Snub mounts

[Nige_RS4]

My reasons are simple ;
1 - the snub mount costs £40 and has proven itself.
2 - there is a possible safety issue with the DTS preventing the gearbox from sliding under the car in a front impact - no facts here, but it kinda makes sense.

Nige. [img]images/graemlins/thumbs.gif[/img]

[Dippy]

I'd certainly be interested in reading reports of the effects of the snub mount...

[Carps]

How is this going to be arranged ?
I understand your reasoning behind the snub, and from the report it looks like it is fine to improve things for relatively 'normal' [img]images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img] driving.

I would definitely be interested in joining in with this. One thing we need to be careful of is how much shipping will end up, and what is going to happen with HM Customs. In my experience, just about everything sent from the US will get hit so we need to factor that in to the cost.

Cheers

[smurfbus]

I would definitely be interested in joining in with this. One thing we need to be careful of is how much shipping will end up, and what is going to happen with HM Customs. In my experience, just about everything sent from the US will get hit so we need to factor that in to the cost.

You can arrange the shipment so that the price tag says "1$ rubber thingy". then its not so bad if the customs and VAT is calculated from that small amount + shipping!

I would be interested, but I guess it gets little too complicated as I live in Finland.
I just got my turboback from USA and the total was about 2200$. It took me 20 hours to install it alone on jackstands and about 50 bloodmarks all over my hands ; )

It is very strange how $ equals £ when parts leave USA!

[Nige_RS4]

I was planning on a friend in the US buying them and shipping them to the UK as

"1$ rubber thingies"

Nige.

[Carps]

Sounds cool.

Please count me in for one...

Thanks

[snbS4]

Carps
Took your recommendation...
As I work in Luton, I went at lunchtime to Tanoga: very helpful chap who was happy for me to try out the new lever by a quick drive in his Imola RS4 (MTM). Very nice!
Will be fitting it this w/end I hope.
Apologies for being slightly off-thread
Rgds

Simon [img]images/graemlins/s4anogaro.gif[/img] [img]images/graemlins/1syellow1.gif[/img]

[Carps]

Here's fitting instructions for the APR snub mount.
Looks like fun [img]images/graemlins/crazy.gif[/img]

[Carps]

And here's fitting instructions for the AWE DTS
Looks easier than the APR, but as pointed out, does look like it will restrict the passage of the gearbox in the event of a heavy frontend shunt.

Here's a review of the AWE DTS. The reviewer has tried this and the APR snub mount. He concludes that this has better effect, and less vibration but does also echo concerns about crashing.

[Dippy]

It appears that the DTS is better than the snub mount, however I can't say that the movement of the drivetrain bothers me, so for the relatively low cost, I'm tempted by the snub mount.

One thing that concerns me is shock. Particularly on a chipped S4, I'm always aware of the quite large amount of torque which can be placed on the drivetrain quite suddenly. Isn't it possible that the slack in the drivetrain is good for absorbing some of the initial shock, and that the DTS has a disadvantage that some critical parts, especially inside the gearbox, are put under greater stress.

I'm basing this concern on how relatively easy it seems to be to knacker the gearbox (as Joshie and some of the RS4 guys know).

P.S. before anyone comments, this is ONLY a question - I am not trying to be negative about the DTS, just making sure that I know the drawbacks if there are any.

[Carps]

The DTS does include a rubber mount, so there is still shock absorption included.

I am torn between the two systems. All I know is that the thudding around is not pleasant, and I want to do something to stop it.

As I see it pros for the snub mount are:
relatively cheap
unlikely to affect in-built crash protection
it appears to work
cons are:
more vibration
more work to fit it
£40 for a lump of rubber !

Pros for the DTS are:
it works better
quick and easy to fit
less vibration
looks lie you are getting something for your money [img]images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]
cons are:
altering crash performance characteristics
6* price of the snub

Decisions, decisions... [img]images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img]

[Dippy]

Carps,

Are you saying that it appears that the APR snub will result in more vibration than the stock Audi mount? If so I'm put off.

Based on your expression 'thudding around', I think we must have rather different cars. I really don't notice that sort of slack in my drivetrain.

[Golich]

I too have noticed a mild thud on release of the clutch between gear changes since owning my S4 with 34K miles. In order to avoid this thud you need to change gear very very lightly.

I've tried 3No S4s of low and high mileage and all exhibit this dull thud to various levels. I'm fairly certain my thud is due to the rubber shock absorber for the rear diff.

I hung out the car door one day looking under the car and slowly let the clutch take the bite with zero revs and watched the mount travels through it's full motion with very little torque on it, never mind a spirited shift between gears at WOT!

I've come to live with it and in fact I rarely notice it unless I'm taking my grandmother in the car somewhere when I try really hard to be super smooth so not to alarm her [img]images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

Funny though I read an article in Audi driver on the new S4 where the reporter was criticised by a colleague for driving not so smoothly. The reporter wrote that this was typical of hi torque Audis from early days.

However, despite this source of thud. I am less aware of how slack the engine/gearbox mounts although I do notice them from time to time in traffic.

I figure £40 for a mount is worth a try.

[Nige_RS4]

Right, interested parties so far are as follows ;

Nige_S4
snbS4
Golich
Carps
Smurfbus (if I can sort postage to Finland out !)

I will be checking this out later this week, so if you have changed your mind then let me know.

[img]images/graemlins/s4anogaro.gif[/img]

[snbS4]

Nige
I have now heard from APR who advise that their contact in the UK is Awesome GTI Manchester who, in turn, advise that the cost of the snub mount is GBP50.00+VAT.
Now that my mechanic is back from vacation, I am happy to trial one and report back - unless of course there is a bulk purchase imminent? [img]images/graemlins/1syellow1.gif[/img]
Rgds
Simon [img]images/graemlins/s4anogaro.gif[/img]