Highering a 1.9 TDI Quattro Sport Avant

[philfingers]

Odd request/scenario. I just bought a really nice 2003 1.9tdi QS Avant to replace my old A6 SE 2.5 Avant. Only I have a rise over the footpath and then a drop down the drive to the house and the car won't clear, even unladen without serious scraping of the exhaust.
I was wondering if I could just fit a set of std SE Quattro springs to take the ride height up a little. There are some std SE springs on ebay but from FWD versions. Are the rear springs a different size on the quattro's. I realize poundages will be different and probably unfitted length.
Other option of selling the car doesn't appeal until other avenues have been explored.
The two sets on ebay are only £5 and £10 so would rather give them a try than buy new genuine ones for £75 each.
Any ideas?

Phil

[yaman]

I can see your point Phil, not just because of your drive-way,
but the increased use of speed-ramps on urban roads. :aargh4:

The "Sport" model seems to sit about 1.5 inches lower than
the "Se", so Se would probably do it.

It would change the geometry of the suspension, just use Se
settings.

There's always a chance that a previous owner has lowered
it.

High-profile tyres is another (expensive) idea.

Regards
Jim

[5up3rman]

why don't you try sorting out the gradient of your driveway!
surely its a problem with your drive and not the car or any others.
sorting the drive will fix your problem forever no matter what car you get

[philfingers]

My A6 is an SE and clears fine, even heavily loaded.
I need to take a proper look underneath, I doubt it's been lowered.
Need to find out if there's a difference between FWD and quattro rear springs.

Yes I agree sorting the drive is the best option, however it's a rented house, we'd move tomorrow! We sold up to be in a good buying position, now we can't find a house- sods law!

[5up3rman]

nothing wrong with the car really in this situation.
if it aint broke don't fix it they say!

if it's rented place then don't fix the drive.

however my neighbour has similair problem when reversing out of drive the cat box on exhaust scrapes.
So now he just parks it on the road opposite the house.

[iwaters]

I don't think you can just change the springs to SE spec and put it back together. I have sports set up on mine, I am in the middle of replacing the shocks and springs and was supplied the SE springs by mistake, I didin't realize until I was installing it back on the car when I couldn't get the assembly back in (it was too long).

I wonder if the wheel bearing housing is different as well?

[philfingers]

it's possible the dampers on the back are a shorter stroke for the sport variants. I'm hoping to speak to someone in highways about getting the pavement latered

[Lofty86]

Why dont you get air suspension? that way you could raise it for your drive, and still have it on the deck for looks just with a switch.
Dave