Dave Griswold

I've just ordered some and was curious about dampning settings and ride height adjustments.

I'm looking for what settings, in terms of dampning and ride height, you've found produce the best blend of performance and ride.

Thanks much.

Dave

Adam S

You might want to check the archives, I've posted about this before. Ride height and dampening will depend on your application, the quality of the streets you drive on, whether you will do auto-x or track, etc. Audiboy is the real expert on the Koni kit.

25-35% dampening seems to be a good rate for the street. Mine are set to 35% and the ride is stiff but not harsh. My ride height from ground to fender lip is about 25 1/2". Generally, most folks recommend keeping ride height to 25" (minimum) or higher on the A4. I chose my ride height (after adjusting it several times) as a balance between handling and clearance. After initial settling of the springs, ride height was closer to 25 1/8" but the ride suffered accordingly.

If I had to do it all over again, knowing what I know, I would probably shoot for these numbers initially:

Poor to fair streets:

25% dampening.
25 3/4" ride height.

If you have better streets:

35% dampening
25 3/8" ride height.

Remember, I'm no suspension expert so I don't have all the answers. This information is based on my own experience.

Note to Audiboy: Dude, I sent you some e-mail a while back, do you still work at the same place?

Dave Griswold

Thanks a bunch, that's exactly what I was looking for!

Morgan Conrad

They will settle (especially in the rear) so don't sweat the heights all that much when you install. Mine are set at 40% damping and have settled closer to 25", nice on the track but a bit rough on the street. Will probably raise them up a bit when I get a corner balancing.

Audiboy

stage III power alert (seems like stage 3 is a favorite word I'll email you again.

Adam S

Really, once the kit went into my car I felt like I had a "whole new car" but better than the first version! ;-)

Adam S

Ok, you have mail.

jeneric2

What exactly is corner balancing? Thanks.

quattrogirl

Mine were originally set to 25 5/8" and 30% stiffness, but we re-set it a couple of weeks later to 40% and 25 2/8" - but the car has settled since then to about 25" even all around.

I've also had the alignment done - VERY IMPORTANT to do this, especially since you'll have all sorts of negative and possibly positive camber when you first lower the car......

I'd say 40% is fairly stiff, I like it since I track the car every month or two, but for ordinary puttin around 30-35% may be better. Also, if you have any rough pavement/ curbs pretending to be driveway entrances/ body kit on your car, you'll want 25 1/2" or higher for ride height. I have to crawl sideways over EVERYTHING, and that reaaaaallly sucks in San Francisco.....hmmm may be bringing the car UP 1/2" at the next track event to avoid bottoming out so much....


But the bottom line is, you'll LOVE the coilovers and never go back to stock! Yeah....

Dave Griswold

Thanks for your input everyone. I appreciate it!