Hello;
I just upgraded my suspension on my '01 225 TT Quattro with Eibach Sport Springs and the new KONI FSD shock absorber. The main reason was to lower the car since they are high with standard suspension, but also to maintain some level of ride comfort (since I live in New York City) with great handling since I do spirited driving. After the suspension was installed I was very disappointed since the car remained the same height or a little higher over stock.
Has anyone else experienced this problem? I am receiving very different and conflicting information from suspension experts such as;

1) Give the springs time to settle in (which I really don't believe at least not enough to make a difference)

2) The KONI FSD is somewhat of a gas shock because of its feature (Frequency Selective Damper) so it actually raised the car. I never thought that shocks car actually raise a car, but you never know.

I really didn't want to go with Coil-Over kit initially since the ride tends to the a little harsh but I know I can lower the car anyway I want.

I am definitely going to do something since the car looks bad. Even my Fiancé who is not into cars says it looks too high.

Any help or suggestion would be greatly appreciated. I noticed that Stasis Engineering has a KONI Coil-Over specifically pre-set for the TT, to help maintain an acceptable ride comfort level.

Thanks for any help you can provide

Thanks.

Kindest Regards

 

first, the FSD's have been known to have the lower spring perch welded too high on the strut body. This results in the car sitting high, particularly in the front. Not all have been this way, but enough to indicate it is a problem out there.

secondly, the FSD's are a pressurized shock. Internal pressures alone will result in some very small amount of lift. This will generally be reduced as the shock and spring set settles.

Problem #1 is not fixable though..

 

add fat chick, enjoy new lowerd car.........

 

running 17" doen't help there, either....are you?

 

As I read it, it has to do with the changing flwo characterisitcs of fluid in a venturi (the damping nozzles on the piston), NOT gas. Gas would damp at a relatively constant rate, using some old PV=nRT rules.

Fluid dynamics (fluids for us ME types) makes them behave differently based on speed and rate of speed change in a flow orifice (venturi).

 

Thank you very much for your response and advice. I know it had to be something unique or peculiar, your answer makes perfect sense. Since problem #1 as you rightfully pointed out cannot be fixed, I guess my only options are:

1) Dump the FSD's, replace it with the KONI Sport "Rebound Adjustable' shock, hopefully they don't have the same problem

2) Go with Coilovers which will guarantee the lowering of the car regardless.

Thanks again.

I really appreciate it.

Regards.

 

My factory suspension must have been really shot because after the new suspension was installed, the wheel gap was huge! I wasn't looking to lower it but it looks like it was raised at least another inch after the install. I can still fit 4 of my fingers (about 2 3/4") between the top of the wheel to the fender...it's been over 1000 miles since the install so I'm sure they're settled. Even the Audi service rep who saw the car asked if I was going to get 18" wheels to fill that gap. =P Oh well...I guess I will live with it...not going to spend more $$$ to fix something that's not "broke".

 

four fingers? that's a big gap...stock springs?

 

idont date anything w/ a 4 finger gap......

 

Coilovers are the way to go....got the KW v2s.....Awesome ride and the height is amazing