2020 RS3 - Sport Suspension is making me dislike my car. Need a solution.

[StocktonBomb]

I bought my 2020 RS3 with the OEM sport suspension option instead of the mag-ride. I didn't really put a lot of thought into this when buying the car, and the sport suspension felt pretty great on the test drive. This was a mistake and I can only blame myself. After a few thousand miles I am realizing that I absolutely hate the OEM sport suspension on this car, because most of the roads I travel on here in SoCal are awful.

I did lower the car with lowering springs, but it was pretty awful before. I don't think it got any worse with the eibach springs and HRE wheels I had installed. I've had some sporty/stiff suspension setups on several other cars I've owned but this car literally brings me off of my seat on medium sized bumps or even going slow over speedbumps. My wife hates it, and I have a baby coming this summer, so if I can't find something more suitable for my situation I'm gonna end up selling this car.

I'm wondering if anyone is running air suspension on this car and what your opinions are on it? I've never bagged a car, but I think it could be cool and possibly a lot better for daily driving.

Other option is find a full set up aftermarket coilovers, but I'm not sure I will find the comfort I'm looking for.

Any recommendations would be appreciated.

[mike_TX]

Having the fixed suspension, you should jump for a nice coil over solution man. I love my magride so a coil over is no go for me but I would have done it in a heartbeat if I had fixed.


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[StocktonBomb]

That's probably the leas expensive and easiest route so I'll have to do some research on what options are out there.

[mike_TX]

Weird thing is that I think you're the first guy that I recall saying that they dislike the fixed. Most rave about it.

I believe the consensus is that it rides like the auto mode in the magride, which is the medium of the 3 modes. And I drive mines in Auto 80% of the time cause I think it's the best balance.

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[StocktonBomb]

It's great in the canyons, but it's very annoying on any decent sized bump and the reality is I daily this car. Even before lowering it, I did not enjoy it. I normally love a fairly stiff suspension, but something just seems off about this one to me. It's like stiff but bouncy. On a nice flat road, it performs incredibly. Feels great on the occasional launch or when cornering.

[mike_TX]

Ya I know what you mean. I came from a magride S3 and that rode exactly like how you describe yours. But my rs3 drives alot more refined and sure footed, I guess due to the extra weight from the engine.


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[MerakiAutoworks]

I have fixed suspension and in socal too. Feel like the car is too bouncy..

-Josh

[brobst]

Maybe look into some bilstein struts. I think coilovers gonna be just as stiff

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[RS3TP]

I have a 2018 with the FR suspension and at first wasn't pleased with the stiffness of the ride. I am totally use to it now and would not even consider trading it. I would stay away from coil overs as they will be stiffer than stock. What I would highly recommend is an 18" wheel and tire set up. I did that just for the winter and it was a night and day difference. If you are that unhappy that is the route I would take.

[rodacollier]

I have a 2018 with the FR suspension and at first wasn't pleased with the stiffness of the ride. I am totally use to it now and would not even consider trading it. I would stay away from coil overs as they will be stiffer than stock. What I would highly recommend is an 18" wheel and tire set up. I did that just for the winter and it was a night and day difference. If you are that unhappy that is the route I would take.

I agree with the 18” advice…if you don’t already run 18” with a 35+ sidewall. Hate to see you loose so much on depreciation - trading so quick. I have mag ride and 19” with 30 sidewall - and I must use comfort or auto going into urban areas. I have the Eibach springs and I think they have helped with both potholes and speed bumps.

[jd_rs3]

Can you *try* going back to stock springs and see if that helps any? Maybe the stock ride will be better than you remember? Also, stupid question, but is the fixed suspension stiffness adjustable?

[Alex D]

18” wheels will be the biggest improvement to your ride quality. The 19s with a 30 series profile rides way too harsh in my opinion.

[itsjustjed]

I'd look into the ABT/KW V3 coilovers if you bias towards street comfort.

I had the fixed suspension on my RS3 and installed Bilstein coilovers and 18" wheels/tires a few months after purchasing my car. I've been very happy with the set up and the ability to adjust the rebound/compression is very handy. The ABT coilovers are a revalved version of the KW V3s that focus more on street comfort than potential track duty.

I'd personally avoid bags. I prefer mechanical components to electrical, and there are too many fittings, lines, trunk modification needs/potential issues with bags IMO. The installation is also a pain, you lose 1/3 of your trunk and you end up trashing the underside of your car, kiss that pretty front aluminum subframe goodbye.

Good luck with whatever you decide, but there are definitely ways to improve the car's ride.

[P5stunna]

You can't fix SoCal roads. Well...it can be fixed but I doubt it ever will be. When I lived in NorCal the freeway by our house was under construction when I was in high school and to this day there's still F'ing construction on that same patch of freeway and I'm damn near retirement age.

[brobst]

I had coilovers before on my gti and they were great. But 99% of people don't spend the time dialing in the rates and it actually makes it worse. So I do think its overkill for most.
Its one of those great ideas in theory but often not great in practice.

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[hberg002]

Hmmm, I have sport suspension and in SoCal too and don't find it bad at all. My GF and mom approve of it too. I did buy the car with 10K miles so maybe yours hasn't "broken" in yet, if that's a thing. I did see in other threads, and in this one, that a lot of people recommend going to 18" wheels with a taller tire as that helps making the sport fixed suspension more comfortable.

Maybe your transport blocks (aka shipping blocks) are still on the springs? hahaha

[RS3TP]

Good point about breaking in. I missed mentioning that in my previous post but you're spot on with that

[StocktonBomb]

I'm running 19" HRE wheels, so I could try to sell them or trade with someone for an 18" set. Might be another option.

[brobst]

How do springs break in. I hear people say that all the time, but what is it? Spring is a piece of metal so whats actually breaking in?

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[Paul@SupremePower]

https://www.audizine.com/forum/showt...1#post14338688

[BzzzBom]

I live in the heart of Los Angeles with the worst roads in the country. I find the sport suspension on my 2019 RS3 perfect. I like it better than the suspension on every car I’ve owned in the last 50 years and I’ve had numerous BMWS, Audis and Mercedes. Never owned a Porsche unfortunately.

[WmRS3]

I got Neuspeed coils, rear sway bar and links from Paul love my fixed suspension. They are cheap enough give it a go or go with the KW’s I have those on my other car and really can’t justify going to the coil overs on the Audi right now because I like the ride. Just my .02