Advice requested for S4 suspension upgrade

[Druggie]

Want to replace the worn stock suspension. Would appreciate some feedback from owners with upgraded suspensions?

Anything else that tends to wear that I should replace at the same time to get the best result?

My S4 has just ticked over 100k. I ve had it since 64k and was wondering how did the suspension feel when new?

Thanks
Tony

[DavidT]

Tony, just do a search on suspension in this forum, you will get lots of hits containing relevant information. Then post your remaining questions here.

You will be trading ride comfort for handling at varying costs.

[DavidT]

Hi Druggie,

Spend some time trawling and searching this site - this is a well covered topic mate.

However most will say H&R coilovers and maybe a set of H&R ARBs also. Of course it depends what you want from your suspension and how harsh a ride you are prepared to accept - and that's where you will find opinions really differ.

For my 2p worth - H&R all the way. Not to harsh IMHO and they transform the car.

Cheers
Dazzer

[Druggie]

Have searched the site but most posts were very general with no real world experiences.

I need the help as I am still undecided which way to go in terms of adjustable shocks or a set by the manufacture type setup. Does the adjustability allow the suspension to be made less harsh without destroying the benefits of upgrading the suspension. In other words if the shocks have for example 30 levels of adjusment would setting the shocks nearer to position 1 make the suspension too soft making the car pogo up and down uncontrallably and ruin the handling or do the springs determine the suspension ride harshness?

Thanks and appreciate the comments so far

[DavidT]

I searched loads of forums when choosing my suspension.

There are lots of options, the cheapest being the standard RS4 setup from someone who has upgraded. I had a ride in jeffw's car with this setup and it is significantly better than standard.

The more you pay, the more you get. I went with H&R coilovers which are matched springs and dampers, designed specifically for the car. They have height adjustment only (not bound/rebound damping adjustment), but the have been great IMO. You need to be careful how low you run but they give excellent road manners and are not too harsh. I think they are £ 1200 ish fitted. I've done lots of trackdays with them, money well spent.

I recently added up rated H&R anti roll bars as well. The standard ones are 28F 15R and H&R have 2 options 32F 17R and 32F 21R. I went for the former because I don’t want the car too pointy/harsh on the road. I found the front end too stiff on its hard setting but on soft it is fine, I set the rear to the stiff setting. They have improved the handling (front end grip and to an extent balance) but not to anything like the extent that the coilovers did. I have no experience of the 21 R but lots of people who have it like it.

I suppose the uprated ARB's with standard suspension is a good upgrade for anyone who wants a soft riding car with better cornering abilities.

Above these you could look at Stasis, KW (search for both here and in the B5 RS4 forum). These offer more adjustment and are probably better systems (Stasis in particular).

Whatever you go for, the difference from standard is night and day but the best way to decide is to try them if possible.

[s4-99]

I have booked my car in to MRC for the complete H&R set up. Which will include H&R coilovers with H&R Arb's, i'll be having the bigger Arb (21) on the rear but on the soft setting. I've been advised to change the drop links at the same time front and rear. I'm also going to have my pre-cats gutted. I've saved long and hard for this and cant wait!

I've read quite a bit about peoples opinions on different setups over the months, and it has helped me make my decision to go for the H&R's.

I'm currently on the standard suspension and i've had my car for 2 years. I find it leaning to much round corners/roundabouts especially as i like to play alot Hence why it is booked in at MRC in a few weeks for a make-over. I just hope it puts a smile on my face like the day i had it re-mapped. [/b]

[Druggie]

Thanks for the replies so far... Keep me posted on how the H&R's go.
Anyone with KW's want to chime in... Especially how the v1 compare with the v2 and v3?

Thanks again guys