HELP! Need to find the correct springs for my 2008 A4 DTM

[motoriety]

TLDR; I need to find the correct stock springs for my A4 DTM.

Chassis No: WUAZZZ8E88A801088
Engine No: BWE043658

Here's the long story:

I began my DTM Saga in January 2017. I purchased a reasonably-priced low-mileage car which had some modifications including Eibach lowering springs. I drove the car as is for a few months but as I live in the Philippines (where roads are far from immaculate), I decided that I wanted to return the car to its original ride height.

Whenever I would provide my chassis number to local suppliers, they would give me the part number for REGULAR non-S Line A4 Springs, so I thought that it might be next to impossible to find the stock parts. In the meantime, I really couldn't live with the absurd ride height any longer so I bought and installed a set of secondhand B7 springs. That proved to be a huge mistake -- my car would bounce over even the smallest bumps, and the ride was crashy and nauseating. Needless to say, I learned a lot about spring rates as I scrambled to find a solution to my worsened predicament.

Thankfully, I found the Parts Request section on this site, and I got the part numbers for front and rear springs:

Front springs - 8E0411105EJ
Rear springs - 8E0511115FN

Using the part numbers, I bought a pair of Suplex springs for the front, and had them installed right away. This improved the bounciness a bit, but the car was still undrivable as the rears made it feel like I was driving on a spring mattress.

A couple of months later I purchased a set of rear Lesjofors springs from another supplier. I had them installed earlier this week and picked up my car today. Before I left the shop, my mechanic told me that the rear felt perfect, but the front bounced a lot over bumps. That was a bit of a surprise for me, as I thought that the Suplexes had fixed the problem, but I brushed it off thinking that it might just be how S Line springs felt. When I got back on the road, it did indeed feel like the bounciness had returned -- far from the stiff ride I expected from sports springs.

Full disclosure: I purchased my front springs from the US, and they arrived out of the box, as I had asked my girlfriend's mom to carry them in her luggage. I have a sneaking suspicion that the seller shipped the wrong springs, which I was unable to verify. I also suspect that even though they were advertised as sports springs, the Suplexes were not as stiff as stock DTM or S Line springs should be.

My plan now is to buy a pair of Lesjofors front springs from the second supplier. Seeing as they rears felt perfectly fine on my car, I am guessing that the fronts will ride the way they should. The rears also shipped in their boxes and they were correctly labeled as for Audi S Line models.

BUT, I'd just like to make sure before I pull the trigger. Just a few questions:

1. Are the part numbers provided to me correct? If not, could anyone help me get the right ones?
2. Would it be good putting my faith in Lesjofors?
3. Are DTM springs the same as S Line Springs? I have yet to get a definitive answer on this.

That will be all for now. I'm a bit disheartened right now, as after over a year of ownership, I have yet to be able to drive my car in its proper state. Any help and leads would be GREATLY appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Sandra]

@DPM May be able to help you

 

[motoriety]

@DPM May be able to help you

Thanks Sandra, I'll send a message!

 

[DPM]

Unfortunately we can't help with the stock springs but I'm sure we'd be able to help with an aftermarket option for you, something like the EIbach Pro springs or H&R springs could both be good options for what you're wanting.

Damian @ DPM Performance

 

[motoriety]

Unfortunately we can't help with the stock springs but I'm sure we'd be able to help with an aftermarket option for you, something like the EIbach Pro springs or H&R springs could both be good options for what you're wanting.

Damian @ DPM Performance

Hi Damian, the springs installed on my car when I bought them were Eibachs and they were a little too low for me. I'd really like something with an OEM ride height.

 

[Charlie Farley]

you would have been better of replacing the whole units really, dampers and springs, that way you would have ended up with a much better matched setup.
the OEM stock springs are a bit firm and the dampers are not brilliant, if you really want a sorted setup then you will need to start a fresh and bin the current items .
I had s-line setup on my old bus, changed to H&R 45 mm springs all round and it looked spot on but the ride was still less than ideal, probably a tad worse as I has shorter springs with standard dampers which were all most full compressed to start with.
Changed to Bilstein B8's all round with the H&R 45mm spring I had and it has been a transformation, a real pleasure to drive now, sporty with a decent level of comfort, and looks right.
just my input.

 

[motoriety]

Hi Rob, right now, I don't think I have the budget to replace both the dampers and springs at the moment. I'd just like to ask though, do the Bilsteins provide more damping that the regular S-Line shocks? Maybe I can get away with just buying new dampers for the bouncy springs I'm using at the moment.

 

[DPM]

How many miles have the current dampers and springs covered?

Damian @ DPM Performance

 

[motoriety]

How many miles have the current dampers and springs covered?

Damian @ DPM Performance

Hi Damian, the dampers have been on the car since new, around 32k kilometers. The Suplex front springs have been on for less than 100 km. I'm not sure how long the Eibachs were on before that as I never had the chance to ask the previous owner. Is it possible that having lowering springs on before somehow reduced the shocks' damping?

 

[DPM]

It may have done yes but at 32k you'd still expect a few more miles out of them.

Damian @ DPM Performance

 

[Joeyenz]

Hi Damian, the springs installed on my car when I bought them were Eibachs and they were a little too low for me. I'd really like something with an OEM ride height.

S-line are the standard for the DTM, should be able to get a set in good nick for next to nothing as lots of people swap them out for something a little uprated, as I have done myself. Think I saw someone giving a set away on the classifieds recently so keep your eyes peeled!

 

[motoriety]

It may have done yes but at 32k you'd still expect a few more miles out of them.

Damian @ DPM Performance

Hi Damian,

Roads here in Manila, Philippines are pretty terrible, so I think they may have taken their toll. I'm thinking of replacing the shocks with Bilstein B8s instead. Would those be ok with S-Line springs?


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[motoriety]

S-line are the standard for the DTM, should be able to get a set in good nick for next to nothing as lots of people swap them out for something a little uprated, as I have done myself. Think I saw someone giving a set away on the classifieds recently so keep your eyes peeled!

What springs do you have on now? And did you swap out your shocks for a different set?


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[DPM]

Hi Damian,

Roads here in Manila, Philippines are pretty terrible, so I think they may have taken their toll. I'm thinking of replacing the shocks with Bilstein B8s instead. Would those be ok with S-Line springs?


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Yes you could use both the Bilstein B6 and B8 dampers with S-line springs.

Damian @ DPM Performance

 

[motoriety]

Yes you could use both the Bilstein B6 and B8 dampers with S-line springs.

Damian @ DPM Performance

Thanks Damian.

Last question, how do B4 shocks compare with B8s? I've been looking around the forum and I can't really get a definitive answer on which one would be best. Thanks!


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[Charlie Farley]

have a read here , you can compare what both dampers offer.
https://uk.bilstein.com/en/products-and-services/

 

[DPM]

Thanks Damian.

Last question, how do B4 shocks compare with B8s? I've been looking around the forum and I can't really get a definitive answer on which one would be best. Thanks!


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The B4 shocks are basically a gas version of your standard shocks, the B8 are a monotube damper so on another level.

Damian @ DPM Performance

 

[Tooty_Fruity]

Audi A4 DTM Edition -
Audi literature states ....Audi S line sports suspension from quattro GmbH with improved dynamic chassis set-up and road clearance reduced by 20mm
Rear springs 8EO 511 115FM from Audi and it didnt say S line on the computer screen just DTM.

 

[Joeyenz]

What springs do you have on now? And did you swap out your shocks for a different set?


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Just got some s line dampers and eibach sport springs on the diesel SE bus and both s lines on the 2.0t, the dampers are pretty nasty to be honest, with or without the eibachs. From looking on forums and talking to a local audi tuning place bilstein dampers and eibach springs seem to be better for performance and comfort than the stock s-lines

 

[motoriety]

Just got some s line dampers and eibach sport springs on the diesel SE bus and both s lines on the 2.0t, the dampers are pretty nasty to be honest, with or without the eibachs. From looking on forums and talking to a local audi tuning place bilstein dampers and eibach springs seem to be better for performance and comfort than the stock s-lines

Thanks! That's the concensus I'm getting as well, so I'm inclined to go full-on B12 now (Bilstein B8s with Eibach pro-kit springs). Might cost more in the short term but will make for a more enjoyable drive.

 

[Gazwould]

I'm confussed , you already ruled out Eibach as they were too low for you the first time .

If the Philippines roads are that bad and the DTM has S Line suspension that is not appropriate I would look to replacing it with either Standard or Sport model springs with the corresponding oe Bilstein B4 damper .

 

[motoriety]

I'm confussed , you already ruled out Eibach as they were too low for you the first time .

If the Philippines roads are that bad and the DTM has S Line suspension that is not appropriate I would look to replacing it with either Standard or Sport model springs with the corresponding oe Bilstein B4 damper .

I have a feeling that the Eibachs fitted to my car by the previous owner were a bit different from the pros. Here is what the front looked like before. Granted the tires were lower profile than standard, but they were already under the fender.

Rears also looked similarly slammed. I don't think that Eibach Pro-kit springs should be that low.

To be fair, the ride on that set up was stiff, but not overly harsh. Since this is primarily a weekend car I'll be driving on smoother country roads, I'm willing to make that compromise.

I've since changed to OEM S-Line springs and the correct 235/40 Michelins, which did solve my height issue but brought about the bounciness.

After making the original post, I spoke to one of my friends with a B7 S-Line Quattro and he says that it shouldn't ride that way at all, and he finds his car's ride somewhat bearable for our roads.

From what I understand though, B8s should ride better than B4s. Correct me if I'm wrong.


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[Gazwould]

So it had red Eibach Sportlines ?

B8 will be the firmer damper than B4 .

 

[motoriety]

So it had red Eibach Sportlines ?

B8 will be the firmer damper than B4 .

They're black. Just took a photo of them a while ago to check the part number. Here they are:

Would B4s be appropriate for S-Line springs though?


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[Joeyenz]

Black eib's are the pro, I think ~20mm higher than the sportlines? Still lower than the s-line, but not hugely, ~20mm again I think. Don't quote me on the sizes but I seem to remember they were quite even steps down from SE > sline > pro > sport

 

[Gazwould]

motoriety what's your engine, engine code and horse power , quattro ?

 

[motoriety]

Black eib's are the pro, I think ~20mm higher than the sportlines? Still lower than the s-line, but not hugely, ~20mm again I think. Don't quote me on the sizes but I seem to remember they were quite even steps down from SE > sline > pro > sport

Ah, then that rules out the Bilstein B12 kit for me as they'll be using the same springs. 20mm where I'm from made a whole lot of difference. Haha. I'm happy with S-Line height, doesn't sit too high and isn't too low that I scrape the car on humps and ramps. Thanks a lot for the clarifications Joeyenz!


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[motoriety]

motoriety what's your engine, engine code and horse power , quattro ?

Here you go:

Chassis No:
WUAZZZ8E88A801088

Engine No:
BWE043658

Stock HP is 217.


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[Gazwould]

quattro ?

What's your axle weights ?

 

[motoriety]

quattro ?

What's your axle weights ?

Yup it's a DTM so it's Quattro as well. Wouldn't know about axle weights though.


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[Gazwould]

Important , under bonnet sticker 1 is front , 2 , rear .

 

[motoriety]

Important , under bonnet sticker 1 is front , 2 , rear .

I'll have to get back to you on that as the car is parked at my parents' place this week. Will let you know!


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[motoriety]

The B4 shocks are basically a gas version of your standard shocks, the B8 are a monotube damper so on another level.

Damian @ DPM Performance

Hi Damian,

So the B4s would work with S-Line springs as well right? I understand that there sport versions of the B4s. Thanks a lot.


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[DPM]

You'd need B4 Sport.

Damian @ DPM Performance

 

[Stephen Goodall]

Kumusta Kuya

Did you get your dampers in the end? Roads around Manila you might want to consider Bilstein B4 standard as be much better in the crazed concrete and over expansion joints. However alot people say B4 sports are way to go...

On my DTM im going B4 sports and Eibach prokit. Ive had B6 on an other car and they frankly where too firm for a daily, awesome damper for wheel control but firm

I would offer my used DTM springs and dampers but could be some time to I get to PH again and they have 165k miles on them...

BWE is a 197hp motor as far as I know, also I though all DTMs had engine code BUL...

 

[motoriety]

Kumusta Kuya

Did you get your dampers in the end? Roads around Manila you might want to consider Bilstein B4 standard as be much better in the crazed concrete and over expansion joints. However alot people say B4 sports are way to go...

On my DTM im going B4 sports and Eibach prokit. Ive had B6 on an other car and they frankly where too firm for a daily, awesome damper for wheel control but firm

I would offer my used DTM springs and dampers but could be some time to I get to PH again and they have 165k miles on them...

BWE is a 197hp motor as far as I know, also I though all DTMs had engine code BUL...

Hey Stephen, happy to report that I've been driving around for almost three months on B4 sports and S-Line springs.

Ride is firm but not too uncomfortable, and surprisingly the shocks take poor surfaces in stride. You're right, expansion joints and concrete patchwork are a pain but they're bearable thanks to the dampers. Have you had the pleasure of sampling Manila's excellent roads yourself?

Yup, the engine code caused me quite a bit of confusion at first. After a bit of research I found out that DTMs were offered in some markets with both 197 and 217hp engines. The seller of this car advertised it as having around 250 with some exhaust and intake mods -- haven't had the chance to verify that on the dyno but power feels sufficient.


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[Stephen Goodall]

Hey Stephen, happy to report that I've been driving around for almost three months on B4 sports and S-Line springs.

Ride is firm but not too uncomfortable, and surprisingly the shocks take poor surfaces in stride. You're right, expansion joints and concrete patchwork are a pain but they're bearable thanks to the dampers. Have you had the pleasure of sampling Manila's excellent roads yourself?

Yup, the engine code caused me quite a bit of confusion at first. After a bit of research I found out that DTMs were offered in some markets with both 197 and 217hp engines. The seller of this car advertised it as having around 250 with some exhaust and intake mods -- haven't had the chance to verify that on the dyno but power feels sufficient.


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Glad here you got sucess and a better ride

Im having bother getting the B4 sports currently, Bilstein have no stock and seems all there dealers just drop ship...


Manilas road, only by taxi/uber or bus... but in my wifes region, Bicol, I drive when we go and I find the cities have worse roads than the country!

The 197 and 217 are basically the same so with a map both produce the same kind of power.