Springs, shocks options?
Springs, shocks options?
My suspension arms are due for a change as the bushes are torn. I Think the car would benefit from new shocks too and I'm considering lowering it a tad. Anyone found a decent spring/shock combo? I see on another thread there's the risk of inadvertently raising the car with some kits.
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MikkiJayne
- Posts: 209
- Joined: Wed Sep 06, 2023 6:26 pm
Re: Springs, shocks options?
There are practically no good options for new shocks on an S8 other than coilovers. The Bilstein B12 kit does indeed lift an S8. Its designed to lower a comfort spec A8, and Bilstein inexplicably design their suspension for the maximum gross weight of the vehicle (or at least that what it seems from observation) so on any S model it endes up getting lifted. Dumb.
I personally rate the Spax RSX kit, but its designed to go very very low which makes it a bit of a pain to set up. I run the RSX springs and shocks up front, but RSX shocks with stock springs on the rear. The rear of a D2 doesn't lend itself well to coilovers and the Spax kit tends to result in a bit of a carolina squat, but it works well with the stock springs. The ride is a touch harsh compared to stock, but the shocks are adjustable so there's a degree of tuning you can do. Spax now make a double-adjustable setup too but I haven't tried that yet.
I have a full air ride setup for sale if you want to go that far, but its not particularly cheap
I personally rate the Spax RSX kit, but its designed to go very very low which makes it a bit of a pain to set up. I run the RSX springs and shocks up front, but RSX shocks with stock springs on the rear. The rear of a D2 doesn't lend itself well to coilovers and the Spax kit tends to result in a bit of a carolina squat, but it works well with the stock springs. The ride is a touch harsh compared to stock, but the shocks are adjustable so there's a degree of tuning you can do. Spax now make a double-adjustable setup too but I haven't tried that yet.
I have a full air ride setup for sale if you want to go that far, but its not particularly cheap
Re: Springs, shocks options?
I normally get impatient and rush these things and end up not being happy with the results. I don't want to sacrifice much on comfort so my thinking is not to go with coilovers. I might look at speaking to Gaz and MTS Technik to see what lowering options they can offer.
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MikkiJayne
- Posts: 209
- Joined: Wed Sep 06, 2023 6:26 pm
Re: Springs, shocks options?
If you don't want to sacrifice any ride comfort then agreed stay away from coilovers. KW are even worse than Spax in that regard.
The Eibach Sport kit for the D2 is almost the same as stock S8 springs, maybe slightly stiffer. On stock S8 dampers its almost impossible to tell the difference, its just S8-compatible dampers which are the challenge. It would be very interesting to see if Gaz would be up for making some. Its an untapped, although admittedly quite small, market. I'm happy to donate a stock S8 damper or two if they need something for reference.
The Eibach Sport kit for the D2 is almost the same as stock S8 springs, maybe slightly stiffer. On stock S8 dampers its almost impossible to tell the difference, its just S8-compatible dampers which are the challenge. It would be very interesting to see if Gaz would be up for making some. Its an untapped, although admittedly quite small, market. I'm happy to donate a stock S8 damper or two if they need something for reference.