audi49

Has anyone gone from the stock sport package ('98 A4 1.8T quattro) to either Bilstein Heavy Duty shocks or Sport shocks (only, no spring mods)? I'm interested in your experience for ride/handling trade-off? Are HDs too soft or softer than stock sports? Are Bilstein sport shocks too stiff, just right???

Thanks!
Tom

quattrokiwi

personally I think they are little stiff, From what other say on here, I'd go with koni sports next time

Pat

Going from stock sport package all around, then just adding Bilstein Sport shocks is a nice improvement. The stock sport springs are VERY similiar to H&R Sport springs. Just adding the shocks to stock sport springs will stiffen things up noticably, but it's not a huge difference.

Shard7

I have a 99 2.8Q with sport suspension, replaced the OEM shocks with Bilstein Sport shocks at 70k.

Initially the ride was super stiff, but after a few thousand miles, the shocks seem to have broken in a bit and now it feels just right (a little stiffer than OEM, but not annoyingly so). It's a tad harsh on really bumpy roads, but for most of the time it's the right balance between handling and ride.

After 70k, the original shocks were pretty weak. No fluid leaks, but I was able to compress the front shocks by hand with very little effort. So, whatever you put in, it'll feel quite different simply because the shocks are new.

Hope this helps.

GOOOO

Went from stock sport to B.S. Tightend things up a bit and the ride is a little harsher over the bumps than the OEM setup.