Leon FR suspension too stiff / fit standard??

[bellkevin]

Hi,
I too really want to change my suspension (koni FSD) on my FR for a smoother ride because it's ridicules.. I thought I could put up with it.... I can't. Even contemplating selling the car because I dislike the bumpy crashy ride soo much. I love the rest of the car though..

Has anyone in the Coventry area changed their dampers for a smoother ride? Possible ride in it and chat about it?? Has anyone fit standard Leon springs and dampers? Is it worth changing the springs to give a smoother feel?

I really like the stable cornering capability but driving up and down the M40 is just way to bumpy, especially just after Bicester, the south bound part of the M40 for about 2 miles.. That's how bad it is because I remember it.

Where's the cheapest place to get the Koni's? I'll will fit them myself.



Kev

 

[SteveTDCi]

I have the same issue with my A3 and was going to go down the Eibach + FSD route, Jabba quoted somehing like £700 + Vat to supply and fit and suggested it would make a difference others on the Audi forum have done similar and agreed. AMD don't seem to rate the FSD dampers though, and neither did APS. It might be worth a post in the sub sections of the forum to see what people recommend

 

[bellkevin]

Thanks for the reply, there are so many opinions on this site and it's difficult to get a similar one.
So where is the sub section of the forum? What model A3 do you have?

Kevin

 

[SteveTDCi]

I have the A3 Sline on 18", i found the ride in the FR much better than the A3 if that helps, as for the other forums, its just the ones down from the main section, Try AMD, Awesome GTi and DPM

 

[bizzaboy]

Hi,
I thought I could put up with it.... I can't. Even contemplating selling the car because I dislike the bumpy crashy ride soo much. I love the rest of the car though..

Kev

That's a bit extreme, threatening to sell the car just because the suspension is a bit hard (even though you love the rest of the car)!?

Alot here have found the Eibach Sportline Springs to be a very nice 'upgrade' to the standard suspension on the FR. You win on all counts, slightly softer ride than the FR setup however still firm and the ride is improved, plus you drop the car a good 30mm.

 

[SteveTDCi]

I felt exactly the same about my A3 though, i don't mind harsh but i hate the way it bounces, the last straw came for me when it hurt my lower back, if I got on with DSG then I certainly would have modified the suspension but next stop was to sell the car.

 

[DamianPM]

I'd say go for the Koni FSD's with either the Eibach Pro's or Sportline's...

https://www.dpmperformance.co.uk/ko...fsi-fr-20t-si-20tdi-fr-20tdi-0805-p-3283.html

https://www.dpmperformance.co.uk/ei...-fsi-fr-20t-si-20tdi-fr-20tdi-0805-p-121.html

https://www.dpmperformance.co.uk/ei...-fsi-fr-20t-si-20tdi-fr-20tdi-0805-p-172.html

Damian @ DPM

 

[Tam]

Wimp! Put up with it man .... you'll love it on the twisties

p.s. yes - that M40 part is shockingly poor - the slow lane is slightly smoother than the outside lane.

Doing 50 over it is slightly better than the usual outside lane speeds

It doesn't get any better the faster you go over it either no matter how fast! ..

 

[sheffboy]

can i suggest a weekend holiday in Sheffield. After a few days driving around here you'll find the M40 feels like your driving a hovercraft on a millpond

 

[Tam]

can i suggest a weekend holiday in Sheffield. After a few days driving around here you'll find the M40 feels like your driving a hovercraft on a millpond

LOL - Actually, that is very true!

I was in Sheffield last week. Its got to be the no1 city for potholes - not just the little ones either! Was truly shocking.

 

[jcp]

I'm not clear whether you have the Koni Fsd's already?
I have eibach pro-kit springs which are distinctly better than my 07 Fr's standard set up. I then added Koni fsd's which improved matters further. I too was unhappy with the car- perhaps not quite so unhappy as you- and it is now a LOT better. I suspect the springs make the biggest difference and they are a relatively inexpensive move- the shocks are more expensive, so try the springs first!!

 

[bellkevin]

My FR is completely standard apart from the 18" wheels with Bridgstones. I've seen that a different manufacture tyre helps the road noise as well.

I'm no wimp, just a little older, I've had my boy racer days. If I drove on my own all the time then it's just me that has to put up with the bumpy ride. I see my passengers heads bounce and nod with the stiff ride too.

I do love the way the car handles, I can push so hard and fast around corners that there's very little body roll, just under steer to over steer from throttle control. Very nice! I know I would loose that with softer suspension so I'm leaning towards springs and dampers.

I don't really want to lower the car though, impractical with speed humps. I think the wheels in the wheel arches look spot on, lowering it would spoil the look.

Kev

 

[bellkevin]

Wimp! Put up with it man .... you'll love it on the twisties

p.s. yes - that M40 part is shockingly poor - the slow lane is slightly smoother than the outside lane.

Doing 50 over it is slightly better than the usual outside lane speeds

:

How can anyone do 50mph on the motorway??? You'll be overtaken by lorries!! That's just not on..

 

[bellkevin]

Well, it'sbeen about 3 1/2 months since I've changed my dampers to the Koni FSD's. I can say that they really have changed the car! What should have been put on the car in production. I noticed a smoother ride straght away, from starting the engine and driving 30 meters, I could feel it softer straght away!! I love it!!
I wont bother with changing the springs as I was avised from Koni that the dampers were designed around the standard springs. The lowered springs are a higher spring rate so that the damper internal valves work better on the standard Leon FR 170 springs.

 

[stephenSF]

I wont bother with changing the springs as I was avised from Koni that the dampers were designed around the standard springs. The lowered springs are a higher spring rate so that the damper internal valves work better on the standard Leon FR 170 springs.

Really? What not even the Pro-kit? That only drops by 1.5 cm.

 

[bellkevin]

Really? What not even the Pro-kit? That only drops by 1.5 cm.

I've not looked at the specs for a while but I thought the minium drop was 30mm.. even still, why spend £125 for 15mm drop? Well I went with the recomendation at Koni them selves. They were very helpfull and knowledgeable.

 

[stephenSF]

even still, why spend £125 for 15mm drop?

I heard it improves the ride on it's own. People that have done it in conjunction with the Konis have said it has a cumulative effect on the comfort. But glad you're happier now.

 

[jackpolson1]

would putting the fr springs on a normal leon lower the ride height? was looking into it but didnt know whether it would affect it enough to actually go ahead with it?