Best coil springs for best ride quality

M

Mazio

Member
United-Kingdom
I'm asking for advice from experience, from members, as to what is considered to be the "best" front/rear coil spring combination where ride quality is a main consideration, coupled with maintaining standard SE "ride height". (No lowering for me)

I'm going to replace all the coil springs and dampers on my 1.4 TDI SE, as at 117K miles/20 years of age, they are tired. In fact, I even suspect the front dampers maybe "seized", as the front does not move when "joust" up/down at all, at best 1-3mm with a lot of effort.

So members, please let me know your thoughts as to the "best" combination in your experience to achieve this goal. There must be a solution to my quest, to have a A2 with good ride quality, on 17inch rims.
 
Since you’ve just got Bilsteins, it has been agreed that B4 springs suit it best - one is developed with other in mind and all that. Together with normal bump stops (iirc your Meyle ones are standard length) should be very close to OEM. Springs to be chosen based on spec (engine, OSS), but the best idea is to check color markings on your current springs, trace the Audi part number, and match it to the corresponding Bilstein p/n.
 
Here's a list of spring colour codes:
C

Post in thread 'The Definitive Suspension Parts List'

Complete List of OEM front springs for the Audi A2

6Q0411105AC 2 red 3 blue dots
6Q0411105AD 3 red 1 blue dots
6Q0411105AE 3 red 2 blue dots
6Q0411105AF 4 red 1 blue dots
6Q0411105AL 2 red 1 yellow dots
6Q0411105AM 2 red 2 yellow dots
6Q0411105AN 2 red 3 yellow dots
6Q0411105AP 3 red 1 yellow dots
6Q0411105AR 4 red 1 yellow dots
6Q0411105AS 1 red 1 brown dots
6Q0411105AT 1 red 2 brown dots
6Q0411105BA 1 red 3 brown dots
6Q0411105BB 1 red 4 brown dots
8Z0411105 4 grey 1 green dots
8Z0411105A 4 grey 2 green dots
8Z0411105AF 1 green 3 silver dots
8Z0411105AG 2 green 3...
  • Like

The whole thread is a great evening read, even if a bit exhausting to connect the dots.
A lot of feedback on various springs there, as well as some research for sports vs. SE suspension differences.
 
In fact, 22-105813 shock you've got should be a bit softer as bilstein declare those as standard (there's also a 22-196309 for Sport models, although if you dive into the thread, it is not that straightforward)
 
Also, it has been often suggested to switch from 17s to 16s for improved comfort.
I personally notice that wheel weight influences the ride comfort a lot, and prefer pepperpots over anything else.
 
Thanks "Lavandism" for your comments on B4 springs, I agree it makes a lot of sense and was my first thought. But, I just wanted to "throw it out there" to see what would come back, in case there was a "golden combo" someone knew.

With regard to current spring "colour coding" I suspect that's long gone due to rust. But I'll try and see if it's still there and let you know if I find it!
 
I get your comments on wheel size and using 16" wheels should be a little bit lighter than 17"s, improving un-sprung weight and having a slightly higher sidewall height improving primer ride. But, I like the "look" of the A2 on 17"s and that reducing tyre pressures slightly I can get close to the ride quality of being on 16"s. As I'm upping the tyre size slightly to 215/40R17, where the sidewall height reduction is only 6.5mm compared to the standard 16"s it will be very close.
 
I fully refurbished my suspension. Went for Eibach Springs n Bilstein B4 Shocks. Also included new Feb Top Mounts and Meyle Drop Links. See images for details...
d3558fbbeae2d9d1b24167fdecdd1b56.jpg
5eacc4d6f9b8a82cf40b8dd7bd51c0c4.jpg
5256415aa56f9c8c92b672603c3879de.jpg
fdfe497b065685861878a7646c9a2ae8.jpg
c512bfa4436300fdb1c99a320ad9b781.jpg


Sent from my SM-N960F using Tapatalk
 
Jellybean said:
I fully refurbished my suspension. Went for Eibach Springs n Bilstein B4 Shocks. Also included new Feb Top Mounts and Meyle Drop Links. See images for details...
d3558fbbeae2d9d1b24167fdecdd1b56.jpg
5eacc4d6f9b8a82cf40b8dd7bd51c0c4.jpg
5256415aa56f9c8c92b672603c3879de.jpg
fdfe497b065685861878a7646c9a2ae8.jpg
c512bfa4436300fdb1c99a320ad9b781.jpg


Sent from my SM-N960F using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

What’s the result like for you - happy? I’m planning on the exact same soon for my FSI with OSS - would be great to hear your feedback.

Cheers,

Stuart
 
I have two 1.4Tdi, and a 1.4i. I have done the suspension on all of them both ends as it was necessary after purchase.

After some reading before doing the first, the Tdis both have Monroe SP3248 springs which proved to be a good replacement for originals that were rusty. One has Bilstein B4 shocks, the other has Bilstein B6 shocks,

B4s are good all round shocks - I have them on both the 1.4Tdi and our 1.4i.

The B6 are a surprising amount more expensive - and I only acquired mine by very fortuitous timing on a supplier discount that coincided with another voucher and it worked together, but they show noticeable refinement with the same Monroe springs as the B4s. That being said, if you need shocks for an A2 and have a budget, the B4s would be the one to go for.
 
VonB said:
What’s the result like for you - happy? I’m planning on the exact same soon for my FSI with OSS - would be great to hear your feedback.

Cheers,

Stuart
Click to expand...
This setup is on Jelly, my Tdi75. Very pleased although took a few miles to settle in.
A world away from the lowered coilover setup!

Sent from my SM-N960F using Tapatalk
 
This question somewhat depends on your ideal ride height. With mine the most comfy is the black one, this has standard kyb springs all round and preloved Mk6 polo rear springs (these don't fit without slight modifications so I wouldn't recommend it to others really but they work great!) Front shocks are trw and Sachs.

Mr grey has good comfort that has bilstein shocks and factory springs

Mr Silver has unknown springs and Sachs shocks already fitted when I got it. With decent comfort.

Ride height reduces so does comfort in my experience
 
note that tyre brand also has a significant impact. We were on Nokian in 195/50R15 here and switched to Yokohama a couple of years back and the relative squidge is significantly higher. The Nokians gave a much more direct steering feel and ride, the yokohamas are far more pliable and comfy.
This is on B8s, Eibach, H&R Front and rear, Meyle HD droplinks. 7J rims. Yes, you can pull a half-turn of lock at 20ish mph and the car will just do it. Very, very direct and immediate. Not everyone's cup of tea.
 
So, sorry for the delay in coming back to everyone and thanks for your comments. I was having to get my house ready for it's first "sales viewing"! Two days mad panic, god I hate house moving!

Anyway, to me it seams to be split between Bilstein's to match the dampers, or Eibach. However, from what I've seen on the Eibach website they only do what are called "Pro kit" springs for the A2, which lower it. So that rules them out.

Back to Bilstein's then. But, on their website there appears to be two different front and rear springs available for a 2005 55KW (75BHP) and it's not very clear which is best for my car out of the four springs that are available. Which two are best for my car? Although, for the front there is only one for A/C cars and one without, but that appears to be petrol only as they list it? I have a 1.4 TDI with A/C, so is that correct for a diesel as well, although the engine is heavier? It doesn't say. And as for rears?

Phone call to Bilstein's on Monday to sort out.
 
Mazio said:
So, sorry for the delay in coming back to everyone and thanks for your comments. I was having to get my house ready for it's first "sales viewing"! Two days mad panic, god I hate house moving!

Anyway, to me it seams to be split between Bilstein's to match the dampers, or Eibach. However, from what I've seen on the Eibach website they only do what are called "Pro kit" springs for the A2, which lower it. So that rules them out.

Back to Bilstein's then. But, on their website there appears to be two different front and rear springs available for a 2005 55KW (75BHP) and it's not very clear which is best for my car out of the four springs that are available. Which two are best for my car? Although, for the front there is only one for A/C cars and one without, but that appears to be petrol only as they list it? I have a 1.4 TDI with A/C, so is that correct for a diesel as well, although the engine is heavier? It doesn't say. And as for rears?

Phone call to Bilstein's on Monday to sort out.
Click to expand...

The following Bilstein springs are listed on autodoc for the Audi A2.

Bilstein B3 front springs (for 1.4 petrol)
37-147662 (sold to replace 8Z0411105AH 8Z0411105AM)
Bilstein B3 front springs (for 1.4TDI, 1.6FSI)
37-147679 (matches 8Z0411105AL)
Bilstein B3 rear springs (for non-OSS)
36-147717 (sold to replace 8Z0511115AS 8Z0511115BA)
Bilstein B3 rear springs (for OSS)
36-147700 (sold to replace 8Z0511115AT 8Z0511115BB)

 
Last edited:
Mazio said:
So, sorry for the delay in coming back to everyone and thanks for your comments. I was having to get my house ready for it's first "sales viewing"! Two days mad panic, god I hate house moving!

Anyway, to me it seams to be split between Bilstein's to match the dampers, or Eibach. However, from what I've seen on the Eibach website they only do what are called "Pro kit" springs for the A2, which lower it. So that rules them out.

Back to Bilstein's then. But, on their website there appears to be two different front and rear springs available for a 2005 55KW (75BHP) and it's not very clear which is best for my car out of the four springs that are available. Which two are best for my car? Although, for the front there is only one for A/C cars and one without, but that appears to be petrol only as they list it? I have a 1.4 TDI with A/C, so is that correct for a diesel as well, although the engine is heavier? It doesn't say. And as for rears?

Phone call to Bilstein's on Monday to sort out.
Click to expand...
Eibach website somehow forgets A2 existence, but they actually produce non-lowering OEM springs too.
C

Post in thread 'Quality shocks and springs'

donp38 said:
Any further thoughts?
I now have two vehicles to do.
TDi sport
FSI with OSS
Need to do top mounts, springs and dampers to both.
Click to expand...

Eibach R10344 front spring (matches 6Q0411105AN) (for 1.4 petrol)
Length 330mm
Wire diameter 11.25mm
Number of coil turns 5.5

Eibach R10410 front spring (matches 6Q0411105AC) (for 1.4 diesel and 1.6 petrol)
Length 348mm
Wire diameter 11.25mm
Number of coil turns 5.5

Eibach R10662 front spring (matches 8Z0411105AL) (for...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top