I posted this in an Audi forum, but no reponses...maybe some will be generated here?

I am wrestling with the idea of updating my suspension in the S4 Avant because the stock one is worn out with over 100k miles on it. Depending on price, the other option is to get a newer car with a warranty that doesn't need suspension work -- B8 A4 Avant, Porsche Cayenne, Audi Q7 -- something that can be a dog hauler and get me to work in comfort. It is purely a daily driver and will see no track time -- I have another car for that =)

Ive been reading reviews of coilovers and while Ohlins would be amazing, I don't think that is what I need. It seems people either go with the H&Rs or Vogtland GTs. I live in Colorado and we have crazy dips all over the place for parking lots, side streets, etc. I don't want to go much if at all lower than stock height because of this.

My questions are -- what else should I do besides some sort of spring/shock replacement? I was reading about some adjustable camber plates -- and I have to admit my Audi needs an alignment every day it seems. These might be a good purchase too -- not sure how much they are. Are there common bushing sets that I should do? Will swaybar mods really help daily driver status? Better toe link adjustments out there that will help the alignment situation?

I'd like to keep a running price of things in this thread based on people's experience and what would be best for my situation. So far I only have...

Coilovers $1000

If there's a spring/shock option that would be better for me, please let me know. Plus used is always nice if I don't need to do any shock rebuilds or anything...

 

Stasis Engineering is the only way to go on Audi's. Had their stuff on my S4 and and loved it. H&R are oversprung and underdamped, garbage.

A little more than your budget but if you plan to keep it for a while you'll thank me. The Street Kit.

 

I do plan to keep it for a while - I don't want a harsh ride on the street at all. Maybe at 200k it can see a supercharger =) I see their Sport Suspension -- not a street kit though. I think the street kit was only for B5 S4s.

http://www.stasisengineering.com/Cat...VID=52&PID=184

Although I just found this link that does talk about the street sport suspension for my car which seems to be relatively cheaper -- uses Koni shocks.

http://www.gmgracing.com/audi_suspension.shtml

http://www.gmgracing.com/audi_stasis_guide.shtml

 

The Street Sport Kit would be ideal for you. My recommendation.

 

Definitely go with a spring/shock set up. No need for Coils if you're not going big time with the car. You definitely want to go with Gas shocks as those will last longer than hydrolic. I don't think you can go wrong with Eibach or H&R springs honestly. For the price, they'll offer great handling, a firmer ride and better looks.
When it comes to shocks though, I would suggest Bilstein. As for sway bars, as you may already know, they're not something you will notice for daily leisure driving.

If your having alignment issue, i'd suggest going to different place for an alignment. It should come out of line very easily and the if there was something wrong, you would hope the person who did the alignment woul be able to see and tell u what needs to be changed. Camber Kit is probably overkill unless u have horrible tire wear..and if that's the case and you're on stock equipment, you're shocks are bad.

If you're ultimately ok with your ride height, and just want a nice more stable ride, keep your stock springs, and upgrade the shocks.

otherwise, the kit will be cool.

 

In looking through reviews of spring/shock setups, I haven't seen anyone with an S4 who found a standard spring/shock replacement to be a comfortable ride. Also, the Avant needs different length springs and spring rates than the sedan -- or some people use a spacer -- for the rear, or it sits lower. I don't like the spacer solution, but some of the coilovers I see do have different spring rates for the Avant. If you're wondering why this is, the Avant has a better weight distribution than the sedan does.

Also, I don't want my car to be lowered much if at all. Most stand alone springs and shocks will automatically lower the car more than I want.

 

If the car is just your daily driver/dog hauler that will see no track time, then I wouldnt go crazy on a aftermarket suspension for the car. I would either rebuild the suspension using OEM stuff which you can get for cheap, or have fun and get something new.
Like you said, you have the 911 tt for the good stuff!

There are a lot of good deals for cars out there right now. Im sure you can find a great deal on a Cayenne S!

 

Try and find a used set of stasis street.....

 

They are $995, $248.50 per corner. That seems cheap to me

 

Yes, those are. They have the Koni shocks instead of the Ohlins others are recommending though.

 

I'd like an 08 at 06 prices to get the most of the warranty =)

I commute 100 miles roundtrip 3 days a week, unfortunately the Cayenne S does get 21 mpg/avg on the highway while the S4 gets 24ish or so.

 

24 on the highway?! I get 22 if I'm lucky.

I had Street Sports on my A4 before I upgraded to the S4. Very good for DD use along with a set of Hotchkis sways. However you will have to get used to approaching speedbumps/etc at an angle compared to OEM suspension...It seems like any/all aftermarket suspensions have a min. drop of 1"--I'd be curious to know the set with the least minimum. FWIW, I have also seen very good feedback on the Vogtland GT's customized by Startup Racing.

I am amazed you have 112k without needing the chain BS replaced.

 

I have a tip, for the improved gas mileage reason. And after years of ownership, I've found out its just sooooooooooo much more convenient in traffic too. Plus, its much easier to get that mileage when crusing no faster than 75 mph. At 80 it goes down to 22 mpg.

When I was looking at the Street Sports, it said minimum drop of 1/4" which I did like. I've been reading about Hotchkis sways and definitely do not like 30% failure rate of bolts breaking or being lost. It seems that is more common on the RS4 sways on S4s though.

Almost time for the 115,000 service...figured I'd have to ask about belt/chain replacement this time too since I'm keeping the car

 

which is why i said, if you're looking to keep the same ride height, besided coils, the only other option is to keep or replace the stock springs. Just about everything aftermarket will lower it as you said. Replacing the shocks will slightly stiffen up the suspension and make it much better over bumps and turn in better. If you don't want stiff shocks, get adjustable ones. or simply get stock ones again...If you're not doing crazy driving with the car, no need to go crazy with sways n camber kits...



he's right as well.

 

I agree a stock shock replacement might be making the most sense after everything I've read and conversations I've had. I have not found costs for the stock shock, though. I was looking for information that might be "better" paths for the same roughly the same costs.

The reason I was looking at the Stern Kit was because I do believe after 112,000 miles or 5 years, bushings should also be replaced. The Stern Kit does contain those bushings as well as refreshed control arms and tie rod ends. Unfortunately, no one has provided feedback around bushing replacement kits or anything and the Stern Kit is the only one I've found. Again, don't know the cost comparison to stock parts. I do agree that I don't need to go crazy with adjustable parts, but do want to know what my options are out there besides just stock parts from a cost perspective.