Startup Racing GT coilover ongoing review ...

[Stevelev]

Its been 4 months since installing the Startup Racing GT’s and I’m still loving every minute !!

Many suggest that we have 2 seasons up here (“winter” and “construction”) and I absolutely agree so it’s been a chore avoiding road “war zones” while travelling around both in the city and on the highway.

Since my last review (here), I installed RS4 H-sports and can honestly say that there’s been absolutely no degradation of ride and an improvement in handling. Interesting point to make here: when I added A4 H-sports to my B6 A4 with Stasis SS coils, there was a far more noticeable change (read: improvement) in handling compared to adding the RS4 h-sports to my B7 S4 with Startup GT coils.

My first visit to the stealership for service recently occurred and since I did not purchase the car from them I was a little concerned about the reception I would get … All was good and upon leaving I had an interesting discussion with the service manager. He asked how I liked the car to which I responded, “Lovin’ in it but wish the gas tank was larger”. He suggested that most love the S4 but many complain about the harsh ride. I told him “I'm certain nobody could make negative comments about the ride of my S4 and he should take it for a test drive next time I’m in because my aftermarket coils have improved both the ride as well as the handling".

I am very fortunate to have a cottage approx. 60k away (40 miles or approx 50 minute drive) and get up there on weekends as well as twice a week to go waterskiing. The drive consists of a 4 lane highway for the first 15 minutes then a 2 lane for the balance. My favorite part of the drive is the last few minutes of newly paved country road with lots of twisties. No question, my suspension has allowed for higher speeds through this section !

Recently, a major dip in the 4 lane portion has caused an occasional rub on the rear passenger corner if loaded down (passengers/ stuff) and I just determined that that corner settled so its sitting approx. a quarter inch lower than the others. Fortunately, adjustment on the rears of these puppies is a cinch so as soon as I have time, a quick ½ to ¾ turn of an allen key will sort this out.

A few days ago, a bud got in touch asking if he could go for a ride as he wanted to upgrade his A4 suspension and is considering the Startup Racing GT’s. I rarely need an excuse to go for a drive so I gladly agreed … After all was said and done he raved about how much smoother the ride was compared to his A4, not to mention the seats, the power and exhaust note

A few pics below for those who care ...

Cheers !

Steve

[Ill 3.0]

Interesting point to make here: when I added A4 H-sports to my B6 A4 with Stasis SS coils, there was a far more noticeable change (read: improvement) in handling compared to adding the RS4 h-sports to my B7 S4 with Startup GT coils.

Thanks for the writeup, your B6 A4 was sedan right? So you're saying your S4 now handles better than your A4 did, but the A4 had a larger improvement over stock?

[Stevelev]

Thanks for the writeup, your B6 A4 was sedan right? So you're saying your S4 now handles better than your A4 did, but the A4 had a larger improvement over stock?

My B6 A4 was an Avant as well (see my initial review). I was saying that adding the A4 H-sport bars on the A4 (with Stasis coilover setup) had a more noticeable impact to the handling of that car compared to adding the h-sports on the S4. Perhaps this was due to the VERY soft characteristics of the Stasis setup compared to the firmer GT's. As far as comparing handling between the two cars, here's my take:

S4 with GT's > A4 with GT's > S4 stock > A4 stock

[Quattro]

never heard of this company..any info?

[Stevelev]

never heard of this company..any info?

Here ya go ...Startup Racing

[SoCalS4Avant]

Great looking ride - and sounds like you're a fan of Startup's stuff. They're using Vogt springs, why not just go for the Vogt C/O's?

[Stevelev]

Great looking ride - and sounds like you're a fan of Startup's stuff. They're using Vogt springs, why not just go for the Vogt C/O's?

Thanks. They are Vogtland coilovers but Startup uses slightly stiffer springs compared to the regular version. Pretty sure the spring rates are:

Startup
F 575 (Progressive 550 to 625)
R 700

Regular Vogts
F 550
R 525

[yakendo]

Another great post, Steve!
After your track day post I realized, for my needs, it wasn't necessary to spend Ohlins money. So I have been talking to Mike, nice intelligent guy, at Start up Racing. However, with the SUR spring rates I'm curious why you added H-sports?
Blane

[ginkof]

I have the same swaybars on my S4 and i really want those coils from startup... ive only heard good things about them. On the sways do you have your rear sway set to the stiffer or lighter setting? Have you tried the other setting to see how the set up handles?

[Stevelev]

Another great post, Steve!
After your track day post I realized, for my needs, it wasn't necessary to spend Ohlins money. So I have been talking to Mike, nice intelligent guy, at Start up Racing. However, with the SUR spring rates I'm curious why you added H-sports?
Blane

Thanks. Frankly, I went with the sways mostly because I figured they'd probably add that little extra performance (based on past experience) and it was a relatively cheap mod that I can unload when I'm ready to demod. The car feels even more planted especially at higher speeds and there is a slight further reduction in understeer.

I have the same swaybars on my S4 and i really want those coils from startup... ive only heard good things about them. On the sways do you have your rear sway set to the stiffer or lighter setting? Have you tried the other setting to see how the set up handles?

You know what they say ... "Go big or go home!". I went with the stiffer setting to ensure there was a more noticeable reduction in understeer. I wanted to ensure I got crisper turn-in and flatter cornering that the set provides and I didn't feel that the alternative of going with just a rear bar would have provided all the benefits I was looking for.

[norsecarnut]

So, where do you get the best deal on these H sport springs and appropriate dampers? Is there a good source for those + stiffer sway bars than the rs4 rear you said I have on the 08?

I like the idea of this S4 turning more like the bmw 328 sportwagon on sport suspension. The bmw just lays in so tight even though it's the factory sport kit.

[Stevelev]

So, where do you get the best deal on these H sport springs and appropriate dampers? Is there a good source for those + stiffer sway bars than the rs4 rear you said I have on the 08?

I like the idea of this S4 turning more like the bmw 328 sportwagon on sport suspension. The bmw just lays in so tight even though it's the factory sport kit.

Firstly, H-sports are the sway bars (manufactured by Hotchkis). Get a set of the RS4 H-sports and you'll be happy. Check out either Pure Motorsport or Tire Rack for them. The coilovers can be purchased from Startup Racing

Cheers !

[norsecarnut]

thanks. I had already found the SR spring/damper kits - nice and not too pricey. we'll travel a lot with lots of crap in the back so the stiffer bars will be nice to have under load.

I found the H-sport rs4 bars on KMD tuning as well. about the same price as puremotorsports.

Stassis seems to have a very nice overall car set-up kit "challenge" if a person just wants to do it all at once. I'm not so sure their ecu is the best out there though.

[panzrwagn]

I don't usually visit the S4 forum being an A3 owner, but I am a very satisfied Startup Racing customer. Somebody asked why not just go with the stock Vogtlands and the answer was SR uses stiffer rates. Correct. But there's more. I have bought more than a few sets of springs from H&R, Eibach, and shocks from Bilstein, Koni, etc, and Vogtlands really are better, IMHO.

SR uses Vogtland progressive springs for more compliance at low speed and a better street ride. Usually the rap against progressives is that they don't transition as quickly as a linear rate spring. Maybe so, but that can be mostly offset by the shock tuning without losing the ride compliance.

Then there's the simple fact that winding progressive springs is far more difficult than winding linears, and much more of an art than science is involved getting them to feel right. Vogtland has suceeded in spades here.

For a dual-purpose car the Vogtland progressives at the rates SR has chosen give the best combination I've ever had. My GPs have had their shock compression tweaked up, to about where I'd set and forget if I dropped another grand on double adjustables. They will even work with you (they did with me) to accomodate other changes - like upgrading the RSB meaning I needed a litlle less rear static spring rate.

There are lot's of quality suspension packages out there, but the bigger players have to configure them for their larger market. That means they will typically be far differentt most dual purpose car owners need. Not so for SR - they are very focused.

[Stevelev]

^ Excellent info ! Thanks for the post.

[Captain Insano]

This thread is very helpful... Thanks for the great review. I'm looking for sways and will eventually buy coilovers. I think I might follow your mod path here with my B6 S4 Avant.

[wva s4]

Great thread thanks for the info guys. I will add that I have the RS4 h sports set on the stiffer setting and love them.. I believe you would see more of a difference between the stock a4 because of the huge difference in size as apposed to the s4 which are only slightly smaller than the Hotchkis rs4 setup..