Shine Racing Real Street Suspension Update - Part III

SUV · 10-16-2006, 08:16 AM

All-
As some of you know I recently had Shine Racing install their Real Street suspension kit for B5s in my 2001.5 S4 Avant. As I have said all along, this is a superb setup, and in my opinion is how this car should have come stock.

This setup includes 500lb springs all around and custom, revalved Bilstein shocks.

I would like to address some issues I initially encountered, and then discuss the results.

About 3 weeks after getting the suspension installed, I noticed on the website that what looked like the same setup was for sale for $795 versus the $1200 I paid. It turns out the $795 version includes the 500lb springs and the Bilstein shocks AS-IS from Bilstein. The setup I received included the Shine custom revalved Bilsteins. I cannot comment on the $795 version at all, but as I have said all along... I am very happy with how the Real Street suspension handles.

Secondly, I developed a squeaking, creaking, crashing sound in the right rear corner shortly after installation and it only worsened. From everything I had read, and my contact at Shine, Eli, had led me to believe, was that this was a result of not properly torqueing the corner to spec UNDER LOAD. I had therefore assumed that this was shop error and would be fixed under warranty. It turns out that the droplink was faulty and one bushing was completely seperated and another was very loose--- in short, city driving and 55k miles and a suddenly stiffer suspension had just worn the parts out, and they just needed replacing. This is totally understandable, and after talking to Jim, I am more comfortable with the work done, and am happy to pay for it.

The initial poor communication issues have been eliminated, and Jim and I now clearly see where eachother was coming from. He has really helped me understand exactly what I was charged for and why.

I want to finally reiterate, that the suspension has all along been one of the best mods I've made to my car, and has itself been completely satisfactory --- if you are thinking of upgrading your suspension, just keep in mind what city driving, bad road conditions and overall age will do to the supporting parts!! It's not just springs and shocks... I will probably have all the control arms, bushings, TRs and TREs replaced in the some-what near future.

One of the reasons I chose to go with the Shine setup in the first place is because it is the product of the shop near me who would be doing the work. If there were ever any issues, they would be close by and we could work together to fix it. Jim has made a point of making sure I am happy with everything they have done with my car... and I am.

-Rob

PS. I am not advertising for Shine. I am reporting my opinions on the setup (love it!) and the resulting issues that have occurred and how Jim and Shine have worked to solve them and help me feel confident in their shop/work. No, they did not refund me or pay me gobs of money or anything. He talked to me about a half a dozen times and really explained all that was going on and also offerred to put the car on the lift and go step by step through each wheel well and inspect all that was done in person.

A4AdMan · 10-16-2006, 08:21 AM

SUV · 10-16-2006, 08:24 AM

about it, and I've just never been able to make it to any events in the past. Would love to show it to people.

dawint · 10-16-2006, 10:14 AM

and will continue to go there for everything (shameless plug)

néné · 10-16-2006, 10:49 AM

Especially when all works out.

Murph · 10-16-2006, 05:11 PM

saabSean · 10-17-2006, 04:29 AM

...that even though Eli left (which still sux) the core of Shine is still intact.

**Kris Hansen** · 10-17-2006, 06:22 AM

A4AdMan · 10-17-2006, 07:54 AM

TeddyBGame lives on · 10-17-2006, 04:25 PM

10-16-2006, 08:21 AM	#2
A4AdMan AudiWorld Super User Garage is empty, add now Join Date: May 2004 Location: Mansfield, MA Posts: 11,475	Glad to hear that the car and the suspension is working to your expectations. __________________ 2002 3.0 Quattro \| Dolphin Grey \| Platinum \| Premium \| Xenon \| Heated Seats \| Owner since June 29, 2002 What I've done to it: Limited Edition 25th Anniversary S4 18" Wheels \| Milltek Exhaust \| H-Sport S4 Sway Bars \| Bilstein Sport Shocks \| Eibach Pro Kit Springs \| S4 Front Bumper \| S4 Upper and Lower Grilles \| S4 Polished Aluminum Mirrors \| S4 Door Blades \| S4 Replica Spoiler \| Zimmerman Rotors \| Hawk HPS Pads \| 3M Carbon Black 50% Tint \| Hoen H-11 Xeonmatch Fog Bulbs \| Tinted Side Markers Miles: 98,500 B6 A4 3.0 AudiWorld Member Database

10-16-2006, 08:24 AM	#3
SUV AudiWorld Senior Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 1,582	I'm looking forward to the next area G2G to a) meet everyone, b) show off the susp. Many have asked about it, and I've just never been able to make it to any events in the past. Would love to show it to people.

10-16-2006, 10:14 AM	#4
dawint AudiWorld Senior Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 1,356	yes good to hear ..... I'm still very pleased with my setup from Shine and will continue to go there for everything (shameless plug) __________________ Sold ... gone but not forgotten <br/> create your own personalized map of the USA or check out ourCalifornia travel guide <br/> create your personalized map of europe

10-16-2006, 10:49 AM	#5
néné Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Jul 2001 Posts: 3,459	Follow ups always appreciated Especially when all works out. __________________ www.htms.org :: www.RS6.com :: RS6 Trance Sessions

10-16-2006, 05:11 PM	#6
Murph AudiWorld Senior Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 1,880	The sign of a good provider is what they do about an issue. They did well. __________________ Murph

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10-17-2006, 04:29 AM	#7
saabSean AudiWorld Super User Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Jul 2000 Posts: 4,434	Just goes to show... ...that even though Eli left (which still sux) the core of Shine is still intact. __________________ AudiWorld \|\| 1999 A6 2.8q \| 1992 100CS \| AudiWorld Photo Gallery Links \|\| Stoney's FAQ \| CycleForums European Sportbikes Forum Tech Articles \|\| Instrument Cluster Replacement \| Suction Pump Replacement Other \|\| boompa.com/audiSean FOR SALE: MOVEN SP-10 18X8.5 FORGED WHEELS, $500 for 5

10-17-2006, 06:22 AM	#8
Kris Hansen Chief of Goat control 2000 Audi A6 Join Date: Oct 2000 Posts: 66,549,220	When did Eli leave????? __________________

10-17-2006, 07:54 AM	#9
A4AdMan AudiWorld Super User Garage is empty, add now Join Date: May 2004 Location: Mansfield, MA Posts: 11,475	Several weeks ago from what I could gather. __________________ 2002 3.0 Quattro \| Dolphin Grey \| Platinum \| Premium \| Xenon \| Heated Seats \| Owner since June 29, 2002 What I've done to it: Limited Edition 25th Anniversary S4 18" Wheels \| Milltek Exhaust \| H-Sport S4 Sway Bars \| Bilstein Sport Shocks \| Eibach Pro Kit Springs \| S4 Front Bumper \| S4 Upper and Lower Grilles \| S4 Polished Aluminum Mirrors \| S4 Door Blades \| S4 Replica Spoiler \| Zimmerman Rotors \| Hawk HPS Pads \| 3M Carbon Black 50% Tint \| Hoen H-11 Xeonmatch Fog Bulbs \| Tinted Side Markers Miles: 98,500 B6 A4 3.0 AudiWorld Member Database

10-17-2006, 04:25 PM	#10
TeddyBGame lives on New Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 30	I miss Eli but Jim is very thorough. Dick did a ton of work on my beast last week.

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