RS4 B8 with KW coilovers and 10mm spacer issues!

[v8 omfg]

The last day in June I had KW coilovers fitted, they also recommended 10mm H&R hub-centric spacers.
It was part of a package including an Akrapovic exhaust system.
Appx 18k on the car.

Obviously it felt different which I imagined would be the case, it seemed to correct the "wallow" in comfort and auto mode, and I like the look with the spacers on.
The exhaust system I really like.

Anyway as I did more journeys and night runs I got to exercise the car more all ok on the straight, but at high to top ends speeds it felt like the rear was drifting, eventually on roads I know I can say it robbed 30-40mph from me before the balls shrink. I would correct the rear feel drift and lose the driving line I needed, correct it correct it started to happen.
I could go on to say it seemed to create oversteer then understeer, change lane on a motorway and you would have to continue to counter steer to straighten up!?

During this time up until now I have been having tyre pressure warnings occur, often nothing but prior to all this I have also had numerous punctures adding to the concern when the tyre warning comes on, thus to address any fluctuation in pressures (kept getting various readings at different garages) I had them filled with Nitrogen.

I had an Audi master tech check it and sit in the rear, he said get the spacers off.

So I take the vehicle to be aligned on a Hunter system.

The settings are massively out to OEM, I wasn't happy and called the firm that did the mods and asked for a copy of how they aligned it, I had asked for this on numerous occasions, I send them a pic of how it was, obviously they say how's that adjusted !!?? What ! So I get a copy eventually and with no disrespect it has been changed to an orange colour making it iledgible, why would you do that unless it's doctored.

So they can't achieve OEM cambers on the front, the car now drives well, so after this and that Eibach UK recommend a local installer, I use them and they fit adjustable top front control arms, (boxed by Eibach with an SPC logo, made in Japan or China!) they reset the alignment, when they showed me the alignment report (I'm no expert) I couldn't believe what they had done, it was hard to compare the report I had as it was different, but they had added more camber !? No point having them fitted, NOT to add more but to reduce because lowering it added camber!
It was closing time and they just said see how it drives and let use know you've got to have a race set up now because you've lowered it, what?
So the worst 27 mile drive of my life, I have never driven a car in my life set up so bad, how the owner didn't feel how bad it was when he drove it back is beyond me.
Just out of curiosity I checked the crash cam footage to see what system they used to align it, and OMFG while I'm looking I get to see the owner use my car to pick someone up and and say how much he loves my car and he's got to get one, enough said on that one for know.
So, rather than dance with the devil with idiots, thank you Eibach UK for such an awful recommendation (I'm yet to advise them of how <beep> the whole experience was and I haven't finished yet !)
I go to Christchurch tyres they put it on the Hunter system and ha presto it's set up as <beep> as it drives no surprise there! (So bad it's been suggested the previous people couldn't have had something square on the wheels to set it so bad)
Now I have OEM alignment settings, and how seriously glad am I that I only did another 12 miles to get it done, one of the near side adjustable control arms was not locked off, nice !

Now it feels okish still drifty but I'm probably used to it now,
BUT now I'm confused obviously it doesn't feel as <beep> as when the people who fitted the Eibach control arms.

AND now.......it's rubbing the arches on the off side on bumps and wallows etc in the road, I try it for a few days and let's say I ended up crawling over lane surface changes, I've now got appx 350 fast miles to do, I can't do it the way it is.
I get it lifted checked and checked again.
So on the Sunday before bank holiday I get the spacers removed.
Obviously the arch rubbing stops and guess what!
The car now handles like a complete dream again, no drift feeling, no understeer oversteer, and it now glides out and back in on overtake manoeuvres opposed to chuck it out grab it hold it chuck it back in and then manage your road position. And no tyre pressure warnings.

Now I get told I must be dreaming spacers wouldn't do that etc etc etc
Have you got the correct coilovers, screws loop missing all kinds of crap.

SO........like a plonker I give it one more go!
I get the car lifted 10mm and have the 10mm spacers put back on!
I then go to do a 27 mile journey, and here we go it feels crap, the steering becomes less positive and almost lighter ?? So 10 miles into the journey it feels awful and "ding" tyre pressure warning goes off! Obviously have I or haven't I got a puncture......2 miles further (A31 Dorset) this feels bad, I bet the n/s/r, I stop to look .....nothing, I carry on stop again, nothing now I head back towards home to the tyre centre, get there, they check it nothing!

So, yesterday I take the spacers OFF!
Only a local drive and yes, it's back to feeling good!

I wouldn't blame anyone for skipping some/most of that !
It's been an eventful few months.

The purpose of the post is to enquire on anyone else's experience with fitting spacers in particular on a B8 RS4 please. Although I have had a similar opinion/experience from someone that had 8mm spacers fitted to an S5 and didn't like the way it made the car feel.
I did meet a chap at aitp7 that had fitted 10mm spacers but had to change to 5 mm on one axel, we never discussed handling I was ok with it at that time.

Before I bin/sell these spacers any thoughts, I like the look but now I can make the comparison I can't sacrifice handling.

Cheers

[will1981]

The joy of modifications!

I have no issues running spacers, I've used 15mm and 10mm on mine. Many people do have problems though which is weird.
I also have KW coilovers and 034 adjustable control arms, it sounds like you've had some poor advice along the way.

If you like the look then maybe buy some aftermarket wheels with the correct offset and no spacers?

Which KW's did you go for as they seem to have the old style adjustable spring seat on them?

[v8 omfg]

This one.

KW have checked that's it's current and correct, 3-4 weeks ago.

Are you running a B8 platform?

It caused tyre pressure sensor issues that work on wheel revolutions on the ABS, I still wonder if it was doing something to the the VSC or upsetting the DRC when it was in auto mode?

[v8 omfg]

It baffles me how 10mm a side 20mm total per axel can have suck a dramatic effect on how the car handles.
If I could cure the issue I would.

Maybe as you say wider wheels...... But these are as good as !

God knows but I can't ignore or continue to use it the way it is with them on!

[doodlebug]

I guess the question is this.

Audi spend millions on R&D and get the setup right.

A.n.other aftermarket company spends <1% of this. Can't be a surprise when it doesn't work out, can it?

[will1981]

This one.

KW have checked that's it's current and correct, 3-4 weeks ago.

Are you running a B8 platform?

It caused tyre pressure sensor issues that work on wheel revolutions on the ABS, I still wonder if it was doing something to the the VSC or upsetting the DRC when it was in auto mode?

Ah...they are the adjustable springs you have not coilovers. I was running those on my B8 S5 with 20mm and 15mm spacers again no issues.

Yes my current car is the B8 RS4 (my sig needs updating) with the coilvers and DRC delete kit from KW.
Not had any TPS problems with the current setup or the H&R lowering springs I was previously running.

[v8 omfg]

Not sure I get that ?
They are termed adjustable "coilover" springs by KW to retain electronic dampner adjustment?
God knows.

There's a gent on a FB Audi group that had 8mm spacers fitted to an S5 and had similar issues to me?

If there's a reason and cure I would like to fix it if possible, but as is no way.

[v8 omfg]

I guess the question is this.

Audi spend millions on R&D and get the setup right.

A.n.other aftermarket company spends <1% of this. Can't be a surprise when it doesn't work out, can it?

I don't normally mess with my cars, this was all just because of an incentive on the Akrapovic system.

I agree Audi are king with their own product, and with this example I've had compounds it.
It's looks good but handles <beep> with them fitted, and I can't live with that!

Let me also quote that I firstly raised the issue with KW that they didn't/don't advise to use adjustable top control arms to return the front camber when it's dropped with their suspension.
That's like buying a watch that doesn't come with a strap!
Never again.

[RIV]

I have H&R springs and 10mm spacers +034 top arms
The car was aligned by Guildford Audi tbh the car handles very well, sounds like you have been unlucky

[vestax32]

I guess the question is this.

Audi spend millions on R&D and get the setup right.

A.n.other aftermarket company spends <1% of this. Can't be a surprise when it doesn't work out, can it?

This.

[RIV]

I guess the question is this.

Audi spend millions on R&D and get the setup right.

A.n.other aftermarket company spends <1% of this. Can't be a surprise when it doesn't work out, can it?


This.

I don't agree, my b7 was transformed with coilovers, sharpened the car up with much better turn in and exit speed than the standard set up. Audi can't even seem to get the DRC sorted since the c5 rs6, totally piss poor IMO
Currently trying to fob us off with its normal for the suspension to knock, really???

[v8 omfg]

I have H&R springs and 10mm spacers +034 top arms
The car was aligned by Guildford Audi tbh the car handles very well, sounds like you have been unlucky

The car has been 4 wheel aligned 5 times in 2 months.

[v8 omfg]

I guess the question is this.

Audi spend millions on R&D and get the setup right.

A.n.other aftermarket company spends <1% of this. Can't be a surprise when it doesn't work out, can it?


This.

I don't agree, my b7 was transformed with coilovers, sharpened the car up with much better turn in and exit speed than the standard set up. Audi can't even seem to get the DRC sorted since the c5 rs6, totally piss poor IMO
Currently trying to fob us off with its normal for the suspension to knock, really???

I would agree, the KW coilovers springs(retaining electronic dampners)have improved the ride and took the spongy sloppy feel away from comfort mode and make it sit better.
I have issues with the spacers.
In the main I do think Audi know best BUT, they do all of it, opposed to JUST concentrating on suspension, Audi pick the middle of the road and some want it more sports, the exhaust debate kills this, no WAY do Audi make the best exhaust systems, full stop.

[marc1]

I guess the question is this.

Audi spend millions on R&D and get the setup right.

A.n.other aftermarket company spends <1% of this. Can't be a surprise when it doesn't work out, can it?

Where did you get your stats from there, are they straight up assumptions based on Audi being a large multinational company?

KW (for example) are a dedicated suspension company - it's their bread and butter. What sort of percentage of Audi's total R&D budget do you think goes to suspension?

[doodlebug]

I guess the question is this.

Audi spend millions on R&D and get the setup right.

A.n.other aftermarket company spends <1% of this. Can't be a surprise when it doesn't work out, can it?


This.

I don't agree, my b7 was transformed with coilovers, sharpened the car up with much better turn in and exit speed than the standard set up. Audi can't even seem to get the DRC sorted since the c5 rs6, totally piss poor IMO
Currently trying to fob us off with its normal for the suspension to knock, really???

My c6, b8 and c7 have all been fine, so I don't think it's fair to say it's all cock.