Spidan/Monroe for OSS 1.4 Petrol?

ROKJ

Member
Yes, I know there are quite a few posts and discussions on this subject and I've been trying to pick the information from a few of them.
I read that TDI springs are harder than 1.4 petrol ones and I don't need harder.
Picked up following advice: 'Monroe or Bilstien dampers at the front: use Spidan 49515'
Is this petrol och TDI?
Is there any difference between TDI and 1.4 petrol Monroe OESpectrum?
The car has Open Sky / Sunroof.

Edit (What I've ordered, not mounted yet. This is just what I went with based on low price and availability):
- Spidan front: 49527
- Spidan back: 49546
- Monroe Reflex / OESpectrum: Don't know about Reflex but Front OESpectrum 742042SP, Back OESpectrum 376041SP
- Do I use standard strut mounts to the Spidans? (also broken) Standard (If not Sport, I went with Febi Bilstein)
- Strut top mount back: Febi Bilstein 10819
- Height/length on the bump stops? (53, 63, 83 mm?!) Included for front in the MONROE PK012 pack, Vaico 8229 Q for back
- Rubber buffer, rear axle lower (for spring): Febi Bilstein 23412
- Rubber buffer, rear axle upper (for spring): Febi Bilstein 26620
- Do they come with dust covers or do I need to order that to? Needs to be ordered separately, Monroe PK012 for front, Febi Bilstein 22142 for back
- Anything else specific for the above setup?
 
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Like I said, I'm confused and short of time. The car has MOT tomorrow and will fail due to two broken springs and some other suspension parts, so need to order all the parts right away! Have one month until next MOT.
Sorry but as I understand it, new MOT rules now no longer allow you to use up the time left on the old MOT, if it MOT fails tomorrow on broken springs, might be classed as a dangerous item and you will have no MOT. Think I got that right.

My advice is to check with the garage before tomorrow's MOT, and cancel MOT if necessary and have the springs fixed before the new MOT.

Andy
 
Sorry but as I understand it, new MOT rules now no longer allow you to use up the time left on the old MOT, if it MOT fails tomorrow on broken springs, might be classed as a dangerous item and you will have no MOT. Think I got that right.

My advice is to check with the garage before tomorrow's MOT, and cancel MOT if necessary and have the springs fixed before the new MOT.

Andy
Thanks, but this is sweden ;)

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Yes, I know there are quite a few posts and discussions on this subject and I've been trying to pick the information from a few of them. But alone with two kids, I'm finding myself short of time to sit hour after hour (which I've already done..) trying to find the right answer, so please forgive me for trying to get a fast answer.
I read that TDI springs are harder than 1.4 petrol ones and I don't need harder.
Picked up following advice: 'Monroe or Bilstien dampers at the front: use Spidan 49515'
Is this petrol och TDI?
Is there any diference between TDI and 1.4 petrol Monroe OESpectrum?

- Spidan front: ?
- Spidan back: ?
- Monroe Reflex / OESpectrum: ?
- Do I use standard strut bearings to the Spidans? (also broken)
- Standard bump stops?
- Do they come with dust covers or do I need to order that to? Standard?
- Anything else specific for the above setup?

Like I said, I'm confused and short of time. The car has MOT tomorrow and will fail due to two broken springs and some other suspension parts, so need to order all the parts right away! Have one month until next MOT.
My 2 pennies worth, having just changed front suspension on my 1.4 petrol sport (no sunroof). I've used:
Spidan 49527
Monroe Reflex E4998

They worked perfectly, and didn't change the height in any way. Monroes didn't come with dust covers. My garage sourced all the other parts.

I understand that the reflex have been discontinued, and replaced by OESpectrum.

I'd be interested to know the answers to the other questions, as I am planning to get parts for the rear suspension at some point.
 
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For what it's worth, Bilstein B4 shocks are also excellent on all of our A2s (both 1.4i and Tdi) along with the various springs I chose - in our case Suplex 03207 for the 1.4i fronts (good on bad roads). You won't go far wrong with Monroe shocks and Spidan springs though - lots of experience of them here.
 
Spidan springs are listed in this (German) GKN on-line catalogue - http://ows-cdn.tecdoc.net/gkn/home....2019-23:56:4#8d16ee8666a1f5f6170ef5a09e57f423

For the 1.4 petrol (without open sky sunroof) I think front springs are 49527 and rears, 49546

Cheers Spike
Thanks Spike. What concerns me is that people here say not to follow recommendations on the spidans, because the height will be wrong.

Quote from a thread: 'I also ordered the Spidan springs (49527 front, 49546 rear) after a lot of searching.'
Quote later in same thread: 'Monroe or Bilstien dampers at the front: use Spidan 49515'
There was something about the back ones aswell but I can't find it. I only have short periods of time to try to read through these.

This is just one of many threads that discusses this, but like I said, I was hoping someone would have a quicker answer since there are more that one that went with this combo.

Looks like I'll be sitting all night, extracting information from all these threads myself worst case.
 
Thanks Spike. What concerns me is that people here say not to follow recommendations on the spidans, because the height will be wrong.

Quote from a thread: 'I also ordered the Spidan springs (49527 front, 49546 rear) after a lot of searching.'
Quote later in same thread: 'Monroe or Bilstien dampers at the front: use Spidan 49515'
There was something about the back ones aswell but I can't find it. I only have short periods of time to try to read through these.

This is just one of many threads that discusses this, but like I said, I was hoping someone would have a quicker answer since there are more that one that went with this combo.

Looks like I'll be sitting all night, extracting information from all these threads myself worst case.
Following this thread with interest as I have a 1.4 with OSS that soon might have all suspensions replaced. I too struggle to extract from past posts a clear indication of what OE suspensions to use....
 
So it seems quite safe to say that Spidan 49546 goes on back, regardless of OSS and type och shocks.

Monroe numbers are (according to catalogue):
Front OESpectrum 742042SP (for vehicles with heavy duty suspension / for vehicles with sports suspension)
Back OESpectrum 376041SP (for vehicles with heavy duty suspension / for vehicles with sports suspension)

Front Reflex E4998 (for vehicles with heavy duty suspension / for vehicles with sports suspension)
Back Reflex E1308 (for vehicles with heavy duty suspension)
Back Reflex E1309 (for vehicles with sports suspension)

I don't care if it's Reflex och OESpectrum personally, if the Reflex comes out cheaper. Is the 1309 lower than 1308 possibly? They are to be discontinued though so soon it won't matter, but until then..

Now it's the front springs that puzzles. According to GKN (Spidan) catalogue:

Front (with OSS): 56831
Front (no OSS): 49527

BUT! How are these in combination with Monroe Reflex / OESpectrum? Searching continues, anyone with 1.4 petrol fitted with Monroes are free to jump in at any time ?
 
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I think the 49527 front spring is the 'softest' one they make for any petrol A2 so if you want Spidan there is no other option. It's normal for any gas pressurised shock absorbers to raise the ride height a little but I don't recall anyone complaining about this when using Monroe dampers.

Cheers Spike
 
I think the 49527 front spring is the 'softest' one they make for any petrol A2 so if you want Spidan there is no other option. It's normal for any gas pressurised shock absorbers to raise the ride height a little but I don't recall anyone complaining about this when using Monroe dampers.

Cheers Spike
Thanks Spike, so you think the 49527 will be the right one, even with OSS, is that what you mean?
 
Following this thread with interest as I have a 1.4 with OSS that soon might have all suspensions replaced. I too struggle to extract from past posts a clear indication of what OE suspensions to use....

Just stick with your original springs, buy some Bilstein B4's change top mounts and any other bushes you see fit and enjoy. I'm very happy with mine on this setup and i didn't spend days, months even years agonising about the plethora of alternatives.
 
That's the one. Its ride is ok but preparing for next summer, where I'd like to freshen up the 70K miles original suspensions....

At 70k it will need new top mounts and shocks for sure. When done you'll feel a nice positive difference, just by changing the shocks on mine and top mounts the ride became more compliant more cushioned with better handling and so you'll feel the same on yours. Is yours an se?
 
Thanks Spike, so you think the 49527 will be the right one, even with OSS, is that what you mean?

Just checked the comparative weights of the SE models (without options) and petrol weighs 1066 kg, and the TDi, 1151
Open Sky adds 35kg

Based on this data and observations by other members, if you don't want to use Audi originals, I'd stay with 'petrol' springs, and due to the relatively insignificant weight of Open Sky, not bother with the slightly stiffer Open Sky versions.
In the past we've discussed lots of theories relating to the Merc A class elk test results which may have influenced Audi's fitment of stiffer springs than normal for such a light car, with the high up weight of Open Sky being an extra factor

Cheers Spike
 
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