RS3 Sway Bar Options

[rs3>911]

I'm looking to get aftermarket sway bars for my '18 RS3. So far the options I'm aware of are H&R, SuperPro, Neuspeed, and 034Motorsports. I intend to attend track days and prefer a neutral to slight oversteer setup. Looking for general feedback from everyone, more so if you have tried more than 1 one the choices. Thank you in advance.

[OE2]

Neuspeed is the largest adjustable but I’m unsure if it’s solid or hollow. PaulG may know (supremepower)

[shivaswrath]

EMD has a great one.... Changed the dynamic of my car completely


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[ns2g8tr]

Neuspeed is hollow 25 mm with the softest setting being 123% increase over stock and stiffer setting being 165% over stock. I would recommend starting with a rear bar first if you are looking for the rearend to be more lively.

[Paul@SupremePower]

Neuspeed is hollow 25 mm with the softest setting being 123% increase over stock and stiffer setting being 165% over stock. I would recommend starting with a rear bar first if you are looking for the rearend to be more lively.

What he said ^

I have mine on the softer setting. I also did their billet end links and together they tighted up the ass nicely.

Sway Bar Rate:

Forward Hole: 165% increase over stock RS3 21.7mm bar.
Rearward Hole: 123% increase over stock RS3 21.7mm bar.
Red Powder Coated Tubular Bar.

2 - Hole Adjustable Bar.

[rs3>911]

Neuspeed is hollow 25 mm with the softest setting being 123% increase over stock and stiffer setting being 165% over stock. I would recommend starting with a rear bar first if you are looking for the rearend to be more lively.

Is the stiff setting overly tail happy? I was leaning on Neuspeed anyway.

[rs3>911]

What he said ^

I have mine on the softer setting. I also did their billet end links and together they tighted up the ass nicely.

Sway Bar Rate:

Forward Hole: 165% increase over stock RS3 21.7mm bar.
Rearward Hole: 123% increase over stock RS3 21.7mm bar.
Red Powder Coated Tubular Bar.

2 - Hole Adjustable Bar.

May I ask why you decided to have yours in the softer setting? Also, I'm guessing the consensus is to leave the front stock and upgrade the rear sway bar?

[NoSuchSol]

I started looking at these based on doing some spirited driving on some winding roads. I came from a Focus RS and that thing always felt planted through the corners. The RS squeals and doesn't elicit the same confidence. Anyone with experience in both that could say that this would help the general feel? My plan is:

Dogbone mount insert
Sway bars
Different tires when these finally run out.

[Paul@SupremePower]

May I ask why you decided to have yours in the softer setting? Also, I'm guessing the consensus is to leave the front stock and upgrade the rear sway bar?

I’ve used their rear sway in soft setting and end links on other mqb’s and it was just enough. I figured the scaled up effects would transfer over. No big deal either to set to firm if needed.

[Paul@SupremePower]

I started looking at these based on doing some spirited driving on some winding roads. I came from a Focus RS and that thing always felt planted through the corners. The RS squeals and doesn't elicit the same confidence. Anyone with experience in both that could say that this would help the general feel? My plan is:

Dogbone mount insert
Sway bars
Different tires when these finally run out.

Well burn though those garbage oem tires as fast as you can. Just upgrading those will give you some confidence in banking. Beyond that some good springs too. After I did the rear sway and springs the amount of body roll is greatly reduced. Has much more of an on rails feeling in and out of cornering.

[NoSuchSol]

Well burn though those garbage oem tires as fast as you can. Just upgrading those will give you some confidence in banking. Beyond that some good springs too. After I did the rear sway and springs the amount of body roll is greatly reduced. Has much more of an on rails feeling in and out of cornering.

Thanks - that's what I'm looking for. The RS (beyond being a lemon) was an incredibly rough riding car at ALL times. I'm wanting to have 90% of the handling abilities of that car but with some normal feel every once in a while. I'd also feel more comfortable fixing the handling confidence first then giving it a boost in power.

[purekoryo]

Will be installing my H&R today and let yal know my impressions. Out of all the Sway Bars, I chose this one for the price, bigger diameter, and the fact that feature special urethane/Teflon composite bushings that prevent squeaks. No need for lube; I think that was the biggest selling point for me.

[tegxsi]

I have the EMD Auto RSB but I haven't had a chance to install. I was also interested in the 034 RSB also...
I've had RSB brackets break in past cars and that's gravitated me towards the bars that come with billet mounting brackets.
I may go with the Superpro endlinks. I just want a quiet, low maintenance ride and I don't want to deal with the spherical bearings. I'm getting old...lol

[OE2]

Paul, how difficult was the install and what's the pricing on the neuspeed rear?

[ns2g8tr]

I have the EMD Auto RSB but I haven't had a chance to install. I was also interested in the 034 RSB also...
I've had RSB brackets break in past cars and that's gravitated me towards the bars that come with billet mounting brackets.
I may go with the Superpro endlinks. I just want a quiet, low maintenance ride and I don't want to deal with the spherical bearings. I'm getting old...lol

Neuspeed offers brackets as well, but they aren’t necessary. They do have a zerk fitting to make lubricating the bushings easy. I also have zero noise from their sway bar end-links.

[Paul@SupremePower]

Paul, how difficult was the install and what's the pricing on the neuspeed rear?

You have pm.

[TheContrarian]

Is the stiff setting overly tail happy? I was leaning on Neuspeed anyway.

I want to know as well. I found the consensus on GTIs is that an aftermarket rear bar could lead to sudden and significant amounts of oversteer.

[purekoryo]

Just installed by H&R RSB yesterday, didn't use any lube since the bushing is made out of a special material and no squeaking so far. I do notice a little less body roll especially on the highway. It's not a huge difference around town; you only notice it when making swift and abrupt changes in direction. However, I still have yet to install the stiffer sway bar end link. Don't know if that'll make a big difference.

[OE2]

how difficult was the install?

[purekoryo]

Easy peasy... If it wasn't for the exhaust being the way, it would probably take 30-45 minutes. You will just need to unbolt the rear exhaust hanger (one bolt each) to let it hang and give you more room and make sure to also unbolt the level sensor lever mount on the passenger side. Also you will need to use some type of flat head or wedge to get the metal RSB mounting bracket off before wiggling the RSB off of the car.

how difficult was the install?

[Paul@SupremePower]

Just installed by H&R RSB yesterday, didn't use any lube since the bushing is made out of a special material and no squeaking so far. I do notice a little less body roll especially on the highway. It's not a huge difference around town; you only notice it when making swift and abrupt changes in direction. However, I still have yet to install the stiffer sway bar end link. Don't know if that'll make a big difference.

It makes a difference imo. Oem links are poly.

[S3DUDE]

A lot of people automatically think that thicker is better but if you have a good alloy of steel and carbon you can get better results with thinner bars. It is all on the metallurgic.

[audidriva]

Has anyone done just the front sway bar? I autoX and I am looking to stay in the BS Class, so I can only do one bar. It feels tail happy on course, so I am thinking a bit of a stiffer bar up front will reduce the roll and give it a bit more neutral feel. Thoughts?
I also don’t want to have to lube bushings. Is H&R the only one that doesn’t need to be regularly lubed? Is there an advantage to the ones that need lube? I never had to deal with lubing my whiteline on my STi or the JDM bar on my Integra.


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[TZilla]

Has anyone done just the front sway bar? I autoX and I am looking to stay in the BS Class, so I can only do one bar. It feels tail happy on course, so I am thinking a bit of a stiffer bar up front will reduce the roll and give it a bit more neutral feel. Thoughts?
I also don’t want to have to lube bushings. Is H&R the only one that doesn’t need to be regularly lubed? Is there an advantage to the ones that need lube? I never had to deal with lubing my whiteline on my STi or the JDM bar on my Integra.

I've not done it yet but plan to. I agree that it is tail happy in fast transitions and it also lacks front camber. For those reasons and similar to the Focus RS, I think the front bar will pay some dividends.

[audidriva]

I just installed a FSB. You have to lower the subframe, so I recommend using a lift and under hoist jack stands. I went with the Neuspeed bar with SuperPro endlinks. No clanking or any other noises.

[rex_racer]

Has anyone done just the front sway bar? I autoX and I am looking to stay in the BS Class, so I can only do one bar. It feels tail happy on course, so I am thinking a bit of a stiffer bar up front will reduce the roll and give it a bit more neutral feel. Thoughts?
I also don’t want to have to lube bushings. Is H&R the only one that doesn’t need to be regularly lubed? Is there an advantage to the ones that need lube? I never had to deal with lubing my whiteline on my STi or the JDM bar on my Integra.


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Highly recommend the largest front bar you can find and creativity with the rear alignment. You won't have issues with rotation.

[noswalz]

Does this add more ride stiffness? Or does it just help flatten out cornering? I don't want comfort mode to feel stiffer when im on a bad road or something.

[Phayl]

Does this add more ride stiffness? Or does it just help flatten out cornering? I don't want comfort mode to feel stiffer when im on a bad road or something.

Doesn't add noticeable ride stiffness, only in turns would it have such an affect. Springs/Coils/Tire sidewall will add more stiffness that is noticeable, as well as significantly more dynamic handling.

[ReallyNotHalvie]

Please buy by brand new never used H&R front and rear sway bars.

[sakn]

I got 034 RSB installed 3 weeks ago with their endlinks and set on stiffest setting. So planted in the turns. Also got MSS Sport springs installed at same time. Highly recommend both.IMG_0157.JPG


2019 RS3: MSS Sport Springs; 034 Rear Sway Bar, End Links, Upper/Lower Dogbone, Midpipe.

[TheContrarian]

Stiffer bars do have a negative impact on ride quality. The bar is a spring that connects each side of the suspension together. The stiffer the bar the less independent the suspension, which is how you can pick up a wheel on hard cornering. So hitting a bump with one wheel means transmission of the impact to the opposite side of the suspension. If you drive on bad roads regularly, stiffer bars can make the car feel jittery and unsettled.