Sleeper1.8T

I thought the new S4 sat like 1/2" lower than the A4 Sport??? When I measure from the ground to the fender, it's higher than mine! Anyone know anything about this? I just checked for shipping blocks, but it doesn't look like they're in there because I can see the yellow dust boots. I know mine has settled some since it's got about 11K on it, but still. Any input would be great thanks.

Hugh B

In fact the Avant has less under clearance than the S4, which has been a PITA with the type of roads I travel and the winter we've had.
Hugh

1/4 scale

the 18s also make the gap appear bigger

2tu®bos1mission

I think sleeper is talking about the 2004 S4, the B5 S4's sits tall than a non sport B6 A4 iirc.

Hugh B

My Avant is way lower than the S4 even though they are diff platforms you'd think the S would be lower.Has less wheel gap as well. So I'd assume Sleeper's brother's S4 is set up the same way. No idea why though.
Hugh

Shaun

I don't think Audi ever stated that the S4 suspension was lower than the A4. I think the higher ride height can either be attributed to the heavier V8 giving the suspension more of a workout, or the lower hanging S4 front bumper needing more ground clearance. Just a guess though...

Sleeper1.8T

18s shouldn't make the gap larger from the hub to the fender.

sj audi

but when i go back to my 18's... it looks like i got some wheelgap

Sleeper1.8T

My Contis and my brother's are the same height. I measured them. His are just 18s and mine are 17s. I measured from the ground to the fender, and from the hub to the fender. Both measurements were longer on his than mine. In the front and the back. Plus, the difference between his and mine was larger from the ground up than the hub up. It just makes no sense to me. I swore everything I read said his was supposed to be lower than mine, so unless they were talking about ground clearance and his fender cut outs are larger (which I doubt), there's something going on. I'll have to measure some others to compare.

1/4 scale

so put away your tape measure. The problem is about the "illusion of space" created by the distance between the edge of your fender and the lip of the wheel. With 18s this distance is the sum of the tire's sidewall height and the actual space between tire and fender. You'll note that "sometimes" your car looks lower (when the shadows of this space and blackwall) are visually indistingushable). Other times there seems to be alot of gap (say late in the afternoon when the sun is low and creeps into the fenderwell). Anyway, with lower profile tires there isn't much rubber to transition into the shadows, therefore one notices the gap more between rim and fender.

If you want to test this theory, put your brother's 18s on your car and post the (apparent) results.