B8 S4 Suspension and Tire Options and Advice wanted

[Q-DawgVFR]

Ok I have searched threads on here for a while since getting my B8 S4. Enough different opinions on here to make my head spin.

Trying to decide what to do with suspension on this car. Want to get it handling better but also looking for less fender gap when I fit by 19x9.5" Braelin BR-07 wheels (+35 offset) in the spring.

This is basically the look I am looking to get (except my car is red), but it doesn't have to be quite that low:
http://www.pictaram.com/media/128355...703_1560550429

I had FK coilovers with RS4 sways on my B6 S4 and didn't mind them too much, but felt they were a bit bouncy and under-damped at times. I had them raised up a bit for a BIT of fender gap as my wheels were completely flush fitment and I wanted to keep from rubbing

I found a cheap set of ST Suspension coilovers for sale locally for a few hundred bucks, and read a bit about them. Made in association with KW, so I am guessing decent ride quality, looks like they have at least SOME corrosion resistance. I am wondering if they are a good choice for the money. I am trying to watch the budget a bit. Alberta winters around Edmonton are relatively dry and I don't do lots of winter driving with the car. I also don't need to have the car slammed. I prefer to keep it where I know I have a BIT of forgiveness for rough roads and avoid rubbing. That might be where appropriate tire choice comes into play so I appreciate any advice on sizing those too. I am a bit concerned as I had read somewhere that the rear of the ST suspension sat pretty low even when cranked up as high as it allows.

Not 100% sold on coilovers if there's other good options, but I want to make sure I can have the car sitting the way I need it to. I don't mind firm ride (I had FK coilovers before) as long as it isn't bone jarring, but I am mostly concerned with ride height and trying to avoid bouncy this time around.

Thoughts and suggestions? Would love to keep it $1500 Cdn or less so I am looking at budget and lightly used higher end suspension options. $500CDN is pretty tempting to try the ST suspension which are lightly used with not many miles (owner went air ride)

Eventually my other suspension plans include end links and upgraded sway bars, maybe the subframe brace upgrade too.

[S4Aviator]

I'm in the same boat as you are in terms of really contemplating suspension options. I've read all the major threads about the topic, and I'm actually thinking that a set of plain old H&R OE sport springs might be the way to go. They solve the ride height issue for sure, but I tend to think any performance gain would be minimal. Any time you lower the CG, you'll improve handling, but by how much I'm not exactly sure.

[blackjak]

I am no tire pro or even suspension pro like others on here but I think most will say if you're not going to get COs then the B12 ProKit is the best way to go. If you are going coils there's a plethora of brands as prices and it really depends on what you're looking for. I def. think the old hadage about you get what you pay for really applies to suspension on these cars.

[toastsauce]

Just researched and purchased the B12. They are on sale at ajusa. I wanted to be high enough to not scrape on normal driveways but low enough where the fender gap isn't obnoxious. About an inch drop, and bought got 650 shipped. NY and NJ roads can get bad in the winter too with the potholes

[Q-DawgVFR]

I would love to see a one-stop-shop STICKY THREAD FOR SUSPENSION upgrade choices, hint hint.

The information is scattered just about everywhere on here.

Just a suggestion, maybe a few categories: a list of spring / shock upgrades along with lowering specs / price, one section for coilovers (with lowering ranges / approximate price new), list of sway bars / end links and diameters.

I would start the list myself if I had a bit more time and was OCD enough (I made a spreadsheet when I was wheel shopping, LOL). When it comes to suspension, I don't feel like experimenting too much.

I just want to pick something decent value for the money and run it. I know you get what you pay for. I don't need the best. Good bang for the buck is what I am after with my budget build. (The best bottles of wine are the $30 bottles that drink like a $60 bottle. I enjoy those the most.)

[Q-DawgVFR]

I am no tire pro or even suspension pro like others on here but I think most will say if you're not going to get COs then the B12 ProKit is the best way to go. If you are going coils there's a plethora of brands as prices and it really depends on what you're looking for. I def. think the old hadage about you get what you pay for really applies to suspension on these cars.

I'm leaning towards CO again at this point. I like the idea of being able to re-adjust if something is found to not be working quite right for me. And to be able to get just the right height........ To me the B12 kit looks too "stock" and the wheel and tire stance / ride height is important to me to be close to where I want it to look. But like you I have read very good things about ride quality with that setup

[blackjak]

Ok I have searched threads on here for a while since getting my B8 S4. Enough different opinions on here to make my head spin.

Trying to decide what to do with suspension on this car. Want to get it handling better but also looking for less fender gap when I fit by 19x9.5" Braelin BR-07 wheels (+35 offset) in the spring.

This is basically the look I am looking to get (except my car is red), but it doesn't have to be quite that low:
http://www.pictaram.com/media/128355...703_1560550429

I had FK coilovers with RS4 sways on my B6 S4 and didn't mind them too much, but felt they were a bit bouncy and under-damped at times. I had them raised up a bit for a BIT of fender gap as my wheels were completely flush fitment and I wanted to keep from rubbing

I found a cheap set of ST Suspension coilovers for sale locally for a few hundred bucks, and read a bit about them. Made in association with KW, so I am guessing decent ride quality, looks like they have at least SOME corrosion resistance. I am wondering if they are a good choice for the money. I am trying to watch the budget a bit. Alberta winters around Edmonton are relatively dry and I don't do lots of winter driving with the car. I also don't need to have the car slammed. I prefer to keep it where I know I have a BIT of forgiveness for rough roads and avoid rubbing. That might be where appropriate tire choice comes into play so I appreciate any advice on sizing those too. I am a bit concerned as I had read somewhere that the rear of the ST suspension sat pretty low even when cranked up as high as it allows.

Not 100% sold on coilovers if there's other good options, but I want to make sure I can have the car sitting the way I need it to. I don't mind firm ride (I had FK coilovers before) as long as it isn't bone jarring, but I am mostly concerned with ride height and trying to avoid bouncy this time around.

Thoughts and suggestions? Would love to keep it $1500 Cdn or less so I am looking at budget and lightly used higher end suspension options. $500CDN is pretty tempting to try the ST suspension which are lightly used with not many miles (owner went air ride)

Eventually my other suspension plans include end links and upgraded sway bars, maybe the subframe brace upgrade too.

What wheels are on that car?

[Q-DawgVFR]

Those are the braelin br07. They are based in Quebec, so I found them pretty affordable with the crappy Canadian dollar value right now

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[Q-DawgVFR]

I was looking for something similar to Rohana RC7.....

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[DannyDeez]

Ok I have searched threads on here for a while since getting my B8 S4. Enough different opinions on here to make my head spin.

Searches. Reads too many opinions. Then makes a thread asking for more opinions. Lol. Made me chuckle.

In all seriousness though... I ran the ST coilovers in my 2013 S5 and loved the ride. I liked it better than factory suspension in terms of comfort. Handling was improved but I don't track the car, just normal (semi aggressive) street driving. If you have a lead on an inexpensive set, I'd say give them a try. At least then you'll be able to set your height for the perfect look while maintaining a good ride quality.

[Q-DawgVFR]

Searches. Reads too many opinions. Then makes a thread asking for more opinions. Lol. Made me chuckle.

In all seriousness though... I ran the ST coilovers in my 2013 S5 and loved the ride. I liked it better than factory suspension in terms of comfort. Handling was improved but I don't track the car, just normal (semi aggressive) street driving. If you have a lead on an inexpensive set, I'd say give them a try. At least then you'll be able to set your height for the perfect look while maintaining a good ride quality.

That's pretty much what my driving habits are like.

And yes when you put it that way, I had to laugh too. It does seem a bit ridiculous. I guess I was looking for advice specific to my driving and stance goals, with a particular budget in mind.

Thanks very much for the feedback on your S5 driving impressions with the ST kit. I am leaning towards getting them if they are still available for the price involved. If I don't like them, I am out my time and effort to install and maybe a couple hundred bucks for alignment.

Did you have any issues with rear ride height being too low when you ran them in your S5? That's probably my biggest concern: I hate having a vehicle that's got the look of a dog dragging its a$$..........

[DannyDeez]

That's pretty much what my driving habits are like.

And yes when you put it that way, I had to laugh too. It does seem a bit ridiculous. I guess I was looking for advice specific to my driving and stance goals, with a particular budget in mind.

Thanks very much for the feedback on your S5 driving impressions with the ST kit. I am leaning towards getting them if they are still available for the price involved. If I don't like them, I am out my time and effort to install and maybe a couple hundred bucks for alignment.

Did you have any issues with rear ride height being too low when you ran them in your S5? That's probably my biggest concern: I hate having a vehicle that's got the look of a dog dragging its a$$..........

Very welcome! I had no height issues but I did for some reason rub on the passenger side rear only. But it was only when hitting bumps/dips at higher speeds like on the highway. I could have raised the rear a tad to fix that but I never bothered to. Never had a problem with the driver side even with the added weight of me driving it.

Since you are doing instal yourself it's not a bad gamble. You could always re sell them too. Plus I'd wait a couple weeks before getting the alignment. Just incase you decide to remove them, you won't have to pay for an alignment twice.

Here's a couple pics:

[Q-DawgVFR]

Sharp looking ride!! Thanks for the pics.

That's pretty similar to the stance on my old B6: almost dead flush with a bit of fender gap and slight rub if you really hit a bump HARD (I had rolled fenders which helped)

Unfortunately the guy with the ST kit not willing to ship, but I am also looking at Solowerks (new C/O's) as a possible option, as well as used set of H&R street series C/O.

I know H&R have been around FOREVER since my first B5 Audi A4..... So I have some idea what to expect from them, even though I haven't run their products. Are they still decent value for the money or am I simply wasting my money on the brand? Reviews of the street series C/O sound like they are a good option for my kind of driving. Just thinking $1500CDN might be steep for used suspension? Or is that in fact a decent deal? Has had for sale for a while, so I am hoping there's willingness to move on price.

[DannyDeez]

Thanks! Check with the vendors here and see what price you can get for a set of new ST coilovers. I even think there's a vendor up near you but I could be mistaken.

As for H&R, they're a great brand but I've never run them. Every time I wanted to, I was steered away and told they were very stiff for every day driving. Can't say for sure, but $1500 does seem high in my opinion.

[Truper78]

Hola buenas ahora que os leo para mi s4 b8.5 eligire el conjunto bilstein b8 mas muelles h&r. Es una configuración que gana en estabilidad y en cuanto a rebaje un poco más que el pro kit. Saludos