mickster

Yes I know this has been discussed forever on Rennlist. I've read through hundreds of posts and still don't have a clear answer...

I'm going to need new shocks-that is for sure, ('89 S4 Auto, non-sport suspension). I can pick up Boge's for $600, Bilsteins for $750 (Roger) and Eibach Springs (928 Intl) for $200 or so...

I've read over and over about ride height and bump absorption and rolling bodies and on and on...

Here's the deal...I live on Long Island. I drive mostly in New York, New Jersey & Connecticut although I'd like to make some longer jaunts. I have unlimited miles on my Infinity Collector Car policy...

My main concern is that some of our roads suck-and I mean suck bad. The only place I've ever driven that I felt was worse was Detroit. Plus my mom's condo has construction going on for another year or so so the parking lots are terrible and there are speed bumps.

I don't want to be replacing the front spoiler or belly pan regularly and while I might do some DE days, I don't plan to track the car too often. My wife will also be driving the car so I a softer ride wouldn't be a bad thing.

Also, for now, I plan to stay with the 16" pie plates until I need new tires.

I might go with these later: http://item.ebay.com/170506931412 at 18".

So based on all of this, should I just stick with stock springs (they are fine) and Boge shocks, stock springs & Billstein shocks or Eibach & Billstein...and then there's Koni...

I know this thread will draw a lot of back and forth but I'm hoping someone who has changed and driven these roads will chime in.

Thank you in advance!

Michael

GregBBRD

Stock springs. Bilsteins. That combination will handle any corner that you are ever going to encounter on the street. If you are building a race car...then you need something else.

The aftermarket springs jar your eye teeth out on smooth roads. I have personally removed many sets from customer's cars after they complain about all the rattles and noises their cars have. You almost need a full time mechanic to follow the car around and tighten the stuff that comes loose from being beat by the suspension. IMHO they ruin the vehicles.

I put Bilsteins with stock springs in all of my hot rod 928 projects. Work great.

Other than that, I don't have an opinion.

Jadz928

If you set it up for NYC and your wife, you will have to compromise track dynamics.
If you are only talking about a couple DEs a year... shouldn't be a problem.
My suggestion is Bilsteins w/stock springs... and 2 sets of wheels.
16/17's for street (w/all-season UHP's)
18's for track or special driving (w/super sticky Cole Trickle tires)

Mrmerlin

I second the vote for stock springs and Bilsteins.
I have this setup on my 88 Yellow car and i really like the way the car rides and handles,\
I have put on Boges on other cars and they just always seem soft and under damped

Ragnar Joensen

Stock springs may be the right thing, but consider that 20 year old stock springs may have a little different performance compared to brand new ones.

And as far as I know a new set of stock springs are 3-4 times more expensive than a set of Eibachs.

If You find joy in taking Your car apart and fitting new springs, You may get the best knowledge out of testing with Your current springs and new dampers, but if You want to avoid the dual dismantling/re-assembly, You may consider the less expensive Eibach set (and a firmer ride).


Ragnar

mickster

The inspection has deemed the springs as fine.

Lizard928

Koni eibach will give a nice ride as well.

Tom928

I put Eibach springs with Boge's on about 2 weeks ago.
It's firm enough to stop the floating I had with the stock springs/shocks and soft enough that it doesn't rattle my teeth going over the holes.
Handling has really improved and I have yet to get it to roll badly on a corner.
Sunday I took is for a 320 mile drive (i'm still setting my ride height) over many different road conditions and I really like the ride.

Stock springs and Bilstein's is likely close to Eibach springs with Boges. One is stock spring with firmer shock and the other is firmer spring with stock shock.
The one thing with Eibach is they lower your ride height about 1" (IIRC).

Cheers,

Ragnar Joensen

I have been in the exact same situation, inspected the springs, looked fine. Are there any specific criteria, I guess testing criteria are to prefer rather than a visual inspetion.

I hav this floating sensation with the stock springs and brand new red BOGE dampers. I will prefer to have a firmer, bur more predictable ride. So the Eibachs are coming on.


Ragnar

Mike LaBranche

+1 on the eibach/boge combo. I put that into my 84 a couple weeks ago and I'm very pleased. Big improvement.

Mike
84 black
80 white

SQLGuy

There is an option code, at least on some model years, for "sport suspension." Is this only a difference of Boge versus Bilstein, or are the springs different as well?

Jadz928

Yes, the M474 sport springs are about 10% stiffer. Not a hard and fast rule, but generally speaking.

SQLGuy

Hmmm, so, Greg, were you advocating the stock non-sport springs over the Eibachs, or either type of stock springs?

BTW, aren't there a number of custom batch Eibachs? I.e. the 928 International ones are different than other people's Eibachs. Are they all "too stiff"?

928 obsession

I'm running Bilstein/Eibachs on my car. They are much tighter than the old Boges with stock springs. Honestly though I do not think the ride is all that harsh, firm yes, harsh no. The car's not a Cadillac, it's a sports car so the ride will be somewhat stiff regardless of the shock or spring.

Tom928

I think there is a height measurement.
Not sure what the values are though.

Cheers,