Shine Racing B5 Suspension Review.
08-21-2006, 07:38 PM
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Shine Racing B5 Suspension Review.
Many have asked me for a short write up and pics on the Shine suspension I had installed for my 2001.5 B5 S4 Avant. At long last I got the necessary ingredients (time, good weather, a clean car, a digital camera... you all know the drill).
First, I think it would be valuable for this review for you to know my application, since, as we all know, modding is all about compromises:
- I did and continue to want to increase the performance level in my vehicle much higher than stock without sacrificing any of the stock luxuries (I will not touch the interior, save for maybe a boost gauge and maybe, just maybe, nav.. but much further down the road). I also don't want to sacrifice too much of the sleeper element.
- My main hobby is rock climbing. Along with that comes the necessary dirt roads, even some unimproved dirt roads. This car is my SUV. I want it to truly motor on road, but it also needs to suck it up and be able to comfortably haul 4 people and gear to the crag (given the size of the back seat, 3 adults is about all you really can do for 2+ hours, I've found). I took the box off for the glamour shots below, but I'll include a crappy photo with the Thule on there... it's on 90% of the time. In the winter it's ski time, and I repeat the above with skis and friends instead of ropes and friends.
- I live in New England. Don't get me started on the road conditions.
- Price: I have been and I continue to be willing to pay whatever the price is for exactly what I want. If it's not exactly what I want to then I tend not to make sacrifices. Obviously, however, I would prefer to pay as little as possible. All I'm saying is that I wasn't budget shopping.
Ok. On to the review:
This set up has been perfectly ideal for the above application. I dropped my car off on a Sunday night and picked it up on Monday night. Took about 5 hours of work, I think I was charged for. From what I learned from Eli (he was very helpful in explaining to me, since I am just beginning my education on this car) the setup is revalved bilstein shocks and Shine Racing "Real Street" coils. It's a 500 lb setup all around. The setup is non-adjustable, and as you'll see in the photos is quite near stock ride height. I wanted a little drop, but given my application, I definately did not want it slammed. He convinced me (ok, ok, easy sell) that it's better to have the proper geometry working for you (ie ride height) than have the right "look" working for you. I would agree with the statement, but can't really say too much about whether in practice it's true, not having riden in or owned another setup other than stock. I just know that the current setup is night and day compared to stock and is about exactly how I would want the ride to be.
I don't know too much on the technicals, other than what I've picked up from mags and tv shows, but here's what I can say about the performance:
- much decreased body roll.
- tight, attentive turn initiation.
- understeer, obviously, but doesn't feel like you're working to get it in and around as much as had been on stock.
Price:
I paid Shine Racing about $1700 that day. That includes the parts (around 1200 I think), 5 hours or so of labor (around 75-85 an hour I think) and also a couple misc stuff like an oil change etc, since it was already going into the shop.
Nags (only two really):
1. I assume others of you have noticed this with your setups, but the back end of the car is so light, compared to the front that if I go over a bump or a pothole etc just a little to fast it makes a fantastic metal clunking sound in the rear of the car. I assume this is gear/spare tire/tools/ and maybe even the wheels/suspension itself? I'm 95% this is just life with an aftermarket suspension.
2. The right rear corner has started "squeaking". I don't know anything about it other than I have indeed isolated it to be suspension related (thought it might have been interior items like the rear shade, rear seat, roof rack, cargo box all groaning from increased stiffness). It squeeks and groans when flexed. I am planning to have them look at it shortly.
Other than that, very happy.
Verdict:
Big hit!! As long as this rear squeeking issue gets resolved without too much of a headache (even if they need to replace the whole corner, I'd still say go for it -- lifetime warranty, I believe) and your application is similar to mine, it's a terrific value. I'm sure there are better values out there, but it was nice to have the shop responsible for the parts do the work. My runner up would have been Stasis Streetsports, and I am sure I would have been pleased with their setup, as it was very close in price (even cheaper, slightly).
I'd be happy to answer additional questions! My apologies for not being able to do a more technical write-up.
On to the photos (unfortunately I do not have one with stock wheels.)
The wheels/tires 235/40 - 18.
A little Boston Spirit for ya.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/94431/img_0002_small.jpg">
Got cloudy for the other pics...
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/94431/img_0005_small.jpg">
Ground level....
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/94431/img_0006_small.jpg">
Frontal....
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/94431/img_0007_small.jpg">
And this is a crappy old photo (totally stock) with the box on. The box lives on her about 90% of the time... I tend to keep a lot of my camping/climbing stuff in there... keeps dirty gear out of my apt).
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/94431/pict2314.jpg">
Mod List:
18" chrome silver Sportec Mono 10s (thanks to Paul at AMD Tecknik)
GY Eagle F1s. 235-40-18 (big ups to MarkFrank for help picking correct tire size!! and Alex at GY for getting them for me!!)
APR ecu. 4 programs. (Ebay brought my 60 extra ponies!)
Vibrant Cat Back Exhaust (Thanks Tomasz. Sounds exactly like what I wanted). 3rd DIY!
AWE DTS - 1st DIY!
Phatbox. A little wierd at first, but if you get the hang of it, it is really awesome.
Thule 2100 Evolution Box. An extra 21 cubic feet. Wind tunnel designed.
35% tint all around.
Vast Short Shifter - Huge ups to Mike. This is the best bang for the buck mod I've done. 2nd DIY. Perfect fit and finish. Looks like stock, and the action is like stock, but just soooo much better/shorter/faster.
Next up:
APR Bi-Pipe
ECodes
710Ns
AWE center boost gauge
rear spoiler (the avant one)
Lane changer 4 blink mod. (is this possible!?)
Sorry for the extraordinarily long post. I wanted to be thorough and provide what I can back to the community after sucking knowledge for so long!
Thanks to all who've answered my assanine questions... more to come I'm sure!!
-Rob
First, I think it would be valuable for this review for you to know my application, since, as we all know, modding is all about compromises:
- I did and continue to want to increase the performance level in my vehicle much higher than stock without sacrificing any of the stock luxuries (I will not touch the interior, save for maybe a boost gauge and maybe, just maybe, nav.. but much further down the road). I also don't want to sacrifice too much of the sleeper element.
- My main hobby is rock climbing. Along with that comes the necessary dirt roads, even some unimproved dirt roads. This car is my SUV. I want it to truly motor on road, but it also needs to suck it up and be able to comfortably haul 4 people and gear to the crag (given the size of the back seat, 3 adults is about all you really can do for 2+ hours, I've found). I took the box off for the glamour shots below, but I'll include a crappy photo with the Thule on there... it's on 90% of the time. In the winter it's ski time, and I repeat the above with skis and friends instead of ropes and friends.
- I live in New England. Don't get me started on the road conditions.
- Price: I have been and I continue to be willing to pay whatever the price is for exactly what I want. If it's not exactly what I want to then I tend not to make sacrifices. Obviously, however, I would prefer to pay as little as possible. All I'm saying is that I wasn't budget shopping.
Ok. On to the review:
This set up has been perfectly ideal for the above application. I dropped my car off on a Sunday night and picked it up on Monday night. Took about 5 hours of work, I think I was charged for. From what I learned from Eli (he was very helpful in explaining to me, since I am just beginning my education on this car) the setup is revalved bilstein shocks and Shine Racing "Real Street" coils. It's a 500 lb setup all around. The setup is non-adjustable, and as you'll see in the photos is quite near stock ride height. I wanted a little drop, but given my application, I definately did not want it slammed. He convinced me (ok, ok, easy sell) that it's better to have the proper geometry working for you (ie ride height) than have the right "look" working for you. I would agree with the statement, but can't really say too much about whether in practice it's true, not having riden in or owned another setup other than stock. I just know that the current setup is night and day compared to stock and is about exactly how I would want the ride to be.
I don't know too much on the technicals, other than what I've picked up from mags and tv shows, but here's what I can say about the performance:
- much decreased body roll.
- tight, attentive turn initiation.
- understeer, obviously, but doesn't feel like you're working to get it in and around as much as had been on stock.
Price:
I paid Shine Racing about $1700 that day. That includes the parts (around 1200 I think), 5 hours or so of labor (around 75-85 an hour I think) and also a couple misc stuff like an oil change etc, since it was already going into the shop.
Nags (only two really):
1. I assume others of you have noticed this with your setups, but the back end of the car is so light, compared to the front that if I go over a bump or a pothole etc just a little to fast it makes a fantastic metal clunking sound in the rear of the car. I assume this is gear/spare tire/tools/ and maybe even the wheels/suspension itself? I'm 95% this is just life with an aftermarket suspension.
2. The right rear corner has started "squeaking". I don't know anything about it other than I have indeed isolated it to be suspension related (thought it might have been interior items like the rear shade, rear seat, roof rack, cargo box all groaning from increased stiffness). It squeeks and groans when flexed. I am planning to have them look at it shortly.
Other than that, very happy.
Verdict:
Big hit!! As long as this rear squeeking issue gets resolved without too much of a headache (even if they need to replace the whole corner, I'd still say go for it -- lifetime warranty, I believe) and your application is similar to mine, it's a terrific value. I'm sure there are better values out there, but it was nice to have the shop responsible for the parts do the work. My runner up would have been Stasis Streetsports, and I am sure I would have been pleased with their setup, as it was very close in price (even cheaper, slightly).
I'd be happy to answer additional questions! My apologies for not being able to do a more technical write-up.
On to the photos (unfortunately I do not have one with stock wheels.)
The wheels/tires 235/40 - 18.
A little Boston Spirit for ya.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/94431/img_0002_small.jpg">
Got cloudy for the other pics...
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/94431/img_0005_small.jpg">
Ground level....
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/94431/img_0006_small.jpg">
Frontal....
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/94431/img_0007_small.jpg">
And this is a crappy old photo (totally stock) with the box on. The box lives on her about 90% of the time... I tend to keep a lot of my camping/climbing stuff in there... keeps dirty gear out of my apt).
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/94431/pict2314.jpg">
Mod List:
18" chrome silver Sportec Mono 10s (thanks to Paul at AMD Tecknik)
GY Eagle F1s. 235-40-18 (big ups to MarkFrank for help picking correct tire size!! and Alex at GY for getting them for me!!)
APR ecu. 4 programs. (Ebay brought my 60 extra ponies!)
Vibrant Cat Back Exhaust (Thanks Tomasz. Sounds exactly like what I wanted). 3rd DIY!
AWE DTS - 1st DIY!
Phatbox. A little wierd at first, but if you get the hang of it, it is really awesome.
Thule 2100 Evolution Box. An extra 21 cubic feet. Wind tunnel designed.
35% tint all around.
Vast Short Shifter - Huge ups to Mike. This is the best bang for the buck mod I've done. 2nd DIY. Perfect fit and finish. Looks like stock, and the action is like stock, but just soooo much better/shorter/faster.
Next up:
APR Bi-Pipe
ECodes
710Ns
AWE center boost gauge
rear spoiler (the avant one)
Lane changer 4 blink mod. (is this possible!?)
Sorry for the extraordinarily long post. I wanted to be thorough and provide what I can back to the community after sucking knowledge for so long!
Thanks to all who've answered my assanine questions... more to come I'm sure!!
-Rob
08-21-2006, 08:54 PM
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As someone who's had three Shine suspensions installed I agree Dick and Eli know
how to make dubs and audis handle. Not for those who fear wheel gap, but if you can stand parking next to the slammed boys and endure the snickers, you'll be a lot faster around the track.
Congrats on getting it right:=)
Congrats on getting it right:=)
08-22-2006, 04:34 AM
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Not the only S4 at Rumney. ;-)
Haven't been out much this season, other activities have taken time. Been to Conway 3 times though.
Car looks great. I'm hoping for a Stasis kit for mine next year.
Peace,
Chris
Car looks great. I'm hoping for a Stasis kit for mine next year.
Peace,
Chris
08-22-2006, 05:03 AM
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Nice. I tend to boulder mostly, but Rumney is epic!
Your car looks great, but with such a deserving piece of machinery, I would def spend the 100 dollars to get a second front black bar ... minus the license plate bracket.
Keep the other one for inspection time, but run the clean one the rest of the year. (I've never had any issue with not having a front plate).
A friend with an A3 does that and it looks really tight IMHO.
Hopefully I'll see you around!
Keep the other one for inspection time, but run the clean one the rest of the year. (I've never had any issue with not having a front plate).
A friend with an A3 does that and it looks really tight IMHO.
Hopefully I'll see you around!
