S3 is 55 mm like any higher-powered MQB model. They're easily identifiable since the
55 mm one is aluminium (silver colored and bulky) while the 50 mm strut swivels are
steel (much skinnier, painted black and tend to rust).
On the 'mid-powered' MQB cars it depends whether the car is NA or Euro spec. While
all European Golfs and A3s with more than 150 HP and even any lower-powered DCC
equipped Golf comes with 55 mm struts + aluminium swivels, the NA spec 170 HP TSI
seems to put up with the 50 mm struts and iron spindles.
Anyways, I cannot imagine Audi sell the S3 with the cheaper 50 mm struts and steel
hubs. Any NA spec GTI comes with aluminium hubs and 55 mm struts.
Yes I just checked and found I have mistaken it. Actually my A3 has 50mm front axles
So what's the difference between 50mm and 55mm besides the swivels and shockers? Do they have the same top mounts?