"slamming" my a4
Discussion
Depends what you want from the car, how much is reasonable and how low do you want to go?
Simple option I'd guess would be to look into S4 suspension as I'd guess it would be lower than stock, or it's after market and then I'd say go for something like Koni adjustables as you can tighten and soften the ride very easily.
Simple option I'd guess would be to look into S4 suspension as I'd guess it would be lower than stock, or it's after market and then I'd say go for something like Koni adjustables as you can tighten and soften the ride very easily.
popped a set of Eibach Sports springs on 1.8t sport Passat, lowered it by 30mm, transformed the handling from rolly barge into a planted semi tool, without spoiling the ride. A progressive spring kit, it did exactly what I wanted, the wheels fitted the arches properly and it handled for a big car.
were these the ones? http://www.eibach-suspension.co.uk/p1332678.htm
If you want it to handle and not bottom out A LOT !! stick to between 30-40 mm drop, much lower and the car will be hitting the bumps stops on rough surfaces or dips / yumps.
Spring kits will set you back approx £150.00 but add in about 2-3 hours for fitting plus alignment, a reasonable sport supsension kit like the koni or eibach will set you back about £300 with the added benefit of having the dampers matched to the springs rather than just stiffer springs.
It is entirely up to you but you may want to fit an uprated roll bar kit as this can also transform the handling more so than the suspension believe it or not, lastly stay away from the S4 suspension as the springs and dampers will most likely make your car higher than it is as the spring and dampers are designed for a much heavier car.
Spring kits will set you back approx £150.00 but add in about 2-3 hours for fitting plus alignment, a reasonable sport supsension kit like the koni or eibach will set you back about £300 with the added benefit of having the dampers matched to the springs rather than just stiffer springs.
It is entirely up to you but you may want to fit an uprated roll bar kit as this can also transform the handling more so than the suspension believe it or not, lastly stay away from the S4 suspension as the springs and dampers will most likely make your car higher than it is as the spring and dampers are designed for a much heavier car.
No you don't have to go the whole hog, I thought much the same as you that it would have to be the whole lot but you don't have to, that was the advice, of my pro mechanic chums. But it is correct don't go any lower than 30-40mm, but Eibach's (I can't vouch for the others but Koni usually gets the same mention) progressive springs would be enough, on my Passat pressing on into a corner, it would lean in then firm up progressively, firm but not hard, it transformed it from rather vague rolling over so much, made the handling less vague, similar thing on weight transfer on the brakes, where the car used to pitch forward on standard springs, I think but can't prove, that they improved the braking performance.
The advantage of just doing the springs, you can keep the old springs and sell the car on with them, so its reversable, plus its such a subtle mod, for the discerning, no potential buyer is going to be turned off like potato cannon exhaust or a light kit, and thinking what else has he been screwing with?
The advantage of just doing the springs, you can keep the old springs and sell the car on with them, so its reversable, plus its such a subtle mod, for the discerning, no potential buyer is going to be turned off like potato cannon exhaust or a light kit, and thinking what else has he been screwing with?
No worries.
I'd have probably done the springs first, and then considered 18s" if I wasn't satisfied with the asthetic, I left my passat on the original 16".
My current golf was speccd with vw factory sports springs which dropped it 25-30mm on standard (although they are not as good as eibachs, although turned down to buy a set cheaply recently) anyway I was warned off adding 17", as together they might spoil the ride.
Still I don't know anything for sure, so it may well be fine, but a good retailer should offer you sensible advice.
I'd have probably done the springs first, and then considered 18s" if I wasn't satisfied with the asthetic, I left my passat on the original 16".
My current golf was speccd with vw factory sports springs which dropped it 25-30mm on standard (although they are not as good as eibachs, although turned down to buy a set cheaply recently) anyway I was warned off adding 17", as together they might spoil the ride.
Still I don't know anything for sure, so it may well be fine, but a good retailer should offer you sensible advice.
Hi guys,
Bit of a bump, I know, but it saves making a new thread and the subject is pretty much identical. I've got a 1996 2.6 A4 saloon that I want to lower and sharpen up handling-wise, but without spending the earth on a £950 car.
I was considering the Eibach Pro-Kit springs mentioned above on their own, but I'm worried about the original dampers not being up to the task. The question, then, comes down to this - the Pro-Kit springs alone for £160, or:
http://www.europerformance.co.uk/pages/products/pr...
This Koni spring and damper kit for £340
http://www.europerformance.co.uk/pages/products/pr...
A cheaper FK spring and damper kit for £200.
I'm looking to lower the car between 30 and 40mm, which all of these fall between, so the lowering isn't much of an issue between any of these three options, but..
In terms of getting the best, most progressive ride with reduced roll and improved cornering performance (don't want much, eh?
) would I be best off with the good-brand springs alone, a more entry-level full kit for just a bit more, or is it really worth splashing out on a quality full kit?
Thanks a lot in advance,
Sam
Bit of a bump, I know, but it saves making a new thread and the subject is pretty much identical. I've got a 1996 2.6 A4 saloon that I want to lower and sharpen up handling-wise, but without spending the earth on a £950 car.
I was considering the Eibach Pro-Kit springs mentioned above on their own, but I'm worried about the original dampers not being up to the task. The question, then, comes down to this - the Pro-Kit springs alone for £160, or:
http://www.europerformance.co.uk/pages/products/pr...
This Koni spring and damper kit for £340
http://www.europerformance.co.uk/pages/products/pr...
A cheaper FK spring and damper kit for £200.
I'm looking to lower the car between 30 and 40mm, which all of these fall between, so the lowering isn't much of an issue between any of these three options, but..
In terms of getting the best, most progressive ride with reduced roll and improved cornering performance (don't want much, eh?
) would I be best off with the good-brand springs alone, a more entry-level full kit for just a bit more, or is it really worth splashing out on a quality full kit?Thanks a lot in advance,
Sam
Seems really cheap to me, double that for my cars... is that per axle or a set of 4?
Never tried FK but they do generally get good reviews.
Audi bushes are also fairly squishy as well. Age old scenraio these items tend to all wear evenly, so when you replace one item the next weakest link is exposed. But either of those will make a notable difference.
Never tried FK but they do generally get good reviews.
Audi bushes are also fairly squishy as well. Age old scenraio these items tend to all wear evenly, so when you replace one item the next weakest link is exposed. But either of those will make a notable difference.
istoo said:
Seems really cheap to me, double that for my cars... is that per axle or a set of 4?
Never tried FK but they do generally get good reviews.
Audi bushes are also fairly squishy as well. Age old scenraio these items tend to all wear evenly, so when you replace one item the next weakest link is exposed. But either of those will make a notable difference.
Cheers for the info!Never tried FK but they do generally get good reviews.
Audi bushes are also fairly squishy as well. Age old scenraio these items tend to all wear evenly, so when you replace one item the next weakest link is exposed. But either of those will make a notable difference.
I believe all of those three are prices for a complete set, all 4 corners - does seem pretty good, doesn't it, the FK ones in particular, but I'm hoping to come across someone who's tried both those and something more expensive, to see if the extra £140 is worth finding
Do you think it'd be worth replacing the original bushes with something meatier while I was at it?
thing to remember on the mk4 based platform cars is if you lower more than 30-40mm the anti roll bar drop links need to be swapped to for longer ones to allow clearance.
If changing the shocks and springs change the top mounts to - a very worthwhile investment and cheap.
Ive never had FK kit on any of my cars but mates have had FK coilovers and TBH i thought the ride was awful, far too harsh. Ive got Koni shocks and Spax springs on my golf and the shocks are adjustable dampening which is really useful as you can tweek them on the car.
I am a big fan of the Weitec shocks an springs and my brother has those on his golf and the ride was much improved. Im not sure if they are available on mk4 platforms but Boge do OEM+ uprated shortened shocks for a decent price for other VAG cars.
dave
If changing the shocks and springs change the top mounts to - a very worthwhile investment and cheap.
Ive never had FK kit on any of my cars but mates have had FK coilovers and TBH i thought the ride was awful, far too harsh. Ive got Koni shocks and Spax springs on my golf and the shocks are adjustable dampening which is really useful as you can tweek them on the car.
I am a big fan of the Weitec shocks an springs and my brother has those on his golf and the ride was much improved. Im not sure if they are available on mk4 platforms but Boge do OEM+ uprated shortened shocks for a decent price for other VAG cars.
dave
I beleive Boge struts are what the B4 platform cars used, the Boge turbo gas struts I have on my 90 are a good budget upgrade. If it was my money i would go Koni's, are the adjustables as well? very good price but i have never bought for FWD before, coilovers are different territory again and i think would blow your economy budget.
Thanks, guys.
These aren't the adjustable Konis, those dampers are the "Sport" ones, £500+ for a kit for my car, so sadly out of my territory. My understanding is that these "STR.T" dampers are identical, but without the adjustment capability. I've been looking around elsewhere and keep hearing this Koni kit highly recommended, so I'm leaning in that direction, it's just persuading myself it's worth the money over springs alone! Unless, of course, you can do that for me
Cheers,
Sam
These aren't the adjustable Konis, those dampers are the "Sport" ones, £500+ for a kit for my car, so sadly out of my territory. My understanding is that these "STR.T" dampers are identical, but without the adjustment capability. I've been looking around elsewhere and keep hearing this Koni kit highly recommended, so I'm leaning in that direction, it's just persuading myself it's worth the money over springs alone! Unless, of course, you can do that for me
Cheers,
Sam
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