[REB_A5]

Some of you (especially those that were there ) will remember the mini-meet at APS on 6 Sep when I had the H & R springs fitted (along with spacers and the Milltek).

You may also remember my comments in this post where I said the ride comfort with the H&R's was a lot harsher than I expected. Well it's now got to the point where if I used the car on a daily basis (which I don't) then I would have to either switch back to the standard springs or try something else. The annoying thing is that as others have said, if the car is on a nice flat piece of road, they are great but once you get onto bumps and holes (predominant around where I live), the ride becomes quite jarring.

Well, following yesterday's ride out to and from the Yorkshire Meet, Mrs REB has seen the light and agreed that the ride needs improving - no matter what the cost. I must also thank Whealey and MeteorSilver for their words of wisdom into Mrs REB's shell-like yesterday as that certainly helped the cause - thanks guys.

So tomorrow I'm going to ring Ed at APS and have a chat and hopefully arrange for the fitting of a set of KW's before the week is out (Friday if he can fit me in).

 

[REB_A5]

V1 is not out until December....

Guess it will be V2 then . I'll asking Ed at APS about both types tomorrow and hopefully he will have the definitive answer as to whether V1 exist or not.

 

[REB_A5]

V1 is not out until December....
Are you talking about H&R springs or coilovers?? I have never heard anyone say the springs are harsh and the dampening is in the shock????

The ride with the H&R springs is definitely much harsher than the stock system. You feel each and every bump/hole in the road and on some of the roads where I live, it is a particularly uncomfortable ride compared to what it was like on the standard set-up.

Ess5ive explained it quite well in his review once he had the KW 2's fitted.

My aim is to get the comfort factor back whilst achieving the lower stance at the same time.

 

[REB_A5]

I would have to disagree with you on that one. When I had the 25mm H&R springs on my A5, I found the ride to be quite comfortable... no harshness whatsoever.

Well that's it then - I must be imagining things!! Almost everyone seems to be disagreeing with me so I'll tell you what - come on over to my place and I'll take you for a ride and then tell me that I am wrong.

On MY car the ride with the H&R springs on an uneven surface (most of the UK road system it seems), is unacceptably hard - especially when compared to what it was like on the standard set-up. Mrs REB and I feel every pot-hole, lump or ridge in the road.

I would agree that on a flat, even, possibly recently re-surfaced road, the ride is fine - but hit a bump or a small hole (anything that is going to make the springs/dampers do what they do) and you feel it in an almost bone jarring way. Even a ridge in the road that causes the car to 'bounce' is uncomfortable.

As I said in the opening post, Ess5ive described the process very well in his review.

 

[REB_A5]

Just to clarify... my comments weren't an attempt to say you don't know what you're talking about, nor was I doubting the validity of your statements. Rather, I was just posting what MY experiences have been with the 25mm springs in case others are reading this and contemplating whether or not to get those. That's all.

Sorry TX, I've just looked again at what I wrote and I should have put a few smilies or something in there. It wasn't meant as dig at you (or anyone else) but just me trying to explain what I'm feeling - literally!

Manor, I'd like to take you up on that offer please. Give me an idea of when you would be available and I'll come to you. Although I said originally that I would like it done before the end of the week, I'm flexible on that - especially as I haven't even spoken to Ed yet about availability etc.

 

[REB_A5]

REB, have sent you an SMS re meet up.

... and I've just left you a voice-mail message.

 

[REB_A5]

I found the H&R springs too harsh and we also ran aground a fair bit on back roads. The Coilovers are a vast improvement. I would say better than stock.

I'm pleased I did the springs first so I could tell the difference but the ride was way too harsh. More so for the passengers than the driver.

So it's not just me then ... .

Manor50 is kindly giving me a demo ride tomorrow evening in his S5 just so I can be sure before digging deep for the KW's. I don't think there will be any doubt though.

DD, I've sent you a PM regarding something...

 

[REB_A5]

KW's Are Ordered & Booked.

OK, I've spoken to Ed and he has confirmed that I will be better off with the KW's - which I knew anyway - and I'm booked in for fitting on Friday.

 

[REB_A5]

TX did you go for the KW1 or KW2?

TX has the KW 2's as the KW 1's are not yet available.

 

[REB_A5]

It's Official...

Manor50 is kindly giving me a demo ride tomorrow evening in his S5 just so I can be sure before digging deep for the KW's. I don't think there will be any doubt though.

OK, I'm sold! The KW2s are definitely better than the H&R's (but you all knew that anyway ).

Thank you Manor50 for the ride in your S5 (first time I've been in one) - the 'demo' road we found certainly put both cars through their respective paces. Manor thought he was going to bring his lunch up when he rode in my A5 (a first for him as well).

Anyway, as previously stated, I'm booked in for the KW2s on Friday at APS.

 

[REB_A5]

I hope your car was clean Reb.

Whilst I did clean it Saturday morning for the Yorkshire Meet, it was not even close to Manor's which was gleaming.

 

[REB_A5]

Well, I went to APS today and had the KW V2 Coilovers fitted.

Now I am a happy A5 owner again. Whilst I don't think the ride is as smooth etc as the stock system, it's very close and a vast improvement on the H&Rs.

The ride home was via a cross country route rather than the clogged up and boring M1 and both my son and I enjoyed the journey.

I took the family out this evening and Mrs REB says it is money well spent - so I must have done something right for a change.

So, thank you to those that offered advice and again particularly to Manor50 for the ride in his S5.

Thanks also go to Ed and his team at APS for a job well done.

Just the remap to go now to complete the picture.

 

[REB_A5]

Those are indeed the KW coilovers being discussed on this thread - they are not what sizzle has fitted though.

Where can I order these and get them shipped to Sweden? Can't find that info...

You didn't try very hard then...

A little bit of research effort on your part would have saved me the less than 2 minutes it took to find these 2 importers in Sweden. Have a look at the KW web site here for details. They both list KW kits so would be a good place to start asking if they can supply the A5 systems.

Have fun

 

[REB_A5]

At the moment I've gone for the same as the H&R's - 25mm F & R. I'll wait and see how it settles after a few days/weeks (dependant on when remap is available). I think it looks a little high on the front at the moment but we'll see.

Manor, if you could let me have the details of your paint man via PM please, I would be grateful. My son needs some work done on his Mini.