H&R OE or Coil overs?

[Deacon S4]

I have 2014 S4 and am beginning the mod trail. First question is related to the fact that I want to lower it a bit. Can't get to crazy as the roads in Seattle can be real crap. I assume that if you go the coilover route you loose the abiltiy to control ride from Driver Select? I am not sure that I want to give that up as any long trips down the freeway to California are a lot more relaxing in the comfort mode. My concern with the spring only route is I don't want to end up with a ride that is too "bouncy". I only do a couple of track days a year and I'm not trying to chase the last tenth of a second on a lap.

I appreciate any feedback you might have.

[AndyLien79]

I have 2014 S4 and am beginning the mod trail. First question is related to the fact that I want to lower it a bit. Can't get to crazy as the roads in Seattle can be real crap. I assume that if you go the coilover route you loose the abiltiy to control ride from Driver Select? I am not sure that I want to give that up as any long trips down the freeway to California are a lot more relaxing in the comfort mode. My concern with the spring only route is I don't want to end up with a ride that is too "bouncy". I only do a couple of track days a year and I'm not trying to chase the last tenth of a second on a lap.

I appreciate any feedback you might have.


Do you have full ADS on your car? if so, get KW HAS

[Deacon S4]

Do not have full ADS

[Waaazooo]

<flame suit on>. What is ADS...

I assume the first rule of ads is don't talk about ads...

But, eh.... I dunno if I have it... I assume I don't.


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[RickFLS4]

^ "Full ADS" includes adaptive damping suspension. I presume question arose because OP referenced changing ride control in Drive Select, which implies he has adaptive damping. With adaptive damping, "suspension" is one of the variables controlled by switching from comfort to dynamic and can be adjusted in individual settings. The "ADS" in "full ADS" is referring to Audi Drive Select.

[SForePlayin']

<flame suit on>. What is ADS...

I assume the first rule of ads is don't talk about ads...

But, eh.... I dunno if I have it... I assume I don't.

When you drill down into Audi Drive Select (ADS) for Individual, do you see the option for Adaptive Dampers?

If not, then you do not have Adaptive Damping Suspension (ADS).

[Shamu]

I have 2014 S4 and am beginning the mod trail. First question is related to the fact that I want to lower it a bit. Can't get to crazy as the roads in Seattle can be real crap. I assume that if you go the coilover route you loose the abiltiy to control ride from Driver Select? I am not sure that I want to give that up as any long trips down the freeway to California are a lot more relaxing in the comfort mode. My concern with the spring only route is I don't want to end up with a ride that is too "bouncy". I only do a couple of track days a year and I'm not trying to chase the last tenth of a second on a lap.

I appreciate any feedback you might have.

came across the same decision and was originally going to go with just the OE springs, but after some research including reaching out to members who had OE's then switched to HR Street Perf coils, decided to go straight to coils. apparently the springs will be good for 8 mo's +, but then the ride will start to get bouncy and deteriorate...that plus the overall benefits of a full coil setup made me decide just to go with coils to begin with.

hope this helps :)

[PatDelaney7]

I am in a very similar boat. However, after speaking with some members i am leaning toward Solowerk Coilovers - Very reasonability priced and on par with higher cost brands.

[schirm]

I have ADS, if I get coils that so not support ADS, how hard/expensive is it to get rid of the error code?

[chris@fifteen52]

KW sells the cables to cancel the error code.

[Waaazooo]

Thanks sfore,


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[will13k7]

some on here who just got springs who later rode in a s4 with coils ditched their springs in favor of coils shortly after.

[AndyLien79]

I have 2014 S4 and am beginning the mod trail. First question is related to the fact that I want to lower it a bit. Can't get to crazy as the roads in Seattle can be real crap. I assume that if you go the coilover route you loose the abiltiy to control ride from Driver Select? I am not sure that I want to give that up as any long trips down the freeway to California are a lot more relaxing in the comfort mode. My concern with the spring only route is I don't want to end up with a ride that is too "bouncy". I only do a couple of track days a year and I'm not trying to chase the last tenth of a second on a lap.

I appreciate any feedback you might have.


Springs will be bouncy. I would recommend coilovers...Bilsteins are nice but the comfort of your ride will never match stock.

[MYFASTA4]

if you do springs get a set shocks and struts , Koni sells a set of adjustable ones, but at that price range you might consider getting a set of less expensive coils. Not sure that would be as good long term but I wouldn't do just springs.

[IanCH]

I dont know of many documented cases of people switching from ADS w/ springs to coilovers... The ADS shocks are stiffer in dynamic than normal S4 shocks/struts and really arent bouncy with H&R OE.

Coilovers, probably marginally better (vs ADS +Springs) but honestly its not worth the 1500-2k compared to springs

[MrFunk]

I dont know of many documented cases of people switching from ADS w/ springs to coilovers... The ADS shocks are stiffer in dynamic than normal S4 shocks/struts and really arent bouncy with H&R OE.

Coilovers, probably marginally better (vs ADS +Springs) but honestly its not worth the 1500-2k compared to springs

+1

[jlaudio]

I found ADS shocks with H&R OE's to be extremely bouncy. Comfortable but it felt like I was driving a late 80's caddy after going over a bump or dip in the road. Not confidence inspiring at all.
I hated the setup so much that i traded the A4 for an S4 with a normal suspension.

Everyones feels each suspension setup differently but i really didn't like mine.

[MrFunk]

I found ADS shocks with H&R OE's to be extremely bouncy. Comfortable but it felt like I was driving a late 80's caddy after going over a bump or dip in the road. Not confidence inspiring at all.
I hated the setup so much that i traded the A4 for an S4 with a normal suspension.

Everyones feels each suspension setup differently but i really didn't like mine.

Is an A4 with ADS the same as an S4 with ADS?

[jlaudio]

Is an A4 with ADS the same as an S4 with ADS?

Yes, same everything.

[k9lovr]

I had the OE on my A4 and then with with Vogtland coils and I found the coils to be more bouncy and the ride not as comfortable as the OE's even though I had 40K on the springs....I plan to go OE on my S4 here soon....just my $.02

[millerrh]

Springs will be bouncy. I would recommend coilovers...Bilsteins are nice but the comfort of your ride will never match stock.

I have Bilsteins and absolutely LOVE the ride quality. Better than stock. Plus, since you can dial in the shocks to your liking it's never going to be too loose or too tight. You just pick what feels right to you and you can quickly change it without much fuss. Would have gone with H&R coils, but was concerned it might be a little bit too rough without the adjustability. That said, the Bilsteins are progressive springs and actually have coils touching each other in the loaded state. Whenever I turn my wheels while going slow (like when parking), the coils bind, making terrible popping sounds. I have installed spring silencers and have to grease them about once every 3-4 months to keep the noise at bay. Now that is annoying. While I l love the ride quality, I wouldn't invest in these again because of that.

[IanCH]

Yes, same everything.

But the weight of the car is different right? and if the suspension is truly the same (I dont really believe that, maybe components are the same but not the tuning) then one of the cars would be poorly calibrated spring rate and stiffness wise.

[jlaudio]

But the weight of the car is different right? and if the suspension is truly the same (I dont really believe that, maybe components are the same but not the tuning) then one of the cars would be poorly calibrated spring rate and stiffness wise.

a4/s4 last time i looked are within 100-150 lbs of each other. both suspensions are truely the same.