Sport vs S-Line Suspensions?

[greene08]

Are they exactly the same? I'm referring to the $250 "Sport Suspension" individual feature and the suspension upgrades that come with the "S-line" package? (I realize the S-line package comes with many other things too.)

Everything I've read would lead me to believe they are exactly the same but I'm curious about drop, dampening, shock type, spring type, etc.

Thanks!

[KokujinTensai]

S-Line package contains the sport suspension and is a $2000 option so yes its the same thing. I dont think its lowered by much.


* Sport suspension
* Brushed aluminum decorative inlays
* Leather-wrapped three-spoke perforated steering wheel and shift knob
* Shift paddles on steering wheel in Tiptronic models
* S line door sill trim
* Aluminum optic pedals in manual models
* 18" Five-spoke cast alloy wheels with all-season tires (2.0TFSI)

[greene08]

I don't think you fully understood my question.

I know what the S-line package contains. I'm well versed in the options of almost every A4 since 1996. I was curious of the suspension component of the S-line package is the same one you receive when you just purchase the sport suspension sin the S-line package.

It is possible that the S-line suspension upgrade is stiffer and more responsive than the sport suspension as a stand-alone option? When I test drove an S-line car it felt much more rigid than my sport suspension equipped non-Sline car. That is why I ask.

[nuctech]

nope...they're exatly the same.....same shock valving, spring rates, sway bar sizes.

[KokujinTensai]

you didnt understand my answer, sorry. the sport suspension offered as a single option is the same as the sport suspension included in the s-line package. I didnt want the s-line so i spent that 2k on an exhaust system.

[greene08]

Cool. Yeah, well that is good to know. It would appear what I was feeling is the 1" larger wheels and slightly lower profile rubber. Man, what a difference it was... I'm kind of surprised.

Thanks for the answers.

[Cronogr]

The sport suspension sux better to go with springs or if u can afford coilovers i don't know why but i get this feeling like the chassis is bending every time i drive on a crappy road or hit a hole

[KokujinTensai]

The sport suspension sux better to go with springs or if u can afford coilovers i don't know why but i get this feeling like the chassis is bending every time i drive on a crappy road or hit a hole

Sux compared to what? A "performance" car? haha feel like the chassis is bending. wow. thats extreme. Sounds like you're describing a Chevy Cavalier.

[4-tified]

I don't think you fully understood my question.

I know what the S-line package contains. I'm well versed in the options of almost every A4 since 1996. I was curious of the suspension component of the S-line package is the same one you receive when you just purchase the sport suspension sin the S-line package.

It is possible that the S-line suspension upgrade is stiffer and more responsive than the sport suspension as a stand-alone option? When I test drove an S-line car it felt much more rigid than my sport suspension equipped non-Sline car. That is why I ask.

The subtle difference you felt could be due to the 18" wheels and sport tires used on the S-line models. If you got the sport suspension on a regular A4, it probably came with 17's and all season tires.
The 17's have a slightly taller sidewall and the touring oriented tires have a softer sidewall as well. The net effect is that the steering response will feel a bit softer and not as accurate, and the ride will feel a bit softer, perhaps felt as "less connected". Generally, higher performance tires along with shorter and stiffer sidewalls have improved handling with a slightly stiffer ride.

Overall, the sport suspension parts are the same in the stand alone option as the S-line suspension. The difference is there because the S-line has different wheels and tires.

[4-tified]

The sport suspension sux better to go with springs or if u can afford coilovers i don't know why but i get this feeling like the chassis is bending every time i drive on a crappy road or hit a hole

Coilovers would be an improvement over the OEM sport suspension.
A simple spring replacement on the OEM base dampers/shocks would not be an improvement. The OEM dampers are not valved/tuned for the stiffer rate aftermarket springs. The dampers will die an early death and will not perform their best as they weren't designed for the aftermarket dampers.
The sport suspension springs and dampers are a tuned set.

Anyone:
I may be wrong here, does the sport suspension come with larger/thicker sway bars?

[Cronogr]

Sux compared to what? A "performance" car? haha feel like the chassis is bending. wow. thats extreme. Sounds like you're describing a Chevy Cavalier.

I don't know how to describe the feeling, and i'm comparing the sport suspension with the koni coils i have on my b5

[redlabel81]

Hmmmm...I think you can get different S-line suspensions. 20mm and 35mm lowering.
The Sportsuspension is 20mm.
E

[Cronogr]

Hmmmm...I think you can get different S-line suspensions. 20mm and 35mm lowering.
The Sportsuspension is 20mm.
E

ther isn't such a think the sport suspension is the same wherever it's used it doesn't have to do with the car if its s-line or no

[audimeister]

Hmmmm...I think you can get different S-line suspensions. 20mm and 35mm lowering.
The Sportsuspension is 20mm.
E

That may be europe-only. In the US we get one sport suspension, S Line or not. Sways are bigger with sport suspension.

B6's used to get a strut brace up in the battery box too with factory sport suspension. Not sure about B7's. Mounts were welded to the strut towers, so retrofit to non-sport was not easy. Anyone have sport suspension car they could check?

[Glassnpowder98]

S-Line package contains the sport suspension and is a $2000 option so yes its the same thing. I dont think its lowered by much.


* Sport suspension
* Brushed aluminum decorative inlays
* Leather-wrapped three-spoke perforated steering wheel and shift knob
* Shift paddles on steering wheel in Tiptronic models
* S line door sill trim
* Aluminum optic pedals in manual models
* 18" Five-spoke cast alloy wheels with all-season tires (2.0TFSI)

Hey all! I'm new to the forums and just started modding my car although I have had it for almost a year now. I was just wondering if the s-line package was offered for the 2005.5 models because I have all of the options listed above except for the last three. I'm confused because all that was mentioned when I purchased the car was the sport suspension. Thanks for the responses.

[4-tified]

Hey all! I'm new to the forums and just started modding my car although I have had it for almost a year now. I was just wondering if the s-line package was offered for the 2005.5 models because I have all of the options listed above except for the last three. I'm confused because all that was mentioned when I purchased the car was the sport suspension. Thanks for the responses.

The suspension was offered in the 5.5 model. The pedals were added after the 2006 model year. My S-line is 2006 and didn't come with them.
The dash/door trim is very nice brushed aluminum, not the dimpled metal that's the standard metal trim. The bottom of the door sills also get the nice metal trim. The rear lip on the trunk is slightly raised compared to non S-lines prior to 2007, and there are the door "wings" similar to the S4.. The stitching on the S-line steering wheel is different too I believe.
The perforated steering wheel cover and the shifter cover are an interior upgrade with S-line.
The S-line also gets the 18" wheel/tire package. When I bought my S-line the tires were ONLY summer performance tires, no all season option. That option came in 2007 I believe. If you live in snowy areas the S-line pretty much cost you another
$700 and up to be able to drive in the winter months, cause you have to buy at least a different set of tires, more if you wanted winter wheels as well.

[Noffy]

I have the sport suspension that came with the 2005.5 sport suspension option for non sline. It is .75" lower than non sport suspension, and it rides and handles very nicely. I really enjoy it. I live on a very bumpy pot hole road so i really can't go much lower, but it is much nicer than my buddies 06 non sline non sport suspension B7

[dave405nyc]

is it possible to tell if you have sport suspension somehow? i measured the distance from the ground to the fender and my front was at 26.75" and the rear's at 26.5". Is that sport suspension teritory?

[INTEGRATION]

is it possible to tell if you have sport suspension somehow? i measured the distance from the ground to the fender and my front was at 26.75" and the rear's at 26.5". Is that sport suspension teritory?

Try to look inside. Sport suspension = red colored shocks.

[quattro.it]

The suspension was offered in the 5.5 model. The pedals were added after the 2006 model year. My S-line is 2006 and didn't come with them.
The dash/door trim is very nice brushed aluminum, not the dimpled metal that's the standard metal trim. The bottom of the door sills also get the nice metal trim. The rear lip on the trunk is slightly raised compared to non S-lines prior to 2007, and there are the door "wings" similar to the S4.. The stitching on the S-line steering wheel is different too I believe.
The perforated steering wheel cover and the shifter cover are an interior upgrade with S-line.
The S-line also gets the 18" wheel/tire package. When I bought my S-line the tires were ONLY summer performance tires, no all season option. That option came in 2007 I believe. If you live in snowy areas the S-line pretty much cost you another
$700 and up to be able to drive in the winter months, cause you have to buy at least a different set of tires, more if you wanted winter wheels as well.

Yes, '07's come with M&S rated tires. Mine has Pirelli P6 and they are not the greatest M&S tire by any means but they work well enough. I regularly go skiing and we had a number of days last winter with snow on the roads in the city and I didn't have any problem. We have lots of hills around here too.

[KokujinTensai]

I don't know how to describe the feeling, and i'm comparing the sport suspension with the koni coils i have on my b5

Oh I see, well thats definitely a world of difference. "sport" stiff but comfortable. it'll serve most peoples purposes. but koni coilovers are teh sex

[scottns]

Sport Suspension = 1BE on the tag in the trunk.

[redlabel81]

ther isn't such a think the sport suspension is the same wherever it's used it doesn't have to do with the car if its s-line or no

That is not correct. The S-line suspension is not the same as the Sport suspension. S-line is stiffer.

[mksap11]

That is not correct. The S-line suspension is not the same as the Sport suspension. S-line is stiffer.

Maybe where you are, but in the US, S-Line suspension = Stand alone Sport suspension.

[Noffy]

is it possible to tell if you have sport suspension somehow? i measured the distance from the ground to the fender and my front was at 26.75" and the rear's at 26.5". Is that sport suspension teritory?

My sport suspension is 26" all the way around.

[4-tified]

That is not correct. The S-line suspension is not the same as the Sport suspension. S-line is stiffer.

NA spec, North America, or US

This site is mainly US owners, thus why we tend to speak of the cars we actually get. If relevant Euro or elsewhere will be specified, as it has been in posts preceding yours.

In the US/NA spec A4's the "sport suspension" is the "S-line" suspension.

I know for me in the US I would LOVE IT if Audi were to bring a stiffer, lower, and better suspension to the S-line pkg. considering how much we pay for it.

It would be interesting to compare the Euro OEM, sport, and S-line suspension parts to the US/NA parts.

The new B8 A4 is supposed to have 3 suspension options; OEM, sport, and
S-line. The US B8 is said to have only 2 options; OEM, and sport/S-line.

In the Euro market, you S-line buyers also get very nice "sport seats".
In the US/NA market we get the same seats that all A4's get, and it SUCKS! I really hope Audi fixes this problem in the B8 for the US/NA market. When I spec "sport" or "S-line", and I pay that much more, I expect something more for my money besides just mostly cosmetics.
BMW's "sport package" is a more comprehensive package that actually enhances performance more so than simply cosmetics,
AND it costs LESS than the S-line package in my A4.

[nuctech]

x2

[intonation]

05.5 sport suspension > S-Line

[4-tified]

05.5 sport suspension > S-Line

Really?

The sport suspension on your 5.5 is better/greater than the S-line suspension? What makes you think that?

[mksap11]

Really?

The sport suspension on your 5.5 is better/greater than the S-line suspension? What makes you think that?

05.5s are lower than subsequent MYs. Audi raised it ~10mm to reduce pedestrian injuries (or something to that effect).

[4-tified]

05.5s are lower than subsequent MYs. Audi raised it ~10mm to reduce pedestrian injuries (or something to that effect).

I remember reading that.
However, my question was what makes the 05.5 "better".
The guy gave a > great than symbol rather than writing "lower than".
Simply being lower only means it's a bit lower. That doesn't necessarily translate to better. Granted, a lower center of gravity brings mass lower and aids in handling. But, what other components actually make the car "better". Lowering mass is one thing, but that also means you have less suspension travel, which limits ride quality, and for handling, less suspension travel can translate to worse control overall.

Are the spring rates different? Are the sway bars different?
Are the dampers valved different or better?

Also, raising height for pedestrian issue was a Euro regulation not a US one.
So, I wonder what that means for the Euro suspensions given that Audi offers 3 variants in the Euro market. If the US sport suspension was raised to accommodate the Euro market, does that mean the US S-line suspension is the lowest spring available for a Euro sport A4?
There is no reason to raise a US spec car unless the lowest Euro spec suspension also had to go up the same 10mm. Thus, it implies that the US gets the lowest stock springs Audi offers.

[mksap11]

Simply being lower only means it's a bit lower. That doesn't necessarily translate to better.

very true. forgot to point that out!

[intonation]

Just drive an 05.5 and a new S-Line back to back and you will quickly feel that it is significantly better, greater, >, or however you choose to describe it. Each time time I get a new S-Line loaner car, when I get back to my 05.5, I am relieved to actually feel the road again. Much less body roll, and I can feel the tracking of the tires much more through the steering wheel as well. I would still like to upgrade to adjustable coilovers, but this is a really well balanced stock setup and they should have kept it this way for the US cars. It is sad to see how Audi of America decontented the B7 over the years. For example, my car also came with color DIS w/out nav, a triangle, etc...

[4-tified]

Just drive an 05.5 and a new S-Line back to back and you will quickly feel that it is significantly better, greater, >, or however you choose to describe it. Each time time I get a new S-Line loaner car, when I get back to my 05.5, I am relieved to actually feel the road again. Much less body roll, and I can feel the tracking of the tires much more through the steering wheel as well. I would still like to upgrade to adjustable coilovers, but this is a really well balanced stock setup and they should have kept it this way for the US cars. It is sad to see how Audi of America decontented the B7 over the years. For example, my car also came with color DIS w/out nav, a triangle, etc...

My A4 has the color DIS too.

However, I think your statements indicate a vastly different suspension in the 05.5 vs A4's after that.
You make it sound as if the 05.5 sport suspension is quite different, and you describe it as nearly a totally different car.
I can feel the road in my S-line A4 as well, at least as much as can be felt in an A4, which isn't as good as a 3 series in that regard.
You also imply that the post 05.5 sport suspension is not as good, but why?
Other than being a bit lower, meaning shorter springs, what else is different?
Lowering the springs 10mm from the current sport suspension isn't going to improve handling and especially feel to the level that you describe, unless there are other differences such as; different sway bars, bushings, and dampers, etc...

I went from Dunlop Sportmaxx performance summer tires on my S-line to highest performance all season tires and still the difference in overall "feel" is minor, not even close to what you describe.

[intonation]

As I understand it, it is just the springs and maybe shocks that are different, but I am not expert nor am I an Audi tech. I'm just sharing my perception of the driving experience. I too switched from the Dunlops to a Z-rated all-season (Potenza RE096 I think), and there was little difference in the steering feel and grip. Very minor. The new S-Lines feel much softer than my car, but maybe it is just me being very used to my own car. We're only talking about a a few hundred bucks worth of parts here at most, nothing to worry about. I forgot to mention, I love the Symphony II+ on the newer cars, so not everything is lost if you are getting a new S-Line ;-)

[Unleaded20T]

I read in many places that if you replace the stock suspension for the s-line suspension you get an inch drop (correct me if im wrong.), but is it true that you need to align the car just for an inch?

My question is because I want to get an S-line suspension, because there are no aftermarket springs that I have seen that can give me the inch drop that i want.

Thanks.

[4-tified]

As I understand it, it is just the springs and maybe shocks that are different, but I am not expert nor am I an Audi tech. I'm just sharing my perception of the driving experience. I too switched from the Dunlops to a Z-rated all-season (Potenza RE096 I think), and there was little difference in the steering feel and grip. Very minor. The new S-Lines feel much softer than my car, but maybe it is just me being very used to my own car. We're only talking about a a few hundred bucks worth of parts here at most, nothing to worry about. I forgot to mention, I love the Symphony II+ on the newer cars, so not everything is lost if you are getting a new S-Line ;-)

My point about tires, is that moving from summer tires to all seasons can create a noticeable difference, but even that change doesn't offer much differnce in how the cars drives or feels. In my case, the difference was very minor. I could feel a slight difference when pushing hard, but you have to go to a high limit to feel it.

If the dampers and springs are different, then there may be something to it. However, simply a lower spring isn't going to create the difference you say you feel, at least not from my experience. I've gone to quite different rate springs in other cars and still the feeling isn't as dramatic as you say, unless there is much more done to the overall suspension.

But, there it is. You say you "feel" a difference. I can accept that.
Still, nothing demonstrates the 05.5 to be "better" or greater, in any verifiable sense.
I really would like to know if there are more changes in the 05.5 to newer A4 sport suspensions, more than just a spring change. Also, what is the new spring difference? Is it just lower, or it the rate different or both?
Anyone?

[virgsa4]

S-Line package contains the sport suspension and is a $2000 option so yes its the same thing. I dont think its lowered by much.


* Sport suspension
* Brushed aluminum decorative inlays
* Leather-wrapped three-spoke perforated steering wheel and shift knob
* Shift paddles on steering wheel in Tiptronic models
* S line door sill trim
* Aluminum optic pedals in manual models
* 18" Five-spoke cast alloy wheels with all-season tires (2.0TFSI)

Aren't the front and rear bumper cover a little different also on the S-Line. (Sorry just started my a4 search and have never seen an s-line in person)

[4RingRook]

Aren't the front and rear bumper cover a little different also on the S-Line. (Sorry just started my a4 search and have never seen an s-line in person)

Yes, the bumpers are different. One difference is the opening in the grill. The S4/RS4 grills will ONLY fit the S-Lines. If you're lookin at A4's, do yourself a favor and get an S-Line.

[Snipps]

Grr why didn't I get sport suspension on my 05.5! W/e, Coilovers will come at some point.