Need Help With Suspension ?

[PolishPete]

Just leased an 08' SE...more on that in a different post. I wanted to know if I have the sport suspension. I don't think so because it doesn't say sport suspension anywhere...but to be sure I'd figured I'd ask.

I have the:

Dynamic Four Link Front Suspension
Dynamic Trapezoidal Link, Fully Independent, Rear Suspension



On a side-note, I'm looking at doing suspension and rims (if needed on the suspension). Definitely going to do the RS4 reps. I've read a ton about the suspensions on here, whos got what and so on, but since I don't really understand anything, it doesn't really register. What's the best/most cost effective for a quick and easy drop. Not really needing too much performance as I drive rather conservatively, but don't want to make the handling any worse. Probably gonna drop conservatively too (not a slam or anything). Any input is greatly appreciated.

[PolishPete]

Little help guys?

I see some are costling like $400, but others cost around $1,500. Why such a huge margin?

[3.2some]

Little help guys?

I see some are costling like $400, but others cost around $1,500. Why such a huge margin?

If you want the easy drop just get springs but know that eventually you're gonna have to replace your shocks no matter how conservative you drive(you can't account for potholes and crapy roads in general). Be smart and get coilovers, it will save you time and money in the long run. Look in the classifieds for used ones if you're hurting in the wallet area.

[AudiWxGuy]

You can get just springs for the car, which do nothing performance wise--they just lower the car an inch and a half or so. Just springs will also blow your stock shocks well before they would normally go. You can then do the thing that would make the most sense. You can replace all springs and shocks to a more aggressive shock that is made to act with a shorter and stiffer spring. AWE sells a package of sport shocks and sport springs for about $700. This will stiffen up the ride on the car, give you less body roll and a nice drop.

You can then go the coil over route. There are tons of company's that make coil overs for our cars. Coil Overs are an adjustable suspension with which you can adjust the stiffness of the ride (damping) or the height of the ride. They range from the high $700's (Tein Basic) to well over $3k (STaSIS Motorsports)

I just bought a pair of STaSIS Street Sport Coil Overs ($1000) and I can't wait to put them on. These are supposedly for people who want a nice suspension upgrade, but still have a ride that is nice enough that passengers will not complain.

I'll have a review on this next week when it goes on to my car.

[PolishPete]

Great guys. Thanks for the info. Very helpful. Exactly what I was looking for. Now, decisions decisions. Rims before suspension. Suspension before rims. Leave it stock until winter (I live in Chicago) and pick up the pieces then for a nice spring modfest. Mmmm....

[AudiWxGuy]

I would go with suspension first. Rims on a non-dropped A4 do not look very good. But to each his own. I think the stock 17's with rear spacers actually look half decent on a drop.

[Zebman]

I would go with suspension first. Rims on a non-dropped A4 do not look very good. But to each his own. I think the stock 17's with rear spacers actually look half decent on a drop.

Fuzzy pic. Just finished putting them on Wednesday afternoon.



And if you're on stock Baja suspension like I was, there is no reason to be modest about slamming it! I can still go 90% of the places I could before. And I live in WV, mountain state. Come on.

[3.2some]

X2 on suspension first

[sxw2jdxc]

Fuzzy pic. Just finished putting them on Wednesday afternoon.



And if you're on stock Baja suspension like I was, there is no reason to be modest about slamming it! I can still go 90% of the places I could before. And I live in WV, mountain state. Come on.

Wow! nice!! I hab exact same A4 but everthing stock xD
i was thinking about going rims first but this changed my mind xDD

[PolishPete]

Thanks for the reply/pics. Looks good. I've got the SE so it came with pretty decent wheels...so I think suspension will be first. Probably get the rims over the winter. Really excited to drop the car. This thing's gonna cost me $ in mods.

[PolishPete]

One more ? for you guys. Since I'd like to go with the 19" RS4 Reps, should the fitment be ok if I go with the AWE sport shock/spring setup? If they only lower slightly, I don't think there is anything to worry about, but I'd like to confirm before purchasing anything.

Like I said, I'll probably go with the AWE now and keep my SE rims for this summer since I just bought the car, and pickup the RS4's over the winter/spring (then just keep my SE's for winter use).

[AudiWxGuy]

One more ? for you guys. Since I'd like to go with the 19" RS4 Reps, should the fitment be ok if I go with the AWE sport shock/spring setup? If they only lower slightly, I don't think there is anything to worry about, but I'd like to confirm before purchasing anything.

Like I said, I'll probably go with the AWE now and keep my SE rims for this summer since I just bought the car, and pickup the RS4's over the winter/spring (then just keep my SE's for winter use).

I spoke with AWE and they said you should be fine with anything up to a 18" rim. I think 18's can looks just as good if you get a lower profile tire.

[PolishPete]

I spoke with AWE and they said you should be fine with anything up to a 18" rim. I think 18's can looks just as good if you get a lower profile tire.

Thanks. Just to clarify a bit, you guys recommend stock setup for 19's so there's no clearance issues? Or C/O because you can adjust manually? Though if you can't really drop too much because of the size of the rim is it worth it?

Looks like AWE and 18's are a good fit then. Guess I'll need to do some more research on the available clearance with the 19's.

[Zebman]

COILOVERS. I just lifted mine up today after not being able to get onto the alignment rack. What if I had gotten shocks and springs?

[ibiski]

Not to offend anyone and/or get flamed, but here's my perspective: if you're not planning on tracking the car, get the springs. Sure, coils are much better, handle better, but will you be experiencing excessive g-forces during your daily commute? (especially since you've mentioned you don't drive aggressively). On top the price difference is huge, not to mention cost of installation, corner balancing, etc. Everyone talks about wearing out the shocks, but so what? How long will you be keeping the car? 2, 3 years tops. Even if you have to replace your shocks, it'll still be cheaper than coils. A lot of people might disagree with this, but I'm just talking from my experience. I did have PSS9's on my M3 which made the car handle like it was on rails (although uncomfortable and impractical for everyday driving in Chicago), but I also had a second car for utility/winter.

[Zebman]

Wearing out the shocks is not a matter of cost, but ride quality. When they do wear out pre-maturely, your ride is going to become bouncy and unsettling in faster maneuvers. It's quite uncomfortable.

Coilovers do not have to be corner balanced.

Cost of installation will be the same with springs as coilovers. If there's a difference, raise the issue. If they try to make an excuse, leave.

What it comes down to (in my opinion) is the price you would like to pay for adjustability. The extra money was worth it for me.

[AudiWxGuy]

700 for a good shock/spring combo, 1000 for a coil over setup that will ride like the OEM Sport Supsenion but handle infinietly better. For an extra $300 you have the best of both worlds. Go with the Coil Overs. I"ll let you know how mine are when they get installed this week.

[PolishPete]

Thanks for the input guys. Much appreciated. I'm kind of torn between the AWE and the Tein Basic. Does anyone know where to get the Tein Basic cheap? Post up top said they were about $700, but I'm finding $800 + everywhere.

I do drive conservitavely, rarely pushing the car. I also live in Chicago, so winter time is harsh. I do kind of like the adjustability of the C/O however, if the AWE will be more than I need, then maybe that's the route to go? Anyone have pics of the AWE (going to search now too, just adding to this thread for future reference for anyone asking the same questions).

Can both the spring/shock and C/O setups be installed by someone whos slight mechanically inclined? Or is it necessary to take to a shop/

Thanks again.