[s-cars] Bilstein shocks: "HD" or "Sport" with stock springs?

[Steve Mills]

I don't like the stock valving on the Bilsteins (had both HD and Sport) I
think they are too stiff on impact, and overly soft on rebound which makes
the car float over high speed rises. This is for a car that sees mostly
spirited street driving, with only occasional track duty. I've done custom
valving with -15% impact, +20% rebound and if I had to do it again, I'd do
at least -20% impact- the custom +20% rebound was fine.


On Thu, Apr 25, 2013 at 3:38 PM, Thomas Rodriguez <trodri69 at gmail.com>wrote:

> I am getting ready to replace the OEM shocks and struts in my 1995 S6 sedan
> with new Bilsteins.  I have done some reading about Bilsteins on the
> Quattroworld forum and some parts websites, and I see I can purchase these
> in either heavy duty (HD) or Sport configuration.  I plan to keep the
> stock springs so I don't lose ground clearance (the roads in my area suck),
> but I would like a stiffer ride for crisper handling.
>
> Since I am keeping the stock springs/ride height, should I get the HD or
> Sport shocks and struts?  If either will work, what's the difference in
> drive feel between the two?  Some of the websites I've visited specify that
> the Sport shocks are for a lowered suspension.
>
> Are there springs available that would privide a stiffer ride without
> losing ground clearance? Do springs "go soft" after 18 years, and would
> there be any benefit in swapping my existing original springs for new OEM
> springs?
>
> Tom
> '95 S6 (240k miles)
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