Yes another Q5 suspension question.

[Pnwski]

I’ve searched online, the forums and facebook pages. But still not set on what the best suspension setup for the Q5 is (I know a lot is personal preference)

So here is where I’m coming from.... I had a honda element on BC extreme drop coilovers. Rode fairly well but a bit harsh at times.

Recently bought the Q5 and WOW suspension on german cars is another level. My goal is is to firm the Q5 up and lower it without taking away from the initial suplleness. Here’s what I’m looking at as options... oh and I have the “drive select” so I’ll have to do the module bypasses or deletes.

1.H&R adjustable height springs on Bilstein struts (SQ5). I would look at KW HAS but it looks like they don’t work on Bilstein.
https://www.ecstuning.com/b-bilstein...8t0413031afkt/

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-h-and-r-...gs/23001-1~hr/

2. Or Koni shocks/struts with adjustable springs.

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-koni-par...01279sport~ko/


3. Full coilovers KW V1 (I’d look at higher ended V2 but having to pull the coilovers to adjust damping seems to make it pointless)

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-kw-suspe...it/10210103kt/


4. Full coilovers KW street comfort

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-kw-suspe...it/18010090kt/

5. Also considered saving up a little more and going with the full electronic adjustable KW coilver setup because it’s nice to have the adjustments for daily driving. But reading mixed reviews on them.

https://www.kwsuspensions.net/produc...8/DDC/39010041

6. Whatever other options you guys recommend.

[bigjamesdean]

I’ve searched online, the forums and facebook pages. But still not set on what the best suspension setup for the Q5 is (I know a lot is personal preference)

So here is where I’m coming from.... I had a honda element on BC extreme drop coilovers. Rode fairly well but a bit harsh at times.

Recently bought the Q5 and WOW suspension on german cars is another level. My goal is is to firm the Q5 up and lower it without taking away from the initial suplleness. Here’s what I’m looking at as options... oh and I have the “drive select” so I’ll have to do the module bypasses or deletes.

1.H&R adjustable height springs on Bilstein struts (SQ5). I would look at KW HAS but it looks like they don’t work on Bilstein.
https://www.ecstuning.com/b-bilstein...8t0413031afkt/

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-h-and-r-...gs/23001-1~hr/

2. Or Koni shocks/struts with adjustable springs.

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-koni-par...01279sport~ko/


3. Full coilovers KW V1 (I’d look at higher ended V2 but having to pull the coilovers to adjust damping seems to make it pointless)

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-kw-suspe...it/10210103kt/


4. Full coilovers KW street comfort

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-kw-suspe...it/18010090kt/

5. Also considered saving up a little more and going with the full electronic adjustable KW coilver setup because it’s nice to have the adjustments for daily driving. But reading mixed reviews on them.

https://www.kwsuspensions.net/produc...8/DDC/39010041

6. Whatever other options you guys recommend.

With all those you lose your ride select , with KW HAS you keep it. Ride comfort will depend on how low you go. I am around 29" ftg and its a smidge bouncy but still a very good ride. 1/2 " higher it rode better , 1" higher rode better than stock but I hate the gap so willing to give up some for the look :)

[bajan01]

I’m running Koni adjustables with H&R Sport springs on my 2016 SQ5.

[SQive]

If you can find and afford them, the Bilstein B16 is hard to beat. They have a wide range of ride height, easily adjustable dampening, and a better-than-stock ride.

[Pnwski]

With all those you lose your ride select , with KW HAS you keep it. Ride comfort will depend on how low you go. I am around 29" ftg and its a smidge bouncy but still a very good ride. 1/2 " higher it rode better , 1" higher rode better than stock but I hate the gap so willing to give up some for the look :)

Would be great if those would work. But unfortunately in my experience, any kind of lowering spring on an oem strut/shock ends up either killing the strut/shock very early or the ride quality is compromised, or worse.... both. Of course if the oem adjustable suspension wasn't so expensive it would definitely be worth the gamble. Which seams from even what you said, it is slightly bouncy when low. Ideally I'd like to have a planted ride with no bounce. I wish you lived close so I could check it out thought. I'd really like it to work. Ha.

[Pnwski]

I’m running Koni adjustables with H&R Sport springs on my 2016 SQ5.

SOOOO nice. I think that's where or close to where I want to end up height wise. But I'd like the option to go slightly lower, not that I'd keep it there. But have the option, because everything looks different in pics. But it sure does look like that could be it.

Is the adjustment on the Koni's reachable while on the Q? Or is it remove to adjust? I know in the past Koni has been one of the top notch shocks/struts. Perfect world I'd probably do KW HAS springs if they'd work. But from the little parts I've read it seems they only work on OEM struts.

[Pnwski]

If you can find and afford them, the Bilstein B16 is hard to beat. They have a wide range of ride height, easily adjustable dampening, and a better-than-stock ride.

Do you know a part number? I've struggled to actually find what B16 (PSS10) fits the Q5. Finding some people talking about using them from other vehicles.

[bajan01]

Is the adjustment on the Koni's reachable while on the Q? Or is it remove to adjust?

Remove to adjust.

[Trurite]

I went with BC Racing extreme lows and love the ride. Sitting at 28.5 fender to ground on stock wheels still, and will go lower when wheels get put on. Adjustable dampning without removing. Have dampening set perfect for my ride taste. Plus value for money at 1k for the set. Plenty money left over for adjustable upper arms.

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[Pnwski]

Remove to adjust.

What's you're fender to ground measurement?

[bajan01]

What's you're fender to ground measurement?

76.28cm front, 77.47cm rear

255/45/R20 tires

[Pnwski]

I went with BC Racing extreme lows and love the ride. Sitting at 28.5 fender to ground on stock wheels still, and will go lower when wheels get put on. Adjustable dampning without removing. Have dampening set perfect for my ride taste. Plus value for money at 1k for the set. Plenty money left over for adjustable upper arms.

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HMMMMM interesting... Any rub or harsh bottoming? Did you lower it with shock body or spring perch? They say not to adjust ride height via springs, it's only for preload. but I know guys that have done it that way. I had these on my honda element... they didn't seem progressive enough and I adjusted everything how they recommended, even had damping adjusted to full firmness. From the pics it doesn't look like you went with the upgraded swift springs. I'm pretty curious on this setup... but also hesitant because how it felt on my other car.

[Trurite]

I did not go with swift because I was not sure how I would like the spring rates. Went with bc racing choice to try. Was willing to purchase different springs if needed. I think they are 14k up front and 8k in rear. Will have to look it up. As for lowering i did it from the perch. Still sitting at 28.5 with about another 2.5 to 3 inches left on the perch. No need to adjust from the spring. Which yes affect pre load. Dampening is set to 22 clicks up front and 15 clicks in rear. Nice and firm, no bounce. Will change with wheels and tires but can always adjust more or change spring rates. I also plan to tow my RX7 next spring so I will be replacing the rear springs with bags to compensate.

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[Salty Mope]

Do you know a part number? I've struggled to actually find what B16 (PSS10) fits the Q5. Finding some people talking about using them from other vehicles.

#48-221832 is the part number for the PSS10's. They don't make a kit for the S/Q5, but the C7 kit fits B8/8.5 and is what a handful of guys on this forum are running. But beware... Bilstein changes their ETAs faster than Mops changes out his wheels.

Speaking of Mops, you should consider ordering them through him if you decide to go with the Bilsteins. Maybe if we turn this into a group buy, Bilstein will get off their butts and start shipping our coilovers.

[SQive]

Do you know a part number? I've struggled to actually find what B16 (PSS10) fits the Q5. Finding some people talking about using them from other vehicles.

I got them from Mops, so shoot him a PM and ask.

76.28cm front, 77.47cm rear

255/45/R20 tires

Dude, did you use a micrometer?


The Bilsteins are adjustable via reach-around, literally.
Those BC's sound like a deal.
Let us know how they work out.

[bigjamesdean]

I went with BC Racing extreme lows and love the ride. Sitting at 28.5 fender to ground on stock wheels still, and will go lower when wheels get put on. Adjustable dampning without removing. Have dampening set perfect for my ride taste. Plus value for money at 1k for the set. Plenty money left over for adjustable upper arms.

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How can you have all that wheel gap and be a inch lower than I am ???




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[Trurite]

Called super stock gap!!! Its terrible... my soul hurts everytime I go to work and Im on stock. Soon... very soon.

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[bigjamesdean]

Called super stock gap!!! Its terrible... my soul hurts everytime I go to work and Im on stock. Soon... very soon.

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ya but tire diameter should not change with different wheels etc so gap wont change :)


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[buggravy]

ya but tire diameter should not change with different wheels etc so gap wont change :)


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I think it's just an optical illusion created by the big difference in offset, and you're seeing the gap more diagonally.

[bigjamesdean]

I think it's just an optical illusion created by the big difference in offset, and you're seeing the gap more diagonally.

That makes sense but still think his measurement is off , for me to get to his height I would have to tuck a 1/2” of tire


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[Trurite]

That makes sense but still think his measurement is off , for me to get to his height I would have to tuck a 1/2” of tire


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@bigjames you were right. Went out and remeasured. At 29 not 28.5.

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[Pnwski]

So doing more reading on the H&R springs. I’m starting to wonder if these will also only work on stock struts, like the KW HAS springs.

[Pnwski]

How can you have all that wheel gap and be a inch lower than I am ???




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Is there any reason you went with the H&R coilovers over the KW versions?

[Pnwski]

Curious if anyone knows if there’s a functional difference or its just fit and finish between these two edc modules?

http://https://www.kwsuspensions.com...-68510144.html

http://https://scalesuspension.com/s...lete-unit.html

[bigjamesdean]

Is there any reason you went with the H&R coilovers over the KW versions?

About a 1000.00 worth hehe :)

[Ronnitude]

I’ve searched online, the forums and facebook pages. But still not set on what the best suspension setup for the Q5 is (I know a lot is personal preference)

So here is where I’m coming from.... I had a honda element on BC extreme drop coilovers. Rode fairly well but a bit harsh at times.

Recently bought the Q5 and WOW suspension on german cars is another level. My goal is is to firm the Q5 up and lower it without taking away from the initial suplleness. Here’s what I’m looking at as options... oh and I have the “drive select” so I’ll have to do the module bypasses or deletes.

1.H&R adjustable height springs on Bilstein struts (SQ5). I would look at KW HAS but it looks like they don’t work on Bilstein.
https://www.ecstuning.com/b-bilstein...8t0413031afkt/

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-h-and-r-...gs/23001-1~hr/

2. Or Koni shocks/struts with adjustable springs.

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-koni-par...01279sport~ko/


3. Full coilovers KW V1 (I’d look at higher ended V2 but having to pull the coilovers to adjust damping seems to make it pointless)

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-kw-suspe...it/10210103kt/


4. Full coilovers KW street comfort

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-kw-suspe...it/18010090kt/

5. Also considered saving up a little more and going with the full electronic adjustable KW coilver setup because it’s nice to have the adjustments for daily driving. But reading mixed reviews on them.

https://www.kwsuspensions.net/produc...8/DDC/39010041

6. Whatever other options you guys recommend.

So, what did you end up going with??? I literally have the same questions about lowering my A6 haha...found this post and i'm like YES!

[Mr Sharp]

I did not go with swift because I was not sure how I would like the spring rates. Went with bc racing choice to try. Was willing to purchase different springs if needed. I think they are 14k up front and 8k in rear. Will have to look it up. As for lowering i did it from the perch. Still sitting at 28.5 with about another 2.5 to 3 inches left on the perch. No need to adjust from the spring. Which yes affect pre load. Dampening is set to 22 clicks up front and 15 clicks in rear. Nice and firm, no bounce. Will change with wheels and tires but can always adjust more or change spring rates. I also plan to tow my RX7 next spring so I will be replacing the rear springs with bags to compensate.

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Now that it's been some months, how are these holding up?

Thanks.

Mr Sharp