Owner reviews for shock absorbers

H&R OE Sports. Only lowered .75 inch (or so). I love my Koni Yellows.

I ended up doing neuspeed sport springs and bilsteins. I still need to do sway bars especially rear because it has the stock push to it. It handles great and comfortable.

A quick bench test revealed the damping rate of the replacement shocks to feel approximately twice that of the originals, which were way too soft even for daily driving over bad surfaces.

I have used Monroe, Gabriel, and now KYB. I am convinced the KYB provides better control AND ride.

Based on what I've experienced with my S3 w/o the mag ride w/18s. The ride quality is fine. Part of my drive to work is a country road I drive that is 15 miles of very bumpy asphalt that has been patched over and over. I'm looking forward to trying it out at an autocross in the coming weeks. I surmise the standard suspension will do very well. The ride is on par w/an Evo w/newer KYB shocks or older Bilsteins which is great for me, but others may find it a bit firm.

I just changed front shocks and coil springs at 115,000 mls because one spring broke somehow. Check germanautoparts.com, I got Sachs from them.

He went with Bilstein shocks/struts (TC) and MK3 VR6 Neuspeed SofSport springs. About 1 finger of wheel gap all the way around on 15" Steelies with 205/50's. Looks pretty good.

Ok, I got both Monroe and Sachs and visually compared/inspected them. I would rate Monroe 3 or 3.5 out of 5 and Sachs 4 or 4.5 out of 5 based on what I see. Sachs look better overall, packed in boxes, shocks with holograms and seems more professional, like parts you would like to work with.

In my experience, Bilsteins are too stiff for the NB, they kept my car up and got like 1in drop with H&R springs.

I have had Bilstein HDs on my GLS for a couple years now and I also think they are too soft. Still too much body sway and roll, especially loaded for a trip, in my opinion.