Long.

Just got my car back today.

Had installed:

Stasis Street Sport Coilovers
StopTech Big Brake Kit for the Front in Black.
18" BBS CH wheels with Pirelli Pzeros 235/35
Alignment.
Complimentary Ding in door by somebody...

Thoughts:

First, CS Design in Tampa is a nice clean shop, work on nice Euro cars. Props to Chris. One of his customers stores a Lotus Elise 340R there, what a go cart that thing is. Love to have that thing to play with at the track.

Second, when I pulled up, my car was out front parked at an angle for obvious appeal when I arrived. At first I was like, whoa...that is low...almost too low by first sight. Chris said he talked with Stasis, per my recommendation, about the install height and possible rubbing concerns. What I saw when I arrived is what Stasis recommended. So Chris went with it.

He said it was low on the phone, but they could not get it to rub anywhere and tried. I tried too...also couldn't get it to rub.

The next thing I noticed while walking around the car was a pretty little ding on the driver side back door. This car is flawless and clean, and I immediately told chris that it was never there. He saw it too along with the mechanic, but was not sure where it came from. Probably the alignment shop. Don't see how they could of did it at their place it is so clean and well organized. He immediately said he will get his repair/ding guy out at my convenience. He agreed to come by my house (he lives close) and swap my car for his M3 for the day. Hey, sounds good to me, always wanted to drive one. So, I didn't get really bothered by it, as long as it is taken care of, which I am sure it will.

Height is 24.5" all around. All I can say is it has transformed the look of the car and is "off the hook." I had a big grin when I saw it. The S4 looks real aggresive with that drop.

Several things I noticed with the ride. First, this car ride height has been dropped at least 2.5". It is very noticeable sitting in the car driving how much lower you are. I believe the ride quality is better at times over certain bumps with the Stasis compared to stock. The ride is not rigid at all, in fact, I think it is a bit soft. Pushing the car around the twisties by my house confirmed this. The body still rolls too much for my liking and nose dives quit a bit under strong braking. Or maybe that was just me being throw into the seat belt thinking it was diving..either way, I think it was some nose dive.

While doing my first bedding run per StopTech, the road I was on had undulations and uneveness on the surface. The car wanted to misbehave a bit while braking. Nose dive was noticeable. But, I experienced no surprises that I couldn't control. I believe the suspension improved emergency braking and handling on not so hot surfaces, that is a good safety factor to consider.

I personally would not mind 500/600 spring rates possibly, but would have to ride in an S4 with some to see first. Track Sports might be in my future. I am attending a couple of HPDE events over the next two months and think the Street Sports are going to be pushed beyond what they are designed for. I have some bumpy roads by my house, sort of undulating uneveness, not harsh bumps. The car handles the dampening/rebound pretty well and smooth. Again, I like the ride better than stock, the car should of come this way to start.

Overall, they ride very nice, handling is improved considerably. But, I think higher spring rates are something I may consider. Just a few test runs through the twisties by my house confirms I have already met the limitations of the suspension unfortunately. So track events might be a bit disappointing unless I get the spring rates up.

The StopTechs aren't bed properly yet, but they seem to do a good job. What I like is the subtel Black calipers and White logo showing under the BBS wheels, understated, but people who know what they are looking at, they will enjoy.

The BBS 18s" look great on the car, mine is a Silver 2002 Tip. They have Pirelli Pzeros. The Pzeros are much quiter than the Sport Pilots I have on the stock wheels and the ride is very comfortable. I can't say I notice much difference between 17s"/18s" and the ride quality. Just shows that a good suspension setup will not sacrice comfort with larger wheels/tires always.

Overall, the look and feel I like, it has improved the handling for street use, plus the drop looks very nice.

For $1000, the Street Sports are a nice edition to the S4 for street use and some occasional track use.

 

24.5" man that is slammed. Cool you don't rub with 8.5" wheels though.

 

24.5 is crazy-I didn't realize that the first time

 

but not sure. So it may go 24-1/4" on it's own.

I plan on taking those wheels off for the track and putting the stocks with pilots on, should not rub ever then.

I have pushed it to the traction limits on descent roads, no rub. I have done hard braking on the undulating uneven road that caused all sorts of loads on the fronts side to side, no rub.

I am surprised also. Will get some photos soon of the drop. Like I said, at first sight, it seems a bit low, but after looking at it, it is tight.

 

They sound pretty comparable to the H&R streets, as far as spring rates go. I ran many track days at Road Atlanta on the H&R's and was able to embarass a lot of faster cars.

For a true sports car, the H&R's are a little soft. There's still body roll, and some pitch and yaw during hard acceleration and braking. But it's still heaven compared to stock. However I eventually decided to go with the track sports because I wanted something more aggressive. I'm pretty happy with the 650/750 rates that I'm running now, although bumps can be a little harsh. But I'm also at the end of the life of my S03's and they're known to be a very hard tire.

Just in case nobody else told you, don't run the Stoptech supplied street pads on the track. Make sure you get something that can take the heat. I personally run Pagid Orange on the track and street, and just put up with the noise. Not a problem since I don't drive the S everyday.

 

I have the same setup and body roll on my car is basically not even there...do you know what the shocks are set on for firmness (they are adjustable)? Mine I believe are one or two clicks away from the highest setting.

 

Maybe the most firm would give me the feeling I am looking for. I might have to work with my installer and do some more tweaking.

I still feel like there is body roll. I would have to see the car I guess from behind while it is being driven to know whether it is the sensation of the turn/tires and my physical body moving around in the seat to know for sure.

But, each person is different, you may think it is perfect. For me personally, unless it feels like a go-kart around a corner, it has too much roll.

But, realistically on the street and daily driving, that would be crazy that kind of stiffness and anti-roll. For me personally, I think slightly stiffer would be good for my liking with some less roll.

Like my original thoughts, I think the setup for the street and some track time occasionally, Stasis is a very nice setup and I would highly recommend it.

Thanks

 

The things you described with your H&Rs are pretty much right in line with the Stasis Street setup, yaw, some roll etc...they are still nice.

I am tracking the car at Moroso next weekend. So, the stock pads are going to get a workout. I don't think I am going to flog the thing, I got an X chip with K03s, and I could probably kill them at the 2.25mi track. But, that thing has to get me home.

I have quite a few twisties by my house which is several miles in length, so I have an idea on how the car will run temperature wise and will get a feel for the brakes before heading over.

I think switching brakes pads is probably going to be the next thing I do based on your insights and others regarding the pads.

Thanks

 

Just another thought.

I took four adults in my car out last night to dinner. With four people, that thing had to go 24" or lower.

We have a speed bump that I didn't scrap before, but with four people, creeping over it, I scrapped the under body, not a pleasant sound.

Will give it a look underneath while changing the oil and throw it on the ramps to see where it dragged...

Obviously won't be going over that thing ever again...so be careful anyone with a drop like this and maxed out gross weight.

Later..