Information Suspension overview: sport springs, sport dampers, coilovers and airride

m i k e said:
Wow! those wheels are gorgeous! Any idea on what make they are?...
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Hi m i k e,

these rims are called DAYTONA (not Daytona Race being similar) and are made by RIAL http://www.rial.de/eng/index.htm I don’t know if they are still supplied now, but I think so. A google search will help.

Size is 7.5x18 ET 35. To still achieve acceptable comfort I recommend a tire size of 215-35-R18 which also has been chosen by the black A2 owner.

If using a 30 to 35 mm lowering you may need to adopt the inner wheel plastic arch of the rear housing to provide the needed clearance for the 215 tires. A little Dremel work should work well.

For a tire size of 8x18 ET35 plus a 35 mm to 45 mm lowering a tire width of 215 can be problematic. Here the Toyo T1-R 205/35 R18 81Y should be considered. To ensure at least 5 mm of clearance for the inner tire shoulder or the rim horn respectively, 5 to 8 mm thick rim spacers may be necessary.
 
mjs4x4 said:
Is there any experience of Sachs Race Engineering dampers amoncst German owners?

Mike
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Hi, yes thought about that too!

But I would do this not before upgrading my car with twin turbos, 3 litres mid-engine, four wheel drive and race gearbox. ;)

Just kidding

Seriously, I don’t think that a (German) A2 driver will ever upgrade his car with high-tech shocks like Sachs Race, because that would be pure overkill.

Personally I can only refer to the FK Silverline-X coilovers in my car. Having the Konis adjusted to my preferences, the handling became so much „easy going“ or „harmless“ - if you know what I mean - that this already is more than enough for a car like the A2. Too little horsepower under my butt to justify more expenses for suspension...

The main reason (or should I say urge) in my case to upgrade was the horrible Audi stock suspension.

I am sure that most folks buying expensive suspensions featuring both infinitely variable rebound and compression adjustment, have problems to find the proper damping setting for their car. That’s why I like solutions like Bilstein B16 PSS9 for instance. These coilovers come with pre-calibrated damping characteristics for that specific car. Here you can select 9 different damping modes (in-situ), beginning from “soft” over “mid” to super firm “race track-like” damping. Each mode comes with rebound and compression characteristics which have been optimised for best harmonising dynamics per mode. Lots of know-how incorporated. Owners of actual BMW M3s love these Bilstein coilovers for instance…

Again, for our A2s the option for rebound damping setting is more than enough IMHO.
 
There’s one German fellow who in fact records lap times on the Nordschleife with his A2 (see pics below). He favours good lowering springs (ABT) combined with good sport dampers (WEITEC, customised to lower the front to minus 45mm) because well designed springs generally offer more residual spring travel reserves than coilovers. At least in Germany this guy seems to be the only A2 owner who drives his A2 at the absolute driving dynamic limit (on the race track exclusively).

So the decision whether coilovers or lowering springs for your A2 depends on your personal liking. If you rather want best individual appearance while owning two or more sets of nice wheels of different sizes, then you ought to buy coilovers. Makes life easier…
 
Hi,

When I asked about any German experience with Sachs Race Engineering dampers I did not mean Racing dampers - (that WOULD be crazy on an A2!) - I mean the 'Sachs Performance' dampers which are an upgrade over standard Sachs for road use (red painted dampers in blue/red boxes)?

Sorry to confuse.

I was surprised you did not list these - with Sachs being a German company - I thought it would be a popular upgrade?

Mike
 
mjs4x4 said:
...Sorry to confuse.
...
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No prob Mike, you're right Sachs is top quality. But I am not sure if they now offer a set of the red Performance dampers for A2s. Maybe the Polo 9N equivalents will fit? Sure this would be worth a try combined with lowering springs....
 
WOW! Schnelletrecker, Thanks! This is very good information! I have stock 1.4SE Petrol. I've got a feeling that if I get ABT springs, the car will be lowered but I don't gain much from ride quality? My question would be, what would be the best option for most comfortable ride without killing the handling of the car? If lowering can be done at the same time, that would be a bonus. My girlfriend would seriously encourage me to spend the money on this!
 
humps said:
... My question would be, what would be the best option for most comfortable ride without killing the handling of the car? If lowering can be done at the same time, that would be a bonus...
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Well, unfortunately any lowering – except for the 20 mm Eibach Pro-Kit springs - is paired with a stiffer ride, but not imperatively connected with a subjective loss of ride comfort.

The Abt springs are only little stiffer than Audi stock springs if arranged with good sport dampers.

So the key for a successful setting is a high quality damper. Together with Audi stock dampers, you won’t be able to take advantage of the best lowering spring technology.

Mr. humps, if I were you I would try the Abt springs combined with adjustable (yellow) Koni shocks. Or just combine the stock Audi springs with Koni FSD dampers to improve comfort and safety (you can switch to 20 to 35 mm lowering springs later maintaining the FSDs).


Thus one has to prioritise:

- Do I primarily want to enhance riding comfort?

- Do I want (much) safer handling meaning less vehicle roll and pitch?

- Do I want ultimate individual appearance?


BTW, some lowering springs need to take a few weeks to settle and to evolve their complete characteristics.
 
Thanks for you suggestion, I think I'll start saving up for the Koni FSDs. They are available for a reasonable GBP 339 for the A2 model. I've been researching on the FSDs for the last couple of days and I think the general view is that the FSDs work really well. Improves ride and handling for Mk5 GTI, A3s and the Mini. I've been in a Mini Cooper and thought it has a pretty comfortable ride compared to my A2. So if FSD gives Mini an improvement on ride quality, then it should be a very worthy upgrade to our little car!

Anyone fancy giving me a hand to change the dampers ;-)
 
I have Polo 9N dampers. The front dampers are the same. The rear damper housings are about one inch shorter. The piston is the same.

For the german readers:
The dampers don't need TÜV. Only if they change the lowering (coilovers).

Thomas
 
Thanks Thomas (Mr. Nordschleife ;) ) for your Polo 9N reference. So the before mentioned SACHS sport damper option will work for A2s as well.



I would like to add a recommendation for those A2 owners, who exclusively intend to achieve best possible comfort quality. Then the following wheel size is recommendable:

195/55R15 combined with 6.5x15 or 7x15 rims

An offset between 38 to 28 mm will fit any non-lowered A2 (excluding 1.2 TDI).

Such wheels are not everyone's cup of tea in terms of attractiveness, however they represent the most comfortable alternative for the comfort lovers.
 
Hi Humps

Wonder if there would be enough interest for a group buy for the Koni FSD shocks. £330 is also the best price I could find but maybe we could negotiate extra discount if 5 or more members were keen to buy.

Cheers Spike

PS. any news on the climate control sensor problem ?
 
Hi Spike, I think we could try as I know many members would be interested in a more comfortable ride. Given that the FSD seems to do wonders and also improve sports handling, I'm very very interested. I don't even mind trying it out first, get it installed and let fellow members know the result! But it will have to be after christmas for when my depleted wallet gets filled! Watch this space!

And Schnelletrecker, I think a few members here have moved to 15 ince wheels for best comfort. But as you said, 15 may not be the most attractive looking!

PS. Sensor has to wait as I use my car all the time these days. But since it only affects AC, it is not a problem in winter :)
 
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spike said:
Hi Humps

Wonder if there would be enough interest for a group buy for the Koni FSD shocks. £330 is also the best price I could find but maybe we could negotiate extra discount if 5 or more members were keen to buy.

Cheers Spike

PS. any news on the climate control sensor problem ?
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hi spike i will have a chat with vince to see if we can get a good price for the koni FSD with fitting at stealth and will post it on monday

cheers

robin
 
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Thomas, some great pics of your car at the 'ring - I know we were both there at the same time this August but I never did see you or your car personally!

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I'm intrigued, what's the suspension setup on your A2 as mine couldn't cope with the karussells - I think it was bottoming out but after two attempts I didn't want to risk doing any damage to went around the outside on the rest of my laps

Ian
 
Hi Robin
That would be great if you could check out prices both with and without fitting. The more I read about the Koni FSD dampers, the more I want a set

Cheers Spike
 
hi Schnelletrecker,

i'm thinking of getting 18's but just want to know is there any additional work need to be done i.e arch work? and if i were to get them what are the exact offsets and measurements of a 18" wheel in order to ensure the best possible fit

thanks
 
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