I'd argue that the 034 springs are the best bank-for-buck option for Mag Ride -- but certainly not the best. That label belongs to MSS.

[John P.]

My MSS springs are great so far. Click my Instagram in my sig for pictures.