Josh/AWE

All lowering springs are going to have an increase in spring rate. When paired with a decent set of dampers the ride can be quite nice still. If you don't want it to be too stiff and bouncy, I would avoid the sway bars unless the car feels like it rolls over too much. stiffer sway bars can have an effective spring rate. Especially on un-even surfaces (which is most roads, most bumps don't go all the way across the road surface). You can find springs for your car here.
AWE Tuning C7 A6 Springs

The other option is coilovers. Most people associate coilovers with poor ride. Sacrificing all comfort for track ready handling. This is simply not true. A lot of coilovers are not set up properly. They either have too much spring rate, the wrong shock settings or lack a helper spring. A properly dialed in coilover set up can have a very comfortable ride that is not harsh, rattling your teeth out of your head.

let me know if you have any questions.

WNT2FLY

thanks, appreciate it, thats what I figured...

snagitseven

Andrew, I understand what you're saying but respectfully, in my experience I've not found this to be the case. I've increased the size of the rear ARB (anti-roll bar, anti-sway bar, sway bar) in two of my Audis (to the OEM sport package versions) and did not notice any difference in the ride here in New England where a smooth road is considered an anomaly. Perhaps going to an extremely thick bar would exhibit the behavior you describe. Also, I would never consider going larger with the front ARBs.

WNT2FLY

Thanks for the informative information; regarding the springs i see SKU 28917-4 and 28917-2

What is the difference between those two? thanks!

Josh/AWE

An OEM Sport bar might not be enough of a difference to notice on this suspension. We have to remember that these cars suspensions are tuned for ride quality, not handling. I was referring to aftermarket bars, specifically the H&R offerings. These would definitely have a noticeable change in handling characteristics.

The other reason I did not suggest sway bars to him is that he wants to maintain ride quality, but he wants to be lower. Sway bars wont lower his car, but they can harshen the ride quality. So, in his case, I would avoid them, I also don't believe aftermarket sway bars are necessary if you pair springs with the right dampers.

Also just curious, why would you avoid an aftermarket, or larger front bar?

The difference is one if for Quattro cars and one is for Front Wheel Drive cars.
Quattro: H&R Sport Springs | AWE Tuning
FWD: H&R Sport Springs | AWE Tuning

snagitseven

I was referring to OEM which I suspect would be more relevant to the OP. Since Audi offers a thicker rear ARB as part of the sport package, for those with a C7 w/o sport package, the sport ARB would make a nice difference in controlling roll without going beyond the OEM spec. As I understand it, they only provide one thickness front ARB so one would have to go aftermarket. I believe doing a larger front ARB could change the understeer dynamics of Audi's design intent and for the casual driver, might be too much of a change. Everything I've read (and through my own experience) that, outside of racing, an improvement over a non-sport OEM rear ARB would provide an improvement in turn handling performance.

If as you indicated, your after market ARB affects ride, I would suggest to the OP to consider the OEM rear sport package ARB if he wants to tighten up the body roll. As I wrote previously, in my experience, they markedly improve handling but do not affect the ride. An aftermarket front ARB might be overkill for everyday driving.

Josh/AWE

Ok, that totally makes sense. I was just curious to hear your side of it. I have extensive background in racing and chassis development but hearing this information from someone who drives the car every day is great! Thank you.

snagitseven

And for me, my experience and knowledge with track setups would be limited to what I see on ESPN.

WNT2FLY

Ok guys thanks for all the insight! So if i'm reading all this correctly, to keep the same (more or less) ride comfort; yet get a bit of sport look and feel to the car:

• Keep 18" rims, don't go larger (have the 10 spoke right now, hate them, want the 5 spoke 18"s)
• Use the springs to drop it
• Optional OEM Sport ASB to decrease roll

Thanks!