I just got back from my AUDI dealer as I am selling my GTIVR6 and looking at the 1.8TQM. Wanted to know the difference between the sport suspension option and the standard suspension...better shocks? stiffer& lower springs? sway bars? I saw the 10 spoke sport wheels (horrible) and wanted to know if its worth it for the sports package or should I just handle the upgrade myself....I was planning on leasing, so i don't want to dump a lot of cash into it...will probably be replacing the wheels regardless...any input would be appreciated...

The sport package has stickier tires, stiffer springs, shocks and I think sway bars too. Plus a three spoke steering wheel and it's all 20mm closer to the ground.

Sport package includes the following:

1) Sport steering wheel -- very nice 3-spoke design

2) 20mm lower springs -- I'm sure that they have a higher spring rate but I don't know the specifics.

4) Shocks -- different than the normal suspension...valved to deal with the up-rated spring rates probably. Both the stock and sport shocks are made by BOGE.

5) Swaybars -- rear swaybar is 16mm versus 12mm on normal suspension. Front is 28mm solid on sport package and 28mm hollow for normal suspension...these are for a 1.8T with Quattro, not sure if 2.8 or non-Quattro cars are equipped the same or not.

6) 10-spoke 16" alloys with Dunlop SP-Sport 8000E "summer" tires. Do yourself a favor and purchase a set of snows if you get any snow where you live...the Dunlops stink in the snow according to everything I've read on the subject.

HTH,

<A HREF="Mailto:andy_hedin@hotmail.com">Andy Hedin</A>
'97 A4 1.8Tqms, Garrett 1.0 Bar, ABT Filter, APR/Borla Exhaust, Euro Headlights, more...

Thanks to both of you for the specifics. I appreciate it. Andy - How do you like the G-Chip? i have one in my GTIVR6 and love the performance gain...I know it is not as impressive as the gains on the 1.8T, but overall I've never met a dissatisfied Garret Customer...Thanks again - JS

I had a Wetterauer installed for about a year and had a few issues with it (I won't go into it here, the details are in the archives).

Basically went with Garrett as an impulse purchase after test-driving a Garrett-chipped 1.8T. Great low-end torque, very smooth, pulls strong to redline, no pinging...what more could you want?

Andy Hedin