Bilteins HDs/stock springs(BTDT, type44)

[Robert Deis]

On Wed, 30 Oct 2002, Konstantin Bogach wrote:

> Hi listers.
> I installed HDs on my 200tqa a year ago.  I like that stiff ride.  But
> every bump makes me doubt my decision.  One of this bumps, pretty big
> one, accelerated door look failure.  But I thought that this comes in
> the package with better handling... until I drove S4 with Bilsteins
> Sport/H&R springs.
> ...
> Can it be that shocks' valving require certain stiffness and my current
> setup is not compatible?  Anyone  happy this such setup?

I know that shocks and springs are a system- too much damping for the
spring rate you have makes for a harsher ride with less handling
imporvement than you'd get with less damping or more spring.

My anecdote to prove it is the **huge** difference that the BG springs
made on my 5kTQw. I first replaced all the bushings and end links, and
added a set of Koni Sport adjustable shocks, set full stiff, keeping
stock springs. Handling was very much improved, but ride was harsh.

After a talk with the Koni guys and a lot of research online I opted to go
for the BG instead of HR because listers said the HRs were a bit too
stiff, and BG was supposedly closer to teh spring rate the Eibachs used to
have.

Installed these and (on advice from Koni) turned the shocks down to ~60%
to match them, and the car is positively on *rails* now- with a mich nicer
ride than before.  Body roll is mostly gone- it's a joy to drive, and the
wife still likes her luxury car feel.

I now know that the stiff valving was way overpowering the stock spring- a
big improvement in ride could have been had by just turning the shocks
down with less handling loss than you'd think, but the reduced roll from
the springs is just fantastic..

--
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Rob Deis                  "Let the people know beforehand what the law
  MiB3347                      is and what they are to expect."
  rdeis at io.com                              -- 18th Congress, Rec. 75