Need Advice - Suspension Upgrade for A6 3.0 FWD
#1
Need Advice - Suspension Upgrade for A6 3.0 FWD
Hi all,
I recently bought a 2003 A6 3.0 FWD with about 60K miles. The shocks are definitely shot and need replacement. I'd like to take this opportunity to upgrade the suspension and could use some advice.
I want a firmer and more stable ride with better handling and less squatting and diving. I drive the car daily (in So Cal) including hauling kids and I don't do the track, so I don't want too firm a ride. Something similar to the ride of my 1998 A4 2.8 w/sport suspension or my wife's 2008 A4 2.0 w/sport suspension would be nice (we are an all Audi family, except for the Honda minivan, which by the way seems to have a more sure-footed suspension than this base A6!).
I believe I've narrowed my choice to the Eibach Pro System - springs and shocks. Springs firm but not too firm, and matched with shocks from the same company.
I like what I'v heard about the Eibach/Koni FSD kit but this does not seem to be offered for the 2003 A6 C5 FWD (I do see a kit offered for a A6 Avant C5 FWD but not a sedan - I didn't know there was such a thing as an Avant FWD! Is this a real car?) I think other springs (H&R, Koni) would be too hard for my daily driving.
My questions:
- Has anyone here put the Eibach Pro System on an A6 3.0 FWD and what do you think of the ride?
- Is there a reason to consider mating the Koni Yellow shocks (at softest setting for me) with the Eibach springs instead of going with the Eibach shocks?
- Will keeping my springs and just upgrading to Koni FSD shocks give me the ride I am looking for or is a spring replacement really needed to reduce the rolling/squatting/diving?
- Would the Koni Sport Kit (springs and shocks) be a better system for me or might it be too harsh as I suspect?
I know the quality of the ride is really subjective, but I have no experience at all with aftermarket suspension systems, and if anyone can help me with your experience i'd appreciate it.
Next on the list will be to upgrade the 16" OEM wheels.
Thanks!
I recently bought a 2003 A6 3.0 FWD with about 60K miles. The shocks are definitely shot and need replacement. I'd like to take this opportunity to upgrade the suspension and could use some advice.
I want a firmer and more stable ride with better handling and less squatting and diving. I drive the car daily (in So Cal) including hauling kids and I don't do the track, so I don't want too firm a ride. Something similar to the ride of my 1998 A4 2.8 w/sport suspension or my wife's 2008 A4 2.0 w/sport suspension would be nice (we are an all Audi family, except for the Honda minivan, which by the way seems to have a more sure-footed suspension than this base A6!).
I believe I've narrowed my choice to the Eibach Pro System - springs and shocks. Springs firm but not too firm, and matched with shocks from the same company.
I like what I'v heard about the Eibach/Koni FSD kit but this does not seem to be offered for the 2003 A6 C5 FWD (I do see a kit offered for a A6 Avant C5 FWD but not a sedan - I didn't know there was such a thing as an Avant FWD! Is this a real car?) I think other springs (H&R, Koni) would be too hard for my daily driving.
My questions:
- Has anyone here put the Eibach Pro System on an A6 3.0 FWD and what do you think of the ride?
- Is there a reason to consider mating the Koni Yellow shocks (at softest setting for me) with the Eibach springs instead of going with the Eibach shocks?
- Will keeping my springs and just upgrading to Koni FSD shocks give me the ride I am looking for or is a spring replacement really needed to reduce the rolling/squatting/diving?
- Would the Koni Sport Kit (springs and shocks) be a better system for me or might it be too harsh as I suspect?
I know the quality of the ride is really subjective, but I have no experience at all with aftermarket suspension systems, and if anyone can help me with your experience i'd appreciate it.
Next on the list will be to upgrade the 16" OEM wheels.
Thanks!
#2
a friend of mine has the Eibach/Koni Yellow setup on his A6 3.0
ride height is perfect, a bit firmer than the stock setup but not harsh. He had the konis set to 50% on install, and now wishes he had set them softer (25% or so). He also upgraded to H-sport sways and highly recommends them.
from my experience on my A4, the Eibach shocks are a bit stiffer than the Koni yellows or Koni FSDs.
if you're ok with your current ride height, FSDs + current springs + stiffer sways might be just what you are looking for.
from my experience on my A4, the Eibach shocks are a bit stiffer than the Koni yellows or Koni FSDs.
if you're ok with your current ride height, FSDs + current springs + stiffer sways might be just what you are looking for.
#3
Re: a friend of mine has the Eibach/Koni Yellow setup on his A6 3.0
Thanks for the feedback - I will have to reconsider the Koni Yellows.
Unfortunately, I have a front wheel drive, not the Quattro. It doesn't look like Hotchkis makes sways for my car, and I see H&R makes them for the front only. I guess that leads to another question . . . Does it make sense to upgrade to stiffer sways on the front only?
Thanks again!
Unfortunately, I have a front wheel drive, not the Quattro. It doesn't look like Hotchkis makes sways for my car, and I see H&R makes them for the front only. I guess that leads to another question . . . Does it make sense to upgrade to stiffer sways on the front only?
Thanks again!
#5
I'm doing upgrades as well. My suggestion...
Upgrade the wheels and tires then look at suspension. If you go to 18's like I am you will definately want to lower the car about an inch or more.
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