As with every mod, there are pros and cons to going one way or another I have found after an exhaustive 5 year search of the forum. I was initially set on the eibach pro kit but then after researching things I became more set on the CO option. Here is my problem. Please advise...

Put 18s (235, 40) on with a good 2-3 inch wheel gap and want to lower the car (obviously). I also like the look of a slammed car so lower is better...

Needs are: I like a smooth ride (don't want to feel every imperfection on the road or have my GF to complain of a sore chest after a bumpy ride in the car) but want more aggressive handling and miss that glued to the road feeling I had with previous sports cars. Also I don't track it and live in a snowy climate where the roads can become very slushy. And budget is not a real issue if we are talking a few hundred dollars difference between the COs and spings/shocks.

Now if I go H&R CO route is $1250 for the kit a good price? From where should I buy them?

What about ride quality? I haven't seen much on how it compares to sping/shock upgrade. Do COs contribute to a better ride for everyday use?

How do you even adjust the ride height? Is there something that is visibly accessible by me or do I have to take it in to the shop every time I want to change the height?

And finally, would the CO route solve the wheel gap issue in my car better than the spring/shock package?

 

"live in a snowy climate where the roads can become very slushy. And budget is not a real issue if we are talking a few hundred dollars difference between the COs and spings/shocks."

This is screaming CO's. the total difference is like 1250 to 700 so 550 more, but with that 550 you get the ability to raise the car durring the winter because of the snow, roads, etc. although every time you change the ride hight you will need to have the allignment done to adjust camber which is probably going to be around $100 each time. you may be able to DIY but i dont have CO's so i dont know.

i have CO's on the to-do list for this summer because of the same reasons as you, 1. need to raise for winter, and 2. if im already spending 700 i dont want to go "half-assed". not that there is any thing wrong with a good spring/shock set-up, i just think i would get my moneys worth of the extra 550.

 

Like A6turbo530 said, you will need an alignment done after each adjustment, and I probably wouldn't count on doing it yourself. I checked out a 4.2 A6 with the eibach/koni spring/shock combo and it was just TOO low imho. Btw, imo the ride harshness and the slight bounce are good tradeoff when you consider the improved handling (big difference with my h-sport sway bars) and the elimination of the dreaded wheel gap! G'luck.

 

I am planning to lower or raise when I change my winter and summer rims/tires so alignment then

 

I was going to do CO's but ~$500 delta was a factor. However the Pro-system is awesome- No regrets

 

Too low...would the spings/shock combo then work better for wheel gap than COs? Or do COs lower more

 

but I am a HUGE fan of the coilovers, only becuase of the adjustability, and the suprizingly non-harsh ride. The first time I drove my 2.7T with the H&R coilovers, I was shocked at how smooth the ride compared to the H&R/Bilstein setup I had removed.

However, as far as adjustability is concerned, you will not ahve to keep going to the shop, just remove the wheel and move the adjustment rings with the provided tools, but it takes a but if time. You can only turn 1/8 turn at a time when they are on the car, and it takes like 16 full turns per inch.

I was going to raise up the coilovers in my 2.7T before listing it for sale, but they were frozen solid. If I had to do coilovers again, I sould try the Bilstein PSS9 setup, a bit more pricey, but a stainless body.

Whatever you decide, I'm sure there are pros and cons...price, ride quality, adjustability, etc. Just keep in mind that the installation is the same, and you really need to have an alignment done after the car is lowered.

Best of luck on your decision, and let us know what you decide!!!

 

settled. The coilovers can go lower, but can always be re-adjusted if they settle to low. <--- This pushed me towards the coilovers.... But if you're more concerned with comfort, then stick with springs.

 

You should get them for your wide-body, I've heard the external adjustability feature is 'sa-weeet'!!!

 

H & R CO's are the way to go....the PSS 9's are awesome but very expensive....