Well, I think I'm done with the S3
04-27-2016, 01:14 PM
#11
AudiWorld Super User
Thread Starter
arU4ic; Great thread and you make valid points. Besides a thicker rear sway, there is another option which has helped me. Brace. I installed an underbody brace from Unibrace and it has reduced rear end twitchiness considerably! Unibrace also offers an X brace that bolts between the rear shock mounts right behind the back seat. I considered that option but feel the handling is OK at this point. Better anyway. I'm still looking at a thicker rear sway for better turn in however. Underbody brace is a quality product and easy install. Immediate results. Less flex. Very noticeable. Really reduced that nervous tendency to step out of line.
04-29-2016, 01:56 AM
#12
FWIW, like you arU4ic, the A3 has an incredibly amount of unnerving rear end behavior on the non-sport suspension - it was HORRIBLE. I hated that I'd have to brake on a reasonable on-ramp/corner to feel confident in this car... that has AWD! My older FWD handled far better...
I immediately knew I had to change this - this is where the Bilsteins B16 Ride Control came into play. Not saying you need to get these coilovers, but literally anything will improve and eliminate this "squirrely" behavior. After I installed these coilovers, I can take any corner/bank at any speed without worry about the back end any longer.
To save cost, I'd look into just a rear sway bar, which is pretty cheap and relatively easy to install. This will keep both tires on the ground which will also eliminate this bad behavior.
Personally the Unibrace will not help as the frame is pretty stiff - its just the car has a problem with back end suspension.
I immediately knew I had to change this - this is where the Bilsteins B16 Ride Control came into play. Not saying you need to get these coilovers, but literally anything will improve and eliminate this "squirrely" behavior. After I installed these coilovers, I can take any corner/bank at any speed without worry about the back end any longer.
To save cost, I'd look into just a rear sway bar, which is pretty cheap and relatively easy to install. This will keep both tires on the ground which will also eliminate this bad behavior.
Personally the Unibrace will not help as the frame is pretty stiff - its just the car has a problem with back end suspension.
04-29-2016, 10:36 AM
#13
AudiWorld Super User
Thread Starter
FWIW, like you arU4ic, the A3 has an incredibly amount of unnerving rear end behavior on the non-sport suspension - it was HORRIBLE. I hated that I'd have to brake on a reasonable on-ramp/corner to feel confident in this car... that has AWD! My older FWD handled far better...
I immediately knew I had to change this - this is where the Bilsteins B16 Ride Control came into play. Not saying you need to get these coilovers, but literally anything will improve and eliminate this "squirrely" behavior. After I installed these coilovers, I can take any corner/bank at any speed without worry about the back end any longer.
To save cost, I'd look into just a rear sway bar, which is pretty cheap and relatively easy to install. This will keep both tires on the ground which will also eliminate this bad behavior.
Personally the Unibrace will not help as the frame is pretty stiff - its just the car has a problem with back end suspension.
I immediately knew I had to change this - this is where the Bilsteins B16 Ride Control came into play. Not saying you need to get these coilovers, but literally anything will improve and eliminate this "squirrely" behavior. After I installed these coilovers, I can take any corner/bank at any speed without worry about the back end any longer.
To save cost, I'd look into just a rear sway bar, which is pretty cheap and relatively easy to install. This will keep both tires on the ground which will also eliminate this bad behavior.
Personally the Unibrace will not help as the frame is pretty stiff - its just the car has a problem with back end suspension.
At this point, I think I wanna hand the car over to 'guy' and say 'fix this, here's a blank check.' That's just where I'm at... almost the perfect Audi, almost. Honestly, the S4 had more issues that would be more expensive to resolve.
I also don't know what impact custom sus work will have on any future repair claims.
09-19-2016, 09:30 PM
#15
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