I have a '97 1.8TQM (Wett 1-bar chip) with the standard suspension. I swapped wheels and now have decent Yokahamas on 16" rims -- it helped the handling some.<p>A friend recently bought a '98 1.8TQM with the sport suspension. One drive of his car made clear to me that I WANT that suspension--what a difference in driving feel.<p>Question. Should I (1) trade in my '97 for a '99 sport suspension car, (2) go aftermarket for springs and shocks [and, if so, which], (3) go to my Audi dealer to get the sport suspension installed [which I assume is possible].<p>Thanks.

Hey,<p>If depends on your $$$ to spend. Coilovers, as many people swear by them are the most expensive, but I think it is bs unless you are a racer. I say this because you can save $$$ by buying a spring/shock combo and get the same ride, only thing is you can NOT adjust the ride hight, but you would not do that on a coilover too often either (as it requires uninstallation/installation).<p>Only thing is you MUST KNOW that the spring/shock you are buying will be fine with you - need to do research and drive other people's cars.<p>Then you may just want to buy someone's used sport susp, which is cheap and big bang for the buck.<p>DO NOT go to dealer to get sport susp, at least I would not trust any of the bas**rds. Too expensive and I am not sure about the warranty, so why would you do it.<p>See the archives, there is tons of data. I will get H&R with Bilsteins once my sport susp wears out.<p>Zsolt

(nt)

I'd suggest you get an Audi with the factory sport suspension. Either used, or you can probably get a very nice deal on a '98 right now. Anything you do yourself to the car will limit its resale appeal, and let's not forget how dealers love to exclude warranty claims because you "messed with the car."<br>

Test drive both a sport package and an aftermarket. You may find that the aftermarket is more suited to your taste, maybe not, so check it out. If you're going to be spending money on new springs/shocks the price difference between new/used sport suspension vs an aftermarket suspension may be small enough to go aftermarket considering the cost of labor/wheel alignment. Yes, the sport package has different alignment specs (at least according to my dealer).<p>Don't swap you current car for new 99 with sports package. Way too big of a hit in the pocket!<p>If I could choose again, I'd get H&R/Bilstein (height adjustable)<p>Drew<br>2.8 Neuspeed spring/Bilstein sans Neuspeed sways, 17"

I have a 98.5 1.8tq with 2600 miles on it and I'm selling my sport springs and struts. If your interested e-mail me.

I also have a '97 1.8TQM with wett chip and stock suspension.<br>Last weekend at the NE A4 Group BBQ I had a chance to experience two after market suspension setups back to back. <p>One was '98 2.8 FWD with the A!Avantgarde suspension package which is a spring/shock package not coil-overs. The other was a '97 1.8TQM with Eibach Pro-Kit springs and Koni Sport shocks. Both cars had 225/45/17 rubber...Proxes and Pole Positions respectively.<p>After riding and driving in both I am going with the Eibach/Koni setup.<br>The A!Avantgarde offered a stiffer ride than I wanted. The Koni shocks which are adjustable were set at about 2/3 firm and was a great compromise between the A! and the stock suspension. In fact, I think they would be still acceptable to me if they were set at full firm. The other nice thing is that the Eibach/Koni combo will be less expensive than the A! package.<p>$800 + installation VS $1300 + installation.<p>I plan on ordering my set soon and will post impressions after I drive for awhile.<br>BTW, I staying with the stock Goodyear RS-As until I can scrounge enough for a plus one wheel/tire upgrade...probably the Ronal R-28 P7000SS deal.<p>Dave<p>