Air suspension

**A6S** · 05-09-2017,04:03 PM

A colleague of mine is going to buy/order an A6/s6.
He asked me what is the air suspension like?
Coming from a rangey where you press up and down on the dash to move the suspension, how does it work in the A6? Is it just the drive select determine the height or is there other ways or selecting height?
Finally from the lowest to the highest what's the height difference? 10/20/30mm or more?
Cheers,

**AT.** · 05-09-2017,05:40 PM

Originally Posted by A6S

how does it work in the A6?

I think, there is a difference between the allroad and the regular models. In my case you have the ability to "Raise" or "lower" the car via the MMI, it's useful for parking, or on bad quality roads.

I don't know the exact ammount of the lifting, but IMHO it's somewhere at 30mm, it's clearly visible if the car is in the upper position. The drive select also changes the air suspension characteristics, as far as I know, on high speed it lowers the chassis automatically. The usual selections are also there in the "Individual" menu, so you can select the "AUTO", "Dynamic" and "Comfort" settings, I really prefer the Comfort in mine. I have no experience to compare the C7 with or without the air suspension but compare to my former C6 without the air suspension, it seems more comfort and less road problems, but IMHO it's not a former Citroen type air suspension which makes the car "swim" like a ship on the road

As far as I know, the Allroad has more options.

**bbrown1664** · 05-09-2017,07:08 PM

My dad has a 2013 S-Line with standard suspension and 18" wheels and I have a 2012 S-Line with 19" wheels and air suspension. The ride is like chalk and cheese. Despite the bigger wheels, mine is sooo much smother.
Changing the settings from Dynamic, to Comfort or to Eco all change the way the suspension works and gives a slightly higher or lower ride height. Its not like the range rover the Citroen suspension, this works.

**ukgroucho** · 05-09-2017,09:25 PM

Speaking from an allroad perspective.. 5 levels of ride.
Position 1 - (-15mm) engaged in dynamic drive select OR if you are in regular drive mode and go above 70 ish on dual carriageway or motorway etc. (It's supposed to be 130kph / 81mph but mine seems to drop sooner.. wonder if they tweaked for UK speed limits) It drops to the lowest setting to improve aerodynamics (which it does, maybe 1 MPG - I'd take this over some stooped Start/Stop system any day). Kinda feels like a regular s-Line suspension, maybe a tad higher.
position 2 is 'normal' ride height (0 mm) OR is what Comfort will drop to if you go above 70 ish yada yada. Basically when you select comfort then positions 3 & 2 replace 2 and 1 in normal drive mode. Very comfy on motorway but inefficient.
position 3 is default (+20mm) for comfort .. allroad mode would drop to that at speed also but never tested
position 4 is allroad (+35 mm) ...
position 5 is "raise" (+45 mm) - may not be available on a regular A6. Basically adds another 10mm. Only available under maybe 20 MPH. Intended for serious snow or chewed up offroad stuff.

Can you feel the difference? Absolutely.
Total ride height change is not huge, 60mm for an allroad - certainly way less than the original C5

**brummygit** · 05-09-2017,09:40 PM

I have a 2017 model Avant Black Edition with air suspension. It's very comfortable and drops the suspension a little in Dynamic mode to match what I think is a standard S-Line or runs slightly higher and softer in Auto mode. It auto lowers at motorway speeds and is much more comfortable in auto or comfort mode, but dynamic is still good. I can also raise the car higher (maybe 30-40mm) if I'm off road or need extra ground clearance. Generally I love mine but constantly fiddle between dynamic for the better look and auto for extra comfort

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**brummygit** · 05-09-2017,09:41 PM

Oh and the handling is much sharper in dynamic mode

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**A6S** · 05-09-2017,11:32 PM

Cheers guys.
I guess if you are going over some rough stuff/mud then comfort is the highest setting and dynamic is the lowest.
I'm assuming if you are towing a load then the suspension automatically compensates for it.

Lastly is there some vcds tweaks if you want to lower it to look like a boy racer😄

**NewAudi** · 06-09-2017,08:32 PM

The air suspension fitted (as standard) on the S6 is different from other A6 model with it. Its sportier if that is the right word. Handles better.

**A6S** · 06-09-2017,09:18 PM

Does the s6 go lower?
Trying to gauge the height as he goes down some ****** farm roads now and again then there's possible muddy caravan sites.

**NewAudi** · 06-09-2017,09:21 PM

Originally Posted by A6S

Does the s6 go lower?
Trying to gauge the height as he goes down some ****** farm roads now and again then there's possible muddy caravan sites.

Tbh no idea, but I think its as low as the normal air suspension, which AFAIK, is a little lower than standard S-Line on the Dynamic (or individual) setting. It certainly seems to go as high and makes it look weird......