B8 vs B7 handling comparison

[spex]

Last year I purchased a 2016 S4 after 14 years ownership of a 2006 A4. The A4 always felt planted, and surprised me with how much speed I could carry in turns without drama. My S4 feels less predictable in the bends, particularly when encountering joints in the surface, such as freeway onramps. It feels as though the front could skip wide at any moment, even under similar speeds as my A4.

Is this just understeer? Or something else? I'm far from a pro driver, so any thoughts from the community are appreciated. Details of both cars in my signature.

[gaigerain]

I previously drove a 2006 S4 with a bilstein coilover system and now I drive a 2012 S4 with the bilstein pss-10 coilover system.

My B7 was a bit lower and the coils a bit stiffer so it handled better than my B8 does. That said, but I can’t say I have your same experience In my B8 which still handles very well. This may be that your B8.5 has the electronic power steering system where my B8 has a hydraulic system much like the B7s.

I would suggest a strut brace, I installed one over the weekend and was surprised how much better the car handled into and out of corners.



I found this thread which might be useful.

https://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php/577927-B8-5-Electronic-Steering-Satisfaction-Poll


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[spex]

Appreciate you sharing your experience, gaigerain... and the thread also. How do you find the PSS-10 compared with stock on your B8?

[B7TitaniumA4]

I’m in a 2013 S4 from a 2008 A4 w/ factory sport suspension. In my experience they are relatively similar from what I remember from the A4. The A4 was lowered late in its life and handled like a racecar. (Florida roads) My stock S4 only scared me once or twice at high speeds in a turn or corner. I am currently working on stiffening up the suspension without lowering as the roads here in PA suck hard!
Sway bars, strut bars, control arm braces, tunnel braces, chassis braces, trans mounts/inserts, rear diff mount inserts, and driveshaft carrier etc. are going In with factory ride height to tighten things up. [emoji16]
Pic for fun!
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210316/5628af361f4cbfa42acd1e86657bc5bf.jpg


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[gaigerain]

How do you find the PSS-10 compared with stock on your B8?

Unfortunately, or maybe fortunately, I haven't driven the B8 with stock suspension. Same with the B7 actually though I did have to B7 adjusted to be stiffer and add a bit of ride height... The previous owner had it too low for my taste.

So the PSS-10 I have now are set to 3 or 4 out of 10 stiffness and before I installed this strut brace (https://www.ecstuning.com/b-ecs-parts/carbon-fiber-strut-brace/008049ecs01kt/) I was getting too much body roll induced understeer into corners. After installation, the front end moves more in unison and is less 'bouncy' i.e. there is less dramatic load transfer between the front wheels when leveling out. Hopefully that makes some sense.

FWIW, The previous owner also added the 034 rear sway bar (https://store.034motorsport.com/034motorsport-adjustable-solid-rear-sway-bar-b8-b8-5-audi-a4-s4-rs4-a5-s5-rs5.html) and I believe its as stiff as can be which again helps with those hard cornering maneuvers.

Unless I start doing track days regularly, I think the strut brace was enough improvement of handling for spirited street and highway driving so I may leave the coils as they are.

[gaigerain]

Sway bars, strut bars, control arm braces, tunnel braces, chassis braces, trans mounts/inserts, rear diff mount inserts, and driveshaft carrier etc. are

I have thought about doing this as well, 034 being one provider for mounts and stuff that should tighten things up. From what I read though, and it kinda makes sense, the stiffer these elements are the more NVH you experience in the car, what do you think B7TitaniumA4?

[Wuj3888]

The CR15 and the Xbrace upgrades do wonders for the handling, specifically turn in and tracking over rougher roads and especially if you have stiffened the suspension. I was astonished by the difference that they each made. I've done strut braces in previous cars (BMWs), with little appreciable difference. The XBrace on a e36 was a solid upgrade, but nowhere near the same level as on my B8.5. I also have 034 rear carrier mount inserts, and they were well worth it for the cost. Removed some wiggle in the back end over bumps.

[B7TitaniumA4]

I have thought about doing this as well, 034 being one provider for mounts and stuff that should tighten things up. From what I read though, and it kinda makes sense, the stiffer these elements are the more NVH you experience in the car, what do you think B7TitaniumA4?

Totally agree, but I have yet to drive with all of my stiffening completed as my car is and has been down since November with engine out currently, all of those items will be installed after I’m done with the motor and trans work. This is no longer my daily driver so more vibration and loud noises will be welcomed rather than a nuisance....[emoji16]


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[doughboy17]

The electric steering in the B8.5 is far worse than the B7 and frankly, I feel far less in control of my B8.5 S4 than my B7 A4 due to the standard front/rear split of the Quattro system. I prefer our B7 A4's 50/50 split to my B8.5 S4's 40/60 F/R split. The B7 A4 allows very predictable four wheel drifts where the B8.5 S4's rear end comes around on a moment's notice.

[spex]

I did have to B7 adjusted to be stiffer and add a bit of ride height... The previous owner had it too low for my taste.

Parking blocks and inclined driveways were a constant menace to my lowered B7. I've appreciated the extra ride height on the B8.5, but need to find a good compromise on handling. It's my daily right now, so keeping NVH to a minimum is important. Leaning toward some upgraded coilovers and maybe the 034 rear sway bar, but will check out the strut brace and drivetrain stabilizer (AK) as well.

[fstr n u]

Interestingly enough...there is "steering" and car feel and there are documented lateral g's. The B8's and B7's have relatively numb steering and feel and are from a weight bias perspective not going to handle like a Honda S2000. I always chuckle a little when people post threads on handling and our cars.....these cars were never intended to handle as well as a BMW counterpart or other. The B6/B7 and B8's are straight line kinda sorta reliable cars with the ability to make decent power without grenading transmissions and engines.

[gaigerain]

Interestingly enough...there is "steering" and car feel and there are documented lateral g's. The B8's and B7's have relatively numb steering and feel and are from a weight bias perspective not going to handle like a Honda S2000. I always chuckle a little when people post threads on handling and our cars.....these cars were never intended to handle as well as a BMW counterpart or other. The B6/B7 and B8's are straight line kinda sorta reliable cars with the ability to make decent power without grenading transmissions and engines.

Well I haven’t drive any BMW or S2K but I have also never seen someone claim a Quattro car as a straight line car [emoji846]

There is a lot more shall we say wrestling involved when racing a B7/B8 through a corner, I’m definitely going through that corner faster than cars you mentioned and doing it while all my tires maintaining grip.


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