I also went with Koni STRs on H and R springs with powerflex 10mm lowering strut bushing and its a dream to drive. It takes these northeastern new york country roads in strides. Its never bottomed out. And the quality of the suspension just makes it a dream to drive. I drive it hard and it takes it.
Gabriel are quality parts, I put their struts on my LS400. It isn't going to make your ride worse, it'll make your ride more controlled, with less roll, squat or dive, as it isn't worn out.
2nd best mod was replacing control arms (oem), bushings (oem), springs (H&R sport), struts (adjustable Koni), and strut towers (aftermarket billets). Sport seats was also a great change to the car.
I have the gabriel struts from auto zone and they're a bit stuff at first but I'm a year in and they've worn in great.
koni struts
I ordered the cheapest complete kit (their request) I could find off of ebay. The struts were actually Gabriel struts and 3 years later it's still going without issue.
I personally, like ONLY the sport mode of DCC, so if I can find good NON DCC struts/shocks for the R that are really worth buying, and that can handle my springs, I would be on it.
Just want to bump this as Im super happy with my new stockish setup. H&R OE Sport springs and Koni Str.t struts. Stock ride height (H&R says it lowers it .75" front and rear) and a really comfortable ride. Koni states the Str.t's are valved for lowering springs (1.5-3") but I think they feel great.
I've dealt with Koni before and, while cumbersome, they backed their stuff up and sent me 2 new front struts after the seals popped.
Since you mention winter...I would stay away from the STR.T line. I bought them a few years ago for my Passat and after the first winter the things started to rust. The problem is the paint; it's garbage - I don't think they were primed, just sprayed orange. Maybe it's a cost-savings area but after the first winter the paint was flaking all over and after the second there was little paint left and heavy surface rust (big time pitting) everywhere.
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