SQ5 - H&R -1 Springs

[BillVT]

Just had H&R -1 springs installed on my 2014 SQ5. WOW! They transformed the car.
Drop was 1.5", so the gap from the tire to the fender lip went from 4.375" to 2.875".
Height from center of hub to fender lip went from 18.5" to 17".
Install time was 6 hours, though my tech said he could now do it in half that time.
Alignment done and perfect, no other mods or parts needed.

Impressions:
1 - Significantly reduced the body roll that was present with the stock ride height. (Simple physics says you reduce the roll center and you reduce the roll.) The car used to roll, then take a set when cornering, a little disconcerting after driving my lowered, Stage 2 `03 allroad. Now, it corners flat. No other mods needed. My business partner says it drives like his `12 S4.
2 - No adverse change in ride smoothness or comfort. Wife says it's just as comfortable as before.
3 - Like the lowered height for entry/exit.
4 - Looks like it was designed to look (now is the same ride height as Europe).

Worth every penny and recommend it to all.

[BillVT]

Just had H&R -1 springs installed on my 2014 SQ5. WOW! They transformed the car.
Drop was 1.5", so the gap from the tire to the fender lip went from 4.375" to 2.875".
Height from center of hub to fender lip went from 18.5" to 17".
Install time was 6 hours, though my tech said he could now do it in half that time.
Alignment done and perfect, no other mods or parts needed.

Impressions:
1 - Significantly reduced the body roll that was present with the stock ride height. (Simple physics says you reduce the roll center and you reduce the roll.) The car used to roll, then take a set when cornering, a little disconcerting after driving my lowered, Stage 2 `03 allroad. Now, it corners flat. No other mods needed. My business partner says it drives like his `12 S4.
2 - No adverse change in ride smoothness or comfort. Wife says it's just as comfortable as before.
3 - Like the lowered height for entry/exit.
4 - Looks like it was designed to look (now is the same ride height as Europe).

Worth every penny and recommend it to all.[/QUOTE]

[ThunderDent]

Glad to hear it man.

Looking forward to my install. My KW springs arrived last week and my Alu Kreuz and sway bars should be here by Friday.
I despise my SQ5 body roll. Suspension is the one large draw back to an otherwise great vehicle.

[BillVT]

Glad to hear it man.

Looking forward to my install. My KW springs arrived last week and my Alu Kreuz and sway bars should be here by Friday.
I despise my SQ5 body roll. Suspension is the one large draw back to an otherwise great vehicle.

I thought I was going to need sways and alu kreuz, but I'm really happy with it just as it is. Not going to do any more.

[EYE4SPEED]

Would you say two or three finger gap? I like the look and am thinking of raising to 4 fingers from two.

[BillVT]

Would you say two or three finger gap? I like the look and am thinking of raising to 4 fingers from two.

Depends on how fat your fingers are. That's why I gave the actual measurements in inches!

[Silverarrow240]

-1 FTW! I noticed a little more "bounce" compared to stock, but the -1's get a 9/10 IMO... Older Pic:

[centowski]

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

[VroomVroom]

Wow! That sure looks like more drop than I got from the same springs on my '13 Q5.

I'm in the research stage for my S, but I keep coming back to HR's and Bilsteins. This may have to happen.

[Jpaisa73]

Wow! That sure looks like more drop than I got from the same springs on my '13 Q5.

I'm in the research stage for my S, but I keep coming back to HR's and Bilsteins. This may have to happen.

I love it!

[VroomVroom]

I love it!

Gorgeous machine! Kudos.

[Jpaisa73]

Gorgeous machine! Kudos.

Thanks!

[turbojayc]

Figured I would chime in.... H&R Springs as well. IMHO, the way the car should sit from the factory.

[BillVT]

Figured I would chime in.... H&R Springs as well. IMHO, the way the car should sit from the factory.

That's the way they are in Europe. Audi (and others) get around the CAFE rules by classifying the Qs (and other SUVs) as "light trucks" so it doesn't screw up their corporate fuel milage stats. And, then they have to raise the ride height to "satisfy" the light truck requirement. So, dropping these 1" is just bringing them back to their original design.

[Jpaisa73]

Figured I would chime in.... H&R Springs as well. IMHO, the way the car should sit from the factory.

Wow that black must look nice in person, im sure photos dont do it justice.
Nice rig!

[turbojayc]

Wow that black must look nice in person, im sure photos dont do it justice.
Nice rig!

Thanks man

[Silverarrow240]

That's the way they are in Europe. Audi (and others) get around the CAFE rules by classifying the Qs (and other SUVs) as "light trucks" so it doesn't screw up their corporate fuel milage stats. And, then they have to raise the ride height to "satisfy" the light truck requirement. So, dropping these 1" is just bringing them back to their original design.

That's what I originally wanted to do was go "Euro height"... But now I am eyeing C/O's... Cuz MOAR LOW.

[turbojayc]

Quick question for people running H&R springs on their SQ's. Anyone having noise issues? When I first had them installed they were making a clicking sound when turning slowly. Turned out the springs just needed a ton of geese to keep the springs lubed up. That issue has since been fixed.

Now I find I get a rattling sound over all bumps. It's really annoying. Sounds like i'm driving my 2001 slammed Civic SiR from back in the day. What can be causing this? Suspension and components are all stock otherwise.

[BillVT]

Quick question for people running H&R springs on their SQ's. Anyone having noise issues? When I first had them installed they were making a clicking sound when turning slowly. Turned out the springs just needed a ton of geese to keep the springs lubed up. That issue has since been fixed.

Now I find I get a rattling sound over all bumps. It's really annoying. Sounds like i'm driving my 2001 slammed Civic SiR from back in the day. What can be causing this? Suspension and components are all stock otherwise.

No issues with mine; about 250 miles on them.

[Jpaisa73]

Quick question for people running H&R springs on their SQ's. Anyone having noise issues? When I first had them installed they were making a clicking sound when turning slowly. Turned out the springs just needed a ton of geese to keep the springs lubed up. That issue has since been fixed.

Now I find I get a rattling sound over all bumps. It's really annoying. Sounds like i'm driving my 2001 slammed Civic SiR from back in the day. What can be causing this? Suspension and components are all stock otherwise.

$1500 miles on mine no issues no noise whatsoever

[turbojayc]

$1500 miles on mine no issues no noise whatsoever

Actually had local indy shop I got o have a look and test drive. Turns out its not the springs at all, but the mechanic is thinking is a bit of body flex and recommends the eurcocode alu kreuz.

So we'll see.

[SQive]

Go with the full 034 MotorSport package. Their X-Brace is a little better than the AK, IMO.

[riceboy22]

Go with the full 034 MotorSport package. Their X-Brace is a little better than the AK, IMO.

What's the difference between the AK and the 034 X-Brace? I had been planning to just go with the AK since it's $75 cheaper and appears to be identical.

[SQive]

It's just a little beefier. It also fits both B8 & 8.5, but that doesn't really matter unless you plan on moving it from one to the other.

[riceboy22]

It's just a little beefier. It also fits both B8 & 8.5, but that doesn't really matter unless you plan on moving it from one to the other.

Good to know. I may still cheap out and save a bill with the AK and free shipping though!

Actually had local indy shop I got o have a look and test drive. Turns out its not the springs at all, but the mechanic is thinking is a bit of body flex and recommends the eurcocode alu kreuz.

So we'll see.

Are you sure there isn't something else going on with your springs installation? I definitely didn't have anything rattling like a slammed Civic when I was on springs only. That doesn't sound like something I would expect the AK to fix.

[turbojayc]

Are you sure there isn't something else going on with your springs installation? I definitely didn't have anything rattling like a slammed Civic when I was on springs only. That doesn't sound like something I would expect the AK to fix.

I may have exaggerated a bit. lol.. On the test drive it makes no noises over speed bumbs, road bumps. Nothing. Its when I come to a complete stop, it clicks. let off the brake again and it clicks. Backing in on an angle. it clicks. It's as if anytime the chassis moves/rolls whatever you want to call it. it clicks. I dunno. Going to hoist it up and see, just didn't have time the day I went in quickly. All in all. Springs have been ruled out.

[q5 dave]

Quick question for people running H&R springs on their SQ's. Anyone having noise issues?

Didn't have any issues over 7000 miles

$1500 miles

say what

[SQive]

say what

That's the new measurement, dollar-miles. It loosely equates in the smiles-per-gallon, divided by the square of the dollars spent modding.
...at least that's my guess.

[riceboy22]

I may have exaggerated a bit. lol.. On the test drive it makes no noises over speed bumbs, road bumps. Nothing. Its when I come to a complete stop, it clicks. let off the brake again and it clicks. Backing in on an angle. it clicks. It's as if anytime the chassis moves/rolls whatever you want to call it. it clicks. I dunno. Going to hoist it up and see, just didn't have time the day I went in quickly. All in all. Springs have been ruled out.

You're probably way more in-tune with your car than I am. Most of the time I've got an occupied baby seat, a stroller in the trunk, and a dog all making some sort of noise. I'm more concerned if I don't hear strange sounds coming from somewhere LOL.

Is the clicking sound coming from any specific direction that you can tell (e.g., front or back)? Is it loud enough that a passenger not listening for it would notice?

[turbojayc]

You're probably way more in-tune with your car than I am. Most of the time I've got an occupied baby seat, a stroller in the trunk, and a dog all making some sort of noise. I'm more concerned if I don't hear strange sounds coming from somewhere LOL.

Is the clicking sound coming from any specific direction that you can tell (e.g., front or back)? Is it loud enough that a passenger not listening for it would notice?

My backseat/trunk set-up sounds exactly like yours. Rocking a Diono RXT for the 4 year old, Graco Snugride for the 9 month old. Uppa Baby G-Luxe or Vista at any given time. That stuff rattles like crazy. Dog doesn't come in the car much anymore. lol...

Anyways, the clicking is coming from the front. Maybe something loose on the brakes, we thought. Anyways, until I get it on a lift we don't know for sure. Just don't think it's spring problem.

[riceboy22]

My backseat/trunk set-up sounds exactly like yours. Rocking a Diono RXT for the 4 year old, Graco Snugride for the 9 month old. Uppa Baby G-Luxe or Vista at any given time. That stuff rattles like crazy. Dog doesn't come in the car much anymore. lol...

Anyways, the clicking is coming from the front. Maybe something loose on the brakes, we thought. Anyways, until I get it on a lift we don't know for sure. Just don't think it's spring problem.

Yeah, something with the brakes sounds plausible given what you're describing. One click or multiple clicks each time you stop?

OT: Do you find that you have enough space in the car with two kids? We've got a second on the way and occasionally wonder if we should have gotten something bigger. Maybe I'll be allowed to upgrade to an SQ7 one day LOL.

[turbojayc]

Yeah, something with the brakes sounds plausible given what you're describing. One click or multiple clicks each time you stop?

OT: Do you find that you have enough space in the car with two kids? We've got a second on the way and occasionally wonder if we should have gotten something bigger. Maybe I'll be allowed to upgrade to an SQ7 one day LOL.

One click, per stop/brake.

I find it more then enough room. The rear facing snugride makes it a bit tight for the front passenger, but my wife is small so she doesn't care. Plus once he's in a forward facing seat, it will be fine. My daughter sits behind me and it's no problem. Trunk space I find ok as well. The way I see it, it's just less crap I have to haul around. I came from a 12' Toaureg and it had tons of space, but found it too big, too slow and coming from a 135 coupe, I felt like an old man. The SQ5 makes me feel alive again. My wife complains when she has to sit in the back with the kids to feed my son. But I basically tell her it's too bad. She can get a bigger car if she wants lol.. She's drives an X1 and its tiny.

[riceboy22]

One click, per stop/brake.

I find it more then enough room. The rear facing snugride makes it a bit tight for the front passenger, but my wife is small so she doesn't care. Plus once he's in a forward facing seat, it will be fine. My daughter sits behind me and it's no problem. Trunk space I find ok as well. The way I see it, it's just less crap I have to haul around. I came from a 12' Toaureg and it had tons of space, but found it too big, too slow and coming from a 135 coupe, I felt like an old man. The SQ5 makes me feel alive again. My wife complains when she has to sit in the back with the kids to feed my son. But I basically tell her it's too bad. She can get a bigger car if she wants lol.. She's drives an X1 and its tiny.

My (admittedly probably useless) internet diagnosis is a loose brake pad. Let us know what you end up finding out once you get it on a lift and poke around. It doesn't sound suspension related like you said since you don't hear anything over bumps or in turns.

OT: I guess I'll wait and see what the SQ7 looks like when it makes it over to North America. If it looks good, then I'll need to find more reasons to make my wife sit in the back seat between the kids LOL.

[turbojayc]

My (admittedly probably useless) internet diagnosis is a loose brake pad. Let us know what you end up finding out once you get it on a lift and poke around. It doesn't sound suspension related like you said since you don't hear anything over bumps or in turns.

OT: I guess I'll wait and see what the SQ7 looks like when it makes it over to North America. If it looks good, then I'll need to find more reasons to make my wife sit in the back seat between the kids LOL.

Ya, we"ll have a look once its on the hoist or in for a GIAC Stage II Whatever comes first.

SQ7, looks nice, just big IMHO.

[ThunderDent]

I second the loose brake pad. That happened on my old Q5 once and it just made a clicking sound when it would move. Took me forever to figure out what it was.

I only have one baby seat in mine, but I keep it in the center. Still rear facing. My wife bought a bigger one and has it in her Q3, but while rear facing it has to be in the middle. They just take up so much room.

Once we can flip it (which with today's safety standards should be by the time they hit middle school), there will be plenty of room.
Heck my wife's grandma should technically be in a booster seat at her height. 4'11"

I'm looking at potentially one of the Audi booster seats. But probably will not ever get one. But it'd be cool!
I wonder if these are leather or cloth?
https://shops.audi.com/en_GB/web/zub...ly/child-seats

[turbojayc]

I second the loose brake pad. That happened on my old Q5 once and it just made a clicking sound when it would move. Took me forever to figure out what it was.

I only have one baby seat in mine, but I keep it in the center. Still rear facing. My wife bought a bigger one and has it in her Q3, but while rear facing it has to be in the middle. They just take up so much room.

Once we can flip it (which with today's safety standards should be by the time they hit middle school), there will be plenty of room.
Heck my wife's grandma should technically be in a booster seat at her height. 4'11"

I'm looking at potentially one of the Audi booster seats. But probably will not ever get one. But it'd be cool!
I wonder if these are leather or cloth?
https://shops.audi.com/en_GB/web/zub...ly/child-seats

Those Audi booster seats are awesome.

[riceboy22]

I'm going to order one of those child seat underlays. The ones I find on Amazon always have people complaining about staining and/or melting onto the leather. Hopefully the Audi one doesn't have either of those problems.

[Hrp783]

Where can I get these?

[DBFL]

What is the part number for the H&R -1 springs? When I look on their website I only see the sport springs (part 29001-3) listed. H&R states a drop of 1f .8r for the sport springs. I like the look of what I see in this thread.
Thanks
-Daniel

[BillVT]

What is the part number for the H&R -1 springs? When I look on their website I only see the sport springs (part 29001-3) listed. H&R states a drop of 1f .8r for the sport springs. I like the look of what I see in this thread.
Thanks
-Daniel

That's the correct part number and spring Daniel. Mine went lower than their spec as you can see but it wound up perfect!

After about 3K miles, I think they are great. A "must-do" to transform the car.