Best suspension.

[Human Joist]

Evening all. I have searched the site but can’t seem to find the final conclusion. My motor is running KW V1 and they are about 6 years old and have covered 37k. I don’t like them and find them crashy and almost like it ramps up slightly over bumps. I won’t be going for drc as I have none of the original bits.

I had another rs6 about four years ago and it was running bilstein pss9 b16 kit and I thought that performed really well. Just wondering what the general opinion was. Also is there a standard spring and shock set up. Reason I ask is I used to have a b5 rs4 that had just that, the bilstein b12 kit and it was sublime

Discuss .....

[Shoppinit]

What’s the b12 kit? Just shocks with oe springs?

[Shoppinit]

Oh, I see. Fixed ride height.

By most accounts the B14 is hard and crashy. Presumably B12 is the same.

[steve2003rs6]

Had this dilemma last year. Looking at all sorts of configurations.
Taking the recommendations from this site from a number of members.
Finally went for bilstein PSs 9 B16 with new top mounts and bushes and absolutely love them.
Car ride is now transformed and comfortable and being adjustable is a bonus.

[Human Joist]

Shop. The b12 kit is standard shocks and springs fixed height non coil overs. They don’t make them for the c5 unfortunately. From what in and find out any coiliover that isn’t adjustable seems to be too harsh and crashy.

Cheers Steve. I’m glad you found an answer. I do feel the pull for the pss9 will be strong. At double the price I presume the quality and ride are improved and it’s worth paying for

[Shoppinit]

Problem will be finding anyone who has direct experience of several setups to be able to compare. I’ve been in an RS6 with H&R and that was horrible. I like the ride on my pss9.

I drove mine back to back with a friend’s RS4 B7 on DRC sports+ suspension that was in top condition. I was struck how similar the ride quality was. I wrote a mini review at the time.

You’ll never get a nice soft compliant ride with sports performance unless you’ve got active shocks.

It’s a pity the pss9 are so pricey. It’s the only thing that would make you hesitate.

[Human Joist]

I read that review and it helps to see positive things about them. I will no doubt end up with the pss9 but wanted to do my research due to the price as I only want to swap them once

[V!per]

After my DRC went for the 2nd time I was looking for replacement last year. Was considering to keeping it as close to DRC as possible. I thing the option was the original DRC springs with some KONI shocks - they were shocks for S6 but suited for RS. Ended up with Bilstein pss9 - just because there was a promotion on Demon Tweaks and I got mine for under £1300. And I have to say they are brilliant.

[steve2003rs6]

Exactly my thoughts at the time. I only wanted to do this once and get it right first time.
Road surfaces where I live are crap at best.
Initially asked unit 20 to set them at 4.
Have played around with various settings to get comfort for everyday driving.
2weeks ago wound them up to 9.
Perfect for about town even on speed bumps.
Was expecting problems on this setting but as a daily driver have not experienced any. Just a very comfortable ride.
Being adjustable if you want a more sportier ride it’s there in a few clicks.
As I said only wanted to do this once. And I think I have the options I was looking for.
Yes they are a bit more money. But you get what you pay for in my experience.
Good luck. Regards Steve.

[Shoppinit]

9?! I thought they were dangerous on 6! I ruined a good pair of underpants first time I took a fast corner with them on 6!

[steve2003rs6]

Hi Shop. I know what you mean. Generally most people set to 4.
Honestly for town driving mine is perfect on 9.
I know most people will think that’s nuts.
But it is really nice with no negatives so far.
For quick driving would go with 4 as members recommended.
Ps in the book it says you get a noticeable click for each setting.
Mine is smooth when turning the adjuster.
So you have to visibly change settings.

Again 9 sounds nuts I know. But works on mine.

Pps. Many thanks for all your help on numerous occasions.

[IchBautAuto]

Reason I ask is I used to have a b5 rs4 that had just that, the bilstein b12 kit and it was sublime

Discuss .....

You'll see somewhere on here that I fitted B8? Bilstein dampers to my RS6 and used the original DRC springs. Perfecto as far as I'm concerned. On my RS4 that I still have, I have the full B12 kit fitted and that was what made me try this out in preference to KONI. Since fitting I've done a few long trips, 2500 Km and 1000 Km, plus plenty of local driving. Had the car up to 180 ish and I have nothing bad to say about the kit. Low speed compliance is better than the RS4 and the ride is better than I would have expected for sport suspension while retaining standard ride height and at higher speeds the car is just planted. For every day driving on the variety of roads found in real life, I'm very happy with the outcome. Also, I haven't found any need to change the OE roll bars.

[IchBautAuto]

They don’t make them for the c5 unfortunately. ............................

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=133436

The part numbers for C5 are in the post.

[IchBautAuto]

Finally, the adjustable dampers are nice to talk about but as all track guys know, you can take a truck load of dampers, springs and Bars to every track and the top guys will have a different setup for every track and every condition. So you set up your street suspension for one circumstance and then have to head off on a longish trip with variable roads. At some point in the trip you'll probably be dangerous. The compromise suspension may never be perfect but it'll be far better overall than something that has been finely adjusted for a specific set of roads.

I have this issue with my RS4 where I have B12 suspension but have been playing with the bars. 32mm front and 25mm rear set on soft(er). The manufacturers recommend that the bars actually be disconnected in wet weather so in the occasional rainy periods we have I'm forced to drive accordingly to avoid spinning out. Won't fall into that trap with the RS6.

[Human Joist]

An interesting read. My problem is I don’t have my original springs or spring plates bump stops etc. When I got the car last year it already had the KW V1 fitted. So I would need to purchase all bits. The shocks seem to be £130 a corner on bilstein site but I have a feeling by the time I’ve managed to price and source all the bits it would be cheaper to just get the pss9 b16 kit