Upgrade to my suspension

[pj_sibley]

I'm now in a position to upgrade my suspension components, having reached an agreement with my insurance company - adjustable coilovers are out of the question, but lowering springs (20-25mm) and uprated dampers are my best bet. I already have uprated H&R ARBs on the car.

I've done a bit of searching on the web and have found the following options:

Springs: stay with standard or standard replacement, standard RS4 (are these lower than the S4?), SPAX (-15-25mm) and Ventura (-15-25mm).

Dampers: Koni yellows, Bilstein

Any recommendations given the limitations of my choices? Thanks.

[MarkB]

I'm running PI springs on mine with RS4 shocks. Wouldn't have been my first choice but they seem to do the job nicely and didn't cost me anything.

If i'd bought myself i'd go for Eibach springs with either RS4 shocks or Bilstein dampers.

[pj_sibley]

Thanks Mark. Eibach no longer make springs for the S4 so you'd have to be pretty lucky to find a set now. I'm thinking of something along the lines of Koni Yellow dampers (http://www.demontweeks.co.uk/products/P ... ON80-2587S) and Spax SSx lowering springs (http://www.europerformance.co.uk/pages/ ... l?id=48498), which should give the right combination of ride height and performance. Would RS4 springs fit my S4 saloon instead?

[Ads4]

H&R Springs on standard dampers work just fine IMHO

[pj_sibley]

Too low for my liking though, something like 40mm front and rear I think. With that sort of drop aren't the original dampers put under strain? Venturi (used by Bilstein in their suspension kits) do a set which lowers the front by 25mm and the rear by 15mm. On Koni Sport dampers, should be a nice setup.

[ZeroK66]

Hows about GMBH quattro kit... I think that is like 10mm lower than RS4 suspension and slightly firmer, but maintains a decent ride. Else, I would go wtih used RS4 springs and maybe some uprated shocks.

[MarkB]

RS4 does fit on saloon.

[GrahamS4]

Hows about GMBH quattro kit... I think that is like 10mm lower than RS4 suspension and slightly firmer, but maintains a decent ride. Else, I would go wtih used RS4 springs and maybe some uprated shocks.

Sounds ideal for my preferance.

Can these kits be sourced new and for what sort of money?

[MarkB]

They are loads of money and I've heard they are very stiff.

[pj_sibley]

The GMBH quattro kit is pretty expensive I think. I reckon I'll go with the Koni Sports shocks and either a set of OEM RS4 springs or the Venturi (Bilstein) ones (25/15mm drop) mentioned above. Probably around the £800 mark for the lot (plus fitting) if I buy the parts online. I'm having an RS6 brake setup put on at the same time so could be an interesting drive home!

[Doug_S2]

rs4 springs make the rear of an s4 sit higher! (unless the avants I have fitted them to have had really tired springs)

[MarkB]

I've seen some saloons the look fine with RS4 springs but have heard they also suffer from being raised because of the lack of weight in the rear.

If I had the time I'd try my RS4 springs just to see what they are like, but I don't have the time and the car sits nice as is

[pj_sibley]

Well, I've gone and ordered the parts so we'll see what the outcome is. Koni Sports (Yellows) dampers and Ventura (Bilstein) Sports springs (lowers the car 25mm at the front, 15mm at the rear). Doug at MRC will be fitting the parts in mid-Feb along with an RS6 brake setup. Should be good!

[ZeroK66]

If you are going to spend that much, why not get a set of coilovers on. Surely you are over 25 now and can re-negotiate with insurance?

[MarkB]

Get pictures posted up when the work is done. Should look good with your wheels