i know this should go in the suspension thread but who looks there?

Ok im new to the whole suspension/lowering game and dont know a whole lot! i have a 1999.5 audi a4 1.8t , auto, fwd

Im looking to lower my car 1-2.5" and wanted to know how i should go upon doing that.
i was looking into like some h&r lowering springs. however someone said that overtime if you dont have a sport suspension , it will wear everything out. is this true? if i could lower my car 1-2.5" for under $500 that would be nice. but i know quality products cost.

what should i do? what are my options?

 

what is your driving style? Will you want to adjust the height later on?

 

height adjustment would be nice but its more. i dont race or go to the track and what not. just city driving, mountain driving, and beach driving. i still want the ride to feel good (smooth) but just alittle lower. any suggestions?

 

well for 500$... coilovers would be a no.. so i would guess lowering springs is what you would have to go with... check neuspeed, or ecstuning

 

whats the deal with lowering springs? the pros and cons?

 

they are fine, just not adjustable. i have bilstein sport shocks i got off ebay for $540 if i remember, and some used tien springs (1.5" front, 1.2" rear drop) from shokan for like $100.

650 bucks for springs isnt bad. they ride much much nicer then the stock springs with 100k miles on them. but if you cant install it yourself figure another 600 for install.

if you get coil overs, you can adjust them to the exact height and spring rates you like. they usualy run about $1200 for a set, plus install. if its worth the extra cash to be able to tune your suspension, go for it. if you race the car, i would definately go for them. if you need to save 500 bucks, just upgrading shocks and springs is a large improvement over stock suspension. spend $350 of the money you just saved and buy front and rear sway bars. you will be more then satisfied with the handling of this setup considering your driving habbits, and you will save some cash vs. full coilovers.

lowering springs are fine as long as the shock is designed to handle them. just buy shocks that say the support lowering springs and they will work. the lower you go the more out of spec your wheel camber will be. this generaly isnt a problem but can increase wear in your CV joints and slightly faster tire wear. you can buy camber plates that bolt in to the suspension and allow you to adjust the camber. you can center the camber between the wheels by moving the engine cradle from side to side. a good mechanic will know how to do this durring a wheel alignment. driving is generaly unaffected by a little excess camber.

 

how would these be?

http://www.myhotaudi.com/audi/TEIN/C...84-LUSS2/8341/

is 2.5" in the front to much? i want my car to be lower not slammed. anyone have a pic of there car with 2.5 in front and 1.9" in back?

 

Good thread...I was wondering the same thing about my 1999.

This one has my exact rims, same color and everything, but it looks lowered to me. He mentions Bilstein shocks and springs, but I don't know which ones.

 

that does look lowered. the springs i have drop 1.5" in the front and 1.2" in the rear. it makes the car handle nicer and look alot better but i can still get over all but the largest speed bumps, moderate pot holes, and some heavy snow in the winter without scraping. i dont mind the "slammed" look if the roads i drive on were 100% flat. but out here in the boonies, theres alot of ailing pavement to contend with.

 

good tread!
does anyone know who sells the cheapest H&R race springs/bilstein sport shocks for the 2.8?? i think thats the setup im goin for...