Audi Q5: Suspension Modifications
Audi makes the Q5 a sportier on-road SUV than most of what you'll find on the roads, but if you don't mind a stiffer ride, you can always go sportier. And, if you actually want to go off-road, you can lift it too.
This article applies to the Audi Q5 (2008-2016).
So you want to get low? Maybe you want to lift your SUV for easier off-road driving? Planning on taking your Q5 to a track day with sleeker looking sports cars? Whatever your desire, it's important to understand the different types of suspension modifications available for your SUV today.
Suspension Modifications
Sport Shocks/Struts
DIY Cost – $350-600
Professional Cost – 2-3 hours labor cost plus parts
Skill Level – Moderate; requires removal of old shock/strut and spring combo with spring compressor.
You eventually will need new shocks anyway, and the factory units are compromised so as to provide a comfortable ride. Add a set of Bilstein HD or Sport shocks and you'll get much better cornering, with only a slight change in your ride. Koni has new adjustable shocks which allow you to change the damping with just a twist of a knob on the strut, from luxury car ride for road trips, to sports car ride for track days. The Koni FSD is supposed to be able to actively choose between stiff sports damping and bump absorption, with no effort on your part, all in a fraction of a second.
KW Adjustable Spring Kits
DIY Cost – $800
Professional Cost – 2-3 hours labor plus parts
Skill Level – Moderately difficult; requires removal of old suspension, decompressing the old springs and reinstall with the new spring kits as well as adjustments to each corner.
The Audi Q5 is already equipped with non-adjustable coilovers on the front suspension, and KW has a kit to convert them to fully adjustable coilovers. The rear lowering springs are not coilover, but they are still adjustable in the stock locations, thanks to a screw collar. With the factory shock absorbers, these springs can be dialed in to the desired ride height. Most lowering springs have fixed lowering heights, but with the adjustable set from KW, you can set the front between 40 to 65mm and the rear between 45 to 70mm, respectively.
Coilovers
DIY Cost – $1,300-2,200
Professional Cost – 3-4 hours labor minus parts
Skill Level – Moderately difficult; requires full removal of each shock and strut combination and replacement, adjustment and configuration of each coilover body.
Coilovers can be considered the best of both worlds when desiring an upgrade to your factory shock/struts and springs. Before installation, the user can preset a specific height range and, in some cases, dampening of each strut/shock to enhance the comfort and stability of the ride. As an added advantage, users can further lower and/or raise the vehicle after installation by adjusting collars on each coilover body using custom wrenches.
Hydraulic or Air Adjustable Suspension
DIY Cost – $2,000-5,229.99
Professional Cost – 3-4 hours labor minus parts
Skill Level – Difficult; this is an upgrade beyond coilovers. Will require all the steps to replace your stock suspension with a coilover's system, with the addition of installing a hydraulic or air pump and controller to the on-board electrical system.
If you are determined to have a low Q5, but need some ride height to get over speed bumps or into driveways, consider airbags or hydraulic adjustable springs. Common on super cars and exotics, it can be used on the Q5 especially if you are already utilizing KW brand coilovers. Their system allows the user to install a hydraulic pump, which changes the ride height by adjusting the spring remotely. The common air suspension setups replace the spring entirely with a doughnut shaped series of air bags, which can be inflated to lift the car. Through an electronic controller, the user can lift the vehicle 4" over the ride height you normally drive at. With airbags, you can lower it even further than you could ever drive it at, just by airing down the bags.
Adjustable Upper Control Arms
DIY Cost – $435
Professional Cost – 1-2 hours labor minus parts
Skill Level – Moderately difficult; will require replacing upper controls with these units and configuring.
These were designed mainly by aftermarket manufacturers to aid those who have suffered premature tire wear from incorrect camber caused by lowering their Audi. Lowering or raising a car can make it impossible to get a proper alignment with stock parts. These aftermarket arms add much more adjustable than the factory designed into the front suspension. When the time comes for new control arms, which do need replacing periodically on all Audis, why not upgrade to a race quality adjustable design.
Pro Tip
After any suspension related service or upgrade, you should always consider getting a professional alignment.
Related Discussions
- Lift Kit Discussion - AudiWorld
- Anti-Roll Bar Discussion - AudiWorld
