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RS4 Wheels
Posted: Tue Dec 07, 2004 10:36 am
by jonno1
I am hoping to fit some 18" RS4 replicas to my S4 shortly. I spoke to Fontain about lowering the car at the same time (as I understand that if you dont the car may sit a bit high and look a bit odd) and they said that there isnt really room and I should fit them first and have a look.
Anyone have any experience of this - to lower or not to lower, that is the question.
£999 fitted with Avon zz1 tyres - any thoughts?
Thanks
Posted: Tue Dec 07, 2004 10:48 am
by DavidT
Joshie had them on his S4 Avant which had H&R lowering springs IIRC.
Not heard of any problems to be honest, if you lower the car by 30-35mm you should be fine.
Posted: Tue Dec 07, 2004 10:49 am
by DavidT
Come to think of it, Dippy has them now with H&R coilovers and his car is pretty low.
He'll be along to put your mind at rest later

Posted: Tue Dec 07, 2004 11:16 am
by Nige_RS4
I had them with RS4 springs & shocks - the problem is usually that they will rub on the plastic wheel arch liner when cornering hard (very fast open corners). A lot of this depends on the offset of the alloys you are looking at - I had ET30 and had no problems with rubbing, but it needed a 3mm spacer on the front to clear the calipers (supplied & fitted by Fontain BTW). I have seen them much cheaper than £995 - shop around!
Be aware that the 18" RS4 replicas are damn heavy at 29lbs each!
Finally, if your motor has done more than 30k, consider replacing the shocks as well as the springs - Philip Walker can get the H&R setup at reasonable prices. Also consider the H&R ARB's, as they will eliminate virtually all of the understeer.
Nige.
Posted: Tue Dec 07, 2004 3:16 pm
by jonno1
Thanks, apparently the wheels (according to Fontain) wont need spacers.
Was thinking on Pilot Sport 2's or Goodyear F1's for tyres.
Is £999 too bad with tyres and fitting and VAT - didnt seem too bad to me.
Posted: Tue Dec 07, 2004 3:34 pm
by Mik
Hi Jon
I have RS4 reps from AmD with Goodyear F1 Tyres. Am about to get my 3rd set of tyres now and the F1's have been great. Excellent tyre for all round driving IMO. Dont have any spacers either..
Mik
Posted: Tue Dec 07, 2004 3:50 pm
by Nige_RS4
Is £999 too bad with tyres and fitting and VAT - didnt seem too bad to me.
Depends on the tyres being fitted - if it is PS2's then this is OK, if Avons or cheaper, then start looking around. Also ask them if the centre caps are OEM are the cheap nasty ones!!!
Nige.
Posted: Tue Dec 07, 2004 3:51 pm
by moktoya
Posted: Tue Dec 07, 2004 5:58 pm
by jonno1
Thanks for all the replies - if they are RS4 replicas rather than RS4 originals will lowering still be advisable?
Posted: Tue Dec 07, 2004 6:28 pm
by Mik
I have RS4 suspension which is lower than standard S4 with my RS4 reps and I rarely have any problems.
Mik
Posted: Wed Dec 08, 2004 9:07 am
by S4driver
No problems from my RS4 reps - i also have H&R kit.
Posted: Wed Dec 08, 2004 10:01 am
by jonno1
What did the H&R kit and fitting cost?
Posted: Thu Dec 09, 2004 7:46 pm
by jonno1
So final score from Fontain is:
£1350 incl VAT for RS4 replicas and Goodyear F1s (or £999 for Avon ZZ1s)
£800 incl VAT to fit H& R lowering springs
Or £2000 incl VAT for the lot.
Is it just me, or does that sound a bit on the expensive side?
Posted: Thu Dec 09, 2004 7:57 pm
by DavidT
£800 incl VAT to fit H& R lowering springs
I assume thats fitted? Still seems a lot for springs, the H&R coilover kit is £ 725 + vat & fitting I think and a much better solution overall.
I would get the wheels off ebay too, £ 400 - 500 inc part worn tyres seems to be the going rate. Even if you have to recondition some or all of them, you will still be quids in.
Posted: Thu Dec 09, 2004 9:33 pm
by S4driver
That does seem heavy for a set of RS4 reps......I know Montys do reps without tyres for £420, i think AMD supply the same for £500. I would have thought you could get a decnt set of rubber for £4-500......
Or as DavidT suggested, keep looking on E-bay.
The H&R kit on mine was £710 - it does notsay if this included fitting though.