TerminA8r

<center><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/13362/prokitsp.jpg"></center><p>This PRO-KIT part # 1581.140 will fit A8 Quattro 1997- 2002
Lowers Front 1.2 inches
Lowers Rear 1.2 inches

I have already talked to a distributor and we are good to go on this price.

ONLY one problem, they are on back order from Eibach, ETA is about 4-5 weeks.

I only have 5 sets on order right now at this price, $280 shipped!!!
So it will be first come first served.
'Sarge" and "GHart81" will have First right to claim theirs, since they initially asked me where I got them, witch led me down the road to do the group buy again.

If the demand is high I will try and get more.

Ola

PaulW

If that's a true picture of them, they are not progressive springs....with the complaints people have had, wouldn't you want to try to get that resolved first?

If a distributor is selling them for $280, they sure don't seem like there is a lot that goes into them.

houseofsound

I understood the huge compromise between ride quality and looks so it was well worth it. As tempting as it is at $280, I wouldn't use them on my A8. Cosmetically they make the car sit very nice. The ride quality definately suffers though. If you plan on using a lower profile tire than oem, it will suffer a lot. If you understand the compromise, then it is obviously worth the $280 as opposed to $1400+ for the H&amp;R setup. I strongly recommend taking a ride in any quattro equipped vehicle w/ Eibach's installed so you can make your own decision before adding these on your car.

Once again I must say I love your car. It is just so damn clean.

TerminA8r

From reading the treads below from "Sarge" It sounds like The Eibach Spring should work well with the Bilstein Sport version, not the Heavy Duty.

"Sarge"
"Bilstein makes HD and Sport versions of their shock. You need to get the Sport version if you have lowering springs, they better match the spring rate and prevent the 'bounce' you describe."

Also I'm not all that interested in spending more than $700- $800
What other options are there?
I am all ears<ul><li><a href="https://forums.audiworld.com/a8/msgs/57743.phtml">Sarge's thread</a></li></ul>

PaulW

If you are interested in spending $700, why not $1400? I'm telling you, your car would be a super cruiser when you got done. And if you are doing the labor yourself....you're saving something like $600 on an install.

I will be in CT for a few meetings later this month in New Haven and am meeting with A8CT one night....maybe I can try driving his car and see how it feels. My business partner's stock 98 A8 will also be there, which I know is soft.

H&amp;R's on an A8 are soooo sweet! It's really worth spending twice as much, which is really not that much once you get done with it.

But I would get it worked out before you purchase a bunch of spring kits.

pw

PaulW

For some time now I've been wanting to lower my suspension. After looking at a few options, it appears there is one way to do it right and do it the first time by using a H&amp;R coilover setup.

However, the coilovers are $1,650 everywhere you look, but I found a distributor who will sell them for $1,325 (plus shipping) a set if we have five or more buyers. If not, I have been quoted $1,410 (inlcuded shipping) for a purchase of one set.

I've asked many people who have this package and have heard all sorts of things including the following A8 owner when asking about installing H&amp;R's versus installing just a set of coils from another manufacturer:
<i><b>
"The ride quality was not compromised what so ever. I drive it long distance only and it rides even better then the stock. Its firmer yes, but not hard. It handles like you can not believe and looks fantastic.

Forget swamping springs only. I tried the same route on my 1997 Porsche twin turbo. It was less money, but compromised the ride quality due to the shocks not being set-up for shorter travel. I also went with $300 Eibach springs, ended up with a H&amp;R coil-over in it as well. What a difference. The shorter springs gave the "look", but defiantly not the ride. And you want to drive it everyday." </b></i>

This above statement is what made me choose H&amp;R's


If you do a search of "coilovers" in the A8/S8 forum, you'll find that everybody loves them, the car handles like a dream and it rides more firm but nothing harsh.

A8CT

and I'm happy to have you do it. After that,
I think we'll all be able to make some better decisions. I'll go the coilover route if that's what it takes but let's see what you think first.

TerminA8r

"You need to get the Sport version if you have lowering springs, they better match the spring rate and prevent the 'bounce' you describe."

Eibach Springs and Bilstein Sport Version is the road I'm thinking of taking.

A8CT

available for a 2000 when I ordered them. That was from multiple sources. I'm going to call
Bilstein and see what they say. Paul is also willing to take my car for a ride in a few weeks so I won't do anything until then. I'm anxious to get his comparison to the H&amp;R's. I think a shock swap out or total upgrade to H&amp;R are probably my two options at this point. Whatever I do, I don't want to have to do it yet again (for the third time !)

TerminA8r

Here is what you will find in the link.

Make: AUDI
Model: A8
Year: 98-03
Setting: SP
Front: BE3-2609
Rear: BE5-2616

SP= Sport
HD= Heavy Duty<ul><li><a href="http://www.bilstein.com/cgi/cars.cgi">Look about half way down the page.</a></li></ul>