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RS4 standard height. Help needed.

Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2008 3:54 pm
by Tomasz
Last friday I've changed my suspension (by Quattro GmbH) to brand new Bilstein PSS9 .

Nowadays I'm going to adjust PSS9 to maintain standard height (it would be important not to cut down on any milimeter because as a stock car it is low enough) but only piece of information I know is the stock car height: 1366 mil measured on 255/35/18 tyres and unleaded car. Am I right? Because some sources pass it as 1400 mil.

I would like to know any other data of the stock car such as height from the ground to the bottom part of the front/rear bumper or other methods to state the height. :idea:
Any ideas?
Thanks in advance,
Tomasz
:nogarors4:

RE: RS4 standard height. Help needed.

Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2008 5:21 pm
by tdiquattro
I know the ride height for coilovers is usually measures at all 4 wheels from the ground to the underside edge of the lip of the wheel arch. That is the height usually quoted. Not sure what the standard cars are though?

Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2008 6:05 pm
by simoncotton
not sure, but I need to raise the height of my car - its on H&R Coilovers and is only 4 inches off the ground and catches on catseyes, very unpractical!!

Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2008 10:21 pm
by Virdee Autos
Let us know your thoughts on the PSS9 kit. Sorry I can't be of help

Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2008 10:58 am
by Tomasz
So far so good especially comparing to "old" one but I expect much more fun after adjusting it :lol: . As you probably know it possesses 9 modes of damping. Now (till Thursday) I'm driving the most comfortable (no 9) mode, which is more or less like the stock suspension, but I'm going to shift it to number 7 - much stiffer but, I hope, still giving minimum comfort for every day driving.
Anyway, I feel like having new, quicker toy.
What a pity that PSS9 gives no possibility to control sport/race/comfort mode from the car (like TEIN product - but not made for RS4).
Cheers,
Tomasz
:nogarors4:

Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2008 11:31 am
by tdiquattro
I was looking at TEIN, just superb quality and design, the electronic damping control is fantastic, yep it's a shame they don't do a setup for the B5 S4/RS4, very good value as well, :( , (importer is based in Milton Keynes).

Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2008 1:12 pm
by RSpimp
bilstien have just released electronic control for there ps9s .. but dont know if they have them for the rs4 yet .. but definatly seen them in a mag somewhere !

Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2008 8:23 pm
by Virdee Autos
Now that sounds good!

Keep us posted

Posted: Thu Jan 10, 2008 12:02 am
by ewill
I've been trying different settings from 9 to 4. Noting that the adjustment is for both high speed bump and rebound simultaneously, my impression is that bump is relatively too firm compared to rebound. So what I think I'd really like is the no.9 bump setting but the no.4 rebound setting. Anyone with similar views? Or experience with making changes like this?

Posted: Thu Jan 10, 2008 12:07 am
by ewill
Oh, and on the height issue, the Bilstein specs give you a range of height adjustment. I went for the higher end of that range and the height of the car appears very similar to stock, about two finger width gap between the top of the stock size tyres and the arches all round. I know this is not the right way of measuring, but I don't have the measurements from the ground.

Posted: Thu Jan 10, 2008 12:08 am
by EDDY,G
http://www.ca-automotive.co.uk/variants ... nt_id=1845

these are the new bilstien electronic controled dampers.....hope they make them for the rs4

Posted: Thu Jan 10, 2008 12:36 pm
by Tomasz
According to PSS9 height possibility I've got it as high as it was possible and my car looks rather like RS4 Allroad but even than cornerig isn't any problem.
I'm looking forward handling after adjusting. 8) Should be fab.
These new toys... :lol:
Will report my feelings after final adjusting (it's today night).
Cheers,
Tomasz
:nogarors4:

Posted: Thu Jan 10, 2008 9:38 pm
by tdiquattro
Here is an old thread on ride heights,...

http://www.rs246.com/index.php?name=PNp ... ring+rates

Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 1:30 am
by don
I have my PSS9's set on #4 setting and set approx 10 mm lower than standard. Handles significantly better than stock (inc. H&R fat bars). Though I think rebound is still a little soft and #3 setting would be worth trialling.

I agree with PSS9's set at full height it does look like an RS4 All Roader but still handles great.

PSS9s are great for those who want an excellent road handling car. However, for regular track junkies Stasis is still probably the way to go.

Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 6:20 am
by ewill
Be careful about using ride heights at the extremes - for some reason known only to themselves, Bilstein provides for a lot more height adjustment on the PSS9s than can be properly accomodated. I started with the ride too low at the rear and it felt like it was riding on the bump stops. Stick within the adjustment range that Bilstein specifies, rather than how far you can wind the sleeve up or down.

I'm now looking at revising the valving to have a mid position 4/5 with high speed bump equivalent to the current 9 and rebound equivalent to the current 4, and go from there. Apparently, this is not very difficult to do.