S-line - how low?

[DougJohnSmith]

I'm thinking seriously of buying an 2008 A4 Avant TDi (170PS) Quattro S-line :approve:. I currently drive an Alfa 156 Sportwagon which has suffered undertray and suspension issues at the hands of our local roads :zx11:.

How does the lowered S-line suspension cope with bumps in the road and the inevitable potholes? What sort of mileage should I expect before suspension parts need replacing (and if so, at what cost?).

[James05]

Hello and welcome!

My S-Line is at the standard height and I've not had a problem yet with speed humps.

Potholes....so far I've managed to avoid dropping mine into anything too big....


James

[DougJohnSmith]

Thanks James. You're right - it's generally best to avoid actually going into potholes!

How many miles have your car done and what shape is the suspension in?

[rossco30]

Hi,

I've just swapped the wifes 156 for an A4 S-Line Avant and I can say that the 62,000 mile Avant has no squeaks or rattles whereas the 156 had required the replacement of nearly every conceivable front and rear suspension bush by the time we sold it at 75,000 miles.

Cheers,

Ross

[DougJohnSmith]

Ross - I know what you mean about 156 suspension parts. Mine is up to 125K so I reckon it will soon be second-time around for replacing suspension arms and so on!

Got my eye on a 51K A4, so it sounds as though it should at least be good for another 11,000 miles.

[Ben]

S line 140 avant.
I hit a massive pothole and buckled 2 nearside wheels. Suspension unscathed. It's rock solid.

[kodkod.84]

I regularly take my car off road on construction sites- on 90k miles no problems at all with the suspension, the plastic undertrays have taken a bit of a battering though!

[darich]

Mine is just a baby with 47k...but never had any issues with undertray or suspension. Road humps not a problem either.

[keemaklan]

155,000 miles and my suspensions fine. Not a squeek or clunk.

My bushes at the front need replacing, but im hoping to drop it on coilovers soon...

[James05]

How many miles have your car done and what shape is the suspension in?


Just turned 60k and appears solid. No squeaks, rattles, knocking or anything else.


James

[DougJohnSmith]

S line 140 avant.
I hit a massive pothole and buckled 2 nearside wheels. Suspension unscathed. It's rock solid.

Ouch! If I were you I wouldn't do that. Though it's good to hear the suspension held up.

[DougJohnSmith]

I regularly take my car off road on construction sites- on 90k miles no problems at all with the suspension, the plastic undertrays have taken a bit of a battering though!

Is the undertray still intact? I've been through two on the Alfa and it's now - how can I put this - 'gone commando'.

The roads near us (and I guess I'm not alone here) are a little like off-roading. Do the undertrays bear up well to a little scraping and knocking?

[Mr-Rob]

I think it also has to do with what wheels and tyres you have on.

If like me you are running 19" rims with 35 profile tyres you need to be
very carefull.

If your overly concerned I'd go for a smaller diameter wheel with a higher profile.

I'm waiting to hit my first pothole and then claim from the council !!!

Rob

[DougJohnSmith]

I think it also has to do with what wheels and tyres you have on.

If like me you are running 19" rims with 35 profile tyres you need to be
very carefull.

If your overly concerned I'd go for a smaller diameter wheel with a higher profile.

Rob

Does that mean you have had problems with the undertray grouding?

Also not sure I follow your wheel logic. Are all the wheels roughly the same diameter? As far as Audi standard-fit wheels go it looks like the profile of the rubber is decreased in order to compensate for the increased size of the alloy. Otherwise the wheels would struggle to fit in the wheelarch.

[Y90USF]

A4 s line 170 coming up to 96k miles went to
The dealers for new wheel bearing and hub cos the numpty at the tyre shop cross threaded and they have been very nice as to do a vehicle inspection and have told me that I need a set off new springs on the back as one off them has cracked or has a sharp end showing it's broke :-s


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[Puresilk]

160K and suspension is rock solid!

never had problems with ride height!

[DougJohnSmith]

[QUOTE=Y90USF;614960]A4 s line 170 coming up to 96k miles went to
The dealers for new wheel bearing and hub cos the numpty at the tyre shop cross threaded and they have been very nice as to do a vehicle inspection and have told me that I need a set off new springs on the back as one off them has cracked or has a sharp end showing it's broke :-s

Hmm, not so good. Been that way for a while do you think? Did you notice anything from the ride?

[kodkod.84]

Is the undertray still intact? I've been through two on the Alfa and it's now - how can I put this - 'gone commando'.

The roads near us (and I guess I'm not alone here) are a little like off-roading. Do the undertrays bear up well to a little scraping and knocking?

There is a number of different panels making up the total undertray and I have lost about two- they will take a significant scraping or two but not a direct hit on an unseen raised manhole or a planed out road surface step :o

My main issue is with the holding on bolts, with the conditions I drive in a number of deteriorated due to the road salt, my first issue was last January- I was driving back to Norwich from Coventry and a panel fell down and was scraping along the road- I didn't notice until Northampton as the sound it makes is identical to slushy snow being catapulted into the wheel arches.

Took the car to Northampton Audi who took the panel off FOC- good lads, I've still got to get round to replacing them:biglaugh:

[Mr-Rob]

Does that mean you have had problems with the undertray grouding?

Also not sure I follow your wheel logic. Are all the wheels roughly the same diameter? As far as Audi standard-fit wheels go it looks like the profile of the rubber is decreased in order to compensate for the increased size of the alloy. Otherwise the wheels would struggle to fit in the wheelarch.

No issues with my suspension mate.

Larger rims require a lower profile tyres hence a firmer ride and more stress on suspension components.

[DougJohnSmith]

Rob - good point about firmness of ride due to the reduced give in the tyres.

[DougJohnSmith]

Thanks to all for your input. I think I'm heading off to the relevant garage shortly!

[Ben]

Doug, for a few moments I thought you were looking for reasons as to why you shouldn't buy an s line.

[DougJohnSmith]

Doug, for a few moments I thought you were looking for reasons as to why you shouldn't buy an s line.

lol. There's more than one person involved in making the decision, if you know what I mean ...