Stock vs Sport Suspension

**masteroc** · 05-02-2008 09:17 AM

Just wondering if there would be a big difference in how each drives. If anyone has experience upgrading from stock to sport and would like to leave some feedback about how the ride feels afterwards and any other reviews or comments that would be great!

**kooltechie** · 05-02-2008 10:02 AM

if you haven't bought the car yet, why don't you go to a dealer for a few test drives?
that's what I did before signing anything.
my sales rep was pretty cool about driving aggressively for comparisons between non-sport vs. sport suspension as well as FWD vs. quattro.
after a few test drives, I was sold on quattro w/ sport suspension.
what I like about the sport suspension is that it's not too stiff but gives a good amount of firmness for "normal" driving.

**Noffy** · 05-02-2008 10:18 AM

I have driven both, I have a 05.5 A4 with sport suspension and my good buddy has a 06 with regular suspension. I would consider the difference to be significant, especially if you are pushing the car through a fun curvy road. Both drove nice, the sport suspension looks nicer but if you are planning to put you own suspension upgrade on later there is no sense in paying for the sport from the factory.

**4RingRook** · 05-02-2008 10:38 AM

cant wait to make the swap non-sport > sport.

**masteroc** · 05-02-2008 01:53 PM

I have already bought the car without sport suspension (w/quattro) and i was just wondering if it would be better to buy the sport or an aftermarket. I like the idea of putting something made by audi on my car more than an aftermarket though.

**Glassnpowder98** · 05-02-2008 01:57 PM

If you are going to spend the money, I would probably go with an aftermarket setup that is adjustable. That way you can fine tune your setup to how you like it and also get it dropped a little so it doesn't look like you're driving a Q7. But you really can't go wrong with the audi sport suspension. I am currently running the sport suspension with the RS4 sway bar. I couldn't be any more happy...

**4RingRook** · 05-02-2008 01:57 PM

Originally Posted by masteroc

I have already bought the car without sport suspension (w/quattro) and i was just wondering if it would be better to buy the sport or an aftermarket. I like the idea of putting something made by audi on my car more than an aftermarket though.

I thought the same thing. Cruise the classifieds for someone selling their sport suspension. It's about ~.75" inch lower all around, and stiffer. You should be able to pick one up for 300-400.

Getting it installed will run you another couple hundred. $350 was the last estimate I got for the labor involved.

**A4addict** · 05-02-2008 02:26 PM

I picked the non-sport because I know I was going to lower. I lowered within a week of buying my car.

**4RingRook** · 05-02-2008 02:43 PM

Does it matter if the sport suspension came from a 6mt and going on an auto?

**autoverruckt** · 05-02-2008 03:22 PM

Originally Posted by 4RingRook.

Does it matter if the sport suspension came from a 6mt and going on an auto?

No...

FWIW if you don't care about the adjustability but want a better handling yet comfortable ride, as I mentioned on another thread you can't go wrong with Koni or Bilstein for shocks, and H&R or Eibach for springs. Both offer lifetime warranties and are designed for our cars. My ride is lower than sport yet as compliant if not better than oem sport. You will be spending the same $ on labor and install so might as well get a good set-up.

**RedS-line** · 05-03-2008 02:11 PM

just buy an a4 with the sport suspension unless youre a soccer mom.

**4-tified** · 05-05-2008 01:27 PM

Originally Posted by Noffy

I have driven both, I have a 05.5 A4 with sport suspension and my good buddy has a 06 with regular suspension. I would consider the difference to be significant, especially if you are pushing the car through a fun curvy road. Both drove nice, the sport suspension looks nicer but if you are planning to put you own suspension upgrade on later there is no sense in paying for the sport from the factory.

At $250 for the sport suspension, I'd still get it from the factory and at least enjoy the better suspension until you get the after market upgrade.
It sounds like you wouldn't do an after market anyway, so pay the $250 and get the better suspension.

Oh. I just read that you already bought the non sport version. Too bad.
It's now going to cost you a LOT more than the $250 from the factory.
If I had to spend over $500 to put on the OEM sport, I may just go for aftermarket.
You don't have to go fully adjustable or go overboard. You can simply get a nice spring set that matches your driving and handling wants, and then just get non adjustable shocks/dampers all around.
Also, the sport suspension also gets thicker sway bars, so that will cost you as well, at least I think the sport setup gets thicker sway bars.

**quattro.it** · 05-05-2008 02:19 PM

Originally Posted by autoverrÃ¼ckt

No...

FWIW if you don't care about the adjustability but want a better handling yet comfortable ride, as I mentioned on another thread you can't go wrong with Koni or Bilstein for shocks, and H&R or Eibach for springs. Both offer lifetime warranties and are designed for our cars. My ride is lower than sport yet as compliant if not better than oem sport. You will be spending the same $ on labor and install so might as well get a good set-up.

+1 to this option or coilovers for a few more $ rather than OEM sport suspension. You'll also find that you'll want bigger sways to control body roll. This would be a nice upgrade to my OEM sport suspension but since I only have 13 months left on my lease I'm not going to bother. Do your research and do it right the first time.

**masteroc** · 05-05-2008 09:06 PM

I think i might go with and s4 or rs4 sway bar and maybe some springs that don't make the ride too aggresive, or lower it too much, but i just want a bit more control and mabye make the ride a bit firmer.