Had my dealer lower my S7 with Audi software tool

[vortexx]

They lowered it by 17mm which I understand to be the maximum allowable through the software tool. It looks great. All the suspension modes work just as before, just with a lower baseline. The ground-to-wheel-well distance is now 69cm when in Dynamic mode, and 70.3 in comfort mode. It raises to 72.5 in all modes or so when you press the "raise" button on the "Car" MMI menu. When you press the raise menu, it always goes to the same maximum height, regardless of whether you are in comfort or dynamic. The ride and handling in both dynamic and comfort remains similar as to before the mod. I haven't driven it enough since the mod to quantify any specific differences, but if there are any, they are minimal.

[gatorguy]

Unfortunately my dealer has remained steadfastly ignorant on being able to do this. I'll probably end up getting lowering links.

[Fast4DR S6]

Try another dealer bro.....

[User122085]

Yeah same here, my dealer is saying they aren't able to do it.

[mik34]

Yeah same here, my dealer is saying they aren't able to do it.

Me too. Not sure if they're lazy, stupid, or some combination of both.

[gatorguy]

Me too. Not sure if they're lazy, stupid, or some combination of both.

Well I know what my dealer's problem is. They fought me on fixing the steering wheel squeak, updated transmission software, and steering update. Things that TSBs exist for.

[gatorguy]

Try another dealer bro.....
Unfortunately it's already a pain in the butt just to get my car into the one dealer that is actually "in town". Driving 2 hrs just won't be happening any time soon.

[bwoy1981]

There's another Audi Dealer opening up next year near Millenia. I can't wait! I still drive out to Melbourne Audi for assistance than deal with the Classic Audi.

[GTS21]

Any more specifics on how to do this, or what I should ask specifically from my dealer? I just spoke with my dealer, and they seem amenable to doing it, but they weren't sure what to do?

[vortexx]

Me too. Not sure if they're lazy, stupid, or some combination of both.

Candidly, it is probably both. If they are incapable of doing this, then they really can't be trusted to work on your car, in my opinion. The reason for this assessment is that it really doesn't take a high level of skill or knowledge, and it is a skill that they would need to know if there was any issue with your suspension setup anyway (for example, if you came into the dealer complaining that your car wasn't quite level they would use this same software tool to solve the problem). They need to know how to diagnose a problem and solve it using the Audi software tool. If they don't know how to do this specific task because they have not yet done it, then they should have the basic skill to research it. If they are selling $90k cars, they need to have the capability to properly service the needs of their customers that are buying them. They have the resources to do that at their disposal.

[MLee]

They lowered it by 17mm which I understand to be the maximum allowable through the software tool. It looks great. All the suspension modes work just as before, just with a lower baseline. The ground-to-wheel-well distance is now 69cm when in Dynamic mode, and 70.3 in comfort mode. It raises to 72.5 in all modes or so when you press the "raise" button on the "Car" MMI menu. When you press the raise menu, it always goes to the same maximum height, regardless of whether you are in comfort or dynamic. The ride and handling in both dynamic and comfort remains similar as to before the mod. I haven't driven it enough since the mod to quantify any specific differences, but if there are any, they are minimal.


you live in LR? which dealer did this for you? Audi MV? if you don't mind me asking, how much did they charge you as well as who would be the person to contact there to get it done. I tried my local dealer and they told me they tried but couldn't get it to stay. did you dealer say anything about warranty issues? thanks in advance.

[gatorguy]

There's another Audi Dealer opening up next year near Millenia. I can't wait! I still drive out to Melbourne Audi for assistance than deal with the Classic Audi.

You just made my day. I don't know how I haven't heard about it but that is great news!

[vortexx]

you live in LR? which dealer did this for you? Audi MV? if you don't mind me asking, how much did they charge you as well as who would be the person to contact there to get it done. I tried my local dealer and they told me they tried but couldn't get it to stay. did you dealer say anything about warranty issues? thanks in advance.

MLee, yes, I live in LR, and MV Audi is the dealer. I just sent you a PM with more details.

[subterFUSE]

You just made my day. I don't know how I haven't heard about it but that is great news!

That's news to me, too. But welcome news since that will be much closer to my home in Winter Park. I told my sales guy they made a big mistake moving that dealership up to Sanford. Winter Park is their top market demographic, and I know a LOT of BMW owners who love Audi but would never buy a car they had to service in Sanford. I already miss being able to drive 5 minutes from home to the BMW dealer to get fluids topped off or my tires inflated with Nitrogen for free any time.

I also have not been pleased with the service advisor at my dealer thus far. They would not upgrade my MMI software from 609 to 715 when I asked, and I did not like how the conversation went when we discussed my audio plans.

[moosehead1]

vortexx, would love to see pictures, please and thanks. While 0.7" doesn't seem like much, it likely gives the already lower S7 a great stance.

[vortexx]

vortexx, would love to see pictures, please and thanks. While 0.7" doesn't seem like much, it likely gives the already lower S7 a great stance.

I attempted to upload a couple of pictures - one before, one after lowering, but the process seemed way to cumbersome. Do you really have to upload photos to a separate image gallery one at a time, and then cross reference them to a post?

[MLee]

I attempted to upload a couple of pictures - one before, one after lowering, but the process seemed way to cumbersome. Do you really have to upload photos to a separate image gallery one at a time, and then cross reference them to a post?

no, goto tinypic dot com. upload there and it'll give you an [IMG]xxxxxxx[IMG] link, copy and paste the whole line/text and paste it on the thread, after you post, it'll automatically show the picture here.

[vortexx]

vortexx, would love to see pictures, please and thanks. While 0.7" doesn't seem like much, it likely gives the already lower S7 a great stance.

Here are some shots after lowering:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/110916784@N02/sets/72157639136589376/

[ScrewBallVin]

Nice!!!

[moosehead1]

^Thanks vortexx. Looks perfect, you just saved me $1800. I also love those wheels, they have more concave shape than expected.

[gleek48]

^Thanks vortexx. Looks perfect, you just saved me $1800. I also love those wheels, they have more concave shape than expected.

Moosehead-I am also in the Rockies. Were you able to find a dealer to lower it? Can you please PM me?

[S6Jouster]

Still don't understand how we are getting these dealers to do this. Audi Coral Springs is a reputable dealer, havin a hard time getting them to acknowledge the ability to do this.

[moosehead1]

^gleek48, I bought an out of state vehicle and will not take possession for another week or so. I'll let you know what Prestige/McDonald/Avalon/303 guys say. I'm also looking for misc tint/radar/clear bra stuff if you happened to have any referrals. It's been awhile since my last Audi, but back then didn't have much luck with the local dealer service shops.

[lnferno]

My dealer (Phil Long Audi) agreed to do this. I'm bringing it in this Friday to have them do it. They'll also be getting treated to a wide variety of donuts. [:D]

[PB4UGO]

Audi allroad owners did this regularly with the OEM air suspension on the 01-05 allroads. They found that the struts wore out much, much quicker as a result of the reduced rebound ability and constant compression. This means the warranty will not be honored by Audi and these parts aren't cheap (rears alone are $900/ea).

Wouldn't suggest this for RS owners.

[MLee]

Audi allroad owners did this regularly with the OEM air suspension on the 01-05 allroads. They found that the struts wore out much, much quicker as a result of the reduced rebound ability and constant compression. This means the warranty will not be honored by Audi and these parts aren't cheap (rears alone are $900/ea).

Wouldn't suggest this for RS owners.

European spec cars always ride about 20-25mm lower than the cars we get in n.a. I don't see the problem as long as your not dumping it to the ground.

[MLD8]

They lowered it by 17mm which I understand to be the maximum allowable through the software tool. It looks great. All the suspension modes work just as before, just with a lower baseline. The ground-to-wheel-well distance is now 69cm when in Dynamic mode, and 70.3 in comfort mode. It raises to 72.5 in all modes or so when you press the "raise" button on the "Car" MMI menu. When you press the raise menu, it always goes to the same maximum height, regardless of whether you are in comfort or dynamic. The ride and handling in both dynamic and comfort remains similar as to before the mod. I haven't driven it enough since the mod to quantify any specific differences, but if there are any, they are minimal.

Hi Vortexx,

is the maximum ride height the same as before the lowering or is it lowered by the same 17mm? Thanks.

[well_armed]

European spec cars always ride about 20-25mm lower than the cars we get in n.a. I don't see the problem as long as your not dumping it to the ground.

Not true.

[Ryan_qttro]

How is this done, I have a few customers that would like this done.

[VVG]

Can you do this with a VAG COM?

[LINDW4LL]

Looks great, vortexx.

[HyperM3]

Can you do this with a VAG COM?

No, unfortunately it cant. I tried multiple times with all the codes I could gather but nothing worked. I ended up buying the links and the car came out great once I found the time to install them. I like that they are adjustable too without having to mess with the computer.

A tech in my service department showed me specifically in their shop when my car was hooked up that Audi is requiring specific reasons as to why the code is trying to be obtained to lower the car away from OEM specs. They just arent doing it at my dealership.

[Chipless]

I have tried both of the Audi dealerships within 100 miles of my house, and even called Audi Customer Care. One dealership tells me "it's against their company policy to change any factory settings unless directed to do so by Audi". The other tells me "it's against company policy to make ride height adjustments on air suspension cars that aren't available within the cars own settings system". Audi Customer Care tells me that "lowering the car would increase tire wear, make it unsafe and void certain aspects of my warranty." Obviously, this is all a bunch of crap, and I find it really frustrating to spend this much money on a car and not be able to utilize one of it's possible settings.

Is there any way someone could post more information regarding how to convince a dealership to do this, and exactly what steps are involved in the process? Also, is this functionality documented anywhere? If so, maybe I could convince Audi that it won't hurt my car.

[hayasa]

Ass, cash, or grass