I want to lower my 99.5 non sport suspension 1.8T quattro. Tire rack sells the Eibach springs which lower the car 1.5 inches for $262 or the H&R springs for $237 which lower it 1.25 inches. Which way would you go??? I live in Connecticut. My goal for lowering is looks only, I don't plan to change the shocks. Thanks in advance for the help.
Jeff Coe
Yellow 99.5
17" wheels with TOO much clearance.

So, now I have some Koni coilovers waiting to be installed.

Get the H&R's. They are better quality.

I'd recommend also changing the shocks, or you'll look like a pogo stick going down the road. See the link for before and after pix of my car.

CraigB<ul><li><a href="http://www.users.uswest.net/~craiger/a4befaft.htm">Craig's A4 - Before & After</a></li></ul>

nt

unfortunately, in 96, they were the only springs I could get for the A4 because H&R pulled out of U.S. for a while at least that was what I was told by the supplier

So, I settled for Eibachs and had severe rubbing problems on my left front fender, until I flared it out a bit

I posted some thoughts about my Eibachs in the post below. In summary

1) I bought eibach and have since loved them. I have only had them in for 1 month now, so some of the problems mentioned may yet still come.

2) H&R are the most popular right now, if you feel more comfortable with those then go ahead with them

3) The drop is more than the 1.5, 1.4 than they quote you. It is more like 1.8 front 1.7 rear. The specs are wrong, but I think the real drop looks very good. Right now, left & right are balanced equally on each corner, but they are still new and may yet sag in the future.

I am VERY happy with my purchase, they have exceeded my expectations in terms of look and ride. In my post, I mentioned what I suspected was an uneven drop in the post in my link between front & back, but I'm convinced now that it is correct. I have since learned that the performance has vastly improved between stock & what I have now after learning some cornering tricks, but it isn't the level of control you get from coilovers.

I will strongly suggest that you should rethink using stock shocks. In the grand scheme of things, ~450 for bilsteins is not that much considering the potential of bottoming out on unmatched shocks. Plus if they wear out early, you're going to have to replace them anyways.

Try this, jack up your car and look at how far the wheel drops from the car. Conceivably that is the amount of drop your car will take if your wheel comes off a large bump, and that's one big drop. Sure, you can still bottom out on bilsteins too, but it won't be nearly as bad as taking the drop off the stock shocks.

Audiboy is absolutely right, he's had far more experience with the eibachs as I have, and the coilovers are the ultimate right answer. Maybe the engineering and the quality have changed between the ones I put in in my 1.8 vs the ones that he has put in in his 2.8, but they are probably very similar so I may have sag issues in the future. So far I am completely satisfied with my purchase, but I may be naive :>)

e-mail me if you have any qeustions about bilstein/eibach.

brian t
97 1.8t qs at<ul><li><a href="http://www.a4.org/forum/m/a4/171808.phtml">Link to pics before & after</a></li></ul>

My drop was uneven as well, not really noticable by sight, but its there. I don't feel it at least, and overall I'm very happy with the ride quality.

I'm thinking that next summer after I buy out the lease, I'll put in H&R coilovers. By that time my my stock shocks will probably be worn out.