Car: 97 1.8TQ
I am going to replace the stock one with Bilstein shocks, but I am wondering what is the difference between Bilstein sports shocks and Bilstein Heavy Duty shocks. Which one is for better handling? Are they both designed for lowering springs? Are they coated for winter snow because I live in Chicago? Also I am going to buy the H&R Race spring which drop about 2". Is there any problem with the 16" stock wheels?

And is this combo gives much more handling than the stock sports one? much stiffer?

A garage that specialized euro cars has quoted me $400 labor to change the front and rear. And a garage that usually do Japanese cars probably charges around $200. Do I really need Audi specialist to do this job? Will the guys in normal garage able to do it or they probably will mass up my car?

Thanks very much!!

 

anyone can give comments?....thanks.

 

I don't know about the strut differences but a 2" drop will be fine with stock 16s. Don't pay to get the swap done, it's really easy..

 

The Sports have something like .5" less travel than the HDs. Sports are for use with the 'sport package' suspension, ie: lowered.

There's a thread here that just went over this... https://www.audiforums.com/forum/sho...d.php?t=132724

As for how much the H&Rs drop and/or stiffen things up, I dont know. Give customer service a call...

 

This is standard Audi sport setup.



And here again with H&R race springs

 

i have the bilstein sports with the H&R black springs and the bilstein sports made a night and day differance compared to the oem winter shocks and the H&R black springs handling went way up and the car feels as if it is on rails

 

Bilstein sport and HD have the same valving, but the HD has a bit more travel
fiy, i payed 220 to have mine lowered and aligned...