YosemyTT

Well, since I swapped my rear deck lid recently for one of the original unspoiled ones I've had a few questions about the effect of the spoiler from others here (as well as wondering myself). I had driven pretty fast without the spoiler over the last couple of weeks but never long enough to be able to really tell the difference. I had the chance to test it out last night. I am very familiar with my car at high speeds with the spoiler (I've gotten it up to 155 and regularly get into triple digits). Yesterday I was coming home (200 mile trip) and I had several chances to get up over 120 for a few minutes at a time.

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I can now honestly say that the spoiler, as ugly as it is IMO, serves as a purpose. When taking curves, changing lanes or slowing the rear is noticeably twitchier, I would even say playful. I can see how this would be unnerving if it happened unexpectedly so I guess it was a good thing for Audi to add the spoiler for those situations. You will never notice the effect at anything near legal speeds in this country so I still think it was an overreaction for the US market but on an autobahn...that's another story.

I also think that a lower stance and stiffer springs with better shocks would negate most of the effects of the spoiler removal and that is my next step. I'm pretty much decided on the ABT/Bilstein combo over coil-overs since this is never really going to be a track car and I don't want to sacrifice too much ride quality. I've driven one car with this combo and loved it.

Now, before people get upset at the speeds I drive at I should mention that I seldom go much faster than traffic and only really open it up when the roads are empty (as a result I don't draw a lot of attention to myself on the road and I haven't had a single speeding conviction in the last 10 years). Last night was a good example of empty roads and I would have never driven that fast with other drivers around so please don't get too upset with me :-D

ZesTTee

My understanding is that the spoiler adds a good 50+ lbs. of downforce...

Merou

...so the spoiler was only part of the modifications that Audi made to the car's aerodynamics. I'm thinking that the deflectors still play an important role - however, it is interesting to know how much the spoiler itself changes how the car handles. Thanks for the info!

S4iscool

remember the abt springs are not worth it over eibach...think thats agreed upon now...save some $

Absolut Todd

As a fellow despoiled TT, I can say aftermarket a suspension a must.

YosemyTT

Makes a difference!

YosemyTT

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Quattrings

We were just cruising on a length of deserted freeway (early Sunday A.m.) at a high rate of speed. Since that incident, I have been looking for a slightly larger wing to make sure that this never happens again. We were doing 130mph side by side, and when enough was enough, we started to slow down. To my amazement, the TT's rear end got sloppy to the point of me almost losing it. I was in a gradual braking situation, so this should not have happened. I immediately got completely off of the brakes and countersteered and was able to get it under control. Meanwhile my friend was looking at me, like what the heck is wrong with you! This occured with the stock wheels, but I dont think that this should have happened. I think I have lost all confidence in the car at high speeds (130 mph+) and I don't plan to ever hit those numbers again. I have since installed the Audi "aftermarket" rear spoiler and reinstalled my 265 Z rated tires, so I doubt it would happen again, but it was really unnerving.

YosemyTT

What's the price diff? Thanks

YosemyTT

so noted :-)