I've seen a lot of places that have aftermarket springs with Bilstein shocks. Such as:<p>Neuspeed springs + Bilsteins<br>H & R springs + Bilsteins<br>B & G springs + Bilsteins<br>ABT springs + Bilsteins<p>My question is, are the Bilsteins that come with these "packages" all the same? I mean, Greedspeed sells their set of Bilstein shocks for a little more than $500, whereas AMS gets $1100 for them! Is the ABT setup way different than the other setups? Any help would be appreciated!<p>Albert

 

<br>Usually, the cheaper Bilsteins are generic ones, whereas the more expensive units are/should be specially valved units that are matched to the springs and the car in general.<p>Ned

 

Off-the-shelf Bilsteins such as those used in the less expensive H&R setups are indeed different than the ABT configuration that AMS sells. The Abt setup employs custom valving that places dampening somewhere between the "HD" and "Sport" shocks. The emphasis is on ride quality. I have experience with many different cars using everything from OE to radical custom coilovers. I am *sick* of noisy and overly harsh combos. Additionally, the Abt shocks/springs are tailored for the A4 and the ride quality reflects it. Anyone interested in a test ride is welcome to my car. Despite running relatively low profile tires and 18" wheels, the ride is very nice. You have to decide what this is worth to you. The Abt stuff isn't cheap, but all of my tuner parts are Abt and I am VERY satisfied. Hope this helps.<p>Regards,<br>Searl

 

I just had the Bilstein/H&R combo installed last Friday. Haven't driven it too much (had to move my girlfriend this weekend) but I have to say overall it's been a positive experience so far, although really it's a "something lost, something gained" scenario, as most will confirm. Sheer comfort, which the floaty stock suspension offered, is gone. The ride is a definitely a little harder. But what's gained is I feel like I'm driving a much "sportier" car now. Definitely a badass feel that wasn't there before. More like an old Porsche I once had. The suspension is taut. There's no other word for it. I've taken a few corners at speeds I never would have done in my old Jetta and the car just hugged. And of course, the car looks infinitely better now that it's not wearing the classic A4 highwaters.<p>Anyways -- Back to the suspension choices. I found a lot of confusion and misinformation during my research about suspension options. In the end I purchased the H&R Sport springs and the Bilstein Sports because they seemed like the best compromise between performance and comfort. Total cost from www.shox.com was about $650 (shocks and springs). I also called and talked to both the Bilstein reps and someone at H&R (they're here in my town), and they both confirmed that the components were the correct ones for my A4 2.8Q. (Note that the Bilstein Sports do *not* have adjustable perches on the fronts. The rears have 4 notches. According to Bilstein, if you have notches on the fronts, those are HDs and should only be used with stock springs. Don't shoot me. I swear that's what they said :-)<p>Finally, I'll add that after installation, I think the front dropped a bit more than everyone said it would. The guy who did the work did before/after measurements and said it dropped 1.5" front and 1" rear. It looks like it, from what I've seen of other cars in the archive. This is also before the car has settled, which H&R says will happen after a while and drop it another 5mm. All I know is when I look under the car it looks perilously low. I haven't measured but the bellypan looks like it's about 4"-5" off the ground. OTOH, looks may be deceiving. I took it over some speedbumps and it didn't touch. I think larger bumps it might however.<p>I'll post some pix later. Nothing you can't already see elsewhere in the archives and gallery. A lowered A4 simply looks better, handles better, but rides rougher.<p>Hope this is helpful. YMMV.<p>Brian<br>98 A4 2.8QT