[A4] A4 Control Arm Kits

[Sean Coriaty]

'99 A4 B5 AEB 1.8tqa had a fairly tight front end at 230k, but by 265k
it was dangerously sloppy/ noisy and no fun to drive.  Spent a month
researching 12-piece control arm kits online and talking to Audi
people.  Kits range from about $210 delivered for "Replacement" brand
kit made in Taiwan to about $510 for the Meyle kit.  There are other
Chinese/ Taiwanese made kits and other European/ German made kits in
between.  Found mixed reviews on Deutsche Parts kit, with pricing
closer to Chinese kits.  Found better reviews on Febi, similar in
price to Meyle.  I got the Meyle kit and learned it was made in
Austria.  Most smaller or reputable online shops will match or
slightly beat another online ad.  10-piece kits don't include the
c-shaped roll/sway bar links and tend to be $100 cheaper.  Both 10-
and 12-piece kits include outer tie rod ends, but neither includes the
inner TREs which run about $50 each at high end.  Kits vary w/ respect
to how much installation hardware is included.  Most shops quote about
8 hours w/ front end alignment.
With just 200 miles driven since install, it's like new and wicked fun
to drive again; steering wheel is again a finely tuned dial.  This is
with new snows on steel wheels- can't wait to try the 15" (7.5" wide)
BBS basket weave wheels off a 1991 200 20v wrapped in whatever 215/60
rubber I try this spring.
Sean