Talk to me about suspension

[GQ//S4]

Alright guys, every car I have ever owned I have lowered, but this is my first awd car, and so far I've been scared of camber wear, ect, from lowering this heavy beast, now I think I've finally lost it and concluded its time for a drop for summer, and I need some help.

I'm traditionally a shock/spring combo guy, and I figure I will probably do the same on this car, but not sure which is the best setup for handling, pricing, and looks all at once. I do NOT want a bouncy ride, and I don't want to be shattered over every bump, but I do want increased cornering performance, so please, bring on the recommendations, pro's/con's, and pricing if youve got them, along with best sources.

thanks!

[SourDieselS4]

I have H&R springs and bilstein shocks from the previous owner. I dont find it harsh or bouncy but it is still firm.

If i had spent the money i would have gotten a coilover kit just because theyre height adjustable and id like some more ground clearance in the winter especially with frost heaves.

Id reccomend Vogtland GT's, they arent terribly expensive, are height adjustable, and iv heard nothing but positive feedback. Maybe someone who has them can comment on the ride quality/characteristics

[SLC_S4]

If you're worried about uneven tire wear, get the stern adjustable control arms.

[DanS4]

I am wondering the same thing.

Is there a good damping adjustable shock absorber in the market to be used with stock springs?

[MacDaddy]

lowering your car is more trouble than its worth and everyone has their own idea of what is "good" I've taken other people advice on suspension stuff in the past, only after several people say it was good and found they were all ignorant fools exhibiting typical post buyer behavior of "it has to be good because i just bought it"

if it was my car, i would throw on a set of performance OEM replacement struts, get a 4 wheel alignment and call it a day, IMO lowered B5 S4's seem to look like a squished slug.

[mholme]

IMO lowered B5 S4's seem to look like a squished slug.

From a purely cosmetic response...You're telling me this


Looks better than this


I agree with some of the other stuff you said, for as many people as you ask about the best suspension combos, you'll get just as many "answers", but lowering just about any car looks better in my opinion.

[spinny]

If you can see the tread without turning the front wheels - it ain't low enough!

I'm running stasis tracksports - I like em.

[Kruat]

slammed...
stock height....
no wheel gap....

[DanS4]

[QUOTE]
if it was my car, i would throw on a set of performance OEM replacement struts, get a 4 wheel alignment and call it a day/QUOTE]

exactly. it is a 4 door sedan.

[AudiHolicS4]

[QUOTE=DanS4;3290322]

if it was my car, i would throw on a set of performance OEM replacement struts, get a 4 wheel alignment and call it a day/QUOTE]

exactly. it is a 4 door sedan.

yea but it looks damn good dropped i have vogtlands and i love them there stiff and dont give me much trouble accept that i am having to replace my control arms now but that could be because the car has a 100000 miles on it now but i suggest getting the coilovers at least u can adjust the height to your preference

[MacDaddy]

I agree with some of the other stuff you said, for as many people as you ask about the best suspension combos, you'll get just as many "answers", but lowering just about any car looks better in my opinion.

that first picture looked like a A4 on S4 wheels, but yeah, i do think it looks better at stock height than lowered, especially if compared to slammed like someone gave a thumbs down to.

I know I'm a total maverick on that one, but most of the time i see a lowered S4 it just looks strange when i look at the wheels in relation to the arches, and the shape of the car low to the ground doesn't appeal to me either. and i cringe at the thought of driving over just about anything, stock my S4 likes to bottom out (if i'm not careful) on as much as it can it seems.
I know i'm on my own with this one, but I decided to voice my opinion anyway.

[mholme]

that first picture looked like a A4 on S4 wheels

Nope, it's my S4 the night I got back from picking it up. Sitting on Bilsteins and stock springs..

but yeah, i do think it looks better at stock height than lowered, especially if compared to slammed like someone gave a thumbs down to.

I know I'm a total maverick on that one, but most of the time i see a lowered S4 it just looks strange when i look at the wheels in relation to the arches, and the shape of the car low to the ground doesn't appeal to me either. and i cringe at the thought of driving over just about anything, stock my S4 likes to bottom out (if i'm not careful) on as much as it can it seems.
I know i'm on my own with this one, but I decided to voice my opinion anyway.

I wouldn't say you are alone..but you're definitely in the minority

[fixn2xlr8]

I have H&R springs and bilstein shocks from the previous owner. I dont find it harsh or bouncy but it is still firm.

If i had spent the money i would have gotten a coilover kit just because theyre height adjustable and id like some more ground clearance in the winter especially with frost heaves.

Id reccomend Vogtland GT's, they arent terribly expensive, are height adjustable, and iv heard nothing but positive feedback. Maybe someone who has them can comment on the ride quality/characteristics

What he said.

[Nogaro_PhiDelt]

slammed...
stock height....
no wheel gap....

X2

But to give what I've had on all three of my Audi's.

http://2bennett.com/2Bcoilprogram.html#b5a4

Very versatile, adjustable, and makes it feel like a go-kart =) Not the cheapest, but I always think you get what you pay for.

[nateS4]

I am sitting on H&R + Bilstiens and it feels slammed to me, I like the back height, but the front is too low for daily driving and Baltimore.

[AudiHolicS4]

I am sitting on H&R + Bilstiens and it feels slammed to me, I like the back height, but the front is too low for daily driving and Baltimore.

baltimore is bad for any car... the roads in the city are terrible i wouldnt drive down there unless i was in a monster truck

[gunchs4]

bags... best of both worlds, you can be at stock height or crushed lower than everybody else!

[GQ//S4]

Pics of suspension types? Prefer w/ 18's....