How about using lowering springs on an S4 to reduce the OEM forward rake

[swbca]

I just traded 1 2014 A4 with the sport package for an 2016 S4. The S4 sits an inch higher off of the road than the A4 with the sports package . . . . and the lower A4 looked a lot better to me. I was looking a using H&R lowering springs to lower the car about an inch in the front and 1.5+" inch in the rear to also reduce the "tail high" look with the standard springs. (the jacking points on rear of S4 are an .8" inch higher than the front jacking points) I would have to order the H&R front and back springs separately because it would take springs from 2 kits to get the rear lowered about an inch more than the front.

The car suspension is already more harsh than my A4 (maybe its the tires causing that) Would lowering springs make the ride even more harsh ? Also I do about 5 HPDE events per year so track performance is also a consideration. Obviously the available suspension travel is reduced a little, but would lower springs necessarily cause the ride to be firmer on small road variations ?

[PitchS4]

I would do springs from the same kit unless you verify same spring rate. Yes it will be more harsh. Coilovers will be similar in price to 2 sets of springs and you can dial in ride height where you want it. Will be less harsh too depending on which you get.

[swbca]

I would do springs from the same kit unless you verify same spring rate. Yes it will be more harsh. Coilovers will be similar in price to 2 sets of springs and you can dial in ride height where you want it. Will be less harsh too depending on which you get.

Two questions: Do the Coilovers have the same generous lifespan of the OEM components ?

Any idea of the installation time/cost ?

Thanks

[Ashtonts]

Two questions: Do the Coilovers have the same generous lifespan of the OEM components ?

Any idea of the installation time/cost ?

Thanks

You shouldn’t be using OEM shocks if you’re switching your springs to something lower. That’s a really good way to kill your ride quality and prematurely blow the shocks. If you’re going to switch springs, always always always pair them with shocks that are engineered to work together with your springs.

Longevity is going to depend on what coilover you get. Probably none will last 150k miles like OEM equipment would, but you can expect >60k miles out of a quality set before you need to rebuild or replace the shocks.

I received quotes around $600 for coilovers on my B7 a couple years ago. I’d expect around that or slightly more depending on your shop. To do it yourself, it’s an all day project.

[blackfunk]

I can say this....I went with KW H.A.S lowering kit and the ride is better than stock. It was totally surprising. I have end links and sways as well but I had those installed way before.

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[KRp220]

I can say this....I went with KW H.A.S lowering kit and the ride is better than stock. It was totally surprising. I have end links and sways as well but I had those installed way before.

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+1 on the KW HAS if you want control over the ride height but don't want to go with coilovers

[swbca]

You shouldn’t be using OEM shocks if you’re switching your springs to something lower. That’s a really good way to kill your ride quality and prematurely blow the shocks. If you’re going to switch springs, always always always pair them with shocks that are engineered to work together with your springs.

Is using the KW Height Adjustable Spring Kit basically the same as using non-adjustable lowering springs with respect to "ride" or the bad affects on the shocks ?
blackfunk below says he used the adjustable springs it had a beneficial effect on "ride". I am not challenging your comment, Just want to understand if adjustable springs are different than lowering springs with respect to good suspension performance.

[Ashtonts]

Is using the KW Height Adjustable Spring Kit basically the same as using non-adjustable lowering springs with respect to "ride" or the bad affects on the shocks ?
blackfunk below says he used the adjustable springs it had a beneficial effect on "ride". I am not challenging your comment, Just want to understand if adjustable springs are different than lowering springs with respect to good suspension performance.

KW HAS is designed to retain the factory shocks, so the spring is optimized to work together with stock damping components. Most other lowering spring kits are not, and should be paired with their respective shock absorbers.

You can have a mismatched system that is subjectively acceptable, since everyone has their own ride quality preferences. But spring-damper systems have to be paired together carefully, and not doing so can only have detrimental effects to varying degrees. At best, you're going to push the shock out of it's damping range and it won't be doing its job properly (or at all in some cases).

[swbca]

I can say this....I went with KW H.A.S lowering kit and the ride is better than stock. It was totally surprising. I have end links and sways as well but I had those installed way before.

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Do you know how much you have lowered your car from stock ? Would 1.5" end up compressing the shocks too-much in typical mixed driving conditions (not off-road racing :)
If you don't know how much you lowered it could you measure from the ground to the top of your rear fender opening. Or from rear wheel hub center to fender opening. I am worrying about spend $1200-1500 and ending up with a screw-up that I have to un-do.

I started this thread by mentioning the 2014 A4 with Sports Package that I just trade for an S4 rides almost an inch lower than the S4, and 1" make a lot of difference in the car's appearance. To me my S4 looks like a garden variety sedan, not a sports sedan.

[blackfunk]

I've never actually measured the drop but check out the picture for an idea of how it looks now. And that's pretty high and not close to being as low as it'll go. As a matter of fact its much closer to max height in those pictures.





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[swbca]

I've never actually measured the drop but check out the picture for an idea of how it looks now. And that's pretty high and not close to being as low as it'll go. As a matter of fact its much closer to max height in those pictures.





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Your car looks awesome!

I was trying to buy a 2015 S4 with the same color as yours, but it got away before I could get it, so I ended up with white.

I have been doing a lot of measuring of S4s with and without lowering springs. Your front has only been lowered about .75" from stock and your rear about 1.75". I drove an S4 yesterday that has H&R OE Sport springs that are supposed to lower the car about 1.2" front and back. But the car I drove was actually down 1.75 in the front and 1.5 in the back. The suspension was less harsh than my stock S4. The car was owned by Imola Motor Sports a large shop that does the mechanical work for modifying Audis, for street and for racing. They had the H&R springs in their S4 with stock shocks for 2 years with no problems.

[Turbocoop]

I threw some H&R sport springs on mine to lower it a bit, about 1" all around. The look is perfect for what I wanted, not slammed but very little wheel gap. I agree with the guys who said dont use the OEM shocks through- the ride has degraded some over the last 6-700 miles on them. Its not that bad, but for a nice car like an S4 you want something better.

[swbca]

I threw some H&R sport springs on mine to lower it a bit, about 1" all around. The look is perfect for what I wanted, not slammed but very little wheel gap. I agree with the guys who said dont use the OEM shocks through- the ride has degraded some over the last 6-700 miles on them. Its not that bad, but for a nice car like an S4 you want something better.

good to know. I may just end up leaving the suspension unchanged. $1700 is a lot of money to pay someone to put an adjustable spring kit on the car to lower it 1". Also, Imola motor sports said the H.A.S. adjustable spring kits they put in are usually frozen up after a year so they are no longer adjustable.

[AerotusX]

I'm running on H.A.S for about 5 years now. The ride is certainly better than stock. It handles very well and comfortably at the same time. The only big issue I have with H.A.S. on our S4 is that the rear will sag over time. After 2-3 years, the rears are raised to max height, but they still sit a tiny bit too low for me. I wish I can raise them another 0.1~0.15" due to slight rubbing when passengers are in the back, but I can't. This is a design flaw but of course, KW would never admit it. Some have worked around this by purchasing the Avant version as they are rated for more "rear" weight. If I had to do it over, I would not go with H.A.S. or anything from KW since they do not stand behind their products.

Here is my stance. FTG is 26.1"FR, 26.2"RR