Kim Collins

[tombs]

Hi all, Im due to take my S4 in to Kim Collins to look at fitting a short shifter and doing something to the suspension, as I am not happy at how the car handles on corners. (Plus the warranty has run out so I may as well have a few mods done to the car!) Has anyone here been to Kim and are they any good??
Plus does anyone have any advice on the shortshifters, and what I could possibly do to the suspension?
[img]images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]

[Riz_RS4]

Hi there, ive not used Kim @ QST myself but i have never heard anything bad about QST, magazine reviews have always praised him.
I think UCC and tonoga short shifters are fitted to most RS4`s but im not 100% sure.
Im sure the RS4 boys will tell you! [img]images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[PhilT]

Kim has a great reputation, but IMHO can be a little biased with the recommendations. This on the whole is OK, as he is a supplier of quality gear, and quality workmanship.

Tanoga SS rule, OK [img]images/graemlins/thumbs.gif[/img]

[Carps]

Here's to hoping that QST are a wise choice - they are fitting H&R Coilovers on my S4 'Allroad' on Friday.
I will also be discussing chips with the fella...

BTW, did you get my mails a few months ago re the SS ?

[johneroberts]

Kim has completely converted my car over the last 2 years, and i can recommend all his work, and the quality products fitted.
I personally had a Tanoga fitted in the first instance, not by Kim Though but by my local Audi garage, it was fitted incorrectly,and i also had Kim look at it and he said that it was the wrong type, he fitted another which was fine, but after trying a UUC shortshifter decided i prefered it over the Tanoga. Nothing wrong with the Tanoga at all i just prefered the feel.
The kit that Kim will more than likely show you for susspennsion will be the H&R coil overs system, he favours these as they are fully adjustable, personally i prefered the Quattro Gmbh system which is specially made for the RS4, but its made up of Sachs and Eibach parts, available seperatly.
Hope this helps
Cheers
jr

[Blueone]

Top Man

Virtually rebuilt my car.

[JohnW]

The kit that Kim will more than likely show you for susspennsion will be the H&R coil overs system, he favours these as they are fully adjustable, personally i prefered the Quattro Gmbh system which is specially made for the RS4, but its made up of Sachs and Eibach parts, available seperatly.

John,
can you recall what sort of dosh the H&Rs were compared to the GMBH setup ?
If you happen to know the H&R kit number, that would be even better [img]images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]
(I ask as I have a Belgian contact who may be able to get the H&R kits cheap)

Cheers, [img]images/graemlins/beerchug.gif[/img]
John.

[Carps]

Not John, but I can tell you the price of the H&R kit is £710+ her majesty's. Fitted inc. vat is about £1100. Prices are current from QST and include four wheel alignment

[johneroberts]

Yeah about a grand if i remember inc fitting and wheel alignment
Cheers
jr

[tombs]

Thanks guys, I’m down there tomorrow to let Kim have a look at my car, I feel its a bit sluggish (I know the weather hasn’t helped!), and its been this way for a while, plus the suspension sounds like an old rusty pram, especially when I go over speed bumps/sleeping policemen etc..

Oh and carps yes i did get the message about the ss, did you have this done on your car by this guy? [img]images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]

[Carps]

[img]images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]Yes I did. Well worth the trip.

[Greg_S]

Only problem ive had with them is the price they quote to you over the phone changes when you call back to actually order the bits.

[tombs]

[img]images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img] [img]images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img] [img]images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]
Well just got back from QST, very happy with service and staff were extremely helpful (especially as they were very busy). Funny, having known of Kim Collins, I thought he was and old man for some reason [img]images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]( Sorry Kim !!), great guy, really knew his onions! [img]images/graemlins/thumbs.gif[/img] [img]images/graemlins/thumbs.gif[/img] [img]images/graemlins/thumbs.gif[/img] The only down side is I spent more then I meant to!!! I happen to be sitting in the waiting area looking at this MTM wheel on the floor.....and yes you guessed it, I’ve now got 4 on my car!!! [img]images/graemlins/1syellow1.gif[/img]
They really look the business, I will post some pics tomorrow...and sorry to John Roberts who's set were leaving the building whilst I was there, didn’t mean to copy you mate, just couldn’t resist them.
Plus the short shifter is fitted....and like everyone else who has one fitted, why didn’t I do this earlier!!
But now I’ve got the bug, I hope to be going back there next month to look at suspension and brakes and.. etc, etc.

More Money!

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[Carps]

Lucky git... I had a phone call from Kim today as they had to cancel my suspension this week due to an A6 requiring more attention than the owner thought [img]images/graemlins/mad.gif[/img]
Now I have to wait until Weds next week to get my S4 down to a more reasonable altitude. Oh well - good things come to those who... Never mind [img]images/graemlins/suicide.gif[/img]

[Petoir]

I've just been over to QS and had a chat with Kim. I was only in to have the Tanoga fitted to my new RS4 because the box is so p**s poor on the S4 / RS4. My previous S4 was appalling and the RS4 was better but still a load of wobbly old rubbish compared to previous cars I've owned. But after 30 miles with the Tanoga I can safely say it's the best money I've ever spent on an upgrade for my performance cars, now and in the past. Totally transformed the gear change, I'm amazed so little money can make so big a difference.

Kim was tempting me back in the new year for a stage 1 chip and those 19" MTMs on the floor looked lovely... hmmmmm