Suspension upgrade

3607 Views 23 Replies 9 Participants Last post by Smokey Joe, Jun 1, 2022

Smokey Joe

Discussion Starter · Mar 17, 2022

So at my last service the garage picked up a weeping rear damper.
This was actually good news as it gave me a good excuse to replace it all as I've fancied a subtle drop for a while now.
I didn't want to go to the expense of coilovers (well decent ones anyway) and I didn't want cheap either. I also wanted to keep the ride comfort of the stock suspension.
A couple of people recommended the Bilstein b12 kit (bilstein dampers and eibach springs) so I bit the bullet and couldn't be happier.
My originals had 85k miles on them but I thought they still felt pretty good until I swapped them out.
The difference was felt straight away so much more responsive and tight like a new car.
I've not properly tested them yet but I'll give them a couple of weeks to settle down then get a 4 wheel alignment done and report back but so far this is one of the best mods I've done and for not a huge amount of money.
Surprisingly easy job too if anyone else is thinking about doing it.
Here's a pic of how it sits now.

Wheel Tire Car Vehicle Automotive tire

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Redline_dtm1

· #2 · Mar 20, 2022

Your car looks really nice Joe. 👌
I had the same advisory from Coventry Audi 3 years ago where they said nsr shock light misting.
However one of my mates who worked there told me Audi always pick that up and the shock was not leaking and it has not been picked up on any mot since then.
I had a bilstein set up on my subaru years ago and loved it - but it was pricey.
Like you I have thought about changing the shocks but I don't want coilovers as I like the general oem ride.
I might consider it now that spring is on the way, as I have probably done 500 miles in the last 6 -7 months.
Nice rear valance by the way lol.

Reactions: 1

Smokey Joe

Discussion Starter · #3 · Mar 20, 2022

Thanks Ade.
It was also the nsr on mine that got picked up at the service in October so I bought the Bilstein kit on black Friday for less than 500 quid and have just been waiting for the time to fit it. My shock was actually leaking and when I removed it and compressed it, it didn't even extend again so was well ready.
If you decide to replace yours it's a fairly easy job if you have the tools and you don't have to drop the rear subframe like on the YouTube videos I watched.
I took loads of pics if anyone needs any help doing it.

Reactions: 2

I CU2

· #4 · Mar 20, 2022

I've got the B12 as well on my 3.0 TDI - I went with just the Eibach springs at the start and found the ride a bit to harsh and someone near me was selling a near new set of B8 shocks so I grabbed them. Couldn't be happier, the ride is pretty much the same as what it was before when I didn't install the springs (the shocks were in need of replacement anyway it seems)!

I noticed on my rear right side, the dust cover for the damper is touching the actual shock absorber and has worn out some yellow paint - has that happen to yours? I only noticed it today and installed them in December.

Reactions: 1

Smokey Joe

Discussion Starter · #5 · Mar 20, 2022

The ride quality is very good for what is essentially a sporty setup that is slightly lower than the stock s5. It is firm but very compliant and not at all crashy like my old B7's used to be and it feels very planted.
As for the rubbing dust cover, I don't think anything is rubbing but I'll keep my eye on it as it's only been a few days.

SimonRoma

· #6 · Mar 20, 2022

Joe mate, like you my old S4 feels great but I am sure that a set of Bilsteins would be magic. When I bought her I fitted a full set of Brembo discs and pads, so I guess that the suspension is next on my list. Thanks!!! Simon

Phantom zone

· #7 · Mar 20, 2022

What valence is that Joe, that’s look absolutely spot on and the height looks awesome as well
I’ve had Audi fit the active sound exhaust to my car sometime back and really pleased with it, just need to look into the quad look as ive been wanting to do this for some time now

Smokey Joe

Discussion Starter · #8 · Mar 20, 2022

SimonRoma said:
Joe mate, like you my old S4 feels great but I am sure that a set of Bilsteins would be magic. When I bought her I fitted a full set of Brembo discs and pads, so I guess that the suspension is next on my list. Thanks!!! Simon

Simon if you are still on the original suspension then I'm confident that changing it would make a huge improvement to the ride quality as these things wear out over long periods of time without being noticed even if not leaking.
Go for it.

Smokey Joe

Discussion Starter · #9 · Mar 20, 2022

Phantom zone said:
What valence is that Joe, that’s look absolutely spot on and the height looks awesome as well

Thanks Mr Phantom I appreciate that.
It's a Reiger diffuser from Germany but I found a comany in the Midlands selling them on ebay.

Phantom zone

· #10 · Mar 20, 2022

Smokey Joe said:
Thanks Mr Phantom I appreciate that.
It's a Reiger diffuser from Germany but I found a comany in the Midlands selling them on ebay.

👍

Redline_dtm1

· #11 · Mar 20, 2022

Mr phantom they are based in Lichfield and you can call them direct and if it is in stock they will dispatch straight away.
I've ordered one for an S5 sportback 2 weeks ago and as it was not in stock so they have dispatched one from Germany.

Phantom zone

· #12 · Mar 20, 2022

Redline_dtm1 said:
Mr phantom they are based in Lichfield and you can call them direct and if it is in stock they will dispatch straight away.
I've ordered one for an S5 sportback 2 weeks ago and as it was not in stock so they have dispatched one from Germany.

Excellent, thanks for that

Redline_dtm1

· #13 · Mar 20, 2022

Hey Joe do you have a link for the kit you got?

Smokey Joe

Discussion Starter · #14 · Mar 21, 2022

2

Redline_dtm1 said:
Hey Joe do you have a link for the kit you got?

Hi Ade, I got mine from auto doc on black Friday but it doesn't seem to be available at the moment.
This is what I got,

Orange Font Screenshot Communication Device Electronic device

Circled in red is the part number you need to look for (assuming you don't have electronic suspension as that is different).
I've found this on ebay just now.

Font Electronic component Tool Engineering Auto part

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waggyy

· #15 · Apr 15, 2022

Smokey Joe said:
Thanks Ade.
It was also the nsr on mine that got picked up at the service in October so I bought the Bilstein kit on black Friday for less than 500 quid and have just been waiting for the time to fit it. My shock was actually leaking and when I removed it and compressed it, it didn't even extend again so was well ready.
If you decide to replace yours it's a fairly easy job if you have the tools and you don't have to drop the rear subframe like on the YouTube videos I watched.
I took loads of pics if anyone needs any help doing it.

Hi Joe. How did you go about changing the rears with out dropping the subframe please? And how long did the job take?

Cheers Paul ☺

Smokey Joe

Discussion Starter · #16 · Apr 15, 2022

waggyy said:
Hi Joe. How did you go about changing the rears with out dropping the subframe please? And how long did the job take?

I just got my spring compressors onto the springs in situ and compressed the springs enough to be able to remove them. (obviously you have to do this to the new springs before you fit them) This is fiddly and takes a while as I could only turn the compressors a bit at a time.
Here's a pic.

Automotive tire Motor vehicle Hood Automotive exterior Automotive design

Time wise if you plan for a full day this should be enough to do all four corners.

I did the fronts and one of the rears in between school runs (8.30-3.00) then did the other rear another morning.

It can be done quicker than this if you're in a rush but I gave everything a thorough cleaning while I was in there.

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Dave Kwatro

· #17 · May 30, 2022

I missed this Joe! Been busy with work so not been on here for a bit!

Looks good! nothing like a new suspension, it does feel like a new car! I felt the same when I replaced just the fork oil on my R6!

Your car looks spot on! Just can't see your brake upgrades tho!

Reactions: 1

sayek

· #18 · May 30, 2022

Smokey Joe said:
So at my last service the garage picked up a weeping rear damper.
This was actually good news as it gave me a good excuse to replace it all as I've fancied a subtle drop for a while now.
I didn't want to go to the expense of coilovers (well decent ones anyway) and I didn't want cheap either. I also wanted to keep the ride comfort of the stock suspension.
A couple of people recommended the Bilstein b12 kit (bilstein dampers and eibach springs) so I bit the bullet and couldn't be happier.
My originals had 85k miles on them but I thought they still felt pretty good until I swapped them out.
The difference was felt straight away so much more responsive and tight like a new car.
I've not properly tested them yet but I'll give them a couple of weeks to settle down then get a 4 wheel alignment done and report back but so far this is one of the best mods I've done and for not a huge amount of money.
Surprisingly easy job too if anyone else is thinking about doing it.
Here's a pic of how it sits now.
View attachment 182989

Looks really nice.
I replaced the 4 shocks and both strut mounts about a year ago on my 2009 A5. I knew the shocks were leaking as they were mentioned on the previous MOT advisory before purchase. I was ok with this as I negotiated the price to include the parts cost and knowing I will have a fresh suspension.
I was a bit surprised how bad the shocks were..most of them would not even rebound. I went for the stock Sach replacement and yet the car had improved ride quality.

The rear was easy but the front was hard due to the "PINCH BOLT" from hell. Unless you in drive climate the bolt needs to be heated out

Reactions: 1

ukEvo

· #19 · May 31, 2022

Car looks great! Can you tell me how much the Eibach kit lowered your car? I've looked at the same kit (it's now back on AutoDoc but not at such a great price) and also the H&R kits; I see they offer a 20-25mm lowering kit and a 35mm. I'm wondering if 35mm is too much for my 'daily driver' S5 .....

Reactions: 1

Smokey Joe

Discussion Starter · #20 · May 31, 2022

sayek said:
The rear was easy but the front was hard due to the "PINCH BOLT" from hell. Unless you in drive climate the bolt needs to be heated out

I hope you didn't spent too much time on the pinch bolt as it doesn't even need to be removed. 😂

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