S4 (B5) with S4 (B6) wheels - pictures

[Dippy]

Good news.

Yes, mine's about 25mm drop and I'm happy with that (except for damn speed-bumps of course!)

[tombs]

Carps, what did you have fitted? [img]images/graemlins/1syellow1.gif[/img]

[Carps]

I went with the H&R coilovers. The ride is firmer, but my missus hasn't noticed [img]images/graemlins/sekret.gif[/img] so it can't be too bad. In fact, it rides the bumps and holes very well. Brake dive has been drastically reduced [img]images/graemlins/clap.gif[/img], as has body roll. I'm going to take it round some 'favourite' corners in the local area at the weekend to see what the overall effect is.

[DavidT]

Mine has settled down lower by 40 front and 30 rear.

I think I may get the front raised by 10mm to help with speedbumps because although i've got used to it, it is always in the back of my mind [img]images/graemlins/crazy.gif[/img] and they occasionally catch me out [img]images/graemlins/blush.gif[/img]

[Carps]

I have uploaded before and after pictures to my gallery - see them here . For some reason the upload changed the order of the pics, but I have put before/after shots of the front left wheel, and the whole left side of the car.

[badbaz]

Very nice indeed Carps - total cost now for wheels/suspension?
It's interesting to compare as yours is same as mine - noggy avant!
Just a couple more questions:
Is that a sunroof I can see?
Did the motor have the tailgate spoiler when you got it?(mine didn't but has now!)
Any plans for the engine?
How's vagcom coming along?

[Dippy]

Actually you car still looks higher than mine - I must be closer to David's setup.

[DavidT]

It looks very good. I am tempted by those wheels.

[Carps]

Suspension works out at £1100 fitted by Kim Collins outfit. This is based on £710+vat for the kit, and 5 hours labour. It included a 4 wheel alignment check (no adjustment necessary).
Wheels worked out between £750 and £800 from German Ebay. They were brand new and had never been fitted to a vehicle - God only know where they came from [img]images/graemlins/sekret.gif[/img] but the guy seems to reguarly turn up with similar parts. That includes tyres (Conti Sport II 235/18/40). I did have to fit wheels spacers to get clearance for the brake calipers and rear suspension arms (3mm and 5mm F/R respectively)
Yes, my car does have a sunroof [img]images/graemlins/clap.gif[/img]
No, I had the spoiler fitted when I had my front bumper resprayed to get rid of some stonechips - spoiler came from dealer up north that was flogging them for about £70.
I had been thinking of the APR ECU mods for the engine, but since talking to Kim at QST my mind is now somewhat against that kind of mod (ie, APR or Revo). I was pleased with how they handled my suspension change, so I would probably go with the MTM upgrade with a Milltek cat-back (apparantly gives (500nm +)
VAG-COM looks cool. It is reassuring being able to check your car for faults, and nice to be able to tweak a few features at will. We also own other VW/Audi vehicles so it will soon pay for itself, IMO.

Dippy - your car does look lower than mine. I am going to play with the height of mine a little when I get a chance, but only about another 5-10mm. I think yours will still be lower, but then you seem to be on the original rims which live well inside the arches. I have to be careful, as the tyres are only just inside

[badbaz]

Carps I have MTM chip + Milltek cat back exhaust - don't hesitate it is awesome especially at higher speeds in sixth - the acceleration defies belief - do it now you'll never look back - you won't need to because nothing will be there anyway!

[Dippy]

Carps,

I'll not discuss whose chip is better, but I will mention the exhaust. IMO the cat-back doesn't do much for the money except increase noise. However the full system really does improve performance (330-350 bhp and around 550-570 Nm is quite possible). BUT you need to have a chip that will increase fuel at the top end.

So if you ever want to go that route, make sure that your tuner can either provide you with a new remap that was designed for the full exhaust, or can 'tailor' a new map for you (I am in favour of the latter).

[badbaz]

Dippy - have you actually compared chip/standard exhaust against chip/milltek catback???

[Golich]

I can vouch for the remap, but most of you know my thoughts and experience with millteck over a CAT back. - i.e. wasting your money.

PS I don't understand why AMD and MTM have such a dislike to the APR kit. Looking at their kit on the US websites it looks good and their manufacturing techniques with essentially FEA CAD CAM is certainly not Mickey Mouse.

Scott at AMD was dead against APR when I was considering which chip to go for. I basically chose AMD cos Scot was prepared to offer me a 10% discount on future 400bhp+ mods after a 300+bhp remap. Plus they were happy to take the car on even with all it's ECU problems. I figured you can't really get much better than the guys who actually write the maps rather than just fitting the ECU. Which quite frankly any keen DIY can do with a little inside knowledge.

Scott said any company that offered a remap without rolling road testing your car before and after was never good and I agree, Yet he said he'd have no problem with Kim Collin's and his MTM kit. However, it's only this year that Kim finally fitted a rolling road and AMD will send you a remapped ECU without even seeing your car.

Hhhmm..I'm a cynical man when it comes to parting with my hard earned, nothing to do with being Scottish [img]images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] Experience is expensive which has forced me to assess very carefully recommendations to fit items such as a Millteck CAT back and the choice of AMD preferred dump valve has changed 3 times in less than a year!

Incidently the only reason I didn't go with APR was that the APR Europe lot never got back to me about a possible discount on future 400+bhp mods. But those lads have since broken away and APR Europe no longer really exists but there are still a number of dealers selling their products. Personally I liked the switching mode idea and their products are quite reasonably priced if you compare to MTM and AMD.

Slightly of topic - Interesting that APR now recommend the standard improved Bosch DVs over Forge, Hyperboost etc.

Just make sure you’re satisfied in your own mind that you’ve researched your options thoroughly rather than going with the flow.

[Dippy]

Dippy - have you actually compared chip/standard exhaust against chip/milltek catback???

Yes.

[Dippy]

Golich,

The blue springs in the Forge DVs have made a big difference: No more hesitation and quicker response. I believe that the blue springs are about the same 'stiffness' as those in the latest Bosch DVs, so with the solid aluminium piston I am still confident that the Forge DVs are the best for my car.