I recently replaced my Eibach pro dampers with some oem style KYB struts thinking I would feel a big improvement in ride quality, but it actually only feels maybe 5% softer which could even be just in my head.

When I bought the car, it already had Eibach pro kit springs installed but now I'm fed up with the crappy stiff and harsh ride quality. What I don't understand is why it feels so stiff like I'm riding on rails. Maybe the springs I have on are from a different car or something? I remember having these springs on my old civic and they felt pretty soft.

I'm even tempted to put on oem springs if that's the only way to make the car feel soft and smooth, but I like the drop I have and that makes me have second thoughts.

I heard that Tein H Tech springs give a soft ride, but I don't want to waste money on something that won't make a big improvement. What should I do??

 

I'm not sure about the H-Tech springs, but I have the S-Tech on my 30v. I would consider the ride very comfortable. The drop with the S-Tech is a little more, but I don't know if the ride is different. I'm using S4 struts, but I don't think that these are an option for you being FWD.

 

thats kind of the nature of drop springs unfotunately. You could switch to something a little less aggressive like H&R sport springs or some other sport level brand drop spring. but then the car will sit higher also. If you want your cake and to eat it too, save some $'s for a while and invest in coilovers. then you can adjust the height and ride quality just where you want it. its a bit of an investment but 100% worth it

 

I'm well aware that lowering springs make the ride feel more stiff, but it just doesn't seem right how stiff the car actually feels with Eibach pro kit springs. I'm thinking maybe the previous owner put on springs that are meant for the avant? The spring rate would need to be more to compensate for a heavier car I'm assuming. I wish I knew someone local that has these springs so I could see if it feels the same.

Just to give you an idea, going over a railroad track feels like the whole car is going to fall apart and cracks and bumps in the road just make me cringe and eventually just give me a headache seriously.

 

I don't think that there is any difference in spring rate for the avant vs sedan. There is a difference for the 2.8L engine vs. the 1.8L engine for the front springs. Putting heavier springs on would actually raise the car instead of lowering it.

How low is your car? It's hard to tell from your avatar. It sounds as though you are actually riding on the bump-stops. If the car is lowered too much and the bump-stops aren't trimmed, the shock travel essentially goes to zero.

 

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You're no where near low enough to be riding on the bump stops.

I don't know what the original FWD ride height was like, but from the looks of it you aren't more than an inch lower than stock for the Quattro models.

Did you do the struts or did you take it somewhere to have them replaced? If you're doing them yourself, I would just pick up some stock springs for cheap and give it a try. Remember that FWD rear springs are different from the Quattro ones. I think that the fronts are the same.

 

I installed the struts myself. I'm at the point where ride quality is more important to me than looks, so I think I will just go with stock springs.

Anyone in so Cal who has a set of fwd stock springs for sale let me know.

 

You may want to try the classifieds on VWVortex. They have a B5 specific section for parts. I've got some stock fronts (if the fronts are the same) you could have, but shipping my be more than you want.