DoubleA4

What I wouldn't give to know what the uncorrupted design was before the bean counters got to it.

superswiss

That's probably a good way to put it. Sometimes things are the way they are, because it's good enough. Many variables factor into design decisions, for example mass production consideration. Audi's design for example has to work with LHD and RHD cars. We have yet to see an version of the Alu Kreuz that fits RHD cars.

I certainly do get the impression, that the OEM part didn't get too much attention. For example for the LHD RS5, they just fitted the reinforced brace from the RHD S5 cab. Apparently, they didn't feel the need to make a specific one for the RS5.

MonzaA5

Yeah I've seen the stock part. It's not pretty...but it doesn't have to be. I doubt that the manufacturing costs for Alu Kreuz are that much higher. It's just a piece of steel; nothing more.

johnz

I understand the benefits of the Alu Kreuz but is it possible that the stock piece is designed for deformation in a crash?

blinsc

Not that it really matters to this discussion, but the Alu Kreuz is billet aluminum.

DoubleA4

I would imagine that since it was tested with whatever was there "they" would say yes it is. Hard to argue but you could say the same about installing coilovers or something else to the car that wasn't originally there during the crash tests. Will the car behave differently? I bet someone has a sensor that would tell you that it does. Me, personally, I would go with the Alu Kruetz

RS5Will

I found that an aftermarket air suspension was the best all around solution for me.

jperryrocks

I couldn't disagree more about the suspension on an rs5.

I've driven several of them. The rs5 rides better than the v6 s5. And that's with the 20" wheels on the rs5.

And several people I've ridden with said the same thing. They we're all impressed with how comfortable the rs5 was.

I guess we all perceive things differently.

DoubleA4

One thing that I learned from this thread is that the drive select has adjustability for the dampers in the european model while the crash standards required that the dampers get sacked here in the States. Yes, perception is reality.

wieRS5

Agree, had the S5 with Adaptive Suspension, now the RS5 also with DRC, and the RS5 with 20 inch has similar comfort as S5 with 19 inch imho.