Improving Handling

[UKS4APR1]

ARBars do nothing whatsoever when the car is going up and down when driving in a straight line (eg over an undulating and/or bumpy mountain road) Stiffer dampers reduce the suspension travel peaks when any wheel is deflected. In other words stiffer dampers have an overall effect of reducing roll and suspension travel on any sudden deviations. I am under the impression this is a road car used on the road not a race track or rally stage. The best all round compromise IMO for fast road use is stiffer dampers. I think you'll find there's little or no difference between S4 and RS4 suspension, the suspension type fitted as std can be determined by looking at the codes on the vehicle data label located in the spare wheel well and service book. I know the same dampers are quoted by Bilstein and Koni for RS4 & S4. Lastly, your standard "sport" suspension springs and ARB's rates will still be the same as when your car left the factory, however your dampers will be worn/weaker which is why they are the first thing to replace IMO.

[ivorl]

Thanks for all the info. Yes, the car is just used on the road (mainly winding ones up or down hill!). It's the amount of roll I want to work on and I've got plenty to think about now. Cheers

[Nige_RS4]

I think you'll find there's little or no difference between S4 and RS4 suspension

There is a difference - the spring/damping rates are different and the RS4 suspension lowers the car by 20mm. The GmbH stuff is stiffer still, with another 10mm drop and an uprated rear ARB.

The difference between worn S4 suspension and nearly new RS4 suspension was 'light and day' on my car.

Nige.

[DavidT]

ARBars do nothing whatsoever when the car is going up and down when driving in a straight line (eg over an undulating and/or bumpy mountain road)

ARB's reduce the wheels ability to act independently on each axle and as such are always a ride/handling compromise.

Stiffer dampers reduce the suspension travel peaks when any wheel is deflected

Fundamentally, it's the spring's job to control the deflection. The damper bound and rebound settings control how fast the wheel is able to move up and down. Again its a compromise. Spring and damper settings need to be matched.


Uprated ARB's will keep the car flatter in the corners because the unloaded suspension on the inside wheel during cornering applies force through the ARB to the compressed outside suspension, reducing the amount it is compressed. This affects the handling balance (understeer-neutral-oversteer).

I would look to get a matched set of spring and dampers (coilovers typically) or a combination that is know to work together. Also, folks on here have said good things about uprated ARB's with standard suspension.


Remind me, what problem were you looking to solve

[KayGee]

Springs also control the ride hight of the car. Go to low and you'll bottom out, speed bumps become obstacles even with RS4 20mm drop.

Arbs control the cars lateral pitch and roll. This is something that definetly needs sorting on the S4 in my opinion, which is why I ordered to H&R ARB kit..

[Nige_RS4]

Arbs control the cars lateral pitch and roll. This is something that definetly needs sorting on the S4 in my opinion, which is why I ordered to H&R ARB kit.

I agree, and it's not just for track cars - you'll appreciate it every time you go round a rounabout - pretty much elimates understeer.

Nige.

[ivorl]

David T, it's the amount of roll I'm try to sort out and higher speed stability. Thanks for all your info.

[K9ng]

I have just had polyurethane bushes fitted to the front and has sharpened up the handling lots and taken away most of the body roll well worth it IMHO.

[DavidT]

David T, it's the amount of roll I'm try to sort out and higher speed stability. Thanks for all your info.

Dampers and ARB's then.

As others have said, whatever you put on will be a huge improvement over the standard stuff.

[Morpheous]

If you need your standard suspension feeling like when it was new check this item on ebay. 4583551779

[ivorl]

David T, it's the amount of roll I'm try to sort out and higher speed stability. Thanks for all your info.

Dampers and ARB's then.

As others have said, whatever you put on will be a huge improvement over the standard stuff.

Can you give me some names of dampers and ARB's that you would recommend. The reason I ask is that I'll be buying the parts out here in Switzerland and language probs are made easier if I can say what brand/model/part/number I'm looking for. Thanks

[UKS4APR1]

Dampers Bilstein Link.........
http://www.carparts-cat.com/pkw/parts/A ... 1710007491