Do you guys regret lowering/stiffer suspension in Houston?

tberry · 08-22-2002, 07:48 AM

I'm beginning to feel that way. My car is not the same way since i've lowered it. I can hear a bit of squeaks and rattle and the suspension is a bit jarring (I had OEM sport but no bilsteins w/ OEM springs). I got rid of my previous car b/c of squeaks and rattles and this drives me nutz (yeah and i'm a bit **** when it comes to noises). I sometime drive my brother's Maxima (stock) and its so relaxing and misses it (of course at corners i loooovvvee the a4 and on Highways). Anyhow, coming back to reality I had big plans for the ride and I dont know whether I should get rid of it early and go for something else (rode in 2000 328i and it was nice). Any non-biased suggestions.

LCP · 08-22-2002, 09:47 AM

Lowering the car without making the right investment in shock absorbers is why you don't like your ride. The thing in your car that you have the most intereaction with is the suspension. If you want to upgrade it, spend the money and do it right. From what I have driven/ridden in, the only suspensions I would consider would be H&R coilovers and Stassis fixed height/coilovers. I can't judge MTM's or ABT's suspensions though. I would not tolerate H&R ultras, lower versions of H&R spring/shock combinations, or Intrax. Also, what tires and wheel size do you have? That can make a big difference too.

tb1200 - word up doc · 08-22-2002, 10:14 AM

but really if you take it easy and watch where you're going, then in the end it shouldn't really be a problem for wheels or new suspension.

tberry · 08-22-2002, 01:26 PM

coilovers but wanted to see if they are worth it or not. I am thinking of taking my car in next week or so to Staley and have him check out everything.

jasyn³ · 08-22-2002, 03:04 PM

otherwise .. they're fine .. and i live in the 59/buffalo speedway part of town. nothing "smooth" about this area. =/

hurricanesteve · 08-22-2002, 04:23 PM

Lowered from stock non-sport? That ain't lowered.

I guess I don't understand what you mean by lowered. What was the suspension on the car from the factory? What have you changed?

24 7/8" all around fender to ground on koni coilovers...that's pretty damn low. I scraped everything and couldn't take speed bumps. I'm raised back up to 25 1/4" all around. Rides stiff, but I love it. Have the shocks on 25% stiffness setting.

hwj · 08-22-2002, 06:56 PM

http://collection.audiusa.com/store/...product_id=779

tberry · 08-22-2002, 09:36 PM

use the OEM sport springs (pretty stiff....more than Eibach pro line) and a set of Bilstein sport shocks w/ adjustable perches. The perches can be set to lowest which drops the car about 1.2-1.3" from factory sport height (which is I think an inch lower than non-sport). Djnelsen and few others have this setup in AW.

jasyn³ · 08-23-2002, 07:32 AM

KenK in TX · 08-23-2002, 11:49 AM

08-22-2002, 09:47 AM	#2
LCP AudiWorld Expert Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Mar 2000 Posts: 26,564	You need a better suspension! Lowering the car without making the right investment in shock absorbers is why you don't like your ride. The thing in your car that you have the most intereaction with is the suspension. If you want to upgrade it, spend the money and do it right. From what I have driven/ridden in, the only suspensions I would consider would be H&R coilovers and Stassis fixed height/coilovers. I can't judge MTM's or ABT's suspensions though. I would not tolerate H&R ultras, lower versions of H&R spring/shock combinations, or Intrax. Also, what tires and wheel size do you have? That can make a big difference too. __________________ <I>"I can't stop apexing"</I> <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/7E23ZNlHEBHxjEVE7tCbQA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_3Hi-iQCt0Wk/SceZdRtx1fI/AAAAAAAABX8/vjV2gbtW7MI/s400/LCP-AWsig-collage.jpg" /></a> <small><b>2000 S4</b> :: Nogaro Blue :: 6-spd :: AWE RSK04 :: AP Racing 13" 4-pots H&R Street Coilovers + 19mm rear sway bar :: APR Bipipe RS4 ICs :: Autospeed DPs :: Borla :: Aquamist 1s UUC 40% short shifter w/spacer mod :: AWE center vent boost guage Lightweight flywheel :: 18x8 Ronal LZ's :: 235/40-18 Pilot Supersports <b>NEW:</b> 2011 Acura MDX :: Polished Metal Metallic <b>GONE:</b> 2002 allroad :: Atlas Grey :: Tip :: 235/55-17 Yokohama Avid ENVigor's</small>

08-22-2002, 10:14 AM	#3
tb1200 - word up doc Junior Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 608	I was debating whether or not to go with 19" wheels... but really if you take it easy and watch where you're going, then in the end it shouldn't really be a problem for wheels or new suspension. __________________ -tim FOR SALE -- 2002 A4 1.8T Quattro --

08-22-2002, 01:26 PM	#4
tberry Junior Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Nov 2000 Posts: 1,197	i have bilstein shocks w/ OEM sport springs on Yokohama AVS 235/40/17s. I was thinking of progressiv coilovers but wanted to see if they are worth it or not. I am thinking of taking my car in next week or so to Staley and have him check out everything. __________________

08-22-2002, 03:04 PM	#5
jasyn³ Senior Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Mar 2000 Posts: 5,737	i have h&r coilovers and regret not having known of stasis at the time of purchase. otherwise .. they're fine .. and i live in the 59/buffalo speedway part of town. nothing "smooth" about this area. =/ __________________ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - [COLOR=990000">mujomojo <font color="black]at[/color] gmail dot com</font> - 00 s4 6speed : apr stage3 emcs & stuff - 99.5 1.8tqms : apr stage3 emcs & stuff (sold) neurotics build castles in the sky, psychotics live in them, and psychiatrists collect the rent.

08-22-2002, 04:23 PM	#6
hurricanesteve AudiWorld Super User Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Mar 2000 Posts: 2,634	OEM sport springs? I thought you said it was lowered? Lowered from stock non-sport? That ain't lowered. I guess I don't understand what you mean by lowered. What was the suspension on the car from the factory? What have you changed? 24 7/8" all around fender to ground on koni coilovers...that's pretty damn low. I scraped everything and couldn't take speed bumps. I'm raised back up to 25 1/4" all around. Rides stiff, but I love it. Have the shocks on 25% stiffness setting.

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08-22-2002, 06:56 PM	#7
hwj AudiWorld Super User Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 17,079	"OEM sport springs" might mean the ones you can order from the Audi accessory catalog. http://collection.audiusa.com/store/...product_id=779 __________________ Hugh Current: 2001 BMW M5 Former: 2000 Audi S4

08-22-2002, 09:36 PM	#8
tberry Junior Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Nov 2000 Posts: 1,197	steve. check the main AW. if u have factory sport suspension u can... use the OEM sport springs (pretty stiff....more than Eibach pro line) and a set of Bilstein sport shocks w/ adjustable perches. The perches can be set to lowest which drops the car about 1.2-1.3" from factory sport height (which is I think an inch lower than non-sport). Djnelsen and few others have this setup in AW. __________________

08-23-2002, 07:32 AM	#9
jasyn³ Senior Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Mar 2000 Posts: 5,737	drive really really slow. =) your ride looks phat. __________________ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - [COLOR=990000">mujomojo <font color="black]at[/color] gmail dot com</font> - 00 s4 6speed : apr stage3 emcs & stuff - 99.5 1.8tqms : apr stage3 emcs & stuff (sold) neurotics build castles in the sky, psychotics live in them, and psychiatrists collect the rent.

08-23-2002, 11:49 AM	#10
KenK in TX AudiWorld Super User Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Sep 2000 Posts: 6,609	Agreed. Seeing those 19's in person made me want to back out of the 17's. __________________ '07 GTI 4 Door '04 A4 3.0 Q !SOLD! '01 A4 2.8 Q !SOLD!

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