[s-cars] boge vs bilstein shock advice

[Dave Ellis]

Scot Anderson wrote:
> Dave, Thanks for the input. I am definately still in research mode and 
> every bit helps. As I collect my suspension upgrades, I get more and 
> more excited for when I actually put it all together. Thanks again for 
> the advice. 

You're welcome!

> So far, I have the happarsized rear sway bar and a 28mm 
> front sway bar from an avant. 

I'd love to have both those items.  The S4 could definitely benefit from 
decreased body roll and more oversteer.

> The question remains do I go with lowered 
> springs (which will require camber plates) 

I'm presently using the Eibach springs and was lucky enough not to have 
to use camber plates or modify the stock ones.  My mechanic was able 
(just barely) to get the front alignment into spec.  He had previously 
also managed to get his own S4 into spec without camber plates as well, 
although he mentioned he'd done one other where camber plates had been 
needed.

> or the group buy on 
> audiworld.com for European sport springs with only a 20 mm drop. I 
> almost feel the car sits a little high from an appearance standpoint. I 
> am fine with lowering it an inch or inch and a half. 

I found the Eibach springs lowered the car perfectly at the back (but 
I'm using the Avant springs so the back end of the sedan was originally 
a little higher than the Eibach sedan springs would be), but after 
adjusting the mount point the back the hight is now just o.k.  I've 
found the front Eibach springs to have lowered things about 0.60 inches 
too much though.  I have to be careful with oversized speed bumps and 
some of the rough roads around here or end up grinding the downpipe and 
exhaust crosspipe against the ground.

> I love the way the 
> car drives now. I never thought in all my life I would say this, but 
> damn is it comfortable (do I sound like my father!!!) I guess I need to 
> drive a car with a firmer suspension to see what I like better. Anyway, 
> thanks again. 

I didn't mind the original suspensions ride quality too much, but body 
roll and brake dive were *way* too excessive for my liking.  I now find 
the Eibachs great for handling, but on the rough roads around here they 
are a little too firm for my taste.  I'm actually now considering 
switching to the S6+ springs to raise the car / soften the ride 
*slightly*.  The suspension on the 2000 NeuS4s / A4s with sport package 
is about perfect, I find, and I'm hoping the S6+ springs will emulate 
that kind of ride quality (though of course being a much heavier car the 
UrS4 will never quite ride the same as those lighter B5 chassis cars).

> Scot Anderson

-Dave