I remember a thread about shocks/springs, and that the general consensus was that the stock Boge's and springs were considered the best overall combination for non-track use. The others were too stiff/harsh - of course not everyone agreed.

With that said, I've always been happy with my full-stock suspension on my S4, which is plenty stiff as is, and I feel is a good compromise between GT and sport driving.

 

"Bilsteins with Eibachs are horrible."

Hey Dave C., can you expand on this comment.

I have this set up and thinks its awesome.

 

Perhaps 'horrible' was a bit overstated. But, like many things 'feel' is subjective.

The Bilsteins with Eibachs feel 'nervous' to me when just cruising down the road where as any of the other combinations do not. Even the 600/400 hypercoils with the custom valving feel less 'nervous' (although a bit tiresome on crappy roads.)

 

OK, that's all fine - but how about sharing what you think is finest?

I'm planning on this to happen soon, so would appreciate your insights.

 

It all depends on what you are used to....and how stiff you like your car. And what size wheels are used.

Stock springs, 17" tires, Bilsteins......I think works great. 18" wheels....noticeably stiffer.

Bilsteins are going to be a radically stiffer ride than you currently have....which may be an issue.

When in doubt.....Konis are well balanced with the stock springs.

 

This-^

and this -^

Bilsteins will be stiffer than S4, and non-Red GTS shocks with stock springs. Eibachs will make it feel less stiff until you get some roll or pitch, but I really don't like how the Bilsteins with the Eibachs make the car feel when the suspension's neutrally loaded. (I have the B/E setup on the '91.)

We drive on very different roads. What I think is finest for the roads I drive are the Konis and Eibachs. I've got externally adjustables on the '89 set on soft for the front and about 1/4 hard for the rear. This works well on our crappy streets. Turn the Konis 1/2 harder and it's just a tad too much for crappy streets but great for smooth roads and track work. However, some folks don't like the feeling of how weight transfers due to the initial softer part of the Eibachs; there's just a little more roll.

The Bilsteins with stock springs are noticeably stiffer than stock. About the same as a GT but not quite as harsh.

The Hypercoil set up with "Leguia" valving handles like a go kart. It's totally awesome if your primary purpose is carving the BRP or TOD. Hypercoils with 'stock' valving are underdamped and feel weird.

Remember: crappy roads here. On smooth, well-maintained roads, the differences are less obvious.

 

Somebody buy these. Install them and love them. Or split them into Bilsteins for your car with GT/CS front springs, knowing the rears are the same. Sell the Eibachs to someone who has Koni's but wants the progressive springs.

For reference, I currently have Eibach springs on the rear with factory GT springs on the front, with Sachs/Boge dampers. I though the Eibachs on the front with Boge dampers were too busy. 17" wheels with Mich Pilot PS2's. Old fart that enjoys touring more than track duty these days.

I've taken off Koni's on full-soft with stock S4 springs. Also Eibachs with Bilsteins. The combination I have now is IMO the best compromise, but opinions on stuff like this are all over the place. The tires/wheel sizes you have play a great part in what you feel. Some like the busy go-kart feel, thinking the car "handles better". Some of us have learned that net handling is about more than stiffness. Lots of opinions. "Feels faster" isn't always faster.

 

Absolutely this --^

 

I call my 928s "sh*t road fast" because the suspension is soft and can adapt to driving quickly on poorly maintained CA roads much better/ feel more planted and comfortable than modern sports cars can at the same speed.

Hell, you can sit at 100+ on highways for hours and feel relatively relaxed compared to new cars which are much stiffer and feel twitchy.

I have stock springs with Bilsteins and 18 inch rims on my 81 and like them a lot compared to the stock BOGE dampers and springs on my 89 which I find to be too soft.

Personally, I don't like the feel of progressive springs in that they are not linear which makes them somewhat unpredictable in really hard driving.

But that's just my opinion (take it with a grain of salt ).

I'm sure someone is looking just for this set of shocks and springs and will be very happy with them.

Best of luck selling them Mark.

 

How much should wear on Boge shocks be considered before assuming one needs/wants Bilsteins ? My car got its second set of Boge at about 30-35K miles in "06 or "07 (based on age of purchase receipts for the shocks....do not have service record for installation). My S4 now has close to 93K miles. Would I be pleasantly surprised with a new set of Boge?

Note: Bob V. gave me his suggestion at Frenzy, but he has a GT, which may change the spring variable. I have 18 inch wheels. I had a 928 (86.5) with sport shocks (Bilsteins) and seats (I know!) and I found it fun, but rough on all but smooth roads. I never got out of it after a long drive "feeling relaxed and fresh after a long drive in comfortable 928". It was a bit of a work out....but it was FUN. I have hoped that Bilsteins on stock springs on an S4 would be a sweet spot.

 

Dave and Greg hit it. It's all subjective.

I've had most all the combinations and love the Koni (medium setting) on stock springs. A couple of weeks ago I removed a set of Bilstiens on stock springs as the owner absolutely hated it so he went to stock Boge's. Now he loves driving the car again.

My opinion, the Eibachs are horrible with anything but Boge's. The ride is just too harsh and unpredictable for street use. On smooth pavement or a track, they would be in their element if you want a firmer/race track like handling.

 

my S4 wears Eibachs with Bilstiens; way to rough on anything but ultra smooth black top.

hoping to score a set of GT or stock springs soon

 

FWIW, I swapped in new Boge dampers at about 90k on the car. I can honestly say that there was no significant difference between new and old at that point. If I didn't have them apart and the new pieces already there to go in, I would have happily put the originals back in again.

Of course, wear on dampers includes a lot of factors. If you allow the car to settle as the springs sag, you move the operating range of the damper down from where it is designed to operate. The primary valving gets progressively "stiffer" as the damper gets shorter thanks to the tapered needles. Hence the perception that the car "handles better" when it has sagged a lot; It feels stiffer even though the springs are doing less of the work on compression. More shock wear at the primary valve results. Similarly, larger tires/wheels mean less of the road surface imperfections are absorbed by the tires. More fluid passes through the shock valves and more wear on the piston seals to the tube result. Drive on poor roads a lot? Same thing happens. The dampers wear out faster. Bottoming the dampers will quickly kill them too, as will regular hard over-extension using the piston as an impact stop. Casual damage (dents) to the tubes of single-tube shocks cause almost instant death.

 

I have nothing to compare other than stock set up.
Stock was extremely soft and now with Eibach and Bilsteins is extremely firm which I like.
Never thought of set up to feel "nervous" when cruising but you Dave have much more experiences than I so would have to agree with your comparisons.

 

It would be of interest to read opinion of spring life expectancy?

MHO all OEM are probably past life expectancy.