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Audi A3 Suspension Questions

48 messages,  Last post on Oct 08, 2009 at 1:01 PM

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What is this discussion about? Audi A3, Suspension, Sedan, Wagon

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#11 of 48 Re: suspension travel redux [travelinman] by blueguydotcom Feb 01, 2006 (2:47 pm)
Replying to: travelinman (Feb 01, 2006 1:48 pm) I was on I-5 and I-10 this weekend driving a car with 18s and it was fine. Seriously, he's looking for excuses. Replies to this message: dino001 (Oct 16, 2006 8:53 am) pf_flyer (Oct 16, 2006 9:01 am) kurtamaxxxguy (Oct 20, 2006 11:47 am) and 1 more...
#12 of 48 Re: suspension travel redux [blueguydotcom] by dino001 Oct 16, 2006 (8:53 am)
Replying to: blueguydotcom (Feb 01, 2006 2:47 pm) It's not about excuses. I think Kurt just want the car to handle sharp as a razor but the suspension be soft as a pillow. Probably no one broke the news to him that those things are pretty much mutually exclusive. Replies to this message: pf_flyer (Oct 16, 2006 9:01 am) kurtamaxxxguy (Oct 20, 2006 11:47 am) rlsedition (Oct 20, 2006 12:52 pm)
#13 of 48 Re: suspension travel redux [dino001] by pf_flyer HOST Oct 16, 2006 (9:01 am)
Replying to: dino001 (Oct 16, 2006 8:53 am) Everybody wants it all   But then again, asking for things that seem impossible is what leads to innovation too. Maybe this inspires a razor-soft suspension! Replies to this message: kurtamaxxxguy (Oct 20, 2006 11:47 am) rlsedition (Oct 20, 2006 12:52 pm)
#14 of 48 I thought the sport package suspension by andres3 Oct 16, 2006 (9:14 pm)
was plenty smooth, until they gave me the loaner Jetta. Now I know what the tradeoff for razor sharp handling is. More than anything, its the road noise from ultra high performance tires.
#15 of 48 Re: suspension travel redux [pf_flyer] by kurtamaxxxguy Oct 20, 2006 (11:47 am)
Replying to: pf_flyer (Oct 16, 2006 9:01 am) The euros in general seem to have a good handle on ride/handling. I drove a BMW 3 not long ago and was impressed by both its handling and ride. No chance to drive BMW on Philly-class roads, though (like I used to years ago). I also drove an A3 3.2, found it cornered very well and was ok wrt ride so long as no potholes or washboards were about.   As side note, there's a topic in STRAIGHTLINE discussing what Audi stands for. Replies to this message: rlsedition (Oct 20, 2006 12:52 pm)
#16 of 48 Re: suspension travel redux [kurtamaxxxguy] by rlsedition Oct 20, 2006 (12:52 pm)
Replying to: kurtamaxxxguy (Oct 20, 2006 11:47 am) The Euros really do have a handle on suspension feel, but it ia also true that their roads are in better condition than ours.   There is a good solution to ride quality, even with the Sport package A3. It KONI FSDs, with a unique design that favors ride just as much as improved handling. A car with FSDs feels like you just "took the edges off" road imperfections like tar strips and coarse pavement. You can even pair them with Eibach Pro-Kit lowering springs for an improved appearance.
#17 of 48 FSD's.. by kurtamaxxxguy Oct 22, 2006 (11:59 am)
sound interesting, as a lot of other cars have problems with impact harshness. But apparently these are available only for a few vehicles (VW/Audi included).      A pity Audi does not offer those shocks as an option (though perhaps some of their their own shocks/dampers have a similar internal design).
#18 of 48 an interesting note... by kurtamaxxxguy Nov 12, 2006 (10:54 am)
Reviews of the Audi A3 vary wrt the ride quality. Some feel the ride is very good while others complain about harshness.   What seems to be a factor is the wheel size. Reports testing Audis with 16" wheels don't criticise ride, while 17" (Consumers Union) did criticise ride.   And to respond to an earlier comment; I like ride quality in that when you hit the bump, there is one thump and then it's over. VW, Audi and Subarus I've ridden in all do this. Not so most American cars which shudder or crash through to stops on bumps.   I __liked__ the general feel of the A3 3.2, _except_ when it had to deal with the kind of junk holes, warps, etc. that many of our roads have. Then the A3 simply runs out of suspension travel and starts slamming me around. This did not happen with the longer travelled and higher tire-profiled GTI I drove earlier. But the GTI's do not have AWD - therein lies the circular dilemma.   So I will be talking to my friendly Audi dealer today about finding a 3.2 with _higher_ profile tires.
#19 of 48 Suspension Issues... by seespot Mar 04, 2007 (1:53 pm)
I have had a 2006 A3 3.2 with 17" wheels since last May. The car is great (minus the cup holders) but the front suspension squeaks in low temperatures and is harsh on rough roads (too be expected). It is due for its 25K KM service soon, so I will ask the dealer to check it out. Replies to this message: kurtamaxxxguy (Mar 10, 2007 10:04 pm)
#20 of 48 Re: Suspension Issues... [seespot] by kurtamaxxxguy Mar 10, 2007 (10:04 pm)
Replying to: seespot (Mar 04, 2007 1:53 pm) Koni makes a nice shock that supposedly rides better while preserving handling. When it's time to change the shocks, you might want to check them out.

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