Suspension Review: Bilstein B8 and H&R Sports

[v36sedan]

Been on here for awhile searching different combinations to lower the car with. I was not interested in coilovers as I'm a "set it and forget about it" kind of guy. Originally I was planning on going with the B12 kit but due to the long wait times and deciding that I would probably not be satisfied with the amount of drop, I decided to move forward with this combination.

Bilstein B8 shocks were purchased from CARID as they seemed to have the lowest pricing (and the only ones that had the front available at the time of ordering). H&R Sports (NOT OE) came from TireRack.

I've only had the setup on the car for three days but it is a night and day difference from stock (car has 58k miles). Car feels planted and stiff. The shocks actually seem to be absorbing the road rather than the 'crashing' or 'spring' feeling of the stock suspension. The car has minimal 'hop' where the road is completely ruined (ex. construction area) but I expected some as it's fairly typical from a lowered vehicle. Car is riding well over bridges, on ramps etc. I have not ran into any clearance issues and I cross multiple speed bumps, inclines on my daily commute.

Wheel gap is roughly one finger front and rear.

*Side note: you will have to adjust your headlights up.

Before:
483F249C-2248-47A0-93A3-98A1F4470A81.jpg
7057F35A-029E-4D9B-BC4F-E2F35292EB3B.jpg
0FD8BAF5-5232-46E8-945B-AA8F27C58354.jpg
CC9B80D5-311B-41F8-B8BF-F338561EE6E8.jpg

After:
IMG_0262.jpg
IMG_0264.jpg
IMG_0263.jpg
IMG_0265.jpg
IMG_0267.jpg
*Here's to hoping the pictures attached correctly!

[hellovaras]

Nice setup. Question, what are the drops in inches front and rear? Are they both the same?

The reason I like the B12 is that the drops are different front to rear.

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[Sick S4]

I have had the same setup for about 18 months and love it. I do however rub on monster speed bumps even if I go over snail slow and at an angle. If you don’t have street shield you may want to invest in one as my plastic one was destroyed in about 6 months.


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[JaviA4SLine8.5]

Nice setup. Question, what are the drops in inches front and rear? Are they both the same?

The reason I like the B12 is that the drops are different front to rear.

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Do you have the B12 kit installed? What is the difference between the B12 and the stock sport suspension if you have adults on the rear seat? I think that the B12 drop was 10mm from sport suspension, how about the bilstein and the H&R springs on the pictures? I am looking for a mild drop that will allow me to ride comfortably- as close as possible to OEM sport suspension feeling. Thanks

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[JaviA4SLine8.5]

Been on here for awhile searching different combinations to lower the car with. I was not interested in coilovers as I'm a "set it and forget about it" kind of guy. Originally I was planning on going with the B12 kit but due to the long wait times and deciding that I would probably not be satisfied with the amount of drop, I decided to move forward with this combination.

Bilstein B8 shocks were purchased from CARID as they seemed to have the lowest pricing (and the only ones that had the front available at the time of ordering). H&R Sports (NOT OE) came from TireRack.

I've only had the setup on the car for three days but it is a night and day difference from stock (car has 58k miles). Car feels planted and stiff. The shocks actually seem to be absorbing the road rather than the 'crashing' or 'spring' feeling of the stock suspension. The car has minimal 'hop' where the road is completely ruined (ex. construction area) but I expected some as it's fairly typical from a lowered vehicle. Car is riding well over bridges, on ramps etc. I have not ran into any clearance issues and I cross multiple speed bumps, inclines on my daily commute.

Wheel gap is roughly one finger front and rear.

*Side note: you will have to adjust your headlights up.

Before:
483F249C-2248-47A0-93A3-98A1F4470A81.jpg
7057F35A-029E-4D9B-BC4F-E2F35292EB3B.jpg
0FD8BAF5-5232-46E8-945B-AA8F27C58354.jpg
CC9B80D5-311B-41F8-B8BF-F338561EE6E8.jpg

After:
IMG_0262.jpg
IMG_0264.jpg
IMG_0263.jpg
IMG_0265.jpg
IMG_0267.jpg
*Here's to hoping the pictures attached correctly!

Looks great . How does this compares to the drop w the B12 kit, do you know?

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[hellovaras]

Do you have the B12 kit installed? What is the difference between the B12 and the stock sport suspension if you have adults on the rear seat? I think that the B12 drop was 10mm from sport suspension, how about the bilstein and the H&R springs on the pictures? I am looking for a mild drop that will allow me to ride comfortably- as close as possible to OEM sport suspension feeling. Thanks

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Maybe my wording was not accurate. My bad. I actually don't have the B12 but that is what I want to buy. I want a drop, not too aggressive and close to stock ride/feel. So I am asking the OP the questions to gauge, do I wait until February to by the B12 or go his route and buy individually with the H&R. The B12 uses Eibach springs if I remember correctly. Sorry for the confusion.

[theweebabyseamus]

Do you have the B12 kit installed? What is the difference between the B12 and the stock sport suspension if you have adults on the rear seat? I think that the B12 drop was 10mm from sport suspension, how about the bilstein and the H&R springs on the pictures? I am looking for a mild drop that will allow me to ride comfortably- as close as possible to OEM sport suspension feeling. Thanks

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The B12 is 0.8 drop in the front and 0.6 in the rear on the S4.

[SteveYem]

That drop looks great. I would consider going that route. In the "after" photos, how long had the springs been installed? Were they fully settled?

[B8S4inKC]

Looks great! Did you install yourself? I was thinking about going with that same set up, really want the drop and would love to eliminate body roll and the squat/dive stock tendency. Only thing that concerns me is the super steep driveway at my house. Basically I want the adjustability of coil overs but would rather not spend $2k. I’m stuck.


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[v36sedan]

The H&R website states 1.5 in front and rear. When you look at the car the front is slightly lower but the wheel gap is the same.

[v36sedan]

I have had the same setup for about 18 months and love it. I do however rub on monster speed bumps even if I go over snail slow and at an angle. If you don’t have street shield you may want to invest in one as my plastic one was destroyed in about 6 months.


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Street shield is something I’m looking at for down the road. No clearance issues yet.

[v36sedan]

Looks great . How does this compares to the drop w the B12 kit, do you know?

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Not sure how it compares. The ride could be a little better due to the conservative drop. I would not have been satisfied with the amount of wheel gap though.

- - - Updated - - -

That drop looks great. I would consider going that route. In the "after" photos, how long had the springs been installed? Were they fully settled?

Planning to post another set of photos in a few weeks after I get an alignment. Been on the car for four days now. Roughly 150 miles

[chris4521]

I had bilsteins and HR sports on my b7 and Loved it. Glad to see the same positive results here. Will likely give this a try myself. Haven’t been able to find the b12 kit in canada....


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[hellovaras]

The B12 is 0.8 drop in the front and 0.6 in the rear on the S4.

ECS Tuning has the below posted for the B12

Features:

Lowers 35mm front = 1.4 inches (per Bing, so maybe the math is off )
Lowers 30mm rear = 1.2 inches
Yellow Dampers
Dark Grey Springs

[theweebabyseamus]

ECS Tuning has the below posted for the B12

Features:

Lowers 35mm front = 1.4 inches (per Bing, so maybe the math is off )
Lowers 30mm rear = 1.2 inches
Yellow Dampers
Dark Grey Springs

IIRC that's for the A4 and not labelled right. In either case, owning the B12 kit I can assure you those numbers are off.

[hellovaras]

IIRC that's for the A4 and not labelled right. In either case, owning the B12 kit I can assure you those numbers are off.

Well that sucks. I was going to buy the B12.

[rustyrizzo]

The H&R website states 1.5 in front and rear. When you look at the car the front is slightly lower but the wheel gap is the same.

Can you please link the shock and springs so I know exactly which ones your have on. Thanks

[v36sedan]

Can you please link the shock and springs so I know exactly which ones your have on. Thanks

Here is the link: https://www.tirerack.com/suspension/...r=Premium+Plus

[rustyrizzo]

Here is the link: https://www.tirerack.com/suspension/...r=Premium+Plus

Sweet thanks, do you have the link to the shocks or are you just running the springs?

[v36sedan]

Sweet thanks, do you have the link to the shocks or are you just running the springs?

Running Bilstein B8 shocks. Seems the price of the shocks have increase on CarID from when I purchased a few weeks ago. I paid $201 a piece for the fronts and $108 a piece for the rears.

[rustyrizzo]

@v36sedan when you get a chance can you measure the floor to fender for the front and back. Thanks

[SteveYem]

@v36sedan when you get a chance can you measure the floor to fender for the front and back. Thanks

I am also curious about this, as it currently sits and after a couple weeks of driving once everything has settled.

[S4'ed]

How was the install?

[v36sedan]

@v36sedan when you get a chance can you measure the floor to fender for the front and back. Thanks

Will do after the rain stops.

[v36sedan]

@v36sedan when you get a chance can you measure the floor to fender for the front and back. Thanks

Front is 25.75 and rear is 26 on all four corners. Car has ~300 miles on it since the install.

[rustyrizzo]

Front is 25.75 and rear is 26 on all four corners. Car has ~300 miles on it since the install.

Very nice! Any rubbing so far? How is the ride quality now that you have some more miles on it. Close to stock?

[v36sedan]

Very nice! Any rubbing so far? How is the ride quality now that you have some more miles on it. Close to stock?

No rubbing or clearance issues. Have different wheels than the stock peelers now. Running 19x8.5 et35.

Ride is better than stock. Much stiffer.

[v36sedan]

Got an alignment today. Front camber -1.9 and rear is -1.5. Toe is within OEM spec. Ride height is still around 25.75 front and 26 rear.

[theweebabyseamus]

Got an alignment today. Front camber -1.9 and rear is -1.5. Toe is within OEM spec. Ride height is still around 25.75 front and 26 rear.

Awesome. Can also run less toe to save some tire wear if you’re so inclined.

[MrFunk]

https://www.audizine.com/forum/showt...wering-springs

[hellovaras]

Did you need to adjust your headlights?

Awesome. Can also run less toe to save some tire wear if you’re so inclined.

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[theweebabyseamus]

Did you need to adjust your headlights?

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I didn't. I keep forgetting to get your height numbers, Ill get it soon.

[hellovaras]

No worries. I am getting my springs/shocks installed in a week or so. Will know then

I didn't. I keep forgetting to get your height numbers, Ill get it soon.

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[v36sedan]

Did you need to adjust your headlights?

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I adjusted 1 1/2 turns clockwise.

[hellovaras]

What does that mean? Sorry

I adjusted 1 1/2 turns clockwise.

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[v36sedan]

Updated pics on rotors:

IMG_0374.jpg
IMG_0373.jpg
IMG_0370.jpg

[estorilblue8.5]

Updated pics on rotors:

IMG_0374.jpg
IMG_0373.jpg
IMG_0370.jpg

Where did you get the rotors?


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[kashanova]

Did you get this installed at a shop? If so, how much was it?

[Skynet3132]

IMG_0370.jpg

looking at the exact same setup. love the way yours sits now. i think you just made my decision for me LOL. question though, just to be clear, are the wheels 18 or 19? for some dumb reason, i can never tell in photos haha

[v36sedan]

looking at the exact same setup. love the way yours sits now. i think you just made my decision for me LOL. question though, just to be clear, are the wheels 18 or 19? for some dumb reason, i can never tell in photos haha

Wheels are 19s. They are actually rotor reps from Tire Rack Andros R9 19x8.5 et35. You actually have to input that you drive an A5 in order to get the lower offset.