I have a 00' with 18" lm reps with 225/40-18 tires and now after having the car for a year want to lower it but not sure which way to go. It is a daily driver, and not a full on track car so not wanting to spend 1k or more on suspension. Debating on tein or H and R springs? Or any ideas on coilovers? Wanna go lower but still have a good not rough ride.

 

coilovers will generally give you a better ride, but quality springs and shocks can be pretty good as well. my advice would be to go with coilovers if you want the adjustability because of winter conditions or racing, or if you dont get snow or garage during the winter go for the springs and shocks. although most people who have a $1000 budget would just go ahead and get coilovers anyway

 

I'm not sure if you have the 1.8 or 2.8. I have the 2.8 and switched from non-sport suspension to S4 springs and struts. The ride is much firmer, but still quite comfortable. The new springs were good for about 3/4" of lowering. I bought the set of 4 springs and struts on Craigslist for $100.

With cheap coilovers, I think you'll find the ride undesirable for a DD and probably will not last too long. Putting lowering springs on OEM struts can end up with a bouncy ride as the struts are not valved for the higher spring rate.

Eventually I think I'll get some Tein S-Tech springs as they are the same spring rate as the S4 springs I have but will drop another 2" or so.

Spring rates:
Stock S4 suspension:......Fix ride.../350/290
Vogtland/Koni:...............Fix ride.../400/360
Stasis Street Sport:......Height Adjustable./400/390
H&R coilover:...............Adjustable./450/450 sedan /450/475 Avant
Vogtland coilover:........Adjustable./550/490 or /670/630
KW V2 Coilovers:.........Adjustable./675/380
Tein SS Coilovers.........................900 Fr / 550 R
Tein Stech lowering springs...........400 Fr / 270 R
Vogtland GT:...............Adjustable./575/650
Stasis Track Sport:.......Adjustable./500/600 or 600/700 or 700/800

Remember that this is for the 2.7T or 2.8. Much heavier than the 1.8.

 

It's a 1.8t but yea I don't have a budget of a grand that's kinda why I was leaning more toward HandR springs, but not 100% sure yet.

 

My point was that just putting the lowering springs on your stock struts is probably going to be uncomfortably bouncy. The springs will be lower, but also stiffer. The old struts will not be valved to handle that.

What I was suggesting, is to buy a set of used S4 struts, OEM quality, so it will last a long time (cheap too). Then get yourself a set of H&R or Tein springs that give you the lowering you want. I couldn't find a published spring rate from H&R for the 1.8T, but Tein says 260/160 for the S-Tech. Total investment ~$300.

 

Anyone have any experience with raceland coils? Except they are cheap? I don't have a race car just a daily driver.

 

i got them in my car. my opinion would be to spend a little extra but if you wanna go low for cheap they go for it. they arent bad but not as good as i had hoped

 

ST coilovers, I believe, are 699 or 799 shipped from ESC, AMI, etc.

 

Putting lowering springs on stock struts will also take down the life of the strut by nearly 60% because of the improper valving mentioned above. There are comfortable coilovers though usually coilovers lean toward a more aggressive or track set-up. They also make replacement struts that are designed to handle lower ride height and these will often be your best middle ground option but can cost as much as entry level coilovers, when all is said and done, which is why most make the leap to coils.

I would suggest something like Tein Basics if you go coils, they are under 1K and are reasonably comfortable and you will then have fully adjustabel ride height. I prefer a bit firmer of a ride than they provide but I've yet to have a complaint about ride quality with them from various relatives/friends I've had in the car. GL!!