My suspension is starting to feel a little floaty at 80,000 miles and since I'm having all the control arm bushings replaced, I think I'll replace the shocks too. Do I need to replace the springs as well?

Any suggestions of what kit I should buy are apprciated. I have the factory sport suspension right now. I don't really want to lower the car any more as it's already scraping on everything. The replacement can be firmer, but I still want a nice smooth ride. I don't care about adjustability or track performance.<ul><li><a href="http://www.tirerack.com/suspension/suspension.jsp?autoMake=Audi&amp;autoModel=A4+Avant+2. 8L+Quattro&amp;autoYear=2000&amp;autoModClar=&amp;make=Eibach&amp; model=Pro-System+Kit&amp;group=Pro-System+Kit&amp;partNum=1549.780&amp;perfCod

...i'd consider just getting the Eibach dampers and keep your factory sport springs to retain the same ride height.

Otherwise, you should consider a coilover setup to get you up higher then the spring/shock kits. Koni C/O is nice and smooth, and I know Eibach makes a C/O as well. Vogtland has one that I hear is more firm then the Koni. All are similarly priced.

I have the sport which already rides an inch lower than the standard. If they quote 1.5" lowering against the standard suspension, then I'd only lower .5" more, which isn't that bad.

There is no standard in the industry to compare lowering against OEM standard suspension or OEM sport. Take the number with a grain of salt. Maybe search in the B5 forum for a picture of this setup on someones car so you have a good idea what it will look like.

For example: I just put new vogtland suspension kit on my wifes 02 Golf TDI and the lowering was stated as 1.6". Well the front is lower .5" and the rear .75". These ammounts are after 5 weeks and 2000 miles so i know it is pretty settled. And she had OEM standard suspension..

Maybe even just skip the springs and buy the shocks only. Though the progressive rate springs are a very interesting idea.<ul><li><a href="http://www.awe-tuning.com/pages/shared/part_detail.cfm?PMaI=1&amp;PMoI=1&amp;PEI=3&amp;PP=a4_28_suspe nsion.cfm&amp;PPT=Suspension&amp;IL=HRBilsteinCombo">H&amp;R Sport Springs and Bilstein Sport Shocks Combo</a></li></ul>

You'll retain close to the OEM sport ride height, with better response due to the Bilsteins.

I went with the Vogtlands + (extra grooved)Bilstein sports, and used a higher perch setting on the Bils w/ the Vogtlands. I'm about 1/4" lower than stock sport, which is just about where I want it. I do a lot of snowboarding in the winter, and didn't want lower clearance.

This setup is darn near identical to the stock sport setup, with just a little bit firmer response.

If you're concerned about ride height, definitely get a set of the Bilstein sports with additional grooves. I ordered mine from ECS. If you get springs as well, compare them with the sport springs for overall length, and try to adjust the perch on the shocks to get close to your original ride height. The springs + perch setting together set your final ride height.

<ul><li><a href="http://www.tirerack.com/a.jsp?a=AR4&url=%2Fsuspension%2Fsuspension.jsp%3FautoMake%3DAu di%26amp%3BautoModel%3DA4%2B2.8L%26amp%3BautoYear% 3D2000%26amp%3BautoModClar%3DQuattro%26amp%3Bmake% 3DEibach%26amp%3Bmodel%3DPro-System%2BPlus%2BKi

They have 82K on them but as far as I know are OK. I'd hate to throw them out if someone can find a use for them, they can have them.