HereComesTheBoom

I'm in need of a complete control arm kit, struts, and shocks. I was wondering if the coils go bad? I'm at 144k on the original equipment. The car is in the midwest so lots of snow, salt, and bad roads. I see Blauparts has a kit that has everything pre-assembled - coils, struts, and hardware. I wouldn't mind this for the convenience but if coils don't really go bad then I could save the few hundred bucks and use it for other things.

GTA_Driver

Are the coils cracked in the rear on the perch? If yes, replace. If not, they're probably fine if the car is not sagging.

Huskerbob

+1 on the coils and if the cartridges are not leaking they are probably good as well. Unless you notice lots of extra bounce just do the control arms and tie rod ends.

Airbag

as a general comment ask any ford Taurus owner .... but in Audis case they do crack but very rare as they are very robust

nm3210

All four of my springs have broken. Front ones around 170k and rear ones around 190k - I am pretty sure they were original. Other Audi's I've been in contact with (in-laws) have also broken around the similar period. I don't know if it's just the harsh-ness of the midwestern climate (mostly in MN - really big hot/cold swings throughout the year) plus salt, etc. or what.

I would absolutely replace them if you're at 144k.

Airbag

wow i have 400,000km on original springs and my other audi went 350 when i sold it .. so there you have it .. I would go with above advice if ur worried ..

nm are you sure you didnt leave something loose lying in the trunk ?

HereComesTheBoom

Thanks all for the input. There's not any sagging or breaks that I can notice but since I'm planning on keeping my ride for a bit I'll go ahead and replace everything. I'm currently in MN and I'm still trying to learn how to avoid the street wide potholes and concrete failures on the highway, problems that I never faced growing up in the south.

Airbag

since ur doing that anyway is there an opportunity to lower the car a little ? or is that not important .. it isnt to me , but thought since you were doing springs anyway the opportunity is now ..

GTA_Driver

My 2001 A6 had both rear springs broken. 2000 A4 also had both rear springs broken. brother's 2001 A4 first broke one rear spring, then eventually the other.

living in Toronto, they put a ton of salt on the roads here.

HereComesTheBoom

I've thought about lowering but didn't know how that would work in MN winters. I love the quattro but I thought a little more ground clearance in the winter would be preferable. Anyone with more experience on this matter care to chime in?