DRC and Lowering Springs- Post em up!

[JGreen76]

I am considering 034 springs for my MY21 RS5 SB w/ DRC. Is there anything out of the norm that one can expect for installation? I received a quote that is much higher than anticipated.

Thanks in Advance!

[dal59]

Here is car with stock suspension. How much lower do you want to go, and at what cost?

RS5-1.jpg

[ywang98]

I have trouble coming out of the parking lot at my place of work because the parking lot is a lot higher than the road, and the ramp is too steep. So I have to go side ways slowly, and this made a lot of people impatient. Already rubbed my front lip once on that.

[HurrayFive]

Yiss, what others are saying, have you tried adding spacers yet? Once you add some spacers to the stock flags w/ DRC (10mm all around looks juuuust right to me), stock height is as low as I could go on our streets and not bottom out on every pothole:



I also have to go a little sideways up/down a regular steep parking garage entrance/exit not to scrape the lip. Dynamic is also very stiff on even marginal quality roads w/ DRC at stock height, springs would likely make anything but Comfort too rigid & bouncy unless you've got crazy smooth roads. I'd try spacers out first and save the money on springs for an intake to add a little extra sound, but GL either way!

[coolwater]

HR VTF about 3/4 inch drop.
Still able to get over speed bumps fine.
No rubs or scraping.
$550 installed. They kept the shocks connected while swapping springs. Alignment was about $140 after a week.

https://youtu.be/TDWnPYwP4mg



-cW


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[VVG]

I would NEVER change the springs on a car without also changing the shocks. This is a perfect example of the idea that "just because you can, doesn't mean you should". These aren't 10 year old cheap cars that teenagers are trying to modify to look cool by dropping them with springs. Do it properly, or leave well enough alone. As it is, the RS5 is barely properly dampened (one could argue it is not).

[HurrayFive]

Definitely in an A4/5 and mostly in an S4/5, lowering is worth it w/ factory wheels because it makes such an immediately noticable difference in height, but with the RS5, like my M5 and RS7, the returns just aren't the same at this level, and you usually end up destroying a very calculated and engineered suspension geometry that makes the whole thing just for looks. It's your car, so do whatever makes you enjoy it most, but nobody can spot the difference from 10 feet back on the RS (nor the M5C) and you end up with a much more drivable car by just leaving it stock.

[wwhan]

.....As it is, the RS5 is barely properly dampened (one could argue it is not).

Yes, the springs seem too stiff for the underdamped DRC system.

I would consider softer springs though, maybe from a S5 SB.

[bkkchris]

ABT HAS with .5-.75 inch drop. Had the car for a few weeks from new before install and honestly the ride is slightly better than stock. Stock the RS5 was a bit unbalanced to me, arguably the "worst" aspect of this car was the suspension tuning. No major issues being a bit lower from a road hazard standpoint, other than the usual watching out for step driveways/speedbumps/etc., but that was the same stock height regardless.

KWHASwebpics_6.jpgIMG_1200.jpg

[coolwater]

Zero bounciness for me. I am running wider/slightly taller tires than stock. If you’re going to put springs on get a HAS kit as the labor is the same and you can dial in the height to your liking.

https://youtu.be/RL4kwBeBJEs

-cW


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[VVG]

While softer springs would improve the ride characteristics, they would also lead to increased body roll. The fault lies in the shocks. My '22 in scheduled to arrive this summer. If I decide that the suspension is not quite up to snuff, I will be getting a set of KW V4 coilovers. There is an option for cars with DRC. I am coming from a Macan GTS, so the RS5 is going to have big shoes to fill in terms of suspension tuning; something Porsche has absolutely mastered.

[JGreen76]

I was considering it, always have liked a lower profile. When I got a $1300 install quote, I wanted to turn to Audizine.

Thanks for the info!!!

[coolwater]

I was considering it, always have liked a lower profile. When I got a $1300 install quote, I wanted to turn to Audizine.

Thanks for the info!!!

That’s steep. Shop in Northern VA wanted $850. I drove 1 hr to induktion motorsports in MD and paid a lot less. They offer the best prices and top notch service. Guys on audizine drive down from north east to have work done by them.

They used to offer a $450 suspension plus alignment package a few years ago. That’s springs or full coilovers.

Most shops have no idea you can keep the RS5 shocks connected while doing the swap. Thus the higher quotes imho.

I know this doesn’t help you in TX…


-cW


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[slava]

That’s steep. Shop in Northern VA wanted $850. I drove 1 hr to induktion motorsports in MD and paid a lot less. They offer the best prices and top notch service. Guys on audizine drive down from north east to have work done by them.

They used to offer a $450 suspension plus alignment package a few years ago. That’s springs or full coilovers.

Most shops have no idea you can keep the RS5 shocks connected while doing the swap. Thus the higher quotes imho.

I know this doesn’t help you in TX…


-cW


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Since I'm in MD and researching local shops, I appreciate this info and plug for Induktion.

[IamRacer X]

I have the standard suspension. Added spacers in the first month of ownership. My car is now over three years old with 17k miles. I believe the ride height has settled lower over time. I was spectating at an autox recently. There was a '22 RS5 SB parked as well. I parked next to it. My car looked like it was lowered by comparison. Just an observation.

[JohnEnglish]

I have the standard suspension. Added spacers in the first month of ownership. My car is now over three years old with 17k miles. I believe the ride height has settled lower over time. I was spectating at an autox recently. There was a '22 RS5 SB parked as well. I parked next to it. My car looked like it was lowered by comparison. Just an observation.

Adding spacers can sometimes make a car appear lowered as they push the tire out which can hide some of the wheel gap.

[VVG]

Adding spacers can sometimes make a car appear lowered as they push the tire out which can hide some of the wheel gap.

There is an optimal point for this, as if you push out too far flush, it can actually make the car look raised from certain angles. Plenty of pics in the wheel gallery demonstrating this.

[IamRacer X]

Here is a pic of my non-lowered base suspension RS5 SB. As I mentioned it has spacers. I can barely get one finger between the tire and fender. Its the first car Ive had in a while that I have not lowered.

[Burrcold]

Here is a pic of my non-lowered base suspension RS5 SB. As I mentioned it has spacers. I can barely get one finger between the tire and fender. Its the first car Ive had in a while that I have not lowered.

Looks great, what size spacers did you go with?

[VVG]

Here is a pic of my non-lowered base suspension RS5 SB. As I mentioned it has spacers. I can barely get one finger between the tire and fender. Its the first car Ive had in a while that I have not lowered.

Can you measure the height from the ground to the top of the fenders? Maybe the DRC system rides a little higher? My front/rear fender heights are 27.25"

[Zombie5150]

Can you measure the height from the ground to the top of the fenders? Maybe the DRC system rides a little higher? My front/rear fender heights are 27.25"

I was curious and just measured mine. It too is 27.25”.

[JohnEnglish]

I'm thinking about getting the ABT springs for ride quality as they're supposed to improve it a fair bit. I'm not interested in lowering my car.

[Burrcold]

I was curious and just measured mine. It too is 27.25”.

Did you measure at all 4 corners? Mine are the same height as yours, with the exception of my passenger side rear which is a quarter inch lower. I even measured from the center hub to the fender to eliminate tire pressure and alignment variances, and it's still the only corner that's .25" lower. Odd. The fuel tank is mostly on that side, perhaps that's what's causing the difference?

[Zombie5150]

Did you measure at all 4 corners? Mine are the same height as yours, with the exception of my passenger side rear which is a quarter inch lower. I even measured from the center hub to the fender to eliminate tire pressure and alignment variances, and it's still the only corner that's .25" lower. Odd. The fuel tank is mostly on that side, perhaps that's what's causing the difference?

I did not. I only measured the right front. I just filled my tank so I’ll go measure the other three. Car looks level, lol.

OK, I just measured all 4. Fronts are at 27 1/4” and rears are 27 5/16”.

[VVG]

I did not. I only measured the right front. I just filled my tank so I’ll go measure the other three. Car looks level, lol.

OK, I just measured all 4. Fronts are at 27 1/4” and rears are 27 5/16”.

Okay...just went and did exact measurements on all 4 corners. This is with a full tank of gas and OEM sized winter tires set at 42psi. 285 tires would add 3mm or about 1/9" to the height.

Both front =27 3/16"
Driver rear = 27 5/16"
Passenger rear = 27 1/4"

So it seems everything is within 1/8". I also placed a flat metal ruler along the top of the tire (not the tire edge) and measured to the top of the fender. This distance was exactly 1". Keep in mind that even worn tires can take like 1/4" off these measurements. I am on winter tires that are essentially new.

[VVG]

I'm thinking about getting the ABT springs for ride quality as they're supposed to improve it a fair bit. I'm not interested in lowering my car.

Before I actually took ownership of my car, I swore I would never replace springs alone, but, I too am considering the ABT or KW HAS to lower just 1/2", and for the claimed improvement in ride, although personally I have no real complaints.

[IamRacer X]

Looks great, what size spacers did you go with?

I have 12mm F 15mm R if memory serves me right lol No issues at all.

[IamRacer X]

Can you measure the height from the ground to the top of the fenders? Maybe the DRC system rides a little higher? My front/rear fender heights are 27.25"

Ok guys... Just measured mine. So for a recap. My car is a non-DRC '19 RS5 SB 17k miles on factory suspension (not lowered) with wheel spacers.

Front to top of fender 26 5/8
Rear to top of fender 26 7/8

As mentioned before, Ive been asked more than once by Audi owners what lowering springs I had.

[Burrcold]

Did you measure at all 4 corners? Mine are the same height as yours, with the exception of my passenger side rear which is a quarter inch lower. I even measured from the center hub to the fender to eliminate tire pressure and alignment variances, and it's still the only corner that's .25" lower. Odd. The fuel tank is mostly on that side, perhaps that's what's causing the difference?

Okay so I moved my car out of the garage and now all four corners sit at exactly 27". Strange.

[Burrcold]

Ok guys... Just measured mine. So for a recap. My car is a non-DRC '19 RS5 SB 17k miles on factory suspension (not lowered) with wheel spacers.

Front to top of fender 26 5/8
Rear to top of fender 26 7/8

As mentioned before, Ive been asked more than once by Audi owners what lowering springs I had.

What wheels and tires do you have? PSI in the tires?

[JohnEnglish]

I have 12mm F 15mm R if memory serves me right lol No issues at all.

EMD spacers?

[IamRacer X]

What wheels and tires do you have? PSI in the tires?

No tricks here.... Stock wheels and tires....37 cold psi F 35 cold psi R

[IamRacer X]

EMD spacers?

Yes I believe they are.

[IamRacer X]

Here is a current pic...

[JohnEnglish]

Yes I believe they are.

If they are then they’re 12.5mm front and 15mm rear. I have the same set.

[VVG]

Ok guys... Just measured mine. So for a recap. My car is a non-DRC '19 RS5 SB 17k miles on factory suspension (not lowered) with wheel spacers.

Front to top of fender 26 5/8
Rear to top of fender 26 7/8

As mentioned before, Ive been asked more than once by Audi owners what lowering springs I had.

So maybe non-DRC does ride lower? Looks like 3/8 -1/2" lower, although tread depth and lower tire pressure could account for a bit too. As I said, I have new winter tires which have a deeper tread and inflated to 42psi.

[Burrcold]

So maybe non-DRC does ride lower? Looks like 3/8 -1/2" lower, although tread depth and lower tire pressure could account for a bit too. As I said, I have new winter tires which have a deeper tread and inflated to 42psi.

Why are your tire pressures so high? That's max load territory.

[VVG]

Why are your tire pressures so high? That's max load territory.

I was running lower pressures, but the Vredstein Wintertrac Pro tend to flat spot quite easily. That's the only reason.

[IamRacer X]

So maybe non-DRC does ride lower? Looks like 3/8 -1/2" lower, although tread depth and lower tire pressure could account for a bit too. As I said, I have new winter tires which have a deeper tread and inflated to 42psi.

I posted in another thread earlier in the year about the ride height being lower with non-DRC cars... but it seemed to get blow off
I know like 90+% of US RS5s have DRC

[O&G]

H&R adjustable springs w/ DRC. No problems at all!