Bilsterin B14 fitted - brutally hard 😟

[ripvanwinkle]

Hoping that someone can help me - recently had Bilstein B14s fitted to my B7 RS4 Avant and the suspension is now very hard. So much so, that on some road surfaces it makes the car really unpleasant to drive as it crashes into ruts and even shallow pot holes. I've just been going through the installation instructions and it says that the top edge of the spring plate needs to be in the range of 340-355mm from the centre of the strut fixation bolt. Can anyone tell me if this is the top bolt or the bottom one? It reads as though it's the top, but if it is, then it's pretty much impossible to take that measurement without removing the strut.

Any other suggestions to improve this situation would mbe most welcome.

Thanks.

[JRC1]

B14's and B16's are known to be a very harsh set up on the B7. Many owners across the forums and FB groups complaining of the harshness of this setup. KW V3 rides more similar to the original DRC. The KW kit is also fully stainless whereas the Bilsteins are not and corrode over time. I have B14's on my other car and they are corroded. The V3's fitted to my B7 have been fantastic, I would highly recommend them. Maybe you can return the Bilsteins if they are brand new.

[Zyox]

I went with B16s around 10 years ago. Still going. A harsher ride than the DRC definitely but when combined with an anti roll bar a fastastic upgrade. Once they corrode I'll be getting the KW V3s.

[highrise]

My car had B14s when I brought it, way too hard and really unsettled the car. I had a Koni shock and stock springs setup by crsperformance.co.uk.

It's still firmish and I've never driven a DRC car but so much better than the B14s.

I did a.proper post on the forum somewhere.

[ripvanwinkle]

Thanks for the replies. I just can’t understand how Bilstein can sell this kit. I would argue that it’s not really fit for purpose on current roads in the UK. Bit of an expensive mistake to make. Can the stock springs be used with b14s? Would that improve things?

[JRC1]

I can't imagine stock springs would work with aftermarket dampers, surely different spring rates, length, fitment, etc? Would be surprised if they could.

[ripvanwinkle]

I just wondered, since it was commented above that stock springs were used with Konis?

[highrise]

The b14 are coilovers, so it's a different setup. ( I think )

I wanted as close to stock as possible so went with the Koni and Stock Springs.

[ripvanwinkle]

Of course, my mistake