awdinut

I like the way the car looks in 'DYNAMIC' mode because of the way it fills the wheel wells more. But I dont like the way the car rides. As I understand it that in adition to getting lower in 'DYNAMIC' the suspension also gets stiffer.

So my question is for those who have lowered with VAG COM : with the car lowered but set to 'COMFORT' mode on the MMI is the ride quality the same (or nearly so) as a non-lowered car that is in 'COMFORT' mode ?

MP4.2+6.0

I use Automatic rather than comfort, but up until the freeway speed drop point those two modes are the same. (Drop point is 75MPH for 30 seconds, and then raises again below 45MPH for 2 minutes.)

So, using the Automatic mode as my reference, I found at a VAG COM drop of more than about 10mm I was feeling it noticeably in the lesser Automatic/Comfort modes, Even at 10mm, it is a bit rougher in Dynamic, particularly on worn freeway pavement, but I rarely use that setting. In Comfort/Automatic I found little difference at 10mm, including in Automatic when it does that 20mm drop at 75MPH. Net, I ended up at a modest 10mm down, having played with 15 as well. Many years later now, still quite satisfied. Even ride aside, not sure I would want to be much lower anyway (including in a sport suspension one that will already be down 20mm)--too many gutter swales, concrete stops and other things to have the long nose/lower bumper be any lower. And BTW, since I'm on 20's, at stock I am about .35" higher than an 18 or 19 inch wheel non-sport D3, so my 10mm drop is actually kind of a wash compared to many other stock D3's in terms of ride height.

FWIW and to judge for yourself other factors, as a W12 it started with Sport level bars even though it has the non-sport air units; presumably for the extra W12 weight. I went up to S8 bars as a mod. That nets to if anything I expect mine to be more susceptible to rougher ride issues than one with softer bars and/or 18s or to a lesser extent 19's. With all that, the 10mm drop is still good by me.

mishar

Mine is VCDS lowered for 1". Ride is a bit stiffer since air springs have less air to compress. Since it is factory designed lowering shock absorbers should be just as much stiffer in order to match stiffer springs, but it is hard to say. When I lower it to Dynamic it becomes considerably stiffer. Both shocks and air springs. I use that only on a highway and photo shooting.

Pashamad

Now I know why you've curtained your D3 with LM! ;-)

BASARAB

Mishar, I have never seen pics of your car. Where do you keep all that photoshoots material?

mishar

03_AR_CO

very nice Mishar, beautiful car