TwinTurboTerror

Which one should I get (I'd be getting H&R / Bilstein if I don't do the coilovers)? I don't track my car. I can save ~$300 not getting the coilover. What should I do?

TIA.

RKA

that already own the Bilsteins and need more adjustability. If you have nothing right now, buy the coilovers. Yes it costs more, but imho, you get a better shock for your money.

Zev is currently selling the H&R's at $1210 I think. Biltsteins, springs, and the ECS sleeves should run about $250 less than the coilovers, correct?

TwinTurboTerror

Yeah, that's right. Thanks for your input.

BiturboBoy_V2.0_S3--

H&R shocks are also bilstein based, no?
not sure about the damping differences between the two however.
Also, it takes forever to get a blown shock replaced from H&R vs. if need be replacing a blown regular bilstein (which i've not heard nearly as many reports of on the bilstein sports for teh S4 vs teh H&R streets) eithe rby yourself (only 125 each or so) or by trying to get bilstein toe honor the warranty.
ultimately its the choice of springs available that make teh bilstein shocks option to be a little less attractive. its best mated with rathar soft springs, and isn't well paired withe H&R sport springs everyone seems to put them with.

SAC-CA-GTI

yes they are a little soft, but not bad IMO. I just didn't want that bone jarring ride. I am installing the ECS sleeves, being even though I have the notched Bilsteins the rear can't be raised anymore and they can only be done in 1/4" increments which is too much, or too little. Just my .02

RKA

I've owned an A4 with bilsteins and Eibach springs, and later swapped to H&R coilovers. Yes, the basic design of the shock is the same, but the performance of the shocks is different. If I had known what the extra $500 would have bought me, I probably would have bought the H&R's coilovers. In this case, the difference is now $250.

As for the warranty issue...all I can suggest is buy from a good retailer. H&R doesn't want to deal with their customers. They want their dealers to handle customer issues if at all possible. Utimately it may be that dealer you depend on for good service regardless of which suspension you choose, so purchase wisely.

TwinTurboTerror

Thanks for everyone's input.