To all the people wanting to upgrade the A4's suspension... without upgrading the shocks (ie. springs only) I can safely say (so far) that the A4 handles very well... a tad bouncy, but very well. <p>I purchased a set of H&R race springs for my '98 A4QM... they were installed Friday and I can't stop driving the car. This isn't the first lowered vehicle I've owned (95 Accord V6, 97 Integra GS-R), but it's the best handling. I do however plan on buying Koni shocks in the spring... I'm using the $1000 for the shocks towards a set of 18' Hamman Monoblock IIs and a Projectzwo body kit.<p>I know a lot of people would are against the aftermarket springs/no aftermarket shocks set-up, but unless you're an scca racer I don't think it's crucial... even though I do plan on getting them in about 4-5 months.<p>Oh, installed the AvanteGarde grille today... it makes me hate the stock grille even more! =)

I was gonna do the same but I decided to wait since I heard that alignment of the suspension in AUdi service takes like 3 hours? Is that right? How much did you paid for yours and how long did it take, I am also getting the shocks in the spring so I did not want to spend the installation- alignment again and decided to wait.

I went to a shop to get an alignment and after driving the car they said I didn't need it. They said they could do it and take my money, but there would be no difference in the alignment. I talked to the shop that lowered my car about this and they said that in most cases the car doesn't need an alignment after lowering (unless you start cutting coils off the springs)... I paid $450 for the springs and installation.

<br>If you lower the car much you usually need a new alignment because of bump-steer. The toe-in changes as the suspension moves, so if your ride hight is changed then your toe-in has changed. Depending on the car, the same can be true for camber.<p>Todd W

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Granted I have the most impact to my change with the H&R coilovers, but I disagree with the individual you spoke to. If you do a consensus of this board, I think you will find that anytime you change the height of the car, an alignment is necessary....shocks only...no....springs ...yes.<p>Steve S.<br>97 2.8<p>P.S. BTW, my alignment was done for $160 (2 hours labor) at Audi Dealer in California.<br>

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I'm sure the 'board' would disagree with what I mentioned... but the 2 tuning shops I talked to... both specialize in higher end cars have stated that sometimes cars come off the racks and need alignments... and sometimes they don't. <p>The car drives just as straight as it did before the height adjustment when I let go of the steering wheel (going above 60mph). The camber is not off and the toe is normal... according to the alignment shop. They would have charged me $127.00. <p>I had the same situation happen with my Integra... ... 2 shops said it didn't need an alignment... 2 said it did or I'd have severe tire wear... drove the car for 1.5 years on 17' Momo Arrows and there was no evidence of abnormal tire wear. <p><br>So what I guess I'm trying to say is it's based on chance... some cars need alignments... some don't. Any "respectable" tuner shop will tell you this... alignment shops are out to make money... I'm sure they'd tell me I needed an alignment if I changed the oil. <p>Unless you know the condition of the camber/toe, the reputation of the shop who lowered the vehicle, and alignment shop, I suggest getting an alignment.<p>Cheers.<p>-Dantley

Sorry, had to do that....The shop that suggested that I get the alignment was the one that just installed the suspension...they could not do the alignment ...so they get no benefit out of suggesting I get an alignment. They didn't have a Hunter Alignment rack, nor the special Audi rack that is necessary to align a Quattro. They actually recommended I go back to ANY audi dealer. My installation shop installs aftermarket suspensions frequently....ie 3-5 per week, so I trust them pretty much.<p>With a $28-35K car, I would tend to err on the safe side. With my coilovers the suspension was significantly altered. With a spring only install, with not that much lowering, it may be different.<p>I respect your opinion, but I personally would get the alignment done.<p>Steve S.<br>97 2.8QM<br>

:-)

My experience was similar to yours, Dantley.<p>Anthony, from GreedSpeed, told me that an alignment isn't always necessary. However, to be on the safe side, I had the dealer do one anyway, at a cost of $155, mind you.<p>They checked the numbers and, except for the front camber (expected), all were within Audi spec. So, they didn't change anything and I ended up paying for the reassurance, I guess.<p>If I did it again, I would probably check for drivability problems first and save my money if none existed.<p>Jim

I agree, Steve.<p>I only lowered my car about 15 mm from my sport suspension height, so the camber and toe changes were minimal. As they say, though, "your mileage may vary."<p>Jim