ADS Dampeners

[Lamprey]

I was poking around and it seems there are no aftermarket replacement dampeners (hope that's the right term) for people with ADS. I see that there are adjustable suspension systems that can be put in place that are not ADS, but can be adjusted with your phone.

1. Is there really no option other then getting replacements from the dealer?
2. If #1 is true, are there any other setups (coilovers I'd guess) that are cockpit adjustable in an integrated way? Adjustable without a phone.

My S4 is only a year and a half old, so I'm not overly concerned about getting a replacement now. Obviously, the ADS replacement parts are pretty pricey, but I really like the cockpit adjust.

Anyway, I could be completely wrong so thought I'd check in with people that are in the know!

Cheers!

[amz]

Both KW and Bilstein have adjustable coilover systems that are plug and play with ADS. I forget the names at the moment but a quick Google will tell you what they are

[sirsycott]

Both KW and Bilstein have adjustable coilover systems that are plug and play with ADS. I forget the names at the moment but a quick Google will tell you what they are

It's not that they are "plug and play" this is a common misnomer

What they actually include in those said kits are plugs that cancel the fault code when you remove the ads dampers since they're controlled electronically

These kits will have their own controls but No manufacture has been able to get them to work with the factory interface mmi console

[paul]

KW's DDC does not interface with audi's ADS controls to my knowledge. As stated they make an ADS shock delete kit (guessing a fancy resistor) to prevent the system from throwing a code. Once you have those you can run any conventional C/O kid or electronically adjustable kit (including KWs) without issue.

[PitchS4]

Just get OE sports and call it a day. Perfect stance and keep adjustability. Each setting a little more stiff then before. They aren't any bouncer then stock IMO.

[IanCH]

ADS on OE sports, works pretty good, better option than buying the delete's and coils.

Also, as far as I can tell my ADS suspension is in perfect working order and I'm a bit over 90k mi - I just wish the rest of the car was this durable haha

[chaos2984]

Honestly you have the best shocks for just adding spring. The shocks will adjust correctly due to setting and inputs from the ride height sensor. You don't have a preset rebound and fluid like normal shocks. Those shocks will accomidate lowering springs just fine and should ride just like stock due to the way the ADS shocks operate. The pistions are set but the fluid changes viscosity all the time.

[paul]

Honestly you have the best shocks for just adding spring. The shocks will adjust correctly due to setting and inputs from the ride height sensor. You don't have a preset rebound and fluid like normal shocks. Those shocks will accomidate lowering springs just fine and should ride just like stock due to the way the ADS shocks operate. The pistions are set but the fluid changes viscosity all the time.

I don't believe you're correct. The B8 S4 platform isn't using magneto-rheological fluid in the shock. I believe we actually have a simpler form of ADS where the shocks use a magnetically controlled valve and not a fluid that reacts to a magnetic field.

ELECTRONIC DAMPER CONTROL
Audi drive select with the sport differential can be combined with electronic damping control. The gas-filled hydraulic shock absorbers have an additional valve with a continuous opening action. The control unit computes the optimal damping force at a cycle frequency of 1,000 per second.

The electromagnetically controlled valve selects a damping characteristic to match the current driving situation at any given moment. Higher damping force may be needed to resist body movement when cornering rapidly or braking, whereas a lower damping force will be appropriate on potholed roads and a moderate setting on poor country roads.

14 sensors, 1,000 calculations per second
The central element in electronic damper control is the new high-performance control unit. It has the imposing data spread of 32 bits and operates at high speed. The computer analyses the signals from 14 sensors continuously, and calculates the current for the electrically controlled shock absorbers at each individual wheel a thousand times a second.

[amz]

Now that I'm at a computer and can search for them, I thought the KW DDC coilovers were plug-and-play with Audi ADS, but it looks like that's not the case :(, I stand corrected.

http://kw-suspension.com/us/kw_ddc.php

Edit: upon further reading, everyone is right about the KW DDC system. It is plug-and-play with the native Audi ADS system so you can keep using that, but you won't be able to use the KW DDC "brain" and wifi-application features. If you want to use the wifi app then you'd need to bypass ADS. Basically, you need to choose if you want to use the native Audi ADS system, or use KW's "brain".

The Plug & Play solution of the KW DDC (Dynamic Damping Control) coilover kit was developed for VW models, which have a standard Electronic Damper Control (VW DCC). The standard dampers can easily be replaced by the KW DDC coilover kit. The existing control unit and the interior switch that was installed for the operation of the damper control will be kept. For the first time the KW DDC coilover kit combines the advantages of a KW coilover kit and the comfort of standard damper control. By pushing a button, the driver can choose between Comfort-, Normal- and Sport-setup. Also the KW coilover kit allows an individual lowering in the TÜV-tested adjustment range.

[dave-t]

Both KW and Bilstein have adjustable coilover systems that are plug and play with ADS. I forget the names at the moment but a quick Google will tell you what they are

Billstein replacement is the Damptronics system

[Lamprey]

Thanks for the responses. Good to know there are replacements, even if they are pricy!