RS3 Fixed Suspension Compatibility with A3/S3?

[Bullitt1841]

According to several threads I have found, including this one https://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php/871271-RS3-suspension-upgrade, it appears that aftermarket kits for the 8V A3 and S3 should work for an 8V RS3 with fixed suspension. I am not concerned with anything to do with mag ride.

Since there seems to be more offerings for the A3/S3, I want to confirm if I can put one of those kits on without issue. Specifically Bilstein kit # 49-296389.

Thanks in advance!

[o1turbo30v]

Yes they will work fine, verified on both the US Bilstein site and the Germany Bilstein site

[Bullitt1841]

Would you mind sharing a link that you verified with? I'm looking at https://cart.bilsteinus.com/details?...18464484580860 and it only shows A3 and S3. I even called Bilstein in Poway, CA and a guy in tech support said they will not work.

I don't believe the page I linked or the guy I talked to, so that's why I'm looking for more confirmation.

Thanks!

[o1turbo30v]

I was not referring to the exact part number you listed, those are ridecontrol so there maybe some difference with plugs, I’m referring to the fact the a3/s3/rs3 coil overs as far as Bilstein is concerned are all compatible.

[o1turbo30v]

http://web1.carparts-cat.com/default...01&14=1&12=130

[Flom Motorsports]

I believe there might be a little bit of confusion regarding the term "compatible". Since the A3/S3/RS3 are all the same chassis, the various coilover kits from, in this example, Bilstein, will physically bolt on to any of the cars. The difference come in internal valving for the various products. I believe the RS3 weighs more than either the A3 or S3, which would mean the RS3 would require more stiff valving, whether they accomplish that through different size valve holes internally, or a higher viscosity fluid, or both (there are also other ways companies can accomplish this).

So while one person says yes, coilovers that are advertised for the A3/S3 will work on the RS3 (they kind of arent wrong), Bilstein may say "no" because the internals (valving, or anything else) are not meant for the RS3.

[Bullitt1841]

I believe there might be a little bit of confusion regarding the term "compatible". Since the A3/S3/RS3 are all the same chassis, the various coilover kits from, in this example, Bilstein, will physically bolt on to any of the cars. The difference come in internal valving for the various products. I believe the RS3 weighs more than either the A3 or S3, which would mean the RS3 would require more stiff valving, whether they accomplish that through different size valve holes internally, or a higher viscosity fluid, or both (there are also other ways companies can accomplish this).

So while one person says yes, coilovers that are advertised for the A3/S3 will work on the RS3 (they kind of arent wrong), Bilstein may say "no" because the internals (valving, or anything else) are not meant for the RS3.

This makes perfect sense and is exactly the type of answer I was looking for. I neglected to think about the valving due to the weight of the RS3, particularly because of the larger engine and transmission. I think springs might not be as critical, but damping is.

If anyone has installed a set of A3 or S3 coilovers on their RS3, I'd love to hear about how they perform.

[itsjustjed]

I've had zero issues running PSS10's on my RS3. I've been on them for two years at this point.

I've had PSS10's on 4 MQB chassis cars. The 4-cylinder iron block engine and the aluminum block 5-cylinder engine aren't that different in weight (60ish lbs.), the DQ500 while slightly heavier than the 250 or 381 transmission is offset by the 60lb battery being in the trunk in the RS3, not over the front-end.

You can find corner balanced weights of an RS3 vs. S3 on coilovers and see the negligible difference in weight. It's about 30-40lbs on the front axle heavier on an RS3 than S3.

For a road car, you'll never notice the difference running GTI, Golf R, S3, etc. PSS10s on your RS3. For a track car, you're probably not considering Bilstein PSS10s as they’re too soft.

[Bullitt1841]

OK, I'm somewhat more confused after doing more research. Bilstein PSS10 kit # 48-251570 officially fits the 8V A3, S3, and RS3. However, other kits like the KW DDC's have two separate P/N's, A3/S3: 39010049 and RS3: 39010055.

Looking at the parts approvals/certifications for the KW kits, you can see that on the RS3 kit the front axle springs are 0.2 mm larger diameter and 5.0 mm taller untensioned height. The rear springs are 0.3 mm SMALLER diameter, with 6 coil winds instead of 8, and an 80 mm SHORTER untensioned height. This leads me to believe that the fronts are not much different, but the rears are. Interesting bit of info, here.

My intuition tells me Bilstein simply doesn't think there's enough of an RS3 market to develop a specific "ridecontrol" kit like KW has with their separate DDC kits. The Bilstein PSS10 kit is likely adjustable enough to handle all 3 vehicles, and Bilstein expects the user to adjust to their preference anyway. With the ridecontrol and DDC kits, there comes 2 or 3 preset modes. These modes likely take many hours of testing for each vehicle application, so Bilstein simply doesn't want to do it.

So let me just state what my intention is with these questions. Like other users, I find the stock fixed suspension too rough for the bad roads and freeways in LA and Orange County. I've already downsized to Neuspeed 18" RSe10's, but it's still not enough for me. I daily drive the car and never intend to track it, but I also have no intention of making the ride permanently as soft as, say, an A3. I'm all about adjustability for the situation. I am also not trying to lower the car. If it's a required byproduct of swapping the suspension, so be it. But I do not want to lower it more than about an inch.

I feel I have narrowed down my options to electronically adjustable coilovers. The Bilstein ridecontrol kit (49-296389) is $2,400, while the KW kit (39010055) is $3,700. I just can't justify spending an extra $1,300 just because the company says it's officially specific for the RS3.

I guess I'm open to mechanically adjustable kits like the Bilstein PSS10 or KW V3, but I think I will be upset if I don't have the ability to adjust on the fly.

[Bullitt1841]

I've had zero issues running PSS10's on my RS3. I've been on them for two years at this point.

I've had PSS10's on 4 MQB chassis cars. The 4-cylinder iron block engine and the aluminum block 5-cylinder engine aren't that different in weight (60ish lbs.), the DQ500 while slightly heavier than the 250 or 381 transmission is offset by the 60lb battery being in the trunk in the RS3, not over the front-end.

You can find corner balanced weights of an RS3 vs. S3 on coilovers and see the negligible difference in weight. It's about 30-40lbs on the front axle heavier on an RS3 than S3.

For a road car, you'll never notice the difference running GTI, Golf R, S3, etc. PSS10s on your RS3. For a track car, you're probably not considering Bilstein PSS10s as they’re too soft.

BTW, that car is my twin! Just slightly different wheels and tint all around.