S4 Rear Sway Bar

[wayneB7]

Well I have decided that for my lifestyle I would rather install the 20 mm rear sway bar on my car.

I know most people on AZ like to upgrade with the sway bar off the RS4, but in reading the various posts I see that the RS4 bar could be too stiff, especially if stock end links are used. Besides, I don't intend to change the front sway bar. I just want to cut down on some roll, and reduce the understeer a bit. I do not autocross.

What I need is --

1. Performance feedback from those who have an S4 rear sway bar
2. Part numbers for the 2006 model 20 mm S4 bar, bushings, and brackets that will fit my car.

I did do a search of the forum but not too many results regarding the S4 bar, only the RS4 bar. My dealership has an online parts ordering website with 2 sets of listings for the 2006 S4. The listings for the 2006 S4 Sedan are 16 mm and 18 mm bars. The listings for the S4 (does not specify sedan or otherwise) are 16 mm, 18 mm and 20 mm bars. That year the S4 was offerred as a Sedan, Avant, or Cabriolet according to Edmunds. Will the 20 mm bar fit my car?

This is a birthday present from my wife and i am anxious to order it especially since my birthday is now passed.

Thanks in advance.

[juggernaut201]

i have one is your intrested pm me....

[wayneB7]

i have one is your intrested pm me....

I just did. I am still interested in feedback etc as requested in my original post.

[bengtc]

Has anyone else installed the s4 sway bar and how is it compared to the s-line sway bar.

[SEXICÄN]

HAHA too stiff! are you tracking your car?

[bengtc]

Nope just looking for a little less roll on my spirited drives!

[Kolyan2k]

I haven't read that RS4 sway will break end links.........well unless you track your car. Posts I read only said how good RS4 bar is, even on stock suspension.

[TheHeggi]

I didn't notice a drastic change with the RS4 bar over the base bar. Its seems to hold the rear a bit more but it's by no means too stiff. I just think you're going to buy the S4 bar and not notice a difference...I say get the RS4, you will not regret it and maybe even want a stiffer/larger one.

[rpmfoundation]

the only super stiff ones are the ones you're able to adjust yourself..(hotchkis etc) RS4 OEM bars are not going to break anything. another reason why the hotchkis and other Mfr's bars are stronger is because they are not hollow, RS4 is, so its able to give a bit.

[wayneB7]

Nope just looking for a little less roll on my spirited drives!

On my stock non-sport suspension, the 20 mm S4 bar noticeably reduces roll but the car does not corner flat and will never corner flat with just a bar. It needs to be dropped and get stiffer springs / shocks as well.

I don't want it too stiff because I don't care to feel every expansion joint and other imperfection that the wonderful Houston roads have to offer.

[bengtc]

How much does the rs4 or s4 sway bar reduce ride quality? The roads aren't the greatest where I live.

[9Hooker]

none.

[elwigglero]

the only super stiff ones are the ones you're able to adjust yourself..(hotchkis etc) RS4 OEM bars are not going to break anything. another reason why the hotchkis and other Mfr's bars are stronger is because they are not hollow, RS4 is, so its able to give a bit.

yep

It's a stock sway bar that the dealer sells. There has not been one problem regarding this stock part, as it comes on rs4's from factory. You're confusing the rs4 bar with the hotchkis version that people set to the stiffest setting. Get the best/correct part. It won't reduce ride quality or cause any damage whatsoever.

[artinmoTTion]

Installed the S4 20mm bar on our Avant, very pleased. No, doesn't affect ride, and it's a decent handling upgrade. Ordered from ECS tuning. Sorry, don't have the part number, but you don't need it if you order from them. Or check purems.com . Do the suspension at the same time if you haven't already, and plan for an alignment. I thought it was a good compromise, and after a year and a half, I think it was a good decision. Not many reports of any snap oversteer on RS4 bars here, but the wife drives the car a lot, and we live near twisty, icy mountain roads, so I was specifically trying to avoid a tail happy car.

[EuroA4]

haha...I have the RS4 (oem) bar and think even that is too soft now...planning to upgrade to H-sport soon!

[kooltechie]

How much does the rs4 or s4 sway bar reduce ride quality? The roads aren't the greatest where I live.

depends on what you consider as "quality ride".
in my experience with the RS4 RSB, the comfort level is down and the performance level is up.

my gf has the same car as mine (same year and options), but 100% stock.
I get to drive her car quite often (she doesn't like to drive much) and the ride is significantly more comfortable compared to mine.
but my car corners a lot more flat and responds better to my commands.

fyi, the sidewall stiffness of the tires also contributes to the ride quality.
softer sidewall tires for comfort, stiffer sidewall tires for performance.
when I put the stock tires on my car, the ride feels a bit softer compared to Azenis.

but all in all, I'm happy with the RS4 RSB upgrade cuz I lean toward better performance than comfort.