Intrax-Racing suspension fitted - mini review

[Sven_S8]

Wahey!!! The S8 is back! With a vengeance...

It took some patience, but boy, was it worth it!

The suspension is much more responsive, firm, without being uncomfortable. It begs to go fast, and it feels sooo good when you give in to that! The suspension get's gradually firmer the faster you go, and then, there is an incredible notion of 'downforce'. You'd almost blast over bumps, bridges and the likes just for the heck of is, because it feels so good... (on 2nd thought, strike almost)

So, I'm probably in trouble, since going fast feels even better, and cornering is absolutely amazing... Very addictive! It feels so planted and secure, I could imagine one could easily get overly confident...

The car is not much lower (could be adjusted tho), but we felt this was best. The front is just a tad dropped, the rear is about the same. Safe, practical, and it has that 'enhanced OEM' look. Wheels fit the arches nicely and symetrical. Dropping it more might look 'cheap' (you'd get these big gaps at front and back whilst the top of the tyre dissapears behind the fender), and it'd probably be impractical.

Speaking of impractical, did I mention the speedbumps? LOL, "what speedbumps?" The car takes them better than stock!

Another interesting fact, when we drove up there (in an Audi with stock suspension) my friend, who drove me there, noted the brick road in front of the building was a good test stretch (we were shaken, not stirred upon arrival). When we pulled out with the S8 it almost seemed a different road... very smooth, and that with firmer suspension!!

In a word, great! (and that's just the middle setting...)


+++

• http://www.intraxracing.nl

[PaulW]

I've gotten very use to my car.....after doing the auto cross a couple of weekends ago I was driving down the highway and there was a strap with metal clasps sitting on the right side of my lane (in Chicago traffic going 55 MPH), saw it out of the corner of my eye, and it was natural to just move out of it's way without using the brakes...

Then a couple of miles down the road there is a bunch of wood that was smashed in the left lane, and once again, I just quickly did a "lane toss" manuever into the left median and drove right around it with no brakes. The car was very settled and controlled the whole way.

The schools/events really teach you how to manuever your car safely.

Congrats!

pw

[Sven_S8]

Tomorrow I'll call about the X-pipe (and maybe brake pads). After that I'll check out the track event.

Pity Audi can't be bothered to reply, as I would have liked the Quattro specific 'Audi experience' track day... :-/

[A8Lsport]

Sven, what are you doing with your old S8 parts? I am looking to procure a set of S8 springs and shocks here on the other side of the pond. If you haven't already sold them, I would be interested in purchasing them from you. I am looking for an upgrade for my A8L and after viewing SDA8's review of H&R, Eibach, and S8 parts, this seems to be the best way to go for me. If interested send me an email. Thanks.

[Sven_S8]

That wouldn't be honest towards you my friend...

The dampers were due for replacement anyway, so I wouldn't want to sell them to you. Besides the OEM stuff is quite heavy, so the shipping costs would be killer I guess.
The new dampers are quite a bit lighter though... ;-)

The rear springs are still in place for now (due to the layout on the 8), as there was very little to improve on that part (if any). So that leaves the front springs. Not the most expensive part, so again, I wonder if that'd be very useful.

So, why not see if they can make you a new setup as well? I can tell you it IS better than the std S8 setup, and definitely better than any 'off the shelf' coilover kit I ever experienced. Costs may be similar or possibly less than you'd pay for a new S8 suspension.

Think about it, if you want I'll help you with the procedure. (besides, they do speak English).

What's great, these guys have all the experience. They do racing teams, - GP winning - Formula 1 teams, the lot! So hardly your local tyrefitter... ;-)

PS: not to be confused with the other Intrax! (Used to be a 'daugter' for simpler street kits, but not anymore).

• http://www.intraxracing.nl/

[PaulW]

Inquiring minds want to know! ;-)

Paul

[Sven_S8]

If they'd be willing to do that. (I might be able to convince them I think) ;-)

It's hard to just hang a price tag on it, just because of the whole custom made concept. A guy had a TVR Cerbera fitted there, and he wanted pure comfort. Well, that's what he got. The car was made smooth as silk, but in a way it still handles okay. I wanted virtually the opposite, emphasis on handling, with as little loss in comfort as possible. They managed that too...

So, the more wishes and demands, the more elaborate (and costly) it gets. They have gorgeous titanium Porsche coilovers there that weigh next to nothing, cost around €7k. But so friggin handsome it'd almost be a shame to hide them under the car...
Awesome F1 systems too (I didn't ask the price). Did you know they did the suspension for the winning Michael Schumacher / Benneton car?

So, you can take it as far as you'd want...

For a setup like mine you'd be looking at ~ €2200 (fitted). Not that much more than a H&R or KW kit, fitted at the local tyrecentre... So, not that unreasonable at all, given the impressive result.

Just spoke to my friend again, who drove me there. He was still in awe, how the S8 ironed out the same brick road his car 'rattled' over, and yet cornered without a trace of body roll, showed no 'dive' under heavy braking, and just kept on tracking... And he wasn't even there on the erm... shall we say "quick" ride back, which really tingled my spine...

It was a big step, and I was a bit nervous about it, in spite of the professionalism and the raving feedback I heard. But now I'm sure it was the best thing to do. Definitely well worth the investment... :-)

[PaulW]