A2 TDI Suspension and brake upgrade

P

petethepeg

Member
Hi everyone! Advice appreciated >
Ive seen many post regarding suspension suggestions but there are often issues with height ie after the change of damper and spring the car sits too high etc .Im not looking for specifically a low look . I would like to have a really improved driving experienceId with smooth drive and properly damped suspension over rough roads and bumps . I live in london and some of the roads are awful ! Id also like to maintain the original height and aesthetics . So what is the best combination of damper and spring and which makes . Bilstein B3 and B4 springs and dampers have been mentioned . Ride height problems ? Any suggestions welcome regarding brakes too . A2s are quite light so surely standard brakes are OK. Yes or no ?And pads that give great stopping ?
Thanks in advance
Peter
 
I personally would stick with stock SE springs and Monroe shock absorbers. ATE discs and pads seem to be a recommended by members. I had them fitted with no complaints although not a great deal of difference over the standard set up.
 
In the price range I personally rate Bilstein B4s - and in the case of our 1.4i, partnered with Suplex 03207 front springs having chosen them on the basis of calculated spring rate. Possibly too soft for the tdi front end though - I used Monroe SP3248 heavier duty front springs on the Tdi along with B4s which I also like. Our mechanic suggested Sachs for smaller VW group cars but didn't disagree with the Bilsteins - his viewpoint was that quality was the decent on both but it was then down to personal preference on the feel. I don't have the cash to try B6s so can't comment on anything more prestigious.
 
What benefits do the B6 dampers offer. Are they a worthwhile upgrade in the the sense of offering a stable smooth ride that has benign damping over rough pot holed rough roads that we have in London but good on fast smooth A roads also? Or in this case are we talking B4 still ?
 
B4 is usually an oil filled damper with the B6 being a gas damper (both standard height).

I had a Puma with B6 dampers with standard springs and its ride comfort was very agreeable (pot holes & speed humps weren't harsh), the handling was stunning too.
Track pic is at Blyton, with the B6s it has very little lean considering it's exiting the apex.
 

Attachments

  • Puma_44.jpg
    Puma_44.jpg
    241.1 KB · Views: 265
Aluminium said:
B4 is usually an oil filled damper with the B6 being a gas damper (both standard height).

I had a Puma with B6 dampers with standard springs and its ride comfort was very agreeable (pot holes & speed humps weren't harsh), the handling was stunning too.
Track pic is at Blyton, with the B6s it has very little lean considering it's exiting the apex.
Click to expand...
Possibly normal for the B4 to be oil though certainly the TDI B4 fit is gas filled. https://www.bilstein-shocks.co.uk/products/19-106120
 
Bizarre, in that case I don't know what the difference is in terms of B4 versus B6, though I can say with confidence that the B6 with standard springs is the perfect balance for me and my driving ?
 
I think the B6/B8's also have some sort of inverted construction that means the damper rod is much, much thicker than you'd normally see.
 
Aluminium said:
Bizarre, in that case I don't know what the difference is in terms of B4 versus B6, though I can say with confidence that the B6 with standard springs is the perfect balance for me and my driving ?
Click to expand...


So not too harsh on potholed roads and speed bumps ?
 
That's correct, as per my old Puma.
I'm just biding my time before I get the B6/B3 setup for my A2, it'll be done within the next few months, I'm sure.
 
So With an ATL diesel and 185 60 15 tyres ,the recurring suggestions for new suspension are :(I live in London ,many urban roads are bumpy but I travel alot too )
For comfort and compliance and good all round handling -Bilstein B4 with monroe SP3248 or B3 springs
For more sporty but still compliant _bilstein B6 with B3 springs ?
Any final comments appreciated!
Whilst changing my discs and pads I noticed the drivers side wishbone looked like cheese. It obviously needs changing ..Previous owner lived near the sea o_O☹.Do I really need to do both sides as its passable at the moment . And what else ,droplinks etc ?
Finally ,I considered doing it myself but got scared off by thought of incorrect tools and rusted bolts .
What kind of price would I expect for labour per wishbone and what kind of price for suspension change labour .
Comments invited,thanks
peter
 
Meyle HD drop links are best - about £25-30 per pair. Cheaper versions do not last long. Worn drop links are a source of irritation (noise) and a certain MOT failure.
 
petethepeg said:
So With an ATL diesel and 185 60 15 tyres ,the recurring suggestions for new suspension are :(I live in London ,many urban roads are bumpy but I travel alot too )
For comfort and compliance and good all round handling -Bilstein B4 with monroe SP3248 or B3 springs
For more sporty but still compliant _bilstein B6 with B3 springs ?
Any final comments appreciated!
Whilst changing my discs and pads I noticed the drivers side wishbone looked like cheese. It obviously needs changing ..Previous owner lived near the sea o_O☹.Do I really need to do both sides as its passable at the moment . And what else ,droplinks etc ?
Finally ,I considered doing it myself but got scared off by thought of incorrect tools and rusted bolts .
What kind of price would I expect for labour per wishbone and what kind of price for suspension change labour .
Comments invited,thanks
peter
Click to expand...
How did you get on with your wishbones? Think mine also needs replacing now and I have just done the rear coil springs and fitted Bilstein B3’s. Not done the dampers yet. I have a turbo to replace this Week ?
 
leosun76 said:
How did you get on with your wishbones? Think mine also needs replacing now and I have just done the rear coil springs and fitted Bilstein B3’s. Not done the dampers yet. I have a turbo to replace this Week ?
Click to expand...
My original wishbones were the fabricated later type but after discussing with my Audi mechanic,it was generally accepted that that the solid cast type were probably better value for money and more reliable .So Meyle ,£70 each on ebay from a reputable supplier along with Meyle heavy Duty (HD) drop links ,also from Ebay for around £30 a pair. I also purchased the rear rubber bushes for each wishbone at Eurospares for around £20 quid a pair.
Finally ,they were fitted for around £100 which I thought was excellent as I`d had horrific quotes from various garages . Oh an extra £37 quid for tracking after wishbones and droplinks installed .
Incidentally ,my garage was Green Garage LTD,
21 THE ARCHES, LOVERIDGE ROAD, KILBURN, LONDON, NW6 2DS
Tel: 020 7624 0297 Email: [email protected]
Keith is the owner . He`s the last of a dying breed of honest ,hard working and a God fearing man. No attempts to inflate prices and suck though his teeth!! For folk around london he`s worth a punt .Proper private audi /VW trained and equipped. A WHICH trusted trader with favourable consumer reviews.
My car is running great !
 
Last edited:
petethepeg said:
My original wishbones were the fabricated later type but after discussing with my Audi mechanic,it was generally accepted that that the solid cast type were probably better value for money and more reliable .So Meyle ,£70 each on ebay from a reputable supplier along with Meyle heavy Duty (HD) drop links ,also from Ebay for around £30 a pair. I also purchased the rear rubber bushes for each wishbone at Eurospares for around £20 quid a pair.
Finally ,they were fitted for around £100 which I thought was excellent as I`d had horrific quotes from various garages . Oh an extra £37 quid for tracking after wishbones and droplinks installed .
Incidentally ,my garage was Green Garage LTD,
21 THE ARCHES, LOVERIDGE ROAD, KILBURN, LONDON, NW6 2DS
Tel: 020 7624 0297 Email: [email protected]
Keith is the owner . He`s the last of a dying breed of honest ,hard working and a God fearing man. No attempts to inflate prices and suck though his teeth!! For folk around london he`s worth a punt .Proper private audi /VW trained and equipped. A WHICH trusted trader with favourable consumer reviews.
My car is running great !
Click to expand...
That is awesome thanks for that!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top