[BiturboS4] suspension upgrade

Thu Sep 5 22:59:56 EDT 2002

OOPS, yes, 26.25" and stock springs.
I'm using the lowest (of 5) shock-perch-groove in front, and will be using
the lowest in the rear as well.

The Bilsteins have broken in a bit over the past day or so and feel even
better now. They look to be a good match for the stock spring rate.
Dive/Squat have been significantly reduced, and turn-in has improved as
well. I'm looking forward to installing the rears this weekend.

IMO, a very cost effective upgrade that sacrifices little comfort in trade
for better performance and bit more more of a "tuned" look. It's not low by
any means, but the front wheel gap now looks "right", rather than gaping.

I'll probably take a nose/nose pic w/my wife's bone stock S4 this weekend &
will post pics. Interestingly (at least to me), the sedan & avant have
exactly the same wheel well measurements (e.g. ride height) stock. For some
reason, the visually-heavier tail of the avant makes it appear like the nose
is (relatively) much higher on the avant than the sedan. Just an illusion.

Finally, FWIW, the suspension R&R on our cars is pretty straightforward. I
was spooked about taking the wrench to my baby, but it has proven
surprisingly easy. I've swapped suspensions, sometimes multiple times, on at
least a dozen of my (and my friend's) cars over the past 7yrs or so, and
this ranks as one of the easier ones. Definitely a DIY possibility.

Scott.
'02S4Avant
'00S4

>From: "Kjos'" <fastwheels3 at attbi.com>
>Reply-To: "Kjos'" <fastwheels3 at attbi.com>
>To: <biturbos4 at audifans.com>
>Subject: Re: [BiturboS4] suspension upgrade
>Date: Thu, 5 Sep 2002 19:36:41 -0700
>
>Scott,
>
>Did you use the lowest shock setting? Did you mean 26.25"? That puts you an
>inch higher than me with H&R shocks and the same springs. You are using
>stock springs, right?
>
>John Kjos
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "S Stiles" <stiles_s at hotmail.com>
>To: <biturbos4 at audifans.com>
>Sent: Wednesday, September 04, 2002 11:40 PM
>Subject: Re: [BiturboS4] suspension upgrade
>
>
> > IMO, with the stock suspension, the damping is a bigger problem than the
> > spring rate. In other words, it needs good dampers more than it needs
> > stiffer springs.
> >
> > What I'm 1/2 way through installation on is a set of Neuspeed Bilsteins
> > (that have f&r slotting, so you can lower it a bit). I installed the
>fronts
> > last weekend, and it dropped me about 5/8 of an inch & tightened up the
> > front suspension significantly. The rear shocks won't let me lower quite
>as
> > much (~1/2"), but should compliment the fronts nicely. FWIW, right now
>the
> > front & rear wheel wells are at exactly the same height (~16.25").
> >
> > Just based on the performance of the front setup, I recommend this
>solution
> > for somone who isn't interested in drastic lowering, or in a punishing
>ride,
> > but wants to make a significant step-up in suspension
>control/performance.
> > (oh, it's a relatively cheap solution to boot).
> >
> > Scott
> > '02S4Avant (the bilstein project)
> > '00S4 (stock)
> >
> >
> > >From: "Kjos'" <fastwheels3 at attbi.com>
> > >Reply-To: "Kjos'" <fastwheels3 at attbi.com>
> > >To: <biturbos4 at audifans.com>
> > >Subject: Re: [BiturboS4] suspension upgrade
> > >Date: Wed, 4 Sep 2002 21:24:18 -0700
> > >
> > >This is a multi-part message in MIME format.
> > >--
> > >[ Picked text/plain from multipart/alternative ]
> > >Yes new shocks are a must. I know, I tried them w/ stock shocks and the
>car
> > >did not seem correct. It was bouncy and the steering even felt heavier.
>I
> > >do not think I'd buy H&R springs again as they are too low for me (1.3"
> > >drop in front). I raised the front of the car about .5" when I mounted
>the
> > >NeuSpeed/Bilsteins (only Bilsteins w/ height adjustability in front).
>It
>is
> > >still a little too low for me. I'd get springs that only lower the car
>by
> > >.8". There are several brands including stock European Audi springs
>that
> > >will fill the bill here. Of course, if you're not using the car for
>street
> > >driving, that's another story. I have no track experience so these
>comments
> > >relate to street use only set ups.
> > >
> > >BTW, shocks cost about $500/set plus $239 (you say) for the springs.
>Labor
> > >is something like $500 (here at least) so you're not saving a lot
>compared
> > >to coilovers. That way you can dial in your preferences and you won't
>be
> > >stuck w/ a solution that isn't exactly right like I am for now.
> > >
> > >I'll sell you my H&Rs for $150. Want em?
> > >
> > >John Kjos
> > >
> > >----- Original Message -----
> > >From: California Fields
> > >To: biturbos4 at audifans.com
> > >Sent: Wednesday, September 04, 2002 12:44 PM
> > >Subject: [BiturboS4] suspension upgrade
> > >
> > >
> > >[ Converted text/html to text/plain ]
> > >
> > >I was looking at suspension upgrades for the S4 and, basically, don't
>want
> > >to
> > >spend $1,300 on a coilover kit.  Does anyone have any experience with
>the
> > >H&R
> > >sport springs on the S4 (they're only $239)?  Is a shock upgrade
>necessary
> > >when going this route?
> > >
> > >I had H&R sports and Bilstein shock upgrades on my VW GTI and, although
>the
> > >handling was great, it was a bit harsh of a ride.  I'm trying to get
> > >something
> > >a little less harsh for the S4...but something that will reduce the sag
>and
> > >roll upon acceleration.
> > >------------------------------
> > >Carter Fields - San Francisco
> > >'01 santorin blue
> > >stock (not for long!)
> > >
> >
> >------------------------------------------------------------------------=
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>---
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> > >
> > >_______________________________________________
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> > >BiturboS4 at audifans.com
> > >http://www.audifans.com/mailman/listinfo/biturbos4
> > >--
> > >
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