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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

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.

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 ?

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.

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.

rsdreamer, does that price from AMD include fitting?

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.

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

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?

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

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....!

rsdreamer wrote: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.

Philip,

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

Dazzer

You could go for RS4 suspension

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