The German magazine Gute Fahrt ran a comparison test of suspensions in their Feb 98 issue. Someone reported a translation of this on the quattro list in March 1998. I am not sure whether it is in the A4.org archives. Gute Fahrt compared the OEM sport setup with Bilstein, Eibach, H&R, Koni, and Sachs offerings. The Eibach option, which was springs only, lowered the car by 40 mm front, 23 mm rear (compared to 25F/20R for OEM sport.) The standard sport suspension scored equal to or better than the Eibach setup in every category. It was better in "elk test", slalom, steering precision, body roll, and comfort. GF suggested that firmer struts were a necessity with the Eibachs. By the way, the test vehicles appear to be front wheel drive A4s.

These are Gute Fahrt's observations, not mine, and I don't know whether the Audi-approved springs are the same as the Eibachs. Also, I have no confirmation that the US OEM sport suspension is the same as the German.

Charlie
1.8tqms

Look in the Quattro List archives for March 1998. The posting by Tom Nas was March 23, 1998 at 14:45:00. Titled "GF Test: Sports suspension for the A4". He translated the key table of scores for the various spring/damper options.

Charlie