SlvrA3

This almost sounds like a no brainer but I just want to be sure.

I have Neuspeed springs and Bilstein shocks on the car, and find the ride too stiff for street/highway use. I'm considering replacing just the springs with the factory sport springs. To save money, I would like to use the Bilstein shocks that I bought. Would the factory (sport) springs work with these shocks, with no fitment issues? Also, would the ride still be too firm? If yes, then I'd have to get the matching sport package shocks or something comparably softer as well.

Matt in SoCal

It is the shocks not the springs that do the dampering. On my last car, I put in coilovers with spring rates twice that of stock, but because I kept the shocks on a soft setting for street use, the ride was actually much more comfortable than stock. From my personal experience with Bilsteins on an A4 and a GTI, they tend to create a rough ride. Putting in your stock shocks with the neuspeed springs is not a viable option, though, because it will end up causing you to blow out your shock prematurely. If comfort is a major concern, Konis IMHO are a better choice than Bilsteins.

MikekiM@PureMS

Completely agree..

DK

Heard good things about KONI FSD with factory sport springs

SlvrA3

Thanks, will look into that

ayethree

on my older A4, bilsteins were firm but not too jarring, on the MK4 Jetta they were devestatingly rough and I had to change them out. BUT, on my A3...after Neuspeed shocks on just stock sport shocks and then Koni FSDs (supposed to be the best combo of comfort and sport) I settled on the Bilsteins from Neuspeed and, By Golly, they feel the best of the 3. Neutral, not bouncy, not jarring like the stock setup, and not so unpredicatable and sometimes harsh like the Konis. Like always, take it for what it's worth but I do beat my cars so I get closer to the limits than most...the Bilstein setup is my recommendation.

Matt in SoCal

On mine, the adjustments made a big difference--from floaty to pissing blood. I cannot imagine the ride being harsh when set to 0 (of course performance will suffer), but I do not have first hand experience specifically with them on the A3.

DK

Any comments on the FSD's? and how they compare to the Bilstein?