Confused -- ADS or not??

[Shamu]

Hi all, new joiner to this great community -- hope to be around a while! :)

Seeking some help / info...I ordered a 2014 s5 with Quattro sport differential which includes the "audi drive select" feature. The Audi configurator states that the Audi drive select includes the adaptive damper system that let's you choose the comfort, auto, dynamic settings. But then I notice that another option exists on top of the Quattro sport differential -- damping suspension. I didn't order that option -- only the sport diff...

So now I'm really confused...does my car have "ADS" or not? Keen to be 100% sure as I'm planning my suspension setup and I understand ADS (or keeping ADS functionality) is a key factor in the final setup decision....

Any and all input greatly appreciated -- thank you for your time! :)

[bknewtype]

Hi all, new joiner to this great community -- hope to be around a while! :)

Seeking some help / info...I ordered a 2014 s5 with Quattro sport differential which includes the "audi drive select" feature. The Audi configurator states that the Audi drive select includes the adaptive damper system that let's you choose the comfort, auto, dynamic settings. But then I notice that another option exists on top of the Quattro sport differential -- damping suspension. I didn't order that option -- only the sport diff...

So now I'm really confused...does my car have "ADS" or not? Keen to be 100% sure as I'm planning my suspension setup and I understand ADS (or keeping ADS functionality) is a key factor in the final setup decision....

Any and all input greatly appreciated -- thank you for your time! :)

didnt u sort of answer ur own question?

not familiar with what the option consist of, but if you ordered it with audi drive select, thats ADS...

[Shamu]

So audi drive select will allow control of dampening (comfort, auto, dynamic) of the stock suspension WITHOUT that additional option called "dampening suspension" ?

[bknewtype]

i know ADS will let you control comfort, auto, dynamic. cant comment on the dampening suspension. so if you are only looking for the comfort/auto/dynamic option, you are fine.

but ill let someone else who actually has the option reassure u 100%

[JimWB]

Adaptive damping suspension is an option. This allows you to adjust to an even softer ride, but something I think you may want to avoid if you plan on dropping the car.

Audi Drive Select is standard in the 2013/2014. I think this is geared towards how the transmission reacts? There are two options with the abbreviation ADS, so it is a bit confusing.

[Beast]

Don't get it it you plan to lower your car. You will be limited to springs only.

[Shamu]

Thanks so far guys. To be clear, I DID NOT order the "damping suspension" option, but I DID order the sport-diff option which comes with "audi drive select". Asked another way: if I'm tooting along and decide to switch my "audi drive select" to dynamic, will that do anything to my stock suspension dampers given that I did NOT order the "damping suspension" option?

[JimWB]

Thanks so far guys. To be clear, I DID NOT order the "damping suspension" option, but I DID order the sport-diff option which comes with "audi drive select". Asked another way: if I'm tooting along and decide to switch my "audi drive select" to dynamic, will that do anything to my stock suspension dampers given that I did not order the "damping suspension" option?

Pretty sure nothing will happen to your suspension. Maybe some else can confirm.

[13S4]

Thanks so far guys. To be clear, I DID NOT order the "damping suspension" option, but I DID order the sport-diff option which comes with "audi drive select". Asked another way: if I'm tooting along and decide to switch my "audi drive select" to dynamic, will that do anything to my stock suspension dampers given that I did not order the "damping suspension" option?

You are fine. ADS is now just the ability to switch between the modes Dynamic, Auto, Comfort and Individual(If you have Navigation) for a variety of things.

Before the 2014 Model Year there was only two options. (1) Sports Differential, or (2) Audi Drive Select which included everything the Sports Differential came with plus adaptive suspension and dynamic steering.

(1) Sports differential came with adjust-ability in (Throttle Response, Engine Sound (2013+), Sport Differential Aggressiveness, Steering, and Transmission shift speed for automatics).

(2) Full ADS came with adjust-ability in (Everything above plus adaptive suspension, and what Audi Calls "Dynamic Steering" which actually changes the ratio).


Now in the newest cars have the basic options (Throttle Response, Engine Sound (2013+), Steering, and Transmission shift speed for automatics).

The sports differential option, and adaptive suspension are stand alone options that you can add. I'm not sure how the "Dynamic Steering" fits in anymore.

[NYSpeedRacer]

If you didn't order the damping suspension, you'll get the 4 driving options without the damping...duh.

Audi Drive Select is neat, but you can get that without paying for it through VagCom. Minus individual.

However, if you want or plan to drop your car, it's pointless getting the damping option as it'll only through a code and money down the toilet.

However, I have the canceling modules for sale for anyone that has the damping suspension and want to go coil overs...

[Shamu]

Thanks again -- sounds like I can now consider coils and springs without error codes since I didn't get the damping suspension option! :)

[noshadow]

Yah, you're good! ADS abbreviation gets confusing for sure. I got super confused too when I was ordering.

[NPuter]

Adaptive damping suspension is an option. This allows you to adjust to an even softer ride, but something I think you may want to avoid if you plan on dropping the car.

Audi Drive Select is standard in the 2013/2014. I think this is geared towards how the transmission reacts? There are two options with the abbreviation ADS, so it is a bit confusing.

Are you sure ADS is standard with 13/14? I drove a 2013 and it did not have the drive select button or selections in the mmi...

[Mops@Nemesis]

Just saw your PM. Not my field of expertise. NY and NPuter are way more familiar on the tech side.

[JimWB]

Are you sure ADS is standard with 13/14? I drove a 2013 and it did not have the drive select button or selections in the mmi...

Review of the 2014 Audi S5 (I thought 2013 was included)

The 2014 Audi S5 hits all the right notes for a luxury sport coupe and convertible with its sleek exterior, classy cabin, engaging performance and advanced technology.
Safety | Reliability
Pros
Head-turning style; strong supercharged V6; capable handling; civilized ride; upscale interior; all-wheel-drive traction.
Cons
Artificial steering feel; base MMI system's awkward dash-mounted controls.
What's New for 2014
Newly standard on all 2014 Audi S5 models are keyless entry/ignition and the Audi Drive Select system, which provides adjustable settings…

[NPuter]

Yea the '13 I drove definitely didn't have it.

As for the original question, the "dampening suspension" option needs to be ordered for ADS to include control over the suspension. Without this option, only sports diff, throttle, and transmission are controlled by ADS.

[Shamu]

Great stuff -- 100% cleared up! Thanks again for the quick replies and info.

Been researching coils here and it looks like h&r is the go-to for primarily street use and height adjustability. For those that switched to h&r coils, how does the comfort compare to stock suspension? I understand this is quite subjective but your descriptions are greatly appreciated!

[superswiss]

The sports differential option, and adaptive suspension are stand alone options that you can add. I'm not sure how the "Dynamic Steering" fits in anymore.

Dynamic steering is part of the Driver Assist package. OP, in short Audi Drive Select is a system that allows adjustment of the dynamics for the various subsystems in your car from comfort to auto to dynamic. The question is which subsystems is your car equipped with. On a 6MT base model, the subsystems that ADS adjusts are steering torque and throttle response. If you have an automatic or s-tronic transmission, then ADS also adjusts the transmission shift points and shift speeds. If you add the optional sport diff, ADS adjusts the agility and stability of the car. If you add adaptive suspension, then ADS adjusts the suspension stiffness and if you add the Driver Assist package, ADS adjusts the steering ratio and the aggressiveness of the adaptive cruise control. If you leave out any of the potential subsystems that ADS can adjust, then that part is simply disabled in your car. So since you didn't order the adaptive suspension, ADS in your car doesn't adjust the suspension. You have a regular spring and damper suspension and you are free to do with it whatever you want.

[Shamu]

Perfect -- confusion gone!


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