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

S

Schnelletrecker

Member
Hello folks,

the quite bad riding quality of the stock spring/damper units of all A2 variants is well known. Normally a sound suspension unit is characterised by well matched damping and spring characteristics that harmonise.

So it is not surprising that many threads have been started in the German forum adressing that “problem”. So here’s a little summary:
 
Sport springs:​

Generally sport springs lead to better handling, the dynamic riding quality can be improved noticeably. And if carried out cleverly the car becomes much safer.

There are many manufacturers over here offering quality lowering springs for the A2. Just to name a few including some experience from German drivers:


ABT 35/35 mm: Over the past years the absolute best springs in terms of proper progressive characteristics turned out to be the ABT springs. They are made by Eibach exclusively for the ABT-Sportsline company. Compared to the original A2 supension (non-S-Line) there’s almost no recognisable loss of riding comfort. The only drawback is the non-optimal subjective appearance if used in the 1.4 TDI. Some folks call it the “pooping elk” (front slightly higher than rear of car). This visual “handicap” affects the 1.4 Diesels only. [ www.abt-sportsline.de ]


AP 30/20 mm: no personal experience yet known in the German forum, but the manufacturer attests a relative soft setting combined with a slight V which does not sound bad [ www.ap-sportfahrwerke.de , www.lowtec.de ]


EIBACH 20/20 mm: out of production now, but if you can find a NOS set, you’ll be lucky: combines moderate lowering with the softest setup of all sport springs mentioned here. [ www.eibach.de ]


FINTEC 30/20 mm: no public experience yet known [ www.fintec-federn.de ]


FK 35/35 mm: no complaints in combination with 1.6 FSI for instance and nice appearance here [ www.fk-automotive.de ]


H&R 25/25 mm: German A2 drivers who purchased the H&R spring kit all, without exception, were very disappointed about their unbalanced and super stiff setting. That applies to all A2 motor versions or axle loads respectively. The H&R springs for this reason are an absolute NO for any A2 driver. [ www.h-r.com ]


KAW 50/30 mm: Unfortunately no distinctive visual V in reality and only about 30 mm of drop (net). Sporty firm ride. [ www.fahrwerke.de/de/index.php ]


KW 30/30 mm: no public report known yet [ www.kw-gmbh.de ]


VOGTLAND 25/25mm: seem to be kind of sporty stiff, but still well rideable [ www.vogtland.com ]


WEITEC 30/30 mm: quite good ride: slightly stiffer than ABT, nice appearance because the front drops down nicely too indicating a slight V, especially in Diesel A2s [ www.weitec.de ] Weitec 30/0 mm is available as well. Additional info here: http://www.a2oc.net/forum/showpost.php?p=42865&postcount=12
http://www.a2oc.net/forum/showthread.php?t=6004



Finally basic advice on bump stop length to be considered in case of lowering:
http://www.a2oc.net/forum/showthread.php?t=5846


Important: Never combine lowering springs with the original A2 dampers!
 
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Dampers:​


In general Audi A2 original damper settings prove to be sub-damped sadly. That applies both if combined with the regular springs (non-lowered) and in particular with the S-Line sport springs. The damping rates just are too weak making the A2 “hopping” (= insufficient damping rebound). In addition the yellow compression buffers permanently have a hard time or even springs are in danger of going en block (= insufficient damping compression force). However, the main downside is the reduced safety, i.e. suffering wheel grip in critical situations and of course an increased braking distance.

For a relatively light car like the A2 it really makes sense to always combine lowering springs with quality sport dampers:


A) Some German A2 drivers do like the yellow KONI shocks best, due to their continuous rebound adjustability ( www.koni.com ). These regular yellow KONIs can be used up to a lowering amount of about 35 mm. Below 35 mm, Koni offers these yellow dampers shortened upon request. More Koni "yellow" experience and info:
http://www.a2oc.net/forum/showthread.php?t=4727&page=8
http://www.a2oc.net/forum/showthread.php?t=4807&page=6



B) BILSTEIN offers nitrogen gas sport dampers named B6 Sport (or B8 Sprint respectively for lowering below 30 mm) that represent a high quality choice as well ( www.bilstein.com ). These shocks cannot individually be adjusted to match your specific spring rate characteristics.



C) WEITEC offers non-adjustable sport dampers suitable for lowerings beginning with about 30 mm [ www.weitec.de ].



D) For A2 drivers who do not intend to lower their car but mainly want to optimise suspension comfort (and also safety reserves), I would like to recommend the golden KONI FSD dampers. More FSD related info here:
http://www.a2oc.net/forum/showpost.php?p=45498&postcount=80
http://www.a2oc.net/forum/showthread.php?t=4807
http://www.a2oc.net/forum/showthread.php?t=6004
http://www.der-a2.de/vbtest/showthread.php?t=23386



Last not least an example what happens if using lowering springs with the Audi standard shocks: http://www.a2oc.net/forum/showthread.php?t=5984


To conclude:​

All A2 drivers should get rid of those crappy Audi stock dampers and should upgrade to the much better aftermarket shocks mentioned above.
 
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Coil-Overs :​



High quality coilovers unite different abilities:

1. A much safer riding quality
2. best car appearance due to individual tuneability to match your body kit, wheels etc
3. optimised and harmonising spring and damping characteristics
4. (optional) INOX technology, no problems with seized up spring seats even in winter times
5. front damper cartridge can be exchanged in case of malfunction


Only two manufacturers are recommendable for the A2: FK and KW



A) www.fk-automotive.de offers 4 versions:

FK Highsport: no adjustable damping
FK Silverline: identical to Highsport but INOX construction in addition
FK Koenigsport: adjustable rebound damping for both axes (made by KONI, equivalent characteristics to the high quality yellow Konis). You can adjust the rebound damping of the front shocks in-situ. However the rear dampers have to be dismounted to be able to change the rebound setting.
FK Silverline-X: identical to Koenigsport but INOX construction in addition

All A2 coilovers by FK are characterised by a twin spring system for the front suspension. I.e. a pre-load spring combined with the main spring. The supplementary spring ensures a consistent preload of the main spring within all desired lowering settings.
FK coilovers related info and pics here:
http://www.a2oc.net/forum/showthread.php?t=4727&page=8
http://www.der-a2.de/vbtest/showthread.php?t=22699




B) www.kw-gmbh.de offers two versions:

KW VARIANT 1: no adjustable damping, INOX construction
KW VARIANT 2: adjustable rebound damping for the front axis only (made by KONI, equivalent characteristics to the high quality yellow Konis). You can adjust the rebound damping of the front shocks in-situ. INOX construction

All A2 coilovers by KW are characterised by a single main spring system for the front suspension. The advantage of such a solution versus a twin coil system is the increased residual spring travel reserve meaning there’s a reduced chance to get the spring en block. The downside is the non-existing preload device.



A direkt comparison between the FK and KW coilovers in terms of riding stiffness has not been conducted yet. However from reports of different users there seem to be only little difference.



The six introduced coilovers permit 30 to 50 mm of (legal/recommended) lowering, thus matching the German TUEV-regulations. But they still allow much deeper settings for the “hardcore” A2 drivers. Below 50 mm most probably shorter coupling rods are required (e.g. Febi-Bilstein # 04585) to prevent the stabiliser anti roll bar from striking the drivetrain during compression stage.
 
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Air-Ride System G.A.S (identical to VW Polo type 9N):​


Well if you have the money! There seems to be only one example yet in Europe. That Swiss driver describes the riding quality being slightly stiffer than the KW Variant 1 coilovers at about 50 mm of lowering. So this should be the wrong choice for the faint-hearted A2 driver. A total stroke of 200 mm can be realised. Ride characteristics: The lower the air pressure, the lower and softer the car becomes but the shorter the residual spring travel reserve gets. Increasing air pressure leads to a (much) stiffer ride.
www.luftfahrwerk.de
www.players-inc.de
http://www.der-a2.de/vbtest/showthread.php?t=23196&highlight=airride

 
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FK Silverline-X coilovers.
 

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Hi Schnelletrecker
Many thanks for the comprehensive summary of suspension tuning hardware. It's always interesting to hear what is happening in Germany, particularly when expertly translated into English.
Hopefully you will be a regular contributor to the A2oc forum

Cheers Spike
 
Fantastic post! I've been looking at changing the shocks and springs recently and this post is very helpful!
 
Schnelletrecker said:
Eibach springs and 18 inches wheels in 1.4 petrol. The moderate 20 mm lowering looks absolutely sufficient in this case.
Click to expand...

Wow! those wheels are gorgeous! Any idea on what make they are? Oh by the way, this is a great thread on suspension, just what I needed if anything as i've been contemplating changing the spring/shocks for a while now, do you have any idea on how much the ABT springs would be?
 
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