Would like a softer ride.. what are the options?
12-04-2002, 06:28 AM
#12
AudiWorld Super User
Northeastern PA...today......6°F, nonsport 80% stiffer than in July!!!!
The car ride with sport would extremely harsh from now until March to where I would probably get rid of the car as my bones would be full of microcracks!
Bottom line is it depends where you live.
Bottom line is it depends where you live.
12-04-2002, 07:22 AM
#13
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I would agree with you that shocks will stiffen in cold temps, however...
As you drive, the movement of the shock heats the oil inside, allowing it to flow as designed, and the shocks should ride normally within 10 miles or so. Same goes for the materials inside the seat. As the interior temperature of the car rises, the seat materials become more pliable, resulting in a softer ride. Same goes for the tires...again, 10 miles, they should be up to normal operating temperatures....
12-04-2002, 07:27 AM
#14
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If Audi could have achieved a softer ride without compromising handling, they would have done it.
First and foremost, Audi is supposed to be a luxury brand. That's what most of Audi's customers expect when they shell out $40K.
If you want a softer ride, you'll give up some handling. Marc's suggestions are good. Changing out to 16" wheels will allow you to "fine tune" the level of ride harshness. 16" wheels will "take the edge off" the sharp bumps in the road, but you'll still know they are there. You'll lose some turn-in responsiveness, and ultimate grip with a typicall 16" tire. If you're looking to make more dramatic changes to the ride quality, then you'll need to swap out the suspension for a non-sport suspension. This will allow the car to soak up bumps in the road so you have that luxury feeling, however you'll lose some of that sharp handling that you're probably used to.
If you want a softer ride, you'll give up some handling. Marc's suggestions are good. Changing out to 16" wheels will allow you to "fine tune" the level of ride harshness. 16" wheels will "take the edge off" the sharp bumps in the road, but you'll still know they are there. You'll lose some turn-in responsiveness, and ultimate grip with a typicall 16" tire. If you're looking to make more dramatic changes to the ride quality, then you'll need to swap out the suspension for a non-sport suspension. This will allow the car to soak up bumps in the road so you have that luxury feeling, however you'll lose some of that sharp handling that you're probably used to.
12-04-2002, 07:58 AM
#15
AudiWorld Super User
The problem is I only drive 20 miles in 20 minutes and the ride is jarring!!
No time to heat up. My dealer probably sold less than 3% sports in this part of the country. You won't find any on the lot, you need to custom order. People don't want them as they don't want the harsh ride, they don't want to buy extra winter tires, and the lowered car has a more tendency to bottom on huge ice chunks lying on the road, the lower profile tires/wheels also are easily damaged by the potholes around here, and the smaller tire to fender gap packs slush in there more easily freezing against the tires. This is hell country in the winter! You buy sport depending on where you live.....bottom line!.
12-04-2002, 08:01 AM
#16
AudiWorld Super User
My '97 non sport with Michelin Pilot XGT-Z4 had a better ride and better handling than '02 non sport
Every reviewer indicated the '02 has too much body roll plus the shocks do a double pluse damping effect. I notice the same!
12-04-2002, 08:20 AM
#17
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Tuning a suspension is an art of compromise.
Trying to tune one suspension to make reviewers happy, casual drivers happy, enthusiasts happy...on urban streets, suburban highways, rural roads, and back country roads, is nearly impossible. Audi counts on two suspensions to do the job under the variety of road conditions, and driver expectations. Both were tuned for better performance on good roads.
