Increasingly disappointed with RS4’s dynamics

[Diesel]

Guys I really don’t think that it is anything to do with tyres – these F1’s are excellent; trust me I drove from south to North Wales on sat and it rained all the way - they were fabulous. Ohh and our UK roads aren’t that bad you know – I am making these comments based on my FAVOURITE Welsh driving roads, not farm tracks!

I still feel the main issue is that the car is way to stiff or/and overdamped and doesn’t have enough compliance to absorb bumps/imperfections. This then leads it to feel skittish and unplanted and to kick back. God just going over catseyes is a huge thud thud issue (and you go over these ALL the time for good lines on A roads).

My somewhat uneducated guess is that it should have softer suspension and stiffer ARB’s. Stasis do adjustable susp (is that adj damping and preload?) – maybe that would be one solution? Also why do you suggest stiffer ARB’s here with stock susp – the car is hardly a roller!!!

I must say it very much endeared itself to me as it glided past a totally flat out Boxster S on Sunday. This with my big dog looking back and winking at him as we passed The car works SO much better at very high speeds and sounds delicious at 6000rpm fully ‘on cam’ with a Miltek...

[Jani]

I don't think it is an issue with F1's performance in wet or dry, just that their sidewalls don't fit RS4 suspension very well? Your car really doesn't sound like the RS4 I know, are you sure the suspension is stock?

Nicely trained dog you have

[Diesel]

Do F1's have particularly stiff sidewalls then Jani?

[Also I guess I best look if someone has sneaked on a Max Power susp kit;)]

[Jani]

I was under the impression it has soft sidewalls, had them in my RS2. Also Rossos structure seemed to be quite soft. Not logical to your car being too stiff, I know, but that is my experience.

[Golich]

Yeah this doesn't sound right - sure it is really bad on worn tyres but as you say you have new F1s like I have and I found they transformed the car.

PS I found the stock suspension was worn after as little as 35K miles on my previous S4. I'm begining to think the same of my 40K miles RS4 suspension.

[Scotty]

I had F1's on my TT and they were really great until the pressure dropped a fraction. Just a cold day etc could make it fell very strange. As soon as I set the pressures they improved again. I found only 1psi made quite a difference. i just checked them one or twice a week to get around it.

[Diesel]

Golich not sure what you mean by 'worn suspension'. It doesnt feel worn/loose or sloppy in any way. Things feel too tight if anything! I need more compliance!

[Prawn]

I still feel the main issue is that the car is way to stiff or/and overdamped and doesn’t have enough compliance to absorb bumps/imperfections. This then leads it to feel skittish and unplanted and to kick back. God just going over catseyes is a huge thud thud issue (and you go over these ALL the time for good lines on A roads).

My somewhat uneducated guess is that it should have softer suspension and stiffer ARB’s. Stasis do adjustable susp (is that adj damping and preload?) – maybe that would be one solution? Also why do you suggest stiffer ARB’s here with stock susp – the car is hardly a roller!!

Std springs are way too soft and the damping is compromised to achieve a resonable ride.
It is VERY easy for example to bottom out the std suspension on an undulating road.

My Stasis setup runs much stiffer springs but the damping is valved perfectly for the car and adjusts in bump and rebound.
I have to say the ride is excellent (if you run at the sifter end) and handling is awesome.
Re the ARB's, they will not efect the stiffness of the car over potholes etc but reduce the weight transfer or roll in corners,
they need to be uprated to dial out the understeer built into the car.

[Diesel]

So Prawn as the springs are too soft the damping has been increased to stop it floating (etc)? This was my initial feeling - its over damped - and doesn’t absorb bumps and other road irregularities as I would like it to. A motorway undulation can feel quite an issue as it is immediately transmitted into body movement rather than just suspension movement...

[DaveP]

It certainly doesn't sound like you're riding around in a standard suspension car to me...I found the standard suspension made it quite a 'roller' when you started upping the pace a bit. Maybe someone sneaked quattro GMBH rollbars on it and kept the standard springs/shocks ???

Seems wierd though, as it doesn't seem as though anyone else has the same problems...must be someone close to you who'll give you a ride in theirs...probably the best way to start anyway...

[kiwi_mtm]

So Prawn as the springs are too soft the damping has been increased to stop it floating (etc)? This was my initial feeling - its over damped - and doesn’t absorb bumps and other road irregularities as I would like it to. A motorway undulation can feel quite an issue as it is immediately transmitted into body movement rather than just suspension movement...

Go and drive another RS4 and compare. You have 7000? to choose from. oh, 6999, as i dont like others driving mine !

[Golich]

Golich not sure what you mean by 'worn suspension'. It doesnt feel worn/loose or sloppy in any way. Things feel too tight if anything! I need more compliance!

I felt the damping/rebound had become quite poor and the car would wallow and roll about more. The bushes etc were fine.

I agree with Prawn it is very easy to ground the car on a fast undulating A/B road.

All I can say is try another RS4 on a road that exhibits the behaviour you are talking about.

[daveweld]

hi diesel
couldnt agree more, i feel std set up is very poor for car of this performance, just think audi tried to make it all things to all men &
failed on every count, not set up for family comfort or performance,
love the car to bits but suspensions got to go.
i put very similar comments that u made to amd & they sugested
sportec (any thoughts) lots of guys seem to have h & r on hear.
dave

[DaveP]

Depends on how much you want to spend Dave...if you want the best at any price, something like the Stasis kit would probably be your best choice...never seen the sportec kit, although Andiroo had it fitted on his car I think...

[daveweld]

excuse my ignorance dave, stasis?? heard a few of u talk about it but my
knowledge is limited,what is cost? & where is it sourced, ps i dont want to lose to much ride hieght. with so many people in the know, with different ideas its very difficult to gauge which route to go down.
dave