re Re: re Bilsteins on a 90q (was:4kq)

["Smith, Kirby A" <kirby.a.smith@lmco.com>]

Andrei Kogan <abk@phy.duke.edu>  asked:

	>I still
	>haven't determined whether they are too stiff for optimal traction
in bumpy
	>corners.  (Maybe the Kanc run?)

	Hello,

	Are you using them with stock springs? 	If so, ple-e-e-ase let us
know how
	this combination is doing on bumps. 

	The shocks in my 90q are beginning to show signs of  weakness, and I
am
	trying to decide between BOGE turbo gas and bilstein hd. 

Yes, as far as I know the springs are stock, although the shocks I replaced
appeared to be Boges,  (my car has 175,000 mi on it, purchased at 145,000,
so the age of the Boges is unknown) so it is possible the springs were
replaced also, although they weren't obviously shorter than stock.  The
Boges were generally leaking, but otherwise apparently still functioning.
Note that new Boges may behave quite differently than my experience here.  

The dive with the Boges was greater than now with the Bilteins, although it
is still significant.  The Bilsteins are quite firm on pavement transitions.
A negative or positive transition of 2 inches is quite noticeable, and
perceptibly harsher than before.  It may be habit, but after a few weeks of
use now there may be a slight reduction in the perceived harshness; maybe
they are wearing in.  I think overall the Bilsteins are a net improvement,
but again, so would likely have been new Boges.  The harshness is tolerable;
this said from someone who likes the comfort of the Audi relative to
previous Sciroccos (one with Bilsteins and one with Konis).  I doubt my wife
would like them in her identical car, although she didn't complain of mine
during a recent trip.  At highway speeds they are relatively smooth, and I
think, supportive of good handling.  As in my comment you responded to,
Andrei, I still haven't tested them sufficiently to determine if there is a
tendency to "float" the tires over bumpy corners, and thereby cause a
reduction in traction.