Q5 Lowering with MRS/EDC whatever its called.

[dknick]

Ok so I have a 2014 TDI premium plus. It has S Line or whatever. It has the ERC/MRS, whatever Audi calls it. Where I can select Dynamic, comfort, etc.
I want to keep that but want to lower the car.
I read that the H&R springs, or really any springs, are compatible.
So I have them in the garage waiting to be installed. Since ordering, I have read even more threads, and I see that some people complain about the ride.

So, what suspensions option WORK WITH the MRS? ERC? and allow me to retain that function, while lowering the car, and provide good performance.

I have read tons of threads here and else where, and the adaptive suspension is rarely addressed. I understand now that may be partially because the sQ5 is only avail in sport suspension, and they don't have this issue.

I have read the commonly linked to threat on Bilsteins, but again, the adjustable suspension isnt addressed from what I saw.


HELP???? Please.
I am not fond of putting on lowering springs and sticking with OEM struts, and know well the impacts, but I want to retain that nice feature that was a factor in purchasing the car.

Thank you for input people!

[seanf86]

I know for the B8 S4 KW made an adjustable spring that fit on the stock drive select strut, basically a coilover that utilizes the factory strut, I'm not sure if the same is available for the Q5. The drive select struts are fairly robust from what I can tell, even in comfort mode I find my 13 Q5 3.0t rides rather rough stock and installing springs will make it worse most likely. I don't think there are any aftermarket solutions for struts.

[stapan]

I have the KW HAS kit (height adjustable springs) in conjunction with the adaptive damping suspension and love it. All three modes work great.

[tylaughter]

I have the KW HAS kit (height adjustable springs) in conjunction with the adaptive damping suspension and love it. All three modes work great.

Opinions on ride quality after install? Improved, diminished, or negligible?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[stapan]

Improved - surprisingly. I only lowered it to halfway within the range though.

[dknick]

I have the KW HAS kit (height adjustable springs) in conjunction with the adaptive damping suspension and love it. All three modes work great.

This set up doesnt replace the stock struts though, so is still basically the same as just installing the H&R springs I have (minus the adjustable amount of drop obviously)

[q5 dave]

I have ADS and ran HR sport(no issues), then KW HAS(no issues), now proper coilovers- KW Street Comfort ( w/ EDC delete kit, no issues).

Whole new world on the KW street comforts. Wish I had bought sooner.

Adaptive damping suspension is basically useless when you're lowered since the strut is already compressed. Your Q will look good lowered, but ride quality will surely diminish on just springs. You'll find it's a bit harsh/jarring especially on bad roads and becomes even more noticeable as you put on larger wheels.

[stapan]

I have ADS and ran HR sport(no issues), then KW HAS(no issues), now proper coilovers- KW Street Comfort ( w/ EDC delete kit, no issues).

Whole new world on the KW street comforts. Wish I had bought sooner.

Adaptive damping suspension is basically useless when you're lowered since the strut is already compressed. Your Q will look good lowered, but ride quality will surely diminish on just springs. You'll find it's a bit harsh/jarring especially on bad roads and becomes even more noticeable as you put on larger wheels.

How far down did you go on the HAS? I'm finding the ride to be very dependent on the chosen height and also any difference between front and rear.

Seems many people are trying to slam them all the way down and that's when ride quality goes bad.

[q5 dave]

Yeah like 1/4" from bottom lol. Wanted low, otherwise I'd have stayed on HR sport. I guess it's better on other cars, but I don't think KW HAS is a good fit for any Q5/SQ5.

Summary- lose lose. Either lowered with a harsh ride. Or, not that low and bouncy...


Street comfort coils ftw! no compromise

[dknick]

I have ADS and ran HR sport(no issues), then KW HAS(no issues), now proper coilovers- KW Street Comfort ( w/ EDC delete kit, no issues).

Whole new world on the KW street comforts. Wish I had bought sooner.

Adaptive damping suspension is basically useless when you're lowered since the strut is already compressed. Your Q will look good lowered, but ride quality will surely diminish on just springs. You'll find it's a bit harsh/jarring especially on bad roads and becomes even more noticeable as you put on larger wheels.

How was the ride with H&R and the stock ADS?
Debating on trying it with just that set up, vs doing the H&R and Bilsteins B8s losing the ADS.

I don't want to go very low, or spend a ton. Just wanting to lose some of the God awful wheel gap, but want to maintain some ground clearance for wilderness adventures.
I enjoy the ADS, and the ability to go from a stiff sporty ride on back roads, and then change it to a softer more comfortable ride on long interstate trips. If I have to lose that in order to drop a little and not have a very bumpy ride, than I will, but trying to have my cake and eat it too.

[SQive]

Do what Dave suggested. . .get coil-overs with the EDC delete. I've been running these Bilstein B16's for over 40K miles. . .still perfect.
Mine is lowered, but not slammed. Looks good, rides great!

[dknick]

Anyone know if the EDC can be coded out with like Carista or Vagcom? That would save a ton of money

[Salty Mope]

Do what Dave suggested. . .get coil-overs with the EDC delete. I've been running these Bilstein B16's for over 40K miles. . .still perfect.
Mine is lowered, but not slammed. Looks good, rides great!

did you try different heights before finding your sweet spot of low/comfort, or did you just have a specific FTG you were targeting and go with that? I ordered the PSS10s this week and if Bilstein's ETA is accurate they should arrive just in time for Spring. Yo soy excitemente

[SQive]

did you try different heights before finding your sweet spot of low/comfort, or did you just have a specific FTG you were targeting and go with that? I ordered the PSS10s this week and if Bilstein's ETA is accurate they should arrive just in time for Spring. Yo soy excitemente

Neither. I told them I wanted the tires centered in the arches and they nailed it.
What I mean is that I wanted the tire gap at the top to be the same as fore and aft of the tire, for a consistent arch-gap, if that makes sense.
I don't care for the slammed look. Even at this height, I'll scrape a curb if I pull too far forward. It's still a daily-driven SUV.