Exhaust or Rims?

[A4orce84]

Hey Guys,


I'm still debating on what I should do for my summer mod. Currently I am only chipped, and no other mods. 99.5 A4 1.8T with stock NON-SPORT OEM suspension. Now I am debating on either getting rims + tires, or a borla exhaust. Which would you do and why? I've heard alot of things that Rims on stock suspension look goofy or weird and that others say it's ok. Some people say go before show, so get Borla, but others say Borla's wont give me TOO much more power, so I should getrims to transform the look of the car. So what do you guys think? Thanks.!

--Asif

[EC Motorwerks]

Choice 3, suspension.

[DRA4]

Suspension is the choice, then rims.

[A4orce84]

Suspension isn't really an option right now guys, just rims and exhaust right now. =(

[EC Motorwerks]

Why isnt it an option? My guess susp. would be cheaper then wheels and tires.

[joeya103]

I agree, either choice is useless without suspension first. If you had the sport package, you could maybe go for rims first, but with the non-sport package suspension, you MUST drop NOW! =P

[SoleMate]

Drop it like it's hot and save the rest for rims and tires.

[xburbx]

dont you get 10-15 hp out of the borla exhaust? i would do that.

[audlman]

them claim it, i have a magnaflow... im not sure what i get outta it. Go with exhaust IMO. that was my very first mod to my car.

[JMG]

Suspension. Rims mean little on OEM non-sport. 4x4ing isn't fun.

[BQAD]

Yeah, definitely suspension before rims if you are non-sport. But you didn't say what kind of suspension or rims you have in mind, so cost wise it's a toss up at this point.

[A4 in SC]

If suspension isn't an option right now, then I would save until it is. That was the FIRST mod I did to mine, and don't regret it one bit.

[A4orce84]

So all you Suspension shippers, since suspension is not an option for me, you DON"T even recommend getting exhaust? I should still wait and save for suspension? I'm leaning toward Borla.

[tYcOoN]

Asif don't has the sports package. His car is high like an SUV.

My advise...get a suspension & rims.
I'm sure Anton and some of the WetDubbers will help you install it.


I got the sports suspension. Even my car isn't that low

[Zodiak]

with stock non-sport suspension...rims are out of the question.

An upgraded exhaust isn't gonna make you a world beater but it will give you a little more power. Or change the suspension, it will be a world of difference compared to non-sport.

[marcini]

suspension, definetely

[A4orce84]

Alright then let me ask this, what springs/shocks does everyone recommend? And what price range am I looking at for them?

[EC Motorwerks]

Originally posted by A4orce84
Alright then let me ask this, what springs/shocks does everyone recommend? And what price range am I looking at for them?

Clicky for Pricing

[Brrman]

They are lots of spring/shocks combos (or C/O's)

I have Bilstein Sport Shocks w/ Neuspeed Race springs and I am at 2 finger gap all around. Thats with 15" stock wheels. When I get the 18"ers on there and a tire with a more vertical sidewall I'll probably be a 1.5 finger gap.

Suspension was definitely the best mod I have made yet. The handling of the car is completely different. I had non-sport before.

A decent setup will cost you around $700-$800.

[A4orce84]

Coilovers are generally alot more expensive than just springs/shocks combo though right?

[Zodiak]

Originally posted by A4orce84
Coilovers are generally alot more expensive than just springs/shocks combo though right?

generally, yeah. But Koni CO's are pretty competitively priced at around $950

[A4orce84]

how do they perform compared to other higher priced coilovers?

[DDQ]

Originally posted by A4orce84
how do they perform compared to other higher priced coilovers?

Definitely do the suspension before anything else.

You probably won't notice the difference in coilovers unless you AutoX. I would say that if you're on a budget, and don't need the adjustability, then pass on C/Os and just go with a spring/shock combo.

Also - A muffler cannot add horsepower.

[A4orce84]

Aren't there any other postivies or +'s with coilovers over the shock/spring combo besides just adjustability?

[DDQ]

Originally posted by A4orce84
Aren't there any other postivies or +'s with coilovers over the shock/spring combo besides just adjustability?

A coilover is just a term for a shock/spring setup that comes already matched together in one unit. They're designed for each other and tend to have quality matched spring rates and dampening settings.

Many of us have determined that there are some other nice spring/shock setups that match up well, so we piece them together ourselves. I have the Neuspeed Race Springs with the Adjustable Bilstein Sport Shocks. These offer some adjustabity, but nothing drastic. Maybe a half inch or so.

Again, if you're on a budget, and you're not doing AutoX events, then you can save some money and just buy a spring/shock combo.

Many use H&R springs and the like, and either Koni or Bilstein Sport shocks.

[A4orce84]

How do you guys feel about AWE's setup? Bilstein shocks/H&R Springs, anyone using this combo. and have any comments about it? Thanks.

[A4orce84]

anyone?

[DDQ]

Try seaching. You'll find everything you want to know. The setup you mentioned is probably the most popular one that people use.

[A4orce84]

thanks.

[Saturnine]

I had bilstiens w/ HR sports on my B6 and was super happy with it.. I ended up getting some CO's, but i for sure recomend that setup to anyone..

[EnvyJK]

suspension. yay.

[joeya103]

IMHO, depends on whether you're more a "go" guy or a "show" guy. some people like to have sleepers but in general...

if you're more for go: suspension --> exhaust --> rims

show: suspension --> rims --> exhaust

You could always get some tips for your exhaust if the rusty look is really bothering you. It'll hold you over for a while.

Rims on a non-sport suspension = GOOFY =P

[A4orce84]

haha thanks guys. =)

[Zodiak]

for the record... 17s on non-sport oem suspension. I pulled this pic from another forum. it's in an AW pic poster so you may have to paste it in a new window.



http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/33526/07100003.jpg