Adjusting the S4 suspension set-up for winter

[FixedWing]

Since I replaced my engine mounts, I have been testing out my A4 front anti-roll bar. Success! The car is much better balanced. The set-up is going to be perfect for snow driving.

Today I raised the car and adjusted the Ohlins dampers ahead of the winter. I raised it for additional ground clearance, more suspension travel and to get less negative camber on the front. I think this will work well in the snow.

I have been running the dampers at a setting which is just a little firmer than Stasis's "aggressive street". I set it to their "Sport street". This is the first time I've made a change in a long time. All I can say is "wow". The car is totally different. I had forgot how configurable the Ohlins were. :-)

The ride is far more comfortable. Gone is the harshness of before. But also gone is the ability to handle bumps in less than one cycle. Also gone is the razor sharp turn-in. The car is also not as communicative.

Obviously I liked my previous set-up better. But this is on summer tyres and as soon as it snows I will put on winter tyres. My thinking was that in snow it would not be possible to turn-in as crisply in any case. Nor are the cornering limits as high. So it made more sense to use a milder set-up.

But now I'm having second-thoughts. I wonder if my aggressive set-up would have been better even in the snow.

And I'm also wondering just how easy it is going to be to dial-in an ideal setting for use in the snow. Could be an interesting challenge..

Stephen

[O.W. Kenobi]

I run Dunlop M2s, and find my aggressive street camber settings to be just fine in the winter.

[FixedWing]

So figured I might as well.

I had the ride height much higher last winter also for similar reasons.

Not sure how worthwhile it really is. If I experiment a little this winter that's one of the things I will want to figure out.

But I can't see myself doing it next winter once I really have the suspension the way I want it for the summer. Not unless it makes a very big difference.

What I really need now is a "winter S4" for these conditions. :-p

Stephen

[DocWyte]

I don't mess with mine, even when driving up into the Rockies.

[FixedWing]

I have intentionally not corner balanced the car and instead have kept the suspension ride heights identical. I actually don't think it makes a lot of difference to corner balance a street car though I am planning on doing this in the spring.

Toe setting won't change much over this range. I also adjusted the tie-rod end to its lowest setting. Front camber angle will become less negative which was one of the goals.

In fact, it has been moved back and forth a few times. The alignment is pretty good if a little conservative. I will change all of this in the spring.

Stephen

[O.W. Kenobi]

[O.W. Kenobi]

A CB and alignment costs upwards of $300 - not worth the extra inch of ground clearance, IMO.

[JoeyJoJoeJrShabadoo]

The lower dampening force might help in the low traction environment of snow.

Just wait for the first snowfall and experiment

[DocWyte]

that's the entire point of buying coilovers vs a spring/shock combo.

[Jason@STaSIS]