LarryJa

I picked up an '06 A6 3.2 quattro about a month ago. After taking a few good trips with it, I've got a good idea of how I'd like to improve on it's good handling. It understeer too easily. It's not an S-line. So, it's ride is pretty good & I want to keep it that way.
1st, the front struts are too soft...so, s-line struts are in order. Then, a good rear sway bar would cut back on the understeer. So, will pumping up the front tires a little more, too.
What do you think? Any other straight forward suggestions.
It's got the 18" continental on it, which I really like, especially in the wet.

raj99

Best thing you can do is install a rear sway bar and then get appropriate coil overs. It'll change how your handles dramatically.

LarryJa

Thanks! The rear bar is a definite. At the same time, I'd like to save the smooth ride of this car. However, the front struts feel a little soft. So, they'll get replaced. Idk if I'm leaning toward b6 or up to b8 bilsteins. Like I said, I'd like to keep the good ride, & even the ride height too.
I do a good amount of driving in cities, where the roads can be broken up &.potholes. So, I still need a compliant suspension.

LarryJa

Well, I ordered the H&R rear bar. The next thing will probably be the Michelin 3+'s to replace the Continental Procontacts.

LarryJa

I'm looking at putting stiffer front sway bar bushings & koni strT shocks on, in addition to the H&R rear bar.

I'm still undecided on tires, but I have a little time on that.

LarryJa

I've noticed a little front end looseness on "rippled/patched" pavement. I haven't gotten under there, yet, to check out the bushings but, I'm inclined to suspect the sway bar links. Nothing big, just noticeable to me. How common is replacement of those links?

LarryJa

Well, I've got a set of koni strT front struts coming in & I'll have my indy put them in. I'll do the H&R rear bar myself.
I haven't found any loose bushings in the front end, but he'll find anything that i missed, when he changes the struts.
I am feeling a little looseness around town in the front end. On the highway, everything is fine & solid. So, i think the new, tighter front struts will take care of that.
I can't stand the amount of understeer that i get on access ramps, etc. That big rear bar will definitely solve that.
We'll see how this goes.

LarryJa

My front struts were on back order, & my money was refunded. Koni NA has them back in stock now. So, the tire rack will get another order from me.

LarryJa

I got the front struts this week from the tire rack. Next week, the indy will install them.
The rear shocks are in shipment to me. I'll install them & the rear bar myself. However, I'll be changingchanging the trans filter & fluid, first, tomorrow.

LarryJa

The struts, shocks & rear bar are done.
What a transformation!
The rear bar upgrade cured the understeer. The car is real close to neutral now.
The strut & shock change to the koni strT's stiffened up the around town ride & handling. The front end is more connected feeling now. Which is just what I was after.
So, it all worked out well, & I'd recommend that rear bar & koni strT shocks to anyone.