Would springs from a B8.5 S4 Sedan work decent on my B8.5 allroad?

[Audi Junkie]

I have an opportunity to acquire some "H&R stock" S4 springs locally, should I go for it?

Current set-up is exacerbated by the APR flash I just got. It pogos in the turn without careful throttle control.

I know most guys go strait for coilovers, which is kind of expensive for me. I just want a solid ride, give up a bit of lift, without slamming it.

How would the S4 Sedan springs compare to stock or Sline A4 Avant springs? Are Avant spings easy to find, or to people keep them in a box for de-modding or what?

Also, why would "stock" springs be advertized as "H&R"? They are painted blue so...but if H&R they must be lowered height, I want actual stock S4 height at the lowest.

Advice please. I don't do lots of suspension work, but my Tiguan on stock A3 springs was an awesome mod for $50!

[Wagoon]

They should fit fine, stock S4 springs should be the same as the sport suspension springs. Any b8 a4/s4 suspension will fit for that matter. I just installed my coilovers from my b8.5 a4 onto my b8.5 allroad with zero issues.

Can't tell you anything about h&r stock as I've never heard them. I have heard of h&r OE springs which give a very light drop and are similar to oem sport suspension drop and probably what you are looking for in terms of height.

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[pwdrskr]

Can't say for sure, however, I understand that the sedan suspensions won't work on the allroad as I discovered during suspension research for my allroad. I believe that the rear will sit far too low.

[noob5]

I went with H&R sport springs with stock shocks on my allroad because it's a daily driver and I didn't want to slam the ride. The suspension feels flatter than stock through the corners, but I still plan on adding sway bars when I upgrade exhaust. There is a bit of rake, but I'm actually ok with that since I still plan on loading the rear with passengers and cargo.

For reference...

...Stock:



H&R with 17.5mm spacers R, 10mm spacers F:

[audirings4]

They should fit fine, stock S4 springs should be the same as the sport suspension springs. Any b8 a4/s4 suspension will fit for that matter. I just installed my coilovers from my b8.5 a4 onto my b8.5 allroad with zero issues.

Can't tell you anything about h&r stock as I've never heard them. I have heard of h&r OE springs which give a very light drop and are similar to oem sport suspension drop and probably what you are looking for in terms of height.

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Sure they'll fit but will they function correctly? No.
There are different parts numbers for the sedan/Avant for a reason.
Weight distribution is very important in a suspension and if not done properly you can damage other suspension components and cause a degradation in ride quality.
It may cost you $50 now but more in the long run fixing what was done improperly.
Personally if im going to change my suspension id go with a quality coilover.
I've done just H&R springs in the past and the ride quality was horrible after a few months and ride height was uneven.

[dropshadow]

Sure they'll fit but will they function correctly? No.
There are different parts numbers for the sedan/Avant for a reason.
Weight distribution is very important in a suspension and if not done properly you can damage other suspension components and cause a degradation in ride quality.
It may cost you $50 now but more in the long run fixing what was done improperly.
Personally if im going to change my suspension id go with a quality coilover.
I've done just H&R springs in the past and the ride quality was horrible after a few months and ride height was uneven.

All of this. The S4's 3.0T engine is heavier than the allroad's 2.0T, so front spring rates will be wrong. The allroad's hatch adds about 300lbs. over the sedan's trunk, so rear spring rates will be wrong too. S4 springs will fit, but they won't accomplish what you're looking for.

[Audi Junkie]

Thanks. I got the answers I expected. I wish there was a good solution. Maybe see if I can ever find Avant springs or buy coilovers.

[Audi Junkie]

Well, H&R lists them as "fitting" my allroad....one spring fitting a bunch of applications.

http://www.tirerack.com/suspension/s...odClar=Premium

As an aside, does anyone have an idea of the installation cost? I have a set of H&R springs sitting here for the Q5 that is now my wife's. Not much motivation to install them now, quotes were about $600

[Audi Junkie]

I found B8 Avant 2.0T springs used....not cheap at $200 but these would be ideal...right?

[Audi Junkie]

I wonder, for instance, how the weight distribution is on an A5..? Maybe for future reference, we can figure out how compatible those are.

A5 2.0T s-line....maybe good if it's ass-heavy like the Avant...?

[skis4hire]

As an aside, does anyone have an idea of the installation cost? I have a set of H&R springs sitting here for the Q5 that is now my wife's. Not much motivation to install them now, quotes were about $600

As you noticed, a shop install will cost more than the springs so there is no point in trying half-measures. H&R makes a lowering spring specifically for the Allroad which are reported on this site to be a good fitment/height.
If you go springs only, note that your shocks will prematurely fail in this setup. How long that takes, I've heard a few months to a year +.

The Audi OEM setup is complicated and very specific to the weight of the car so swapping between S4, A4, Avant, etc will not give a 'factory' result in matching heights but may work if you don't mind some rake or rolling the dice.
See:
http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...sion-Reference

[Audi Junkie]

Well, I got some Avant rear springs for $40, that's a start.

Question, would buying the complete upright for the fronts, or the "assembly" save me enough labor to make the extra cost worthwhile? It would only add about $100 to my acquisition cost.

[f_399]

I would assume you would get noticeable reverse rake.

[djnuge]

Has anyone installed aftermarket shocks with the H & R springs (specific to the allroad).

[Audi Junkie]

Yeah, I do NOT want the rake.

The springs I bought are from 2011 A4 2.0T Avant, lower miles than my car.

If anyone has feedback about buying the A4 Avant uprights vs just the springs, let me know. I'm not too worried about my allroad shocks "wearing" or "failing" prematurely, but the concern maybe is highlighted by a reduced install labor cost....I'm open to it.

[dropshadow]

Yeah, I do NOT want the rake.

The springs I bought are from 2011 A4 2.0T Avant, lower miles than my car.

If anyone has feedback about buying the A4 Avant uprights vs just the springs, let me know. I'm not too worried about my allroad shocks "wearing" or "failing" prematurely, but the concern maybe is highlighted by a reduced install labor cost....I'm open to it.

There are enough differences between A4 Avant and allroad suspension that I wouldn't mix any parts beyond the springs/shocks.

[pwdrskr]

Yeah, I do NOT want the rake.

The springs I bought are from 2011 A4 2.0T Avant, lower miles than my car.

If anyone has feedback about buying the A4 Avant uprights vs just the springs, let me know. I'm not too worried about my allroad shocks "wearing" or "failing" prematurely, but the concern maybe is highlighted by a reduced install labor cost....I'm open to it.

I originally ran a A4 Avant s-line suspension on my allroad and had zero issues.

[moonshiner]

I run the Solowerks S1 COs. $550 shipped. If you are concerned with cost this is a pretty good alternative. Ride quality is very good. I don't know what the cost to install just springs vs COs is, but if a shop charges the same amount installing springs that may or may not work or you may or may not like the ride height with is going to be a major bummer.

[Audi Junkie]

I can grab front springs anytime, but the Avant rears are the way to go (for me) and at $40 a no brainer.

[dubjager]

I went with H&R sport springs with stock shocks on my allroad because it's a daily driver and I didn't want to slam the ride. The suspension feels flatter than stock through the corners, but I still plan on adding sway bars when I upgrade exhaust. There is a bit of rake, but I'm actually ok with that since I still plan on loading the rear with passengers and cargo.
H&R with 17.5mm spacers R, 10mm spacers F:

That's actually perfect. I've been so on the fence whether getting solowerks coilovers and having the ability to adjust or just getting mild springs with shocks to lower the car a bit. I just really would love to put a set of rotors or the new rs5 5 spokes on my AR without it looking goofy... Was originally thinking of mating the springs to a shock for a 2012 A4 s-line... that's not too crazy, right?

[callaghan.]

First picture is on sedan springs. AST thought they would work...they did not. Second picture is with new, proper, front springs. Kept the rears in as it was a great height and rides good (despite being basically on the bumpstops...which are 5" long)

[Audi Junkie]

Well the rear springs I bought are different than the above ones with orange and pink.

Mine are green /grey:

8K0511115DJ coil spring
1 paint mark green
1 paint mark grey
2 PR-1BA+0YL

It looks white in the pic, but the description fits only with grey/green



That link on suspension options was helpful. I saw it before and it kept me on track to the point of making my own thread.

[Audi Junkie]

I basically need to determine if these are sport or non sport so I can locate appropriate fronts.

Maybe go sport on front and non-sport on rear to get forward rake .....NOOOO!!!!

[Audi Junkie]

I guess the ones above are fronts....

8K0411105DC coil spring
1 paint mark pink
2 paint marks orange

2 PR-0JD


No wait, that would be 1 pink mark and two orange...


If it were "D" weight code, that corresponds with the code for heavier allroad with more equipment, which is what I have. Still learning.


BUT no category for sport rear springs...?

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...sion-Reference

[f_399]

I originally ran a A4 Avant s-line suspension on my allroad and had zero issues.

And I am still on it now, I think I bought it from you?

[callaghan.]

Dude, save yourself some stress (and alot of time it seems) and just get H&R Sport's. They are a very mild drop and proven to work great. They'll be pretty much exactly what you are trying to accomplish. And they're under $250...

Not quite sure how much money you think you'll be saving by piecing together a suspension from other models...especially if you are then paying to have a shop install them. You won't be able to get them installed for under $450...rear springs are a humongous PIA on these and shops know it.

[dropshadow]

Dude, save yourself some stress (and alot of time it seems) and just get H&R Sport's. They are a very mild drop and proven to work great. They'll be pretty much exactly what you are trying to accomplish. And they're under $250...

Not quite sure how much money you think you'll be saving by piecing together a suspension from other models...especially if you are then paying to have a shop install them. You won't be able to get them installed for under $450...rear springs are a humongous PIA on these and shops know it.

Bingo.

[pwdrskr]

And I am still on it now, I think I bought it from you?

You know, I think you did in fact buy them off me. Glad it is still working out for you.

[pwdrskr]

Bingo.

+1

Why skimp on a $50K+ car? Particularly with something like the suspension which has performance, safety and aesthetics impact? I made that "mistake" with the Solowerks (my experience and not others) and learned the hard way.

Is it really worth saving ~$500 (or less) and end up with something you don't want, don't like, or worse isn't safe?

[audirings4]

+1

Why skimp on a $50K+ car? Particularly with something like the suspension which has performance, safety and aesthetics impact? I made that "mistake" with the Solowerks (my experience and not others) and learned the hard way.

Is it really worth saving ~$500 (or less) and end up with something you don't want, don't like, or worse aren't safe?

+1

Go big or don't even go.

[f_399]

You know, I think you did in fact buy them off me. Glad it is still working out for you.

Thanks! It really worked out great, I was doing research and bought it from you before I even got the car.

It was not easy to find and I just so happened to see your ad on the right day. I love them so much I may just find replacement shocks to refresh them but keep the springs.

[Audi Junkie]

The problem with the H&R is them not being neither allroad-specific nor Avant specific....unless I missed something. I know a member said there is an allroad specific H&R, but when I reviewed, for instance, the ones the sell on TireRack, they are more or less "universal".

I'd look into it again, but believe the standard Avant springs +1 weight code the "D" is exactly what I need. I don't want to give up more ride height than I have to. A stock sport set would be fine too, but at $40 invested I think I'm doing pretty well. It's just a matter of acquiring the right front springs.

I still am lost that there is no rear sport spring listed in the table. Also, if I can widen my front search to any B8 2.0T in a "D" weight code to match my rears, I should be good....for like $100 total.

If there is indeed no "sport" rear Avant spring, doesn't that mean I could "make" mine identical to Avant with Sport with just sport front springs??? (and the "regular" rears)

I'm not floundering, these are good questions. If I could not find the right stock springs, I would buy the H&Rs, but...so far, so good.

[callaghan.]

H&R Sport springs for the allroad are produced and sold for the allroad. I know some people at H&R and while they do not sell the coilovers for allroads, the springs are a fit and sold as such.

ECS is currently selling them for $230. If all of the hours you spent researching spring loads and rates of every a4 platform is worth $130 to you, then proceed with the plan. Otherwise, just pull the trigger and get the H&R's...you'll be glad you did.

The problem with the H&R is them not being neither allroad-specific nor Avant specific....unless I missed something. I know a member said there is an allroad specific H&R, but when I reviewed, for instance, the ones the sell on TireRack, they are more or less "universal".

I'd look into it again, but believe the standard Avant springs +1 weight code the "D" is exactly what I need. I don't want to give up more ride height than I have to. A stock sport set would be fine too, but at $40 invested I think I'm doing pretty well. It's just a matter of acquiring the right front springs.

I still am lost that there is no rear sport spring listed in the table. Also, if I can widen my front search to any B8 2.0T in a "D" weight code to match my rears, I should be good....for like $100 total.

If there is indeed no "sport" rear Avant spring, doesn't that mean I could "make" mine identical to Avant with Sport with just sport front springs??? (and the "regular" rears)

I'm not floundering, these are good questions. If I could not find the right stock springs, I would buy the H&Rs, but...so far, so good.

[Audi Junkie]

I think the ECS marketing of H&R is a fine option for most people. I'm not sure I want "extra" drop or stiffness, but am not really that picky. I think stock Avant springs will be fine for me, I'm just double and triple checking compatibility. All things considered, I might go for the H&R.

[djnuge]

Is there an aftermarket option for shocks, if I go with the H & R Springs for the Allroad?

[DG7]

Not to thread jack, but if anyone local to Los Angeles is interested, I have a set of KW V1 coilovers removed from a B8.5 allroad with 10,000 miles of use.

I was going to replace my ST coilovers with this set due to a clunking issue I had with one of the fronts, but that seems to have gone away on it's own.

Shoot me a PM if interested. Local sale only.

[dubjager]

Is there an aftermarket option for shocks, if I go with the H & R Springs for the Allroad?

Curious about this too-- I've had my eye on stock shocks for a s-line avant on rock auto, as I haven't been able to find equivalent bilstein shocks, which is what I had on my old vw.