H&R Street Performance vs Bilstein b12

[dave1078]

Hey all. Has anyone had experience with both of these suspensions on the b8/8.5 platform? I’m wondering if one is significantly more stiff than the other in the real world. I’ve only run bilstein kits on other cars before and know they can be quite stiff in damping.

From my searching, the main complaint I’ve found on the h&r coils is the low rear, but otherwise nothing. Any other complaints?

[SteveYem]

Hey all. Has anyone had experience with both of these suspensions on the b8/8.5 platform? I’m wondering if one is significantly more stiff than the other in the real world. I’ve only run bilstein kits on other cars before and know they can be quite stiff in damping.

From my searching, the main complaint I’ve found on the h&r coils is the low rear, but otherwise nothing. Any other complaints?

I do not have first-hand experience with the Bilstein B12 kit, but I have been running H&R Street Performance coilovers on my B8.5 for around 3 years now and I have to say that I find the ride quality to be a bit jarring (especially when cold) while also seeming underdamped. Plus I feel that I still get a significant amount of body lean when cornering. I also have the coilovers set fairly low, approx. 25.5" fender to ground ride height, and I'm sure ride quality and handling suffer as ride height decreases on this system.

Also worth noting- when the car is sitting on the ground, so suspension in its neutral condition, this is the condition of my front springs:



and this is my ride height:


So while I'm not "slammed", you can see that I only have 1-1.5 active coils in the front with the shocks in their neutral position. I can't imagine this is good for handling! I'd be curious for the experts on here to chime in on this.

[bizzy]

I think he may be referring to the B12 kit, not the full PSS10 coilovers, unless I'm mistaken.

My friend has these on his A4 and he seems pretty satisfied with them, although he says the ride height is fairly low.

Edit: wrong link https://www.ecstuning.com/b-bilstein...RoCzu0QAvD_BwE

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[SteveYem]

I think he may be referring to the B12 kit, not the full PSS10 coilovers, unless I'm mistaken.

My friend has these on his A4 and he seems pretty satisfied with them, although he says the ride height is fairly low.

Edit: wrong link https://www.ecstuning.com/b-bilstein...RoCzu0QAvD_BwE

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D'oh, you're absolutely right. Thanks for the catch!

[dave1078]

I do not have first-hand experience with the Bilstein B12 kit, but I have been running H&R Street Performance coilovers on my B8.5 for around 3 years now and I have to say that I find the ride quality to be a bit jarring (especially when cold) while also seeming underdamped. Plus I feel that I still get a significant amount of body lean when cornering. I also have the coilovers set fairly low, approx. 25.5" fender to ground ride height, and I'm sure ride quality and handling suffer as ride height decreases on this system.

Also worth noting- when the car is sitting on the ground, so suspension in its neutral condition, this is the condition of my front springs:

So while I'm not "slammed", you can see that I only have 1-1.5 active coils in the front with the shocks in their neutral position. I can't imagine this is good for handling! I'd be curious for the experts on here to chime in on this.

I appreciate the input about the h&r coils. That is surprising about how few active coils are on the front with your ride height. It does look really good and not even slammed. I notice they sell the same kit for the a4 too and wonder if it was really optimized for a lighter car or higher ride height? Most other kits vary between the s4 and a4.

Are you as high up as you can go in the rear? If not, how much room do you have left?

I think he may be referring to the B12 kit, not the full PSS10 coilovers, unless I'm mistaken.

My friend has these on his A4 and he seems pretty satisfied with them, although he says the ride height is fairly low.

Edit: wrong link https://www.ecstuning.com/b-bilstein...RoCzu0QAvD_BwE

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I am definitely thinking about the cup kit from Bilstein as an option. I may end up going that route but the only kicker is the 6-8 week backorder.

[SteveYem]

I appreciate the input about the h&r coils. That is surprising about how few active coils are on the front with your ride height. It does look really good and not even slammed. I notice they sell the same kit for the a4 too and wonder if it was really optimized for a lighter car or higher ride height? Most other kits vary between the s4 and a4.

Are you as high up as you can go in the rear? If not, how much room do you have left?



I am definitely thinking about the cup kit from Bilstein as an option. I may end up going that route but the only kicker is the 6-8 week backorder.

I am very close to the top of the range for the rears with maybe 1/8" more to go before the collar starts to hang off the top of the threaded perch.

[Johnnycash]

Happy b12 kit guy here, firmed it up vs stock, not bouncy at all, minimal functional drop with no rubs;)

[Johnnycash]

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[MN Blue S4]

I’ll second what Johnnycash said about the B12 kit. I installed it this summer and am super happy with it. Modest drop, great ride, and you can’t beat the price ($600). Best bang for the buck mod I’ve done so far.

[Johnnycash]

I’ll second what Johnnycash said about the B12 kit. I installed it this summer and am super happy with it. Modest drop, great ride, and you can’t beat the price ($600). Best bang for the buck mod I’ve done so far.

My favorite mod is akebono pads;)


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[dave1078]

Happy b12 kit guy here, firmed it up vs stock, not bouncy at all, minimal functional drop with no rubs;)

The car looks nice

I don’t really need much of a drop so this would be best.

Why do you like the akebono pads? Less dust?

[SteveYem]

I like the idea and price of the B12 kit, but wish either the front was lower or the rear was higher to even out the tire-fender gap front and rear. I'll be the ride quality is enviable though.

[-unSound]

I was trying to decide this same question myself a couple of weeks ago and I ended up ordering the B-12 kit...and with the money I saved I also ordered the 034 rear sway bar. Going to install everything this spring.

My reasoning is I haven't heard anybody say anything bad about the b-12s, I feel like its going to hold up better in the winter, and Im not looking for a huge drop so i think it will work out better for my needs. Not to mention I wanted to buy the sway bar and a CR-15 anyways so the money I saved can go towards that.

One thing to note is that the b-12s are basically constantly backordered and can take a long time until you actually get them, or so I was told.

[LA_S4]

b12 here too. very happy with it. mild drop. ride quality is better than stock. firms up the car. also aliment/adjustable control arms is not needed cuz its such a mild drop

[Johnnycash]

The car looks nice

I don’t really need much of a drop so this would be best.

Why do you like the akebono pads? Less dust?

virtually 0 dust, people will say stock pads have more bite, but unless you are tracking or canyon carving the difference is negligible and they are quiet too.

[dave1078]

I like the idea and price of the B12 kit, but wish either the front was lower or the rear was higher to even out the tire-fender gap front and rear. I'll be the ride quality is enviable though.

It's kind of a "pick your poison" scenario, unless you want to pony up 2.1k+ for the Bilstein ride control coilovers. I do wonder how many people are running the A4 specific b12 kit though and have odd front and rear FTG measurements.

I was trying to decide this same question myself a couple of weeks ago and I ended up ordering the B-12 kit...and with the money I saved I also ordered the 034 rear sway bar. Going to install everything this spring.

My reasoning is I haven't heard anybody say anything bad about the b-12s, I feel like its going to hold up better in the winter, and Im not looking for a huge drop so i think it will work out better for my needs. Not to mention I wanted to buy the sway bar and a CR-15 anyways so the money I saved can go towards that.

One thing to note is that the b-12s are basically constantly backordered and can take a long time until you actually get them, or so I was told.

I have that rear bar too. It's a nice upgrade and not too stiff.

b12 here too. very happy with it. mild drop. ride quality is better than stock. firms up the car. also aliment/adjustable control arms is not needed cuz its such a mild drop

These kinds of reviews make me glad to order the B12 kit.

virtually 0 dust, people will say stock pads have more bite, but unless you are tracking or canyon carving the difference is negligible and they are quiet too.

That'll be next on my list of to-dos. The dust from the stock pads is nuts.

[jzamorski]

I had a 2013 S4 in the past and had BC coilovers. They rode like crap and sounds a lot like Steve's post regarding the H&R street coils. Decided to go with the b12 kit on the S4 I just got and have to say that I'm impressed. Ride quality is near stock. Better handling and a lower stance for under $600(parts at least).

If I was doing suspension mods I would trust Bilstein. I also have the PSS9 coilovers on my Cayman S and they fabulous.

[MN Blue S4]

FWIW the drop I got with the B12 kit was very consistent all around. My FTG measurements are right around 26" on all four corners (roughly 5/8" to 3/4" drop from stock). I didn't experience any of the rear sag issues that I've seen some people mention.

[jzamorski]

FWIW the drop I got with the B12 kit was very consistent all around. My FTG measurements are right around 26" on all four corners (roughly 5/8" to 3/4" drop from stock). I didn't experience any of the rear sag issues that I've seen some people mention.

Same here. I know when I ordered from AJUSA they actually called me to confirm the front and rear axle loads to make sure I got the right kit, as they have two.

[MN Blue S4]

Same here. I know when I ordered from AJUSA they actually called me to confirm the front and rear axle loads to make sure I got the right kit, as they have two.

I see they are selling that kit for $572.80 now which is an awesome deal.

[SteveYem]

I see they are selling that kit for $572.80 now which is an awesome deal.

That is awesome considering one replacement OEM damper probably costs around that much.

[dave1078]

That is awesome considering one replacement OEM damper probably costs around that much.

That's why I am upgrading. I need at least 2 new dampers.

[JD S4]

Another satisfied B12 owner here.. Good balance of trade offs.

[Caymanite]

I swear the B12 kits has the B8 sit lower in the rear than the B8.5 as I am 26" FTG in the front and almost 26.5" in the back which is too high. I would be happy with 26" all around. I have a B8.5


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[s-four]

i have the h&r coilovers...i haven't had any issues with them, but that's maybe because i put a rear sway bar in at the same time.
i've also tracked with this setup and it's much better than the oem suspension

[dave1078]

I swear the B12 kits has the B8 sit lower in the rear than the B8.5 as I am 26" FTG in the front and almost 26.5" in the back which is too high. I would be happy with 26" all around. I have a B8.5


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What was the part number for your kit?

[Caymanite]

What was the part number for your kit?

I don't have it handy but I bought it through ECS. Did they make different kits?


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[MN Blue S4]

I don't have it handy but I bought it through ECS. Did they make different kits?


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I think they make a pro kit and a sport line kit. The one that I have that gave me a consistent 3/4” drop and ftg of 26” all around is the pro kit - part number 46-183330.

[mrbanananana]

Another vote for the b12. Got mine on 3 months ago and they've been amazing. Firmer ride than stock, but still very compliant and does well over bad roads and bumps.
Here's how she sits:

[Caymanite]

I think they make a pro kit and a sport line kit. The one that I have that gave me a consistent 3/4” drop and ftg of 26” all around is the pro kit - part number 46-183330.

They don't make the kit with the sportline springs...I checked with them. Eibach doesn't offer the sportline springs for the S4


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[dave1078]

I don't have it handy but I bought it through ECS. Did they make different kits?

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There are different part numbers for the A4 and S4 kits. Some coilovers are made for both cars, but seem to be really built for the A4. I'm wondering if some of the B12s installed with odd FTG measurements are maybe the A4 kit. If you got yours off ECS through car selection menu, you probably have the 46-183330 (s4 kit)

Another vote for the b12. Got mine on 3 months ago and they've been amazing. Firmer ride than stock, but still very compliant and does well over bad roads and bumps.
Here's how she sits:

That looks just right, sir.