Suspension change

[QuantumJohn]

After looking at the photos and reading people views about lowering on AJSL's recent post about fitting B6 S4 wheels, I wanted to gain any advice about changing the suspension on my 2000 S4 avant.
I have some 18" RS6 wheels to fit and one of my rear shocks is bent (long story) so I need replace both the rears at least.
Is it worth looking at a full suspension kit considering the above?
I don't really want to change the ride comfort though.

Thanks,
John

[Dippy]

John,

When I originally embarked on my mods, I wasn't going to bother with the suspension because I though the stock setup was good enough. However I was persuaded to go for the H&R coilovers.

Now although I don't have much experience with aftermarket suspension, I can certainly say that the H&R's transformed my car. Quite simply it has been the best mod I have done. Road-holding is excellent. Whenever I go fast round a tight corner and the car feels like it's on rails, and especially if a car behind is trying to keep up, I get a bigger buzz than my 560Nm gives!

But I will readily admit to the downsides:
1) Just as the car handles a bit like a go-kart, so is the ride! I can feel every bump in the road and if the road is rough then the car does "crash" over it. However personally I don't mind it, and neither do my wife and kids. And I have never had a passenger complain about the ride quality.
2) The suspension is seriously lowered, and this may (or may not) be a major contribution to the improved handling. This means that I do have to drive very slowly over speed-bumps.
3) This lowering was no problem when I had stock avus 7.5x17 wheels. However recently I fitted 8x18 RS4 replicas (with 225/40 tyres). They rub very slightly on full lock, but are in danger of rubbing more when I turn too fast over a speedbump or road gradient change. Most of the time this is not a problem, however I am considering having the suspension raised slightly at my next service.

[kwottro]

Not meaning to hijack the thread, but while we're (sort of) on the subject - apart from coil-overs (or should that be as well as ?), what else can I do to my stock 01 avant to get less body-roll on fast curves ?

[rsdreamer]

Dippy, hi. I've heard some great things about the H & R's for the S4. AMD gave me a price on Wednesday just gone, 11th May, of £980.00 + the dreaded VAT.

How does this seem to you.

Regards,

RS Dreamer.

[DavidT]

Dippy has got it spot on there. The difference between standard suspension and the H&R coilovers is night and day.

My car is lowered 45mm which is too much really I suppose, although I have got used to taking care when parking or with speed bumps etc.

I have never been bothered by the reduction in ride quality, most soft roaders ride much worse in my experience !

There are lowering springs available for much less than the price of a full (i.e. spring and damper) coilover setup.

Not meaning to hijack the thread, but while we're (sort of) on the subject - apart from coil-overs (or should that be as well as ?), what else can I do to my stock 01 avant to get less body-roll on fast curves ?

Not tried them, but I would think the H&R (or anyone elses upgrade) anti-roll bars front and rear make a big difference with standard suspension, keeping the car much flatter, without much of a ride compromise.

[NeilMc]

rsdreamer, does that price from AMD include fitting?

[joss1]

standard car, squat, dive, lurch, roll, float and vaugue over undulations, the full dictionary of bad handling.
H & R coilovers, place it exactly in a corner as you want it, inner, outer , most amazing ability to maintain momentum through the corners, Mine not too low (thanks VST), it's firm, but not hard. worth every penny.

[rsdreamer]

NeilMc, yes, this is a fitted price.

Have seen some Koni kits about, and have been talking to a chap in the USA about some Bilsteins that he's selling, but no feedback anywhere about anything other than the much rated H & R's.

Regards,

rs dreamer

[NeilMc]

That's not bad. I was looking at getting some shipped over from the states (as the place I work ships 3 times weekly with fedex), and then getting someone in the workshop to fit them for me. It should cost around £800 to get them here, how much of a pain are they to fit?

[dazzer]

Anyone near to Mansfield/Worksop area who has the H&R setup and could give me a demo in their motor. My motor was booked in this weekend just gone to have Koni adjustable dampers and Eibach springs fitted as I didn't want too harsh a ride. As it happens they got the wrong dampers so not fitted.

Anyway hearing all you geezers rave about the H&R setup maybe I should have a rethink.

Dazzer

[philipwalker]

You should consider the H+R roll bars too, about £300.
I have both H+R coilovers and Roll bars on my S4 demo you are welcome to try.
The AMD price is a bit strong....!

[Dippy]

Dippy, hi. I've heard some great things about the H & R's for the S4. AMD gave me a price on Wednesday just gone, 11th May, of £980.00 + the dreaded VAT.

How does this seem to you.

Regards,

RS Dreamer.

I paid about that over 2 years ago. Makes sense to have 4 wheel alignment done at the same time so will be a bit more.

[dazzer]

Philip,

That's a long old way to go for a demo but thanks anyway. 'S4 Demo' - are you in the trade?

Dazzer

[mikeyquattro]

You could go for RS4 suspension

[KayGee]

My tyres arrived today, so I'll post some pics of my Saloon on 18's and RS4 suspension this weekend.