B8.5 S4 Mod Plans - Input Appreciated

[acturater]

After lurking around and reading various posts, I've decided to go with the modifications below on my bone-stock B8.5 S4. I would appreciate any feedback. I did read through quite a few posts in the stickied wheel / suspension threads.

1. Am I missing any necessary parts in the links below?

2. Should I be able to take my car into any decent auto shop for installation?

3. Any feedback on the choice of springs? With the springs, I'm hoping for a relatively inexpensive solution that will lower the ride a bit (1.2" front and back) without compromising the drive quality too much. I plan on keeping the stock 19" wheels and don't have plans to use spacers just yet. It looks like the H&R OE Sports are this sweet spot.

Sway Bars and End Links (ECode)
(Sway Bars) http://www.ecodetuning.com/shop/cart..._detail&p=2050
(Front Links) http://www.ecodetuning.com/shop/cart..._detail&p=2048
(Rear Links) http://www.ecodetuning.com/shop/cart..._detail&p=2049

Alu Kreuz Stabilizer and Hardware
(AK Stabilizer) http://www.ecodetuning.com/shop/cart..._detail&p=2184
(Hardware) http://www.ecodetuning.com/shop/cart..._detail&p=2261

H&R OE Sport Springs over OEM Shocks
http://www.ecodetuning.com/shop/cart..._detail&p=1884

[raudiace4]

You don't have any go fast mods on that list.

[d.p]

You don't have any go fast mods on that list.

No shame in that. Suspension before performance. :p

OP sways and AK are DIY but springs can be a pain in the ass.

[acturater]

You don't have any go fast mods on that list.

I do want the go-fast mods pretty bad, like GIAC stage 2, pulley, and DSG tune. But I'll be honest I'm afraid of losing my warranty. I probably won't touch anything related to the drivetrain for the time-being.

[Skywagon]

Do yourself a favor and go to the official H&R web site, link below. There are numerous web sites selling the springs (H&R OE Sports) and many simply don't give correct numbers in drop. Last week I had the OE SPORT springs put on my car. It dropped it about 3/4 of an inch front and rear. If you want more of a drop than that you want the H&R Sport Springs, no "OE" in the designator. Again see below link. I went with less of a drop because I went with bigger tires on the car. Regardless, the ride is stiffer but well within limits in my opinion. You didn't mention whether or not you have ADS. The good news is the 2014 S4's, so equipped, have totally electrically controlled shock ride adjust. All the tech, or you, has to do is unplug the shock absorber, wrestle with the springs, and plug the shocks back in.

http://www.hrsprings.com/products/springs/

[kooltechie]

OP, what's more important to you, the looks or the drive/ride quality?
I started with springs first - the ride was firmer than stock and I kinda liked it initially.
but soon after, it began to feel busy and unstable over bumps and imperfections on the road, and I wasn't happy with it anymore.
a couple months later, I went with coilovers and the ride was beyond "better" and wished I'd gone with CO from the beginning.
however, coilovers cost much more than springs and the installation also costs more, so it comes down to what's more important, the ride or the looks (and the cost as well) - in my case, the ride quality 80%, the looks 20%.
good luck and happy modding!

[acturater]

OP, what's more important to you, the looks or the drive/ride quality?
I started with springs first - the ride was firmer than stock and I kinda liked it initially.
but soon after, it began to feel busy and unstable over bumps and imperfections on the road, and I wasn't happy with it anymore.
a couple months later, I went with coilovers and the ride was beyond "better" and wished I'd gone with CO from the beginning.
however, coilovers cost much more than springs and the installation also costs more, so it comes down to what's more important, the ride or the looks (and the cost as well) - in my case, the ride quality 80, the looks 20.
good luck and happy modding!

Ride quality is definitely important. Which cool overs did you end up with? I don't think I see it in your sig.

[raudiace4]

I do want the go-fast mods pretty bad, like GIAC stage 2, pulley, and DSG tune. But I'll be honest I'm afraid of losing my warranty. I probably won't touch anything related to the drivetrain for the time-being.

Nothing wrong with that. You have a badass car thats still faster than 90% of the cars on the road. Lets see some pics! AK is next on my list of mods.

[raudiace4]

OP, what's more important to you, the looks or the drive/ride quality?
I started with springs first - the ride was firmer than stock and I kinda liked it initially.
but soon after, it began to feel busy and unstable over bumps and imperfections on the road, and I wasn't happy with it anymore.
a couple months later, I went with coilovers and the ride was beyond "better" and wished I'd gone with CO from the beginning.
however, coilovers cost much more than springs and the installation also costs more, so it comes down to what's more important, the ride or the looks (and the cost as well) - in my case, the ride quality 80%, the looks 20%.
good luck and happy modding!

I agree 100% with this. Coils or nothing.

[drob23]

No shame in that. Suspension before performance. :p

OP sways and AK are DIY but springs can be a pain in the ass.

This is inline with my experience, although I might consider doing an exhaust before the sway bars/links. AK is a very easy DIY and well worth the money. Sways/links slightly harder, but not by much. I wouldn't DIY the springs on this car unless you've done them before. The springs/coils is an old debate, you can find lots of good opinions for/against by searching this forum. If you do not have ADS suspension, then the decision will be easier...

[infinkc]

Your not dropping that much with the OEs but you may want to consider adjustable arms http://www.ecodetuning.com/shop/cart..._detail&p=2065

[AndyLien79]

OP, what's more important to you, the looks or the drive/ride quality?
I started with springs first - the ride was firmer than stock and I kinda liked it initially.
but soon after, it began to feel busy and unstable over bumps and imperfections on the road, and I wasn't happy with it anymore.
a couple months later, I went with coilovers and the ride was beyond "better" and wished I'd gone with CO from the beginning.
however, coilovers cost much more than springs and the installation also costs more, so it comes down to what's more important, the ride or the looks (and the cost as well) - in my case, the ride quality 80%, the looks 20%.
good luck and happy modding!

what are your dampers set at?

[westwest888]

After lurking around and reading various posts, I've decided to go with the modifications below on my bone-stock B8.5 S4. I would appreciate any feedback. I did read through quite a few posts in the stickied wheel / suspension threads.

1. Am I missing any necessary parts in the links below?

2. Should I be able to take my car into any decent auto shop for installation?

3. Any feedback on the choice of springs? With the springs, I'm hoping for a relatively inexpensive solution that will lower the ride a bit (1.2" front and back) without compromising the drive quality too much. I plan on keeping the stock 19" wheels and don't have plans to use spacers just yet. It looks like the H&R OE Sports are this sweet spot.

Sway Bars and End Links (ECode)
(Sway Bars) http://www.ecodetuning.com/shop/cart..._detail&p=2050
(Front Links) http://www.ecodetuning.com/shop/cart..._detail&p=2048
(Rear Links) http://www.ecodetuning.com/shop/cart..._detail&p=2049

Alu Kreuz Stabilizer and Hardware
(AK Stabilizer) http://www.ecodetuning.com/shop/cart..._detail&p=2184
(Hardware) http://www.ecodetuning.com/shop/cart..._detail&p=2261

H&R OE Sport Springs over OEM Shocks
http://www.ecodetuning.com/shop/cart..._detail&p=1884

This looks like a great plan. Instead of the springs, I would first prioritize adjustable upper control arms. Alignment is what will tighten up the steering and make this car feel more like a BMW, in conjunction with the other great Eurocode parts you've selected.

You get only looks no real performance from the springs. The dampers are the part that performs and you have to spend a lot of money (think $600 per damper) to get ones that will measurably exceed stock.

[kooltechie]

Ride quality is definitely important. Which cool overs did you end up with? I don't think I see it in your sig.

it's actually in my sig :)
I've got Bilstein PSS10

[kooltechie]

what are your dampers set at?

4 on all corners currently....but typically between 4-6.

[washyourrhands]

do it once and do it right. get coils

[acturater]

4 on all corners currently....but typically between 4-6.

Which CO do you have, sorry if I missed this. How much lower is your ride?

[kooltechie]

Which CO do you have, sorry if I missed this. How much lower is your ride?

no need to be sorry....however, I answered it in post #14 :)

it's Bilstein PSS10 and I'm not sure how much it dropped, but the ground-to-fender is 26.5" I believe.

fyi, here's a pic of my setup:





in case you'd like to see more pics:

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...=1#post9325099


EDIT: spacers are installed as well (H&R DRA 20mm(f)/25mm(r))

[shadowaudi]

I say everyone is different and depends on what your looking to do with the car.... I, personally started like you with suspension first and specifically steering. I started with the AK and then a few months later went with the Eurocode full USS system. I felt like this tightened the car and especially the steering up nicely. I then wanted the car to be little more stiff around corners and decrease the gap some. For me I went with the HR OE springs not only for getting a good deal on them but because after weighing the pros/cons it was not worth it for me. In having them installed it gives me a stiffer predictable ride, decreases the gap and no complaints from the wifey (very important lol). Everyone is different but next is exhaust....

[acturater]

no need to be sorry....however, I answered it in post #14 :)

it's Bilstein PSS10 and I'm not sure how much it dropped, but the ground-to-fender is 26.5" I believe.

fyi, here's a pic of my setup:





in case you'd like to see more pics:

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...=1#post9325099


EDIT: spacers are installed as well (H&R DRA 20mm(f)/25mm(r))

That's an awesome look. I might plagiarize some of your setup on my s4! I want to move my wheels out a bit as well but that might be for later. I was mostly looking at H&R COs but might have to check out the PSS10.

[Usa]

Go Fast > Looks > Suspension

[kooltechie]

That's an awesome look. I might plagiarize some of your setup on my s4! I want to move my wheels out a bit as well but that might be for later. I was mostly looking at H&R COs but might have to check out the PSS10.

thanks for the compliment
PSS10 is a bit pricier (typically > $2k), but I chose it mostly for the adjustable dampers.
I've heard from several members H&R Street Coilovers are great and cost much less (< $1k with promotions/discounts) (however, the dampers are not adjustable)
http://www.awe-tuning.com/h-r-coilov...-2in-1-0-2-2in

hope this helps

[kooltechie]

Go Fast > Looks > Suspension

for me, it's Handling > Go Fast > Looks, cuz our cars look good already

[westwest888]

Don't get cheap coilovers. The stock suspension is better and more reliable (4x the mileage life).

Alignment is what is going to make your car drive well. Adjustable arms is how you get it aligned with many axes to move it on.

If you do performance driving on a track, first upgrade tires to PSS, then brakes, then suspension work, then cooling, then you can add speed.