Shock absober question

[spear]

morning peeps.

I have decided after much deliberation to order myself a set Eibach Sportline Lowering Springs which will give me the drop i'm after (45-50mm) plus firm up the handling.

My question is which shocks to get? my rears are standard Bilsteins which are <6 months old but i've no idea how old the fronts are so i'm going to change them. Can i get away with standard shocks on the front as well as the drop is not too drastic?

I have read loads of threads on this but still slightly confused so thought i'd ask the experts before i part with my wonga. 
 
Cheers guys.

[Wayne]

Better to replace the shocks, running lowering springs will shorten their life.

[Deano2711]

+1  Shocks will not last as long. I used VR6 shockers on my old one which are designed for a bit more weight I believe but still will not last as long as they should. Depends how much money you want to spend and how long you want the shocks to last really. I got my VR shocks for a tenner apiece from a guy who was breaking one by me. They were fairly new and I decided to take the risk and the car got wrote off with them on and they gave me a nice firm ride and great handling.

[spear]

I might leave the rears on as they're fairly new and i'll change them when they die. Defo got to change the fronts as they could still be the factory fitted ones.
I read somewhere that the standard shocks would be ok up to about a 40mm drop or is this inaccurate? I'm on a budget so wanting to get the best set-up for minimal outlay.

[Wayne]

I might leave the rears on as they're fairly new and i'll change them when they die. Defo got to change the fronts as they could still be the factory fitted ones.
I read somewhere that the standard shocks would be ok up to about a 40mm drop or is this inaccurate? I'm on a budget so wanting to get the best set-up for minimal outlay.

Would say no to be honest, 20mm should be ok but anything more and you should run better shocks more suited to lowering springs.

[spear]

I see, thanks for the info Wayne. I'll look into shock/spring kits with uprated shocks in that case. not gonna be cheap but i'm sure it'll be worth it.

i was also planning to change the rear top mounts, fronts are less than a year old, anything else i should change while the car is in bits?

[Deano2711]

The standard shocks would take the 40mm drop but the ride would be bumpy and the shock would have a very limited life. I understand the economy side of things but it's false economy. I used the VR shocks because they were cheap and I did not mind changing them when they died. The car will sit right on the lowering springs and standard shocks though but your back will suffer from the potholes.

[AudiA8Quattro]

What everyone else said.
Shortened shocks, or short service life.

[spear]

But you can buy a Bilstein susp kit that comes with lowering springs and OE shocks! I dont want to keep taking the car apart every few months so I'll follow Wayne's mantra "do it once, do it right"  good advice.

[boneybradley]

I will be surprised if eibach will lower 45-50mm....Mine gave me about 25mm (they were sportline -40mm)

when fitted with eibach and sachs/boge shockers