How does your car handle now and do you use em with aftermarket sways (front and or rear)?

I had the H&R springs installed about two months ago. It sits just right and the ride is almost the same as stock, just a little (and I mean marginal) bouncy on uneven pavement. It does handle better because it's lower. I'm still using the stock sways front and rear. Overall I'm very happy with this upgrade. Hope this helps.

-Andy

I'm in Saratoga NY and can't get any Audi dealer around here to agree to change them. They literally will not take my service appointment saying it will screw up the DRC and they don't want to be liable. Anyway...has anyone had the H&R springs installed by a dealer in the Northeast that they would recommend? If so, what was the cost, time and who should I ask for?

Thanks in advance.

that's odd considering that in Europe there is a package called "sports suspension plus" that uses lower springs, a stiffer rear sway, and stiffer shocks. i have not seen or used that kit, but unless the shocks are completely different, the rest of the DRC stays intact ... but then again, i could be completely off ...

thanks sharing your experiences with us ... have you had any problems with the DRC being screwed up as Zanardi43's dealers claims would happen?

ferchizzle...From what I understand, you're correct, the H&R's don't pose a problem for the DRC system. I'm sure some would debate the longterm effects, but there are owners who have had this setup for an extended period already and have not had ill effects.

I just need to know who will do the install and recharge the DRC?

for the past three years. I never use the dealers here anymore and my father has been using him for work on his 993tt after he became fed up with Langan. If you want, e-mail me and I'll give you some more information and his phone number. By the way, if you see a black B5 S4 with a fair amount of work done, or new black S8 up here, it's me.

I have the SSP, but that is an actual Audi RS4 product.

<img src="http://images105.fotki.com/v440/photos/2/201040/4947348/IMG_0470-vi.jpg">

With the SSP, the shocks, springs and rear sway bar are replaced.

With the H&amp;R only the springs are and I can understand why a dealer doesn't want to be responsible for possible damage to the DRC system. Not upgrading the shocks to handle the stiffer springs might cause issues in the future.

I'm not saying that dealer would be OK with installing the SSP either, some dealers just don't want to mess with items that can cost a lot to fix. Just the DRC fluid is $35 a litre and you need 6.7 for the entire system.

are you using he H-Sports with the rest of the ssp kit? if so, how is the ride different from using the ssp sway?

thanks!

miles on the car. All I can tell you is the H-sports feel amazing!

I have not experianced any problems with the DRC system. And my local dealer also did not want to do the install. I had them installed at Champion Motorsports in Pompano, FL.

I have the SSP, but that is an actual Audi RS4 product.

<img src="http://images105.fotki.com/v440/photos/2/201040/4947348/IMG_0470-vi.jpg">

With the SSP, the shocks, springs and rear sway bar are replaced.

With the H&amp;R only the springs are and I can understand why a dealer doesn't want to be responsible for possible damage to the DRC system. Not upgrading the shocks to handle the stiffer springs might cause issues in the future.

I'm not saying that dealer would be OK with installing the SSP either, some dealers just don't want to mess with items that can cost a lot to fix. Just the DRC fluid is $35 a litre and you need 6.7 for the entire system.

Do you have the part numbers for the entire sports suspension setup (ie for all the items in the above display)?

I have them. I feel like the car rides slightly high in the front but that’s just me.
Handling is great after my third DRC replacement... the car still pushes and i have the H&R sways front and rear. Just lift your foot a bit and you can get the back to just come around then back on the gas to come out.
Not ideal.

For most the ride quality would be fine, if your DRC is charged perfectly to the factory bar.

Some of the purists will argue that the springs are not matched with the shocks yada yada, but i actually called during a drc episode, H&R. they said they match all there specific applications with the shock, and spring rate that best compliments the stock shock.

This is a decent alternative to doing a full coil over but if the extra cash is there go for a full coil over. Always the optimum set up.
I plan to do a coil over kit for sure down the road.

Do you have the part numbers for the entire sports suspension setup (ie for all the items in the above display)?

This will be also an option should the someone have to replace the original DRC shocks. (although one can argue it is still DRC).

anyone one have pics of there RS4 with H&R springs? being that H&R claims the springs wont even drop it an inch front nor back, i want to see how lower it looks.

Personally I wouldn't put the H&R's on the DRC system. The DRC will fail eventually and you'll have to replace the shocks on your own dime as you'll give AOA an excuse not to cover it. If I were to do it I'd go straight to the Stasis SL's.

anyone one have pics of there RS4 with H&R springs? being that H&R claims the springs wont even drop it an inch front nor back, i want to see how lower it looks.

imho, looks good...too low is cheesy
I have Eibachs on my e46 M3 and they look great...F/R 0.6"/0.9"
you would think not noticeable, wrong, looks good...and really obvious when parked next to a stock car...

http://www.motiontrends.com/2006/2006tm/m05/audi/Audi_RS4_HR1.jpg

ferchizzle...From what I understand, you're correct, the H&amp;R's don't pose a problem for the DRC system. I'm sure some would debate the longterm effects, but there are owners who have had this setup for an extended period already and have not had ill effects.

I just need to know who will do the install and recharge the DRC?

IF YOUR IN SO CAL GO TO EUROTEC MOTORS aka S4MASTER1 HE IS ON THIS FORUM.
INSTALLING THESE IS EASY.

Ooooh!!!! I just thought of this option. After a quick search I see H&R makes such a spring package. I have the new DRC shocks so don't really want to mess with a good thing and rip out a system that delivers good ride quality. However new springs that just lower the car sounds perfect. My eye tells me that the car would look absolutely great lowered just a little more from stock.

Do I understand it correctly that the springs can be replaced without disconnecting the shocks from the DRC hydraulic system? That sounds doable to me. I have a reasonable understanding of things suspension wise but I am not a mechanic. Can anyone confirm this???

Please let me know, this seems like a great next step.

K.

I don't think its possible to do the springs without removing the shocks. I have a set of h&r springs installed on my rs4 and the car sits at a good level. I installed them when the recall was done around 1500kms ago. My wife just bought me a set of kw v3 coilovers so i will be removing the springs if you are interested. They are basically brand new. I had to wait almost 5 weeks for these springs. Let me know if you are interested.
george.ioannides@hotmail.com
I am also in Canada.

the rears don't need disconnected, the fronts do, but since they are diagnolly connected, you must recharge the entire system...
takes special tools and knowledge, so a willing dealer is the best choice...

Hmmm... I just had the DRC recall done a few weeks ago. Wish I knew about this. I think my dealer did a good job with the recall but it did take a while. Since the system needs a recharge I wonder what kind of costs I would look at. I will have to phone them and see. I am not sure if I would spend a few thousand for 3/4 of and inch lowering. I am going to give it a little thought and some research. Thanks for the info guys.

gei136
I would be interested in the springs for sure but let me find out the total cost of the job. Did you notice and difference in ride or handling? Do you have any product literature that went with the springs?

Thanks.

This is why I am researching springs now. My car goes in for the DRC fix in two weeks. I would LOVE to use the sport springs from Audi, but I cannot find a part number!


I'd prefer not to lower a full inch, and in the cab the H&R springs do just that. I'd actually love to drop the front 1/2 inch and leave the rear alone, but I don't see that as an option without full coilovers.

OK talked to the dealer and they say it's a 6-8 hour job at 125/hr ($100) plus the cost of the springs. Sounds like they are covering any eventualities in the estimate, not a cheap affair. Any extra pics would help.

Arthur, do you have a larger pic of that grey car? I need lots of motivation to drop that money on a 3/4 inch lowering. Are you sure you need to disconnect the fronts? TeamImola seems to think no. Any way you can think to get around this requirement? If so I can have a local shop do the work at a little more reasonable rate and in less time.

You know, I just thought of a shop that specializes in this kind of car. I might give them a call tomorrow and see what they suggest.

gei136
Can you give me any more feed back on what the car feels like with the springs compared to stock? Pics?
I'd love to do this, just got to figure out if I can get it done for a bit less then what it's looking like right now. Just spent $500 on new track and street pads plus some anti roll bars earlier so my car fund is at a low ebb. Just a matter of time as we all know. PM me what you would like for the springs.

Track day Friday, whoo hoo!!! Can't wait.