Information Suspension overview: sport springs, sport dampers, coilovers and airride

Hi roca_pnoy,

please also check out post #21 of this thread.

So in case of 18 inchers, generally 7, 7.5 or 8“ wide rims are applicable. Each can be combined with 205/35R18 or 215/35R18 tires. The size of 225/35R18 is recommendable with 8“ wide rims, provided no lowering at all (see pics below).

7 or 7.5“ of rim width combined with 205/35R18 is highly recommeded for lowering exceeding about 30 mm to minimise modifications of the arches.

Suggested offsets range from 35 to about 25 mm (net). As posted earlier, 5 to 8 mm thick rim spacers might be needed to ensure at least 5 mm of clearance for the inner tire shoulder or the rim horn respectively.
 
Koni FSD Shocks
Anyone considering replacement shocks who has read Schnelletrecker's previous mails will know these Konis are top of the list regarding the balance between tight handling and a comfortable ride. I found the attached link which gives owners (BMW, not Audi unfortunately) experiences and FSD's sound impressive. Cars with big wheels and fat tyres (much heavier than standard kit) and stiffer springs will no doubt benefit most from better damped shocks to keep everything under control.
I know Humps is keen so anyone else interested in a group buy (in the new year) please let me know. Best price found so far, without any group discount, is £339 per set (list is £425 I think) plus £10 postage. Fitting would be extra.

http://search.lycos.co.uk/searchfra...light=fsd&query=koni+fsd+shock+absorber+price


Cheers Spike
 
I've just come home to the A2OC after a period away - too busy at work! This thread has really got us excited - a better ride would transform our car and then we would just HAVE to keep it!!! (We had talked about changing it :$ )

So we would like to put our names down for a set of Koni FSD's, if a group purchase is possible.

One question though - would we really get any benefit in replacing the springs as well, given that we don't want to reduce the ride height?
 
Hi GrayB
Interest in a Koni FSD group buy was rather limited. We also found out that the £339 price tag was already very well discounted and could not be matched by most other suppliers. I think Humps plans to go ahead regardless so I will wait until he has the Konis fitted and reports back.
As regards springs, I don't know of any suppliers who sell standard ride height replacement springs. It's unlikely to happen but it would be great if we could commission someone like Eibach to make a batch of high quality progressive, std height springs.

Cheers Spike

Cheers Spike
 
Spike, thanks for that update. I'll probably contact Humps then as I'm quite keen on pressing on with this.

The main issues we have are the underdamped feeling and the propensity for relatively normal undulations in the roads to cause the front suspension to crash into the bumpstops. I say 'bumpstops' but actually it sounds more like metal on metal to me! It can not be good for the car and certainly isn't good for the occupants. Do other people experience this?

The handling is fine for what the car is intended to do, so lowering is not important to us. We already have one car with an exhaust polished by occaisional contact with the road :D
 
GrayB said:
The main issues we have are the underdamped feeling and the propensity for relatively normal undulations in the roads to cause the front suspension to crash into the bumpstops. I say 'bumpstops' but actually it sounds more like metal on metal to me! It can not be good for the car and certainly isn't good for the occupants. Do other people experience this?:D
Click to expand...

YES! I have the broken springs to prove it!

John.
 
FSDs to be installed on 6th Feb

I called Vince at Stealth Racing today and booked myself in for the FSD install on the 6th Feb as he needs a couple of weeks to order the shocks. The quoted total is a little over GBP 610.00. That's FSD, install and 4 wheel alignment. But I have another problem which needs attention before I can get it done, see here http://www.a2oc.net/forum/showthread.php?t=4888
 
lyndonbuck said:
Faulkner Springs will wind special springs to whatever spec you want, I have some for my BMW M3 - if a few people get together I am sure they could do a set of properly rated springs for £100, I think its www.faulknersprings.co.uk
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thats www.dfaulknersprings.co.uk I've had a quick look - it would seem you need to know exactly what spec you require. A bit beyond me.... How did you spec your M3 springs?
 
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Sorry, yes you're right, BMW car club did a group buy, and I must admit its beyond me too - we had someone work it all out for us, but having said that they are very helpful on the phone and could certainly suggest possible ways to go. Whats the ride like on the M3? Its about 35mm lower than standard, its firm but way way way more comfortable and less crashy than the A2, and handles fantastically, having said that the old M3 that I have is supposed to be one of the best handling cars ever, so I guess thats no mistake. I would recommend them.
 
I also think it would be a good idea to purchase aftermarket custom made springs that meet both comfort and safety requirements.

But we all have to remember that Audis harsh/uncomfortable stock springs design is a pure compromise.

We all remember the serious problems Mercedes A class has had in 1997. Dynamic driving tests had been conducted in Sweden. In Germany we call it the „Elch Test“, a double-lane change manoeuvre at 65 kph without braking.

It turned out that the early A-Class Merc has had trouble to keep stable during

- slalom
- double-lane change
- constant radius manoeuvre

During the Elk test it routinely overbalanced and crashed sidewards. The countermeasures of Mercedes were:

- lowering the car to get the CG down
- less soft suspension springs to reduce roll
- better and wider tyres
- introduction of ESP

Only after these modifications the A-class Merc was stable, even with disabled ESP.

With this in mind Audi therefore designed an A2 suspension setup that is very forgiving. The A2 handles very well dynamically and no critical situations are known. However subjectively it is too harsh for many owners which should be considered as a contribution to safety.

So it is a trade-off: More comfort does come along with less (unsufficient) driving safety.
 
As for ordering custom made aftermarket springs for the A2 in a group buy:

It can be dangerous to design softer springs without lowering. You probably will have serious problems with too much roll and unstable dynamic handling similar to the early Merc A-Class.

For that I would like to recommed to simply 1:1 copy the Eibach Pro-Kit springs dimensions and characteristics. There’s no risk involved since Eibach is one of the most reputable spring makers in the world and since these springs really work well in A2s. There will only be advantages: better dynamic ride, no comfort losses and you still can combine them with Koni FSD. In other words that would be the perfect suspension unit.

The Eibach front springs # 11-15-002-01-VA are suited for the 1.4 petrol only, the front springs # EW 7910001 VA are suited for all 1.4 diesels and the 1.6 FSI. The Eibach rear springs # 11-15-002-01-HA are identical for all engine types (see TUEV sheet below).

The two A2 Eibach Pro-Kit versions are discontinued now. So with some luck the Eibach Diesel and the Petrol springs can be purchased little used or NOS, to be precisley measured and to be professionally load-tested before copying.
 
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Schnelletrecker, your replies are always so well considered and helpful! However, I presume these Eibach springs you suggest are lowered? I just dont want reduced ground clearance on my car - there is too much rough ground around here (and that is just the roads....).
 
Well talking about sag (negative spring travel) of the Eibach Pro-Kit. That is comparable to the stock standard Audi springs. At minus 20 mm there’s plenty of residual spring travel left.

In other words: Not a moderate 20 mm lowering (effective) of the Eibachs but the super soft stock compression damping will be the culprit for insufficient travel (metal to metal noise at full compression stage). Koni FSD shocks will solve this problem.

BTW, that Spanish Ebay dude appears to be “collecting“ NOS Eibach Pro-Kit springs. He does act wisely since these are the best aftermarket springs in terms of comfort (I guess I have mentioned that in post #2 already).
 
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roca_pnoy said:
can 18 x 8.5 wheels fit?
Click to expand...

No, this is too much to keep the wheels turn freely in all situations. Besides that, the very high unsprung mass of such a wheel would negatively change the ride comfort. Generally: Due to the lower inertia of a lighter wheel, the better both comfort and dynamics.

However, these uncommon sizes will fit:

8x17ET30 to ET25 plus 215/40R17 or 225/35R17 (inner arches to be modified or removed, lowering tricky but still possible)

only rear: 8.5x17ET25 to ET20 plus 225/35R17 (inner arches to be modified or removed, lowering can be tricky)

only rear: 9x16ET20 plus 215/40R16 or 225/40R16 (inner arches to be modified or removed, lowering almost impossible)


In all above cases, additional bump stopps should/must be applied (which is unfavourable because they kill valuable residual spring travel).
 
humps said:
I called Vince at Stealth Racing today and booked myself in for the FSD install on the 6th Feb as he needs a couple of weeks to order the shocks. The quoted total is a little over GBP 610.00. That's FSD, install and 4 wheel alignment.
Click to expand...

Hello humps,

don't hesitate to post your new ride "feelings" here ;)
 
My set of FSD's arrived this afternoon! I'm just going over to the garage next door to make an appointment for fitting :D
 
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