02 sport suspension question

B6 A4
#1

This might be a odd question … I own a 02 with sport suspension and as some of you know the 02 sport suspension sat lower than other years of the B6 line. I was wondering if this is only the case when the car comes out of the factory becuase I plan on replacing with factory sport suspension again because I like the way it sits now. So if i replace them with new Audi sport suspension will it still sit exactly the same as it does now which is lower than the other years?

My thinking is that when replacing the sport suspension then you are not getting exactly what came with from the factory, your getting parts that were manufactured after the date of your car being made so maybe those small changes in ride height will not be present any more?

I’m sorry if this doens’t make much sense but it matters a great deal to me because if I can’t get the same as what I have now then I’m going to probably buy aftermarket which I don’t really want to do cuz I really like the 02 sport suspesnion setup cuz the ride height is perfect.

#2

No it all makes good sense and you have every right to worry about it.

Technically speaking as long as your part numbers are different then the stock part numbers and the parts your replacing have the same part numbers. They need to meet the same specs. Its actually a government mandate that they are the same specs. Technically every car manufactured needs to have available parts to rebuild any car manufactured by that company for at least 15years after the car was made.

Generally the OEM manufacture holds on to a large stock pile of parts and then gives the build prints to a OEM supply builder.

All in all check the part numbers but you should be good.

#3

IIRC the 2002 models were a lower ride height than later years.
I recall reading on AZ that the first sport suspension was getting complaints from customers because it was TOO low(if there is such a thing lol) and so Audi raised it up a little on later models.
So like CountVahn said make sure you match up numbers or you could get a B6 sport suspension that sits higher than where you currently are.

#4

sneakyboy if you can find out for 100% sure on the 2002 having a lower ride height post that in the year to year changes thread if you can. Thats something I didn’t know about and is something Im sure new guys would love to know.

Speaking of that. Ill dig for part numbers. We might want to start a part number thread for members, for this and other things to help as a maintenance reference.

#5

I think that all the part numbers are the same no matter what the year. Other more knowledgeable B6 owners may need to chime in and correct me but I thought I had read that all the suspension part #'s were the same and the changes were in the original susp. setup that came from the factory.

Also, yes 2002 Sport Susp. is supposed to be the lowest, but I’ve also read others saying that they’ve compared the cars sitting in their garage and '03 was also lower than the 04-05 but still not as low as 2002’s. I’d believe this since I have '03 sport susp. and it sits a good bit lower than the 4x4 looking photos I see other people post

#6

Why not just get an H&R / Bilstein kit. Its around $700. How much would a factory suspension cost?

#7

First off I would like to say THANK YOU for responding to my thread! I posted on AZ the other day when I had a question and didn’t even get a response! Excuse me for saying but this forum S***'s all over AZ.

http://i1190.photobucket.com/albums/z457/A4QuattroV6/IMAG0048.jpg

(not sure if this pic is going to load cuz I have never added pics on here but hopefully it works)

Here is my car and as you guys can see at least to me anyways it looks much lower than newer A4’s. I have thought about doing bilstein setup but I like the ride height of my car and the feel of sport suspension. I do however think these cars are in a DEFINITE need of some bigger sway bars. I have thought a little about going aftermarket but for me to do that it takes a lot more consideration because I dont know a whole lot about modding cars especially euro’s but I do know that when you change things for example especially with suspension, lowering the car will affect my camber, so not only when buying springs and shocks I need a camber kit or adjustable control arms which of course is more $$$. Also I don’t wanna go too low because I was planning on getting the 19" RS6 Tri spoke rims which i think are known as “peelers”? I think using lowering springs like eibachs might be too low with 19’s.

#8

While its not a sport A4 I can go out and measure the distance on my A4 from the fender arch to the ground. We can then compare heights. Then if another member has the same car we have a reference. Would that help.

Also what about a Stock S4 suspension? do you think that would be close to the Sport A4. Just throwing ideas out there. Im with you on not wanting to change lots of stuff when doing a replacement of parts.

#9

S4 susp is frowned upon in a4’s due to the different spring and damper rates, made for a significantly heavier car so it would ride rather poorly.

A43 your 02 sport IS lower than a newer MY suspension. I know a guy at work with an 02 sport and his is a touch lower with our cars side by side. If you want to go aftermarket, a spring/shock combo is the cheapest route, however especially for you it won’t be much different height wise. The lowering measurements for aftermarket suspension are based off of stock ride heights.

I’d go with ST coilovers though, a lot of 3.0 guys have then and love them, they are probably the same price or +/- $100 when compared to a spring/shock combo. If you want to get the peelers then you can have a perfect drop to compliment the look of them. I’d be buying that suspension myself, but I’m waiting to give that money to JHM instead :stuck_out_tongue:

#10

You should definitely stick to a suspension designed for an A4. Unless you are slamming your car or running crazy wide wheels, you really don’t need to worry about the camber. With a spring/shock combo you won’t get uneven tire wear or anything. Of course you will need an alignment when its installed, but you should get one every year or two anyway. I have Vogtland Coilovers and there’s no issue with my camber.

http://audirevolution.net/addons/albums/images/36895122.jpg

http://audirevolution.net/addons/albums/images/213201683.jpg

http://audirevolution.net/addons/albums/images/881130006.jpg

#11

I’ll see what concrete info I can dig up and post it up.

#12

I have noticed that the 02 sport suspension is a lot lower than others. The bilstien and H&R spring setup is very good and not all that lower than stock, you really have to look to notice it. Here is some pics to show the difference

Completely stock Day 1 of my ownership (also my birthday)

http://audirevolution.net/addons/albums/images/890333735.jpg

Painted Lowers but with stock sport suspension

http://audirevolution.net/addons/albums/images/295110826.jpg

Now with upgraded suspension

http://audirevolution.net/addons/albums/images/274628896.jpg

AND my favourite pic of my car (note 1 week after install of suspesion and 3 days before the engine blows)

http://audirevolution.net/addons/albums/images/191529727.jpg

Here is a pic of the Jigsaw that is a suspension upgrade. Now I change shocks, springs, all upper and lower front control arms and RS4 rear sway bar

http://audirevolution.net/addons/albums/images/127964268.jpg

OP you should definately go with this set up if you do not want to go low and you want it to handle, I am sitting on 19x8 RS4 reps with 245/35R19 with no rubbing not sure on the offset.

#13

Very nice. I really like how you laid all the parts out. The ride height looks perfect

#14

Looks great!
What RS4 Reps are those?

#15

Thanks for good comments…

I have no idea what reps I picked them up from a local shop here…there not like VMR’s or Hartmans

I plan to use those wheels as hillclimb/track wheels when I get some rotiform BLQ’s in gunmetal