TSHong

I ordered the rebuild struts and not the new ones. I would even bite the bullet and buy new ones to keep the adaptive valving because I too value the choice of dynamic and comfort modes. I really don't use the automatic mode. Im 80% in dynamic but any drives longer that 45 minutes or known rough ATL roads, I usually put her into comfort mode.

carl viking

Thread hijack warning.

Amazing price difference on the WABCO compressors for air springs (look at the Arnott website for example). For MB they are $3-400, For a Chevy they are $200 (!) versus the $1,000-1,200 ours' cost. And they all kind of "look" the same....

TSHong

Probably the only difference is the electrical connectors. For some reason, Audi parts are always higher than most. Its partially the numbers game vs let say a mercedes E class but I think there is more to it.

Mister Bally

Electrical connectors are different but you can easily swap/splice them. There is differences in the valving. You will smile knowing you saved several hundred bucks on a genuine WABCO ECAS compressor.

The Chevy Trailblazer/GMC Envoy/Olds Bravada ones are way different and are of lower quality/airflow capacity.

TSHong

Dropped my car of at one of my shops to have the front struts replaced. I ordered the REBUILD Arnott ones and it looks great. Everything looks like new so they cleaned it up well. Looks like all the parts are new, excluding the electromagnetic valve inside. Even the lower bellow is branded Arnott.

I also ordered from Audi, 4 S8 upper control arm bushings, blue ATF 6+ trans fluid, power steering fluid, air compressor relay, and an aftermarket R/F CV Axle. Well do some work tomorrow and see how it turns out. I think my R/F leaks more than the L/F but I think just doing both for me makes sense because I plan to keep her for atleast another 5 to 7 years. I still enjoy the driving experience. I thought to my self the other day, driving home on I-75 doing my usual 80mph and cranking up my B&O and playing Free Bird, she really drives so nice and smooth with all the power I need at my disposal.

The only really thing I would want more is Android Auto integration so even a D4 can't do that.

Here is a pic of what showed up in the Arnott box

TSHong

Well the front strut change went without a hitch. Replaced all the other parts and change 7qts of Blue ATF and power steering fluid as well. Drives well and the front suspension was where I left it last night.

So the Arnott front rebuild struts worked out for me. Let's see the long term test on these. They look like they were very well done so I'm happy that I decided to replace both of them. I plan to keep her for a long time. No lights have come back on so I think the valve block probably is ok.

Junius

Nice to hear TShong. I'm glad your w12 is back on the road, and I must say that while I enjoy my 4.2, your 6.0 was a blast to drive. I found it hard to believe that it had 90,000 miles at the time.

TSHong

Drove her for a while today to my niece's softball showcase today and tested her out in comfort mode. She drove beautifully. Again thanks for looking at her for me. Also here is a shot of her with her new nose.

Junius

She looks beautifully imposing with that grille! Good looking car!!