Rough Ride from Regular to Sports Suspension?
06-29-2002, 01:48 AM
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Rough Ride from Regular to Sports Suspension?
I'm the proud owner of a brilliant black 02 A4 1.8TQM w/ regular suspension. After a month of driving, I'm getting too sensitive to the amount of roll I get on highway exits. I didn't get the sports suspension initially thinking the ride would be too rough, since the 02
normal suspension is supposed to be the sports suspension of previous models.
I need some enlightment from someone who's familiar with both normal and sports suspensions, Will the ride feel substantially rougher going from normal to sports?
Should I go for Audi's OEM sports suspension or are there better options out there?
Thanks much.
normal suspension is supposed to be the sports suspension of previous models.
I need some enlightment from someone who's familiar with both normal and sports suspensions, Will the ride feel substantially rougher going from normal to sports?
Should I go for Audi's OEM sports suspension or are there better options out there?
Thanks much.
06-29-2002, 02:23 AM
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What tyres do you have? the 15's or 16's?. I tested a sports and on less than perfect roads, it felt
jerky, the salesman said it had shipping blocks, I wasnt so sure if he was telling the truth.
06-29-2002, 05:40 AM
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I test drove both and noticed hardly any difference.
I had lowered my previous car with both sport springs and shocks. I got real tired of the bouncy/harsh ride so i was real cautious and skeptical about getting the sport suspension on the A4. But i really couldn't tell much of any difference in ride quality! And the handling and looks is so much better. I love it.
06-29-2002, 06:53 AM
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They let you drive with shipping blocks...
...and then didn't immediately return to dealership to remove them, apologise, and let you drive the car properly!?!?!?!
If so, I hope they didn't get your business.
If so, I hope they didn't get your business.
06-29-2002, 06:56 AM
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The sport suspension is way way harder than the non-sport
because my friend has the 15" non sport
and it feel much softer and not nearly as bumpy as the sport one
but the body roll is much more noticeble than sport
and it feel much softer and not nearly as bumpy as the sport one
but the body roll is much more noticeble than sport
06-29-2002, 11:30 AM
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Well, we wernt looking for a three litre or sports, pretty much knew the engine and suspension
we wanted from the start.... as you can see in the sig 
The car felt extremely stiff to the point where it was bumping on a few groves in the road... but just wanted an initial feel of the A4, and personally I didnt mind gunning a brand new 3 litre quattro down one of the motorways for a few miles
.
Got some drives of the car we wanted later.
16 inch wheels, michelins, I feel its a nice balance for the type of uses it goes through, city driving, a few potholes around... but still feels great around corners at speed and yet has a comfortable ride.
The car felt extremely stiff to the point where it was bumping on a few groves in the road... but just wanted an initial feel of the A4, and personally I didnt mind gunning a brand new 3 litre quattro down one of the motorways for a few miles
.Got some drives of the car we wanted later.
16 inch wheels, michelins, I feel its a nice balance for the type of uses it goes through, city driving, a few potholes around... but still feels great around corners at speed and yet has a comfortable ride.
06-29-2002, 11:50 AM
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Re: What tyres do you have? the 15's or 16's?. I tested a sports and on less than perfect roads, it
I got 16' tires, and test drove a 16', but the dealer didn't have any sports suspension model at the time of test drive... My previous car was a Cherokee so anything I would have driven at the time felt much firmer. Now I'm spoiled... 
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06-29-2002, 11:59 AM
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Caractere Rear Wing "Sport" w/ Brake Light
Jason,
I noticed the the "Caractere Rear Wing "Sport" w/ Brake Light" is your sig, but didn't see any pics of it in your Pic Poster. Do you have any?
Cheers
I noticed the the "Caractere Rear Wing "Sport" w/ Brake Light" is your sig, but didn't see any pics of it in your Pic Poster. Do you have any?
Cheers
06-29-2002, 04:03 PM
#10
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I live in northeastern PA and find the non-sport annoyingly harsh with 16" Michelin MXM4 @ 30 psi
Depends where you live and the roads you drive on. The roads here are slighly bumpy and tar strips every 12 inches so the car gets on your nerves fast. Plus when the car is driven in 30 degree F temps the shock oil and tire sidewalls stiffen up and it just gets worse! I found my old '97 2.8MQ without sport, but with stiff Michelin XGT-Z4 all-seasons just great for improved handling and with just fabulous snow and cold weather performance for a Z rated tire. I would have proably sold the '02 A4 in 2 months if it had the sport suspension.....or I would have needed new teeth by now!
The '02 body roll also annoying. I'm really thinking of dumping the A4 in leass than a year because of the annoying suspension, grabby clutch, and the hundred other flaws that were poorly designed into this model. I drove a G35 and yes the interior is not as good as the A4, but I really don't look at the interior while I'm driving. The G35 was just great in the handling and ride department. There are rumors that it will be coming to the US with AWD shortly!
The '02 body roll also annoying. I'm really thinking of dumping the A4 in leass than a year because of the annoying suspension, grabby clutch, and the hundred other flaws that were poorly designed into this model. I drove a G35 and yes the interior is not as good as the A4, but I really don't look at the interior while I'm driving. The G35 was just great in the handling and ride department. There are rumors that it will be coming to the US with AWD shortly!