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View Full Version : My review of the ECS Snub Mount & RS4 Rear Swaybar......



quattshot
05-22-2007, 07:16 AM
Just wanted to give some quick feedback on these 2 items that were installed this past Saturday. I actually went to Champion for a couple tires and to pick up my wheel that had to be fixed from a little mishap at 4am between me and a cement block laying in the middle of I-75 at 80mph!! Anyhow, I got all that out of the way and a regular 15K service but for an additional $80, I said what the hell, throw on the RS4 rear sway and a snub mount I had in my trunk.

For some reason the bushings that came with the RS4 bar didn't work well so the tech used my stock bushings on the RS4 Bar greased it up and it was fine. It should have worked but oh well. Anyhow, I currently have the Vogtland Kit on all 4corners and the addition of the RS4 Bar was easily noticable around tight and long sweeping turns at a decent rate of speed. I also noticed a higher spring rate type of feel, which means a bit more ridged in the rear. To be honest, I wasn't expecting a big difference. For some people who DONT KNOW what to look for or dont have a good feel of the car and driving dynamics, it might be a vague feeling or not very noticable. I felt the difference right away ONLY by driving more aggressively. Around turns and transfering the cars weight either quickly or like I said, long chicane type turns where the weight of the car is pitched to one side for a bit longer then normal. I was able to enter the turn faster and keep a higher rate of speed through out it. My opinion, if you stiffen up your suspension or raise your spring rates, the RS4 Rear Sway Bar is a very nice addition and for a very LOW price.

On to the snub mount......
Get it!
For the minimal amounts of money it costs to purchase, it delivers a more satisfying manual shifting experience. Why doesn't Audi just make this part out of a harder material from the factory, beats me?? It tightens up the feel of the transmission rocking right after a shift. It provides you with a firmer more CONNECTED feeling when shifting. I can say even a more LUXURIOUS type of feel.

Conclusion...

For under $200, you should purchase these 2 items today with NO hesitation what so ever. ENJOY! [up]

4-tified
05-22-2007, 08:22 AM
Just wanted to give some quick feedback on these 2 items that were installed this past Saturday. I actually went to Champion for a couple tires and to pick up my wheel that had to be fixed from a little mishap at 4am between me and a cement block laying in the middle of I-75 at 80mph!! Anyhow, I got all that out of the way and a regular 15K service but for an additional $80, I said what the hell, throw on the RS4 rear sway and a snub mount I had in my trunk.

[up]

$80 to install both the bar and snub mount?
That's very reasonable.

I asked a local APR speed shop how much to install the APR snub and he quoted me about $170, claims it will take 2 hours. I laughed. I can do it myself, but I figued if I can get it installed for about $50-$70 I'll let them do it.
He quoted me nearly 2 hours of install time on the snub. Ridiculous.
That's why I don't like "speed" shops. They think no one knows how to do this stuff and they charge even more than private mechanic.
They charge more per hour then even the dealer does.

They charge $40 just to install the APR software.
For what? All they need to do is plug in and load. The computer does the rest. There is no "tuning". The charge should only be about $20 for the effort put out.

Thanks for the review. I think I'll get the snub and install it myself.[:)]

quattshot
05-22-2007, 08:31 AM
$80 to install both the bar and snub mount?
That's very reasonable.

I asked a local APR speed shop how much to install the APR snub and he quoted me about $140. I laughed. I can do it myself, but I figued if I can get it installed for about $50-$70 I'll let them do it.
He quoted me nearly 2 hours of install time on the snub. Ridiculous.
That's why I don't like "speed" shops. They think no one knows how to do this stuff and they charge even more than private mechanic.
They charge more per hour then even the dealer does.

They charge $40 just to install the APR software.
For what? All they need to do is plug in and load. The computer does the rest. There is no "tuning". The charge should only be about $20 for the effort put out.

Thanks for the review. I think I'll get the snub and install it myself.[:)]



Yeah bro, the Snub is a 30 minute mod if that. I knew it was easy but hell while under the knife why not nip/tuck somewhere else for a decent price. Champion I believe charges $110 per hr! That is very high. I've always said this, befriend your service manager's. He happens to be a cool guy anyways but he took care of me because the Swaybar did not go on in a jiffy.

Definitely pick the phone up and order the snub and swaybar. Not trying to push the shop but ECS has both in stock I believe. You will be a happy camper.

4-tified
05-22-2007, 08:35 AM
Yeah bro, the Snub is a 30 minute mod if that. I knew it was easy but hell while under the knife why not nip/tuck somewhere else for a decent price. Champion I believe charges $110 per hr! That is very high. I've always said this, befriend your service manager's. He happens to be a cool guy anyways but he took care of me because the Swaybar did not go on in a jiffy.

Definitely pick the phone up and order the snub and swaybar. Not trying to push the shop but ECS has both in stock I believe. You will be a happy camper.

I agree. If I can find a place to do the install for a reasonable price I would have them do it. I'll pay $50- to $85 on the high end, just for the snub.
$170 and 2 hours is ridiculous for the snub.

I've installed a few sway bars and some are not too bad, some just a bit trickier. If you have access to a lift the job is cake, just like how it looks for the snub.

Thanks again.

barkerd427
05-22-2007, 08:39 AM
you can't rent a lift where you are. I guess that is one of the benefits of the military. We have auto hobby shops at nearly ever base (Air Force). They are both easy jobs if you can find a lift. Good luck.