Air suspension

[ashS4]

Looking to put air suspension on my B8.5 S4 and don't want to lose the ride quality and handling of stock suspension, heard a lot of bad comments regards air suspension on cars so I'm lost, did some research and found AccuAir which seems really good for looks, quality of handling and daily drive friendly, any thoughts?


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[Pilfer]

Looking to put air suspension on my B8.5 S4 and don't want to lose the ride quality and handling of stock suspension, heard a lot of bad comments regards air suspension on cars so I'm lost, did some research and found AccuAir which seems really good for looks, quality of handling and daily drive friendly, anyone thoughts?


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[ashS4]

Thank you! I've seen this one before and to be honest that's what i might end up going for, wondering if there's another company that delivers the same quality .


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[neverfastenough]

Here's my thought because I sell and have installed quite a few air setups. So I'm not a bias consumer trying to justify my 5K air setup.

-E-level is a waste of money for 90% of consumers.
-Airlifts V2 does what 90% of people require.
-Ride quality is typically good as long as they're setup properly. Meaning if you purchase a bag on coil setup the height has to be setup properly so you're running the correct amount of pressure in the bags. So the drive isn't to harsh or soft.
-It will never handle as good as a good coilover setup... especially coilovers of equal value.
-When something fails... be prepared for wrecked fenders at the very minimum.
-If you're not handy at fixing small issues... than don't buy air.
-Bags are a fad, and you will 100% get bored of them. I remove just as many air rides as I install now a days.

Lastly I will say they're super convenient, and ride nice. However there's nothing on a coilover setup that will fail and cause you as much grief then when a air ride component fails.

Best of luck.

[ashS4]

Here's my thought because I sell and have installed quite a few air setups. So I'm not a bias consumer trying to justify my 5K air setup.

-E-level is a waste of money for 90% of consumers.
-Airlifts V2 does what 90% of people require.
-Ride quality is typically good as long as they're setup properly. Meaning if you purchase a bag on coil setup the height has to be setup properly so you're running the correct amount of pressure in the bags. So the drive isn't to harsh or soft.
-It will never handle as good as a good coilover setup... especially coilovers of equal value.
-When something fails... be prepared for wrecked fenders at the very minimum.
-If you're not handy at fixing small issues... than don't buy air.
-Bags are a fad, and you will 100% get bored of them. I remove just as many air rides as I install now a days.

Lastly I will say they're super convenient, and ride nice. However there's nothing on a coilover setup that will fail and cause you as much grief then when a air ride component fails.

Best of luck.

Thanks man that was really helpful and exactly how I feel about air suspension, what are your thoughts on B16 Bilstein's? That's what I originally wanted to get before the thought of air suspension.


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[Gusman1]

My understanding is that it really comes down to the install. If you install the system correctly, you shouldn't really have any issues. I know several people that have been on air for years without issue.
Look at all the semi-trucks, they run on airbags for hundred of thousands of miles.
Airlift is the other company that offers great air suspension systems. The ride quality of an air setup is great and a lot better than a lot of people think.


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[jokingjimmy]

My understanding is that it really comes down to the install. If you install the system correctly, you shouldn't really have any issues. I know several people that have been on air for years without issue.
Look at all the semi-trucks, they run on airbags for hundred of thousands of miles.
Airlift is the other company that offers great air suspension systems. The ride quality of an air setup is great and a lot better than a lot of people think.


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Went from KW V3 to AirLift 3H with AirLift Performance struts (we used the Accuair sensor brackets though... they are nice). The AirLift struts ride just as nice as the oem from a comfort perspective, and just as solid as my coilovers (although I can't adjust rebound anymore). And with dampening control, I dialed the ride in exactly how I want it. Most of what I've read out there suggest that AirLift has better struts. Accuair management is slightly better, but not enough to make me pay the extra over the AirLift.

Install is the key like Gusman says. My local installer hasn't had any catastrophic failures, and he's been bagging for a very very long time. If course he does a full system test over day after install.

I've seen other installs that are so bad, they just waiting to fail.

If you have the budget, I'd recommend bagging. It's not a fad for me, I use it to air up over bumps and steep driveway access all the time. Rough patch of road? No problem. Air up to factory height, cruise for a couple miles, then drop it back down to ride height.

And like Gusman said, air bags are used in seriously heavy duty applications that log millions of miles. Big rigs, Fire trucks, million dollar motorhomes and even our high line Audi's

Watch this video about this "fad" that's been going on since the 50's:

http://www.speedhunters.com/2014/05/...ir-suspension/

And another on how they did what they do:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8e-pw8DEr2M

Air ride isn't just for hellaflush, they are also for performance.

Anyways, good luck with your decision.

[300zx2g35]

My understanding is that it really comes down to the install. If you install the system correctly, you shouldn't really have any issues. I know several people that have been on air for years without issue.
Look at all the semi-trucks, they run on airbags for hundred of thousands of miles.
Airlift is the other company that offers great air suspension systems. The ride quality of an air setup is great and a lot better than a lot of people think.


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^This

I had air on my Legacy and daily drove it for almost 3yrs with no issues at all and it rode great. I will probably end up with it on my S4 as well as I love the convenience of being able to raise and lower the car and with e-level, the ability for the car to self-level.
Although I agree nothing will beat a well set up coilover system, as long as air is installed and set up properly, you shouldn't have any issues.

[Mr.Jones18]

I can attest that I don't see bags being a "fad" and being extremely reliable. I've done two installs both on my b5 s4 and my b8 and even today I will be putting the girlfriends Q5 on air. I've used them even through the rough winters in Wisconsin and it's honestly a great thing to have. Yes, if something fails it can be pricey. I've had to send a V2 management out to be repaired and was out of a car for a week but compared to the convenience of adjustability on the fly it's almost a no brainer if you can justify the cost. The quality IMO with Airlift is great and their customer service is even better. I don't understand the argument that people always give about bags being bad compared to coilovers when it comes to track use because I feel like 90% of people who say that never even track their cars. I've taken my cars through the hills and twistes before with both setups and honestly it they both feel better than factory majority of the time which I think is all we ever really want when we modify our cars. I say do it and just enjoy the fun and convenience




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[968Reckless]

I love my accuair setup, it's great for the crappy NY roads. I drove it a handful of times during the winter as well with no issues. It isn't as stiff as coils in my opinion but the addition of other upgraded parts does give it a sportier feel (sway bars, cr-15 and inserts).


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[ashS4]

Went from KW V3 to AirLift 3H with AirLift Performance struts (we used the Accuair sensor brackets though... they are nice). The AirLift struts ride just as nice as the oem from a comfort perspective, and just as solid as my coilovers (although I can't adjust rebound anymore). And with dampening control, I dialed the ride in exactly how I want it. Most of what I've read out there suggest that AirLift has better struts. Accuair management is slightly better, but not enough to make me pay the extra over the AirLift.

Install is the key like Gusman says. My local installer hasn't had any catastrophic failures, and he's been bagging for a very very long time. If course he does a full system test over day after install.

I've seen other installs that are so bad, they just waiting to fail.

If you have the budget, I'd recommend bagging. It's not a fad for me, I use it to air up over bumps and steep driveway access all the time. Rough patch of road? No problem. Air up to factory height, cruise for a couple miles, then drop it back down to ride height.

And like Gusman said, air bags are used in seriously heavy duty applications that log millions of miles. Big rigs, Fire trucks, million dollar motorhomes and even our high line Audi's

Watch this video about this "fad" that's been going on since the 50's:

http://www.speedhunters.com/2014/05/...ir-suspension/

And another on how they did what they do:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8e-pw8DEr2M

Air ride isn't just for hellaflush, they are also for performance.

Anyways, good luck with your decision.

Thanks man !! Appreciate the help .


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[ashS4]

My understanding is that it really comes down to the install. If you install the system correctly, you shouldn't really have any issues. I know several people that have been on air for years without issue.
Look at all the semi-trucks, they run on airbags for hundred of thousands of miles.
Airlift is the other company that offers great air suspension systems. The ride quality of an air setup is great and a lot better than a lot of people think.


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Thanks man I really appreciate the help !


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[ashS4]

I can attest that I don't see bags being a "fad" and being extremely reliable. I've done two installs both on my b5 s4 and my b8 and even today I will be putting the girlfriends Q5 on air. I've used them even through the rough winters in Wisconsin and it's honestly a great thing to have. Yes, if something fails it can be pricey. I've had to send a V2 management out to be repaired and was out of a car for a week but compared to the convenience of adjustability on the fly it's almost a no brainer if you can justify the cost. The quality IMO with Airlift is great and their customer service is even better. I don't understand the argument that people always give about bags being bad compared to coilovers when it comes to track use because I feel like 90% of people who say that never even track their cars. I've taken my cars through the hills and twistes before with both setups and honestly it they both feel better than factory majority of the time which I think is all we ever really want when we modify our cars. I say do it and just enjoy the fun and convenience




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Thanks for the help , and nice rides!


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[jokingjimmy]

I know it's not an Audi, but the guy before me went with AirLift Performance struts and pressure management and tracks the neck out of his STI. AirLift Performance was originally designed as a race track suspension.

[EHesh14]

I have an 8 month old full accuair b8 sport kit that I'm gonna be posting for sale soon. Sold the car so I removed prior. Dm me for pics if you would like.

[blackfunk]

Great read. I had the same question as the plan is to go air by the end of the summer. I'm currently waiting on the AcuAir CVT tank to be released before making the leap.

[neverfastenough]

For the folks saying it's not a fad... the bulk of customers and local folks I see pulling it off vehicles tells me other wise. Just to clarify when I say "fad"... I say it becomes a fad to the owners. Most folks get to the point where they're not airing the car up and down anymore and just can't justify the money for the return. Will it always be around of course, will it continue to evolve of course, does it look incredible of course, however none of that is my point.

Also in regards to installation, of course it's like anything if it's installed by an idiot it's going to have a greater chance of failure. My point was there are things that can happen to an air setup that can simply cripple a vehicle which otherwise would never happen to a car on coilovers. For example I had a customer who drove down a gravel road and a rock skipped up and into the perch where the bag sits... he aired the car out and it popped the bag. He decided to limp the car in to see what was up, by that time all the paint was gone from the quarter panel.

This had nothing to do with installation and simply was a fluke, however it doesn't matter where a rock would fly it's not crippling a car on coils. I've seen other random issues like this come up and take cars out, or leave cars stranded. All of which would not take a car out on regular suspension.

I'm not a air ride hater, I think it has a time and a place, but I'm giving an honest opinion from someone who sells, installs, fixes and removes them.

[AudiTFSI3o3]

had bags 3 years now. no fad here.

[itskentt]

I went from GMG lowering springs to Airlift Performance and now Bilstein B16 PSS10 with Accuair B8 Sport Kit + Accuair E-Level. It handles extremely well and the ride comfort is perfect for daily driving/spirited driving. You can adjust the ride to be stiffer or just as stiff as coils.

The Airlift Performance rode and handled just as well as coils but the front strut started clunking and bottoming out on dips (there's a service bulletin to replace the bushing on these). I would suggest going with the B8 Sport Kit paired with Bilstein B8 sport shock/strut or even Bilstein B16 depending on your budget.

[neverfastenough]

The Airlift Performance rode and handled just as well as coils but the front strut started clunking and bottoming out on dips (there's a service bulletin to replace the bushing on these). I would suggest going with the B8 Sport Kit paired with Bilstein B8 sport shock/strut or even Bilstein B16 depending on your budget.

Your clunky and banging likely had more to do with where the bag was set on the strut. If you're not running the recommend pressure at drive height than you need to lower or raise the bag on the strut until you achieve that pressure for ride height, otherwise you will get clunking and banging. I've had to adjust a few sets for customers who've installed them themselves and than after a few months get banging up front... it all has to do with where the bag sits on the strut and the pressure you're running.

[EHesh14]

Sent from my iPhone using Audizine[/QUOTE]
I just noticed how cool your headlights look. Nice job

[MonSoonHell]

Hmmm..I can understand your comment about bag setups being a fad to the owner of the car being bagged. I have the Accu-Air B8 system w/E-level management however, I changed the bags to the Airlift Performance series as I had to replace my shocks. I daily drive MonSoonHell and absolutely love how she handles the NY sucky roads. Keep in mind, I primarily invested in the air bag system as I routinely show MonSoonHell in local, regional car shows. And to compete in these shows, you need more than a clean car with 3-piece rims regardless of mods..the air system will usually get you on the winner platform.

With the airlift system you can adjust the sensitivity of the shocks on all four corners:




So...you can have a beautiful Audi (without bags) or a sexy one (with bags)...of course I jest..

[blackfunk]

Whats the expected cost for the E-Level install around NYC? I've heard different stories as to if this is a DIY type of job. I can change my oil, calipers, rotors etc. I've installed several audio components through out the years so I'm fairly comfortable but having never done one or ever seen one installed - is this something I should consider doing myself or just pass it off to the pro's?

[canieat]

Whats the expected cost for the E-Level install around NYC? I've heard different stories as to if this is a DIY type of job. I can change my oil, calipers, rotors etc. I've installed several audio components through out the years so I'm fairly comfortable but having never done one or ever seen one installed - is this something I should consider doing myself or just pass it off to the pro's?

You mean e-level plus the struts right? Installs for both the struts and management run almost $600 - $800 when I asked around with the height sensors and such. Check out Intrack Tires, they do a ton of air installs. I've heard e-level is not too difficult to diy.