onekutcha

Hello people,

I am new to this forum but since I have an Audi A8 4.2 D2 it was time to chime into this forum and for that I need your advice. It is time to replace the struts on my A8 and I was looking at some alternate options as for suspension replacement.
KW variant 1 or variant 2 or H&R?
Since I do not have any experience in this please anyone who knows about these suspension systems I need your advice which would be the best for my A8. I would like the suspension a bit more sporty but still comfortable and also I need the one which does a good job at dampening while cornering meaning it holds the car in a steady position instead of leaning to the opposite side of the direction of turning.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thank you!

DutchDoofus

Eibach Pro-kit with OEM (for sporty but still comfortable) or Bilstein dampers (bit more sporty).

Wonderfull combination if i say so myself :-)

onekutcha

So the KW v1 and v2 are too rigid as well as the H&R? Hmmm I don't want it too sporty to sacrifice comfort.
Even if the ride hight is adjustable and the KW v2 has adjustable bound/rebound function?

DutchDoofus

The Eibach kit will give more comfort. The adustability of kits is hardly relevant in this as it does not change the *basic* character of a spring/damper.

Mark'sA8L

based on comments I have read on here, the BEST combination for all around use would be to get actual S8 OEM suspension components

I actually have B&G/Bilstein and love it for looks, ride and the inexpensive price.

If money was not an option I would go for S8 components

ohbw

Not anywhere short of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magneto_Rheological_suspension">magneto-rheological suspensions</a>, anyway. There's just a continuum between F1 and Mark VII. I definitely lost some plush when I installed H&amp;Rs, but I was glad to see it go, along with all the body roll and diving under braking that went with it. And I was happy to feel the road rather than be insulated from it.

The A8 is capable of, and intended for, eating lots of miles at high speeds in varying conditions -- 300 hp, AWD, bank vault construction, safety features galore, all very confidence inspiring. Except, er, those minor details, the suspension and brakes, which are downright dangerous when matched to the rest of the car.

I've driven S8s and I'd describe that suspension as somewhere between a stock A8 and an A8 with H&amp;Rs -- definitely cushier than H&amp;Rs, but with more body roll and dive under braking. I don't know about the others, no direct experience.

Ideally, you'd find someone near you with each who'd let you drive, or give you a spirited ride in, their cars. Only your butt can tell you where on the F1/MkVII continuum you feel happiest and safest.

You'd probably find a bunch of different suspensions at an event like...<ul><li><a href="https://forums.audiworld.com/a8/msgs/168854.phtml">this one.</a></li></ul>

onekutcha

Thank you for the inputs! So it seems to me that the KW stuff might be too stiff. How would you line them up by stiffness?
KW-&gt;H&amp;R-&gt;BILSTEIN+EIBACH-&gt;EIBACH-&gt;S8-&gt;OEM?

vwgti16vt

It puts the car at the perfect height
(I think anyways)
<img src="http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u103/vwgti16vt/Audi%20A8/IMGP1055.jpg">
<img src="http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u103/vwgti16vt/Audi%20A8/IMGP1046.jpg">

mAgnum8

^^^^^vwgti16vt that is one beautiful D2!^^^^^

onekutcha

Wow! Beautiful A8 D2!!! Does it have spacers on? Are the road conditions great where you live? How much stiffer the H&amp;R compared to the stock coilovers?