I Hate the Suspension on My Q5

[barniethelab]

I bought a Q5 2.0L TDI 177PS SE S-Tronic earlier this year - this was delivered with standard SE non- sport suspension set up and 18 inch alloys

I really do not enjoy driving the car because of the suspension. I live in a rural area of Fife, Scotland where the roads are not the smoothest around. It is ok on motorways and dual carriageways, but on the undulating roads I drive on every day I can only describe the ride as like sitting on top of a jelly - you get "shaken" about from side to side

Most of the cars I have owned in the past 15 years have had some sort of modifications done to the suspension, and I have had good results from Bilstien Sport shocks, either using original car springs or fitting new springs as well

Someone I have spoken to has suggested fitting a KW street comfort coilover kit - this is not only expensive, but I have not spoken to anyone who has actually fitted such a kit to a Q5

My priority is comfort with good driving characteristics - I do not want to feel every bump on the road

Has anyone experienced similar dis-satisfaction with the standard Q5 suspension, and made modifications which have delivered goods results - if yes, I would be eager to hear the details of the mods made

[osideaudi]

I cant speak for KW but I had the HR street performance Coils on my last car and had to sell it because of how rough the ride was. Although, I do live in Washington DC and the roads around here are horrendous. I just know I'll never go back to coilovers..KW is supposedly coming out with adjustable springs for the SQ5, maybe those paired with bilsteins will do the trick?

I bought a Q5 2.0L TDI 177PS SE S-Tronic earlier this year - this was delivered with standard SE non- sport suspension set up and 18 inch alloys

I really do not enjoy driving the car because of the suspension. I live in a rural area of Fife, Scotland where the roads are not the smoothest around. It is ok on motorways and dual carriageways, but on the undulating roads I drive on every day I can only describe the ride as like sitting on top of a jelly - you get "shaken" about from side to side

Most of the cars I have owned in the past 15 years have had some sort of modifications done to the suspension, and I have had good results from Bilstien Sport shocks, either using original car springs or fitting new springs as well

Someone I have spoken to has suggested fitting a KW street comfort coilover kit - this is not only expensive, but I have not spoken to anyone who has actually fitted such a kit to a Q5

My priority is comfort with good driving characteristics - I do not want to feel every bump on the road

Has anyone experienced similar dis-satisfaction with the standard Q5 suspension, and made modifications which have delivered goods results - if yes, I would be eager to hear the details of the mods made

[ibiski]

KW street comfort coils

[VroomVroom]

I was told by a KW dealer that there is no Street Comfort configuration for the Q5. Filter that accordingly when doing your research, but from everything I read about that kit, it's designed to maintain OEM ride quality while offering a mild drop in ride height. I'm not seeing that as a good match for what you're describing. It's important to consider that the Q5 has both a high center of gravity (at least compared to a typical car) and a short wheelbase....in other words, the perfect storm for, "jelly." Lowering the ride height can certainly help a bit, but...physics is as physics does.

ST coilovers - which I understand are identical to KW V1, minus the stainless steel construction, might be an option for you at a significantly lower price point. You could also consider H&R sport springs. I'm running those, and over harsh, poorly maintained urban roads, there is a definite increase in ride harshness. However. if I'm reading your post correctly, the match might be perfect for your environment....as long as you're also after a ~ 1.5" drop in ride height. Finally, I keep hearing that H&R is very close to introducing a coilover kit for the Q5 that may also be a good option, although I can't speak to the price point in comparison to the ST's. Good luck...

[ibiski]

Vroom, wasn't aware of this. Seems a bit strange to me that a non-sport Q with 18" wheels can be described as uncomfortable. My SQ5 with 21" and stiffer suspension is considerably more comfortable than B8 S4 I had.

[Boom]

Get bags

[osideaudi]

Get bags

I've wondered the ride quality compared to OEM vice being on bags.. Is it better or worse than coils?

[Boom]

I've wondered the ride quality compared to OEM vice being on bags.. Is it better or worse than coils?

I have been thinking about bags for a long time now. For my cars at least. I'm done with coilovers. Roads where I live are crappy and I want the option to raise the car for curtain places. I went for a drive in one of my friends car that had bags on his passat.......................comfortable. It's like riding on air. lol

So I would imagine that the Q5 would have many advantages with air. Though the air management location in the Q5 will be a bit tricky if you want a clean and functional setup.

[Bomiz]

OP said KW was expensive, don't think he's going to blow 7-8k on bags+installation.

[M3_WC]

I've wondered the ride quality compared to OEM vice being on bags.. Is it better or worse than coils?

[LINDW4LL]

I'm very surprised that you're disappointed with your Q's suspension. When you say you get shaken from side to side, do you mean that there's too much body roll? Or is it too "Floaty" of a ride.

[Boom]

Good find. Forward it to the wife. lol

[ibiski]

Did a quick search and got this result: http://www.allshocks.com/CAR/AUDI/2013/Q5

[SpeedyFred]

Lower it on kw's, or just get kw's and don't lower it (wich would be stupid). It's a compeletly different ride on kw's. I hated it too when i first got it, now i love it