shock opinion

[TominMO]

I got a set as well.
Though I found the OE Aspire covers/bump stop were a better design.
So I hadn't yet torn apart my Festy suspension so I cant tell if there are spring length/rate differences.
Im a bit leery of cutting spring coils, if I cut the next coil directly down from the end of existing, that is 1 coil?
What to use torch, cut-off wheel?

You are correct on what is one coil. I used a cutoff wheel, took a few seconds. Cut the spring at the bottom, not the top.

[needragr]

I got a set as well.
Though I found the OE Aspire covers/bump stop were a better design.
So I hadn't yet torn apart my Festy suspension so I cant tell if there are spring length/rate differences.
Im a bit leery of cutting spring coils, if I cut the next coil directly down from the end of existing, that is 1 coil?
What to use torch, cut-off wheel?

[TominMO]

@ Rock Auto, the search that works is "KYB SB118". Can be used for all four corners, but too large for 1 7/8" ID springs used for rear coilovers.

[needragr]

I did notice that the tabs were in significantly different location (& additional) than either the festy or Aspire.

[TominMO]

I just took receipt of a set of Rio Excel -G's to replace the unknown condition Aspire OE struts.
Not at the stage of converting those to coil over but considering using the aspire springs vs the festy.
Question is should they be cut or used as is? I would like to lower the car but I should figure out its
driving dynamics with the Aspire/Rio component swap before I start changing something else?

I got those same front struts. I cut my front Festy springs one coil to be more in line with the ride height at the rear. Supposedly the Aspire front (and rear) springs are a little stiffer than the Festy ones. If they are the same height, the Aspire springs will actually raise your car a little, giving you an off-camber effect. Probably only slightly, but still. Personally I'd go ahead and cut the front Aspire springs one coil, whatever you do at the rear. Cutting one coil will not make the struts bottom out.

Remember to get good bump stops, especially if you are cutting the springs. These can also be used if/when you convert to coilovers. These are for the rear; I'm not sure they will fit on the front, due to the shaft being thicker. For front bump stops, I'd get these: SB118, from Rock Auto. You can search the part # there.

[needragr]

For the rear, MK1 VW Bilsteins are the very best, but pricey. A close second, and very reasonable, are the KYBs for the same car. For the front I go with Rio KYBs.

I just took receipt of a set of Rio Excel -G's to replace the unknown condition Aspire OE struts.
Not at the stage of converting those to coil over but considering using the aspire springs vs the festy.
Question is should they be cut or used as is? I would like to lower the car but I should figure out its
driving dynamics with the Aspire/Rio component swap before I start changing something else?

[F3BZ]

didn't realize how cheap a homemade set of coilovers could be but this project is just a qwik saturday shock change out on an old GF's nice GL. really don't want to see her again too soon after this favor to dial in or experiment with ride height. like she'd care or know anything about coilover suspensions.

[SiliconSoul]

Step 1 - Remove front of car.

[Advancedynamix]

Audi is a nasty 4 letter word. Lol Anyone whose done a timing chain on a b6 S4 knows what I'm talking about.

[ryanprins13]

as this is just a replacement for the original factory installed pieces on a stock AT car i'm shying away from coilovers and other exotica on this car. probably can't go wrong with any of them but my brain, having been washed with the "german engineering" mantra, will probably go with the "steins". thank you for the inputs.

German engineering? Have you ever worked on a Volkswagen or Audi?


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[Advancedynamix]

9 dollars a sleeve, 9 dollars a nut, 39 dollars a spring. You need 2 of each. You'll need to get creative with the spring hats, but it's not that complicated of a part. Then you have rear bilstein adjustable coilovers.

[Advancedynamix]

The coilovers cost 9 bucks a part. Hardly exotica. Lol, especially when your buying 150 dollar a piece rear shocks.

[F3BZ]

as this is just a replacement for the original factory installed pieces on a stock AT car i'm shying away from coilovers and other exotica on this car. probably can't go wrong with any of them but my brain, having been washed with the "german engineering" mantra, will probably go with the "steins". thank you for the inputs.

[Advancedynamix]

You know my opinion. I've never tried bilsteins in the rear, but I'm sure they work well. I had bilstein sports in the front and they were very nice. I'm running Sachs super gas coilovers in the front with kyb cabriolet shocks turned coilovers in the rear. It's a very nice package. For comparison, my Festiva is more rewarding to drive than my Cayman S with KW V3 coilovers.

[TominMO]

For the rear, MK1 VW Bilsteins are the very best, but pricey. A close second, and very reasonable, are the KYBs for the same car. For the front I go with Rio KYBs.