A2 1.4 oss suspension upgrade

I am trying a different route by asking If one of you has an a2 1.4 with oss petrol and has upgraded and to what exactly ...I tried asking about the new bilstein kit I have built up ...the problem I have is what would the stance on the car look like so by asking this way if you have the same car with oss what did you settle on ..? someone suggested the bilstein b3b4 would leave the front up a bit in the air as it was really for the tdi heavier engine ..it can’t be this complicated surely I’m losing the will to live I’m thinking just leave standard ?☹

Someone suggested other makes of spring struts etc but thats no good without specific details ..I don’t want a hodge podge put together that doesn’t work after spending good money and doing it all ..make sense ? someone on here knows a good set up with all the details ..maybe not logging on at present eh ! Or do you know a members car with what I’m looking for ..thanks Paul
 
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My answer is a bit mix and match.

I've done this on a 1.4tdi with / without OSS and also a 1.4i (without OSS) in the past year and a half.

B4s all round (Tdi) and front / Sachs rears (1.4i) were fine.

I put Suplex 03207 on the front of the 1.4i (which are supposed to be for 1.4i OSS) with B4s, and the ride height appears normal, and the ride is genuinely good. I put Tdi non OSS springs on the front of the Tdi OSS, with B4s, and B3s on the rear of the same (B4 shocks) and 45 profile tyres (same maker as the other Tdi) all round and weirdly this feels like the 1.4i because the tyres are so much lighter than on the other Tdi. My other Tdi has B4s on the front with another good aftermarket spring from one of the better known makers (have forgotten which right now), with 55 profile 195 tyres all round, and to drive it feels like wearing walking boots instead of sandals (but is good for long motorway journeys and doesn't roll much in quick cornering).

In short, I don't think you can go wrong with B4 shocks on more or less anything. Front springs on a 1.4i, OSS or not - Suplex 03207 I would advocate, but maybe I'm easily pleased. It's a bit dark to take a photo of the car right now to show you.
 
Big thanks robin sent you pm ? all that makes sense I have looked up the Suplex you recommended yes ..and stay with bilstein shocks but tailer the springs 03207 are the ones ? just have to look up the rear Suplex ..perfect
Paul
 
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Big thanks robin sent you pm ? all that makes sense I have looked up the Suplex you recommended yes ..and stay with bilstein shocks but tailer the springs 03207 are the ones ? just have to look up the rear Suplex ..perfect
Paul
I agree with Robin. The front Suplex 03207 springs will give you the best ride. Here they are on Amazon for £20.82 each including shipping. Bilstein don't make an equivalent to the Suplex 03207.


As for the rears, you've got two choices with the Suplex springs. The 1.4 petrol with sunroof uses harder rear springs than the 1.4 petrol without sunroof (to give extra stability as the sunroof raises the centre of gravity). However, I would go with the softer springs to improve the ride and because they are still quite firm.

Suplex 03172 are the softer rear springs (and standard on the 1.4 petrol without sunroof)


Suplex 03208 are the harder rear springs (and standard on the 1.4 petrol with sunroof)

 
I agree with Robin. The front Suplex 03207 springs will give you the best ride. Here they are on Amazon for £20.82 each including shipping. Bilstein don't make an equivalent to the Suplex 03207.


As for the rears, you've got two choices with the Suplex springs. The 1.4 petrol with sunroof uses harder rear springs than the 1.4 petrol without sunroof (to give extra stability as the sunroof raises the centre of gravity). However, I would go with the softer springs to improve the ride and because they are still quite firm.

Suplex 03172 are the softer rear springs (and standard on the 1.4 petrol without sunroof)


Suplex 03208 are the harder rear springs (and standard on the 1.4 petrol with sunroof)

Superb reply really appreciate it so I have ordered another set of bilstein shocks while they are so cheap and will order the springs as for rears if I find the softer springs to soft they are easy to change for the harder compared to the fronts ? ?
Paul
 
I agree with Robin. The front Suplex 03207 springs will give you the best ride. Here they are on Amazon for £20.82 each including shipping. Bilstein don't make an equivalent to the Suplex 03207.


As for the rears, you've got two choices with the Suplex springs. The 1.4 petrol with sunroof uses harder rear springs than the 1.4 petrol without sunroof (to give extra stability as the sunroof raises the centre of gravity). However, I would go with the softer springs to improve the ride and because they are still quite firm.

Suplex 03172 are the softer rear springs (and standard on the 1.4 petrol without sunroof)


Suplex 03208 are the harder rear springs (and standard on the 1.4 petrol with sunroof)

I just checked 1To 3 months delivery ?
 
Hi yes I found them Steve thankyou but they only have the 03208 and 03207 they have not got the 03172 the first two are the recommended springs for oss petrol but I was informed the -72 would make for a nicer ride . decisions decisions ?
 
Hello Paul
I have a 1.4 SE petrol with OSS. After having a spring broken and some other issues, I decided to update the whole suspension.
I went for the KONI STR.T kit that lowered the whole car by 25mm.
You can see the car here: https://a2oc.net/community/index.php?threads/the-wheel-picture-thread.41176/post-369611 half way down that post.

It looks good, it stick to road like a slug but quite harsh on small damaged roads.

I am also planning a overhaul of my FSI with BSS, here :

I will follow your progress, see if you find a better solution.

Cheers
 
Hi yes I found them Steve thankyou but they only have the 03208 and 03207 they have not got the 03172 the first two are the recommended springs for oss petrol but I was informed the -72 would make for a nicer ride . decisions decisions ?
You could try Suplex 03209 rear springs from the Audi A2 1.2 diesel. Even more comfortable than the Suplex 03172 rear springs.


At 328mm long, the Suplex 03209 rear springs are the same length as the Suplex 03207 front springs. Then when you can get hold of some Suplex 03172 rear springs, you can try them out as well.
 
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I actually don't think a "nicer ride" suits the A2 at all. The wooden damping of the original struts is terrible, that's the biggest bugbear I had for a long time. The FSDs were fine for a while, but didn't combine well with the drop on the Eibachs, and now with B8 it's great.
If you want the ride, the wheel / tyre combo makes almost as big a contribution as the shock / spring one. Light wheels and large-ish sidewalls will make a big difference. As would the ARB kit from H&R....

- Bret
 
If you go softer at the rear, you run the risk of a pooping elk.

There's of course a thread with pictures elsewhere on the net: https://a2-freun.de/forum/forums/topic/29388-der-bilstein-thread/

- Bret
Thanks for the link it gives good photos of the various bilstein spring set ups and with a little German translation it’s great really great ..
Pooping elk definitely not I can’t think of anything worse ? it wood look like you have 1/2 a ton of sand in the back no no no ...I would rather stick to stiffer springs ..
 
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I actually don't think a "nicer ride" suits the A2 at all. The wooden damping of the original struts is terrible, that's the biggest bugbear I had for a long time. The FSDs were fine for a while, but didn't combine well with the drop on the Eibachs, and now with B8 it's great.
If you want the ride, the wheel / tyre combo makes almost as big a contribution as the shock / spring one. Light wheels and large-ish sidewalls will make a big difference. As would the ARB kit from H&R....

- Bret
Hi Bret
B8s not for me but your right wheel tyre combo is huge the A8 forged alloys along with 205 50 16 nokian wr3 give a nice comfortable ride it’s been a real eye opener bilstein b3 b4 it’s a great compromise for me on the tdi ...
But with the oss roof and never had an a2 petrol before I hadn’t got a clue were to start still unsure really ..taking in all opinions .
 
It could still end up that way ..without the new Cambelt just don’t want to use it till next Friday I will get a feel for it then ..but while those bilstein b4 were those prices I just bought another set £63 rear front £67 ....£130 for the 4off nice to have in if I don’t use on the oss
 
hi Paul, where did you buy the b4s at the good price please? cheers
Tdc automotive e bay tap in b4 audi a2 it will come up my spare set just arrived this morning rears £63.59 fronts £67.20 .....and lemforder top mounts front and rear set of 4 off £76 ..their phone number 01935 829671 and guys name is Ross ?..
788C7610-F0CD-44BB-A7C0-A85803A42EAD.jpeg
 
My answer is a bit mix and match.

I've done this on a 1.4tdi with / without OSS and also a 1.4i (without OSS) in the past year and a half.

B4s all round (Tdi) and front / Sachs rears (1.4i) were fine.

I put Suplex 03207 on the front of the 1.4i (which are supposed to be for 1.4i OSS) with B4s, and the ride height appears normal, and the ride is genuinely good. I put Tdi non OSS springs on the front of the Tdi OSS, with B4s, and B3s on the rear of the same (B4 shocks) and 45 profile tyres (same maker as the other Tdi) all round and weirdly this feels like the 1.4i because the tyres are so much lighter than on the other Tdi. My other Tdi has B4s on the front with another good aftermarket spring from one of the better known makers (have forgotten which right now), with 55 profile 195 tyres all round, and to drive it feels like wearing walking boots instead of sandals (but is good for long motorway journeys and doesn't roll much in quick cornering).

In short, I don't think you can go wrong with B4 shocks on more or less anything. Front springs on a 1.4i, OSS or not - Suplex 03207 I would advocate, but maybe I'm easily pleased. It's a bit dark to take a photo of the car right now to show you.
Hi robin a quick update many thanks for your help and advice picked Sally’s car up today from my local garage thrilled is an understatement bilstein b4 b3 lemforder top mounts new solid meyle control arms drop links antibroll bar bushes etc it rides fantastic better than I would’ve hoped I can understand why some people say the A2 suspension was its weakest point as it’s like having a different car and I’ve had a good few a2s as you know ..so glad I bought another set of the b4s while they were cheap ..

Thanks to Steve for the leather steering wheel sally noticed it straight away fresh mot now all done and dusted ..?
 
Good effort and glad to hear you are pleased - a newly-fettled A2 really feels as tight as a drum if all the 'wear' parts have been replaced. I should point out that I learnt everything I write from various other older posts here, and have put my money where my keyboard is, bought the B4s and other bits, tried them and quite happy to recommend when the question is asked. Out of interest, I've missed this if you wrote it somewhere : what have you got in the way of wheels and tyres on the newly-refurbished one as this has a huge effect on the ride quality and steering feel (and probably underpinned some of the ropey ride reputation on 17" with sport suspension and heavy tyres back in the day).

My 1.4tdis are both fitted with essentially identical front suspension (barring cast vs pressed arms) and 16" SE rims all round, but one has 195/55/16 Uniroyal Rainsports (87 weight limit and reinforced sidewalls), and the other 195/45/16 Uniroyal Rainsports (84 weight limit), and while both are excellent, the feel is dramatically different owing to the significantly lighter tyres on the latter (it feels just like my other half's 1.4i with 185/50/16 Aotelis that are similarly light). The 55 profile tyred car firstly feels higher geared and longer-legged due to the circumference, but also rather like wearing walking boots compared to running spikes - yet is still responsive and nice in the corners. I do mostly motorway miles (Dundee-Plymouth) in this car and some commuting, whereas I use the 45 profiled car almost entirely for commuting and tootling about locally.
 
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