Audi A6 Avant (2.8V6 Quattro, 1995 Model)
Discussion
Just wondering if anyone here has upgraded Tyres & Suspension etc on there A6. I have just purchased one and am not that happy with the handling.
Even though the ride is quite firm, the back end seems to be able to come out on fairly sharp corners abit to easily (No indication of loss of traction).
The car has got factory fit 15" rims at present with 195/60 tyres (Rear Tyres-Jupiter Dark Horse, what on earth are these!)(Front-Goodyears CRT).
I beleive the springs and shocks are standard etc.
Any comments and advice would be great.
Even though the ride is quite firm, the back end seems to be able to come out on fairly sharp corners abit to easily (No indication of loss of traction).
The car has got factory fit 15" rims at present with 195/60 tyres (Rear Tyres-Jupiter Dark Horse, what on earth are these!)(Front-Goodyears CRT).
I beleive the springs and shocks are standard etc.
Any comments and advice would be great.
Can the rear roll bar be removed and if so would it help or just worsen matters.
Im pleased to know its not just my car with this problem of oversteer.
Quote:- To be honest I quite enjoy that bit of oversteer. (I suppose I wouldnt mind if it gave me a bit more notice it was going to step out, you have got to be pretty quick to catch it........)
Im pleased to know its not just my car with this problem of oversteer.
Quote:- To be honest I quite enjoy that bit of oversteer. (I suppose I wouldnt mind if it gave me a bit more notice it was going to step out, you have got to be pretty quick to catch it........)
Mine drifts out very progressively - in fact I often just do it for the fun of it. I think your problem lies in those wierdo tyres you've got on there - change them pronto! Quattro's are designed to run on the same tyre size, profile and tread pattern all round - in other words the same tyre on all corners. Not only do mismatched tyres bugger up the handling (this is not just said for effect - it really is important on these cars) but they also screw the torsen differential. That tyre size sounds a bit small too. On my 2.8 I had (factory spec) 215s. I've got Dunlop SP2000s on the S and have found them a good compromise between wet/dry handling and durability. Michelin Pilots a bit skiddy in the wet. Fuldas not a bad cheapy option.
I think the damping should be the same all round, but remember you've got a big weight way up front. Your first port of call should definately be the tyre centre - at the very least get Goodyears to match your fronts put on the back. Even better, swap the fronts onto the back and get the new tyres put on the front. Ditch those Wild Stallions or whatever they're called ASAP.
100 2.8q here with 196/65/15 tyres fitted. I think the manual states 215 is the largest size fitted.
Edit: Well i would get you the part numbers for my Bilstein setup but i've only got the oroginal order and it's all in German, hence i can't make head nor tail of it.
I recently changed onto Yokohama AVS dB tyres. They're very grippy but also designed to be quiet and give a good ride. Suits the car down to the ground (which is ratehr useful really). Only £50 a corner too.
>> Edited by agent006 on Monday 7th February 23:13
Edit: Well i would get you the part numbers for my Bilstein setup but i've only got the oroginal order and it's all in German, hence i can't make head nor tail of it.
I recently changed onto Yokohama AVS dB tyres. They're very grippy but also designed to be quiet and give a good ride. Suits the car down to the ground (which is ratehr useful really). Only £50 a corner too.
>> Edited by agent006 on Monday 7th February 23:13
Just to say that I have now checked with Audi and it would appear that I just have the standard suspension package and the car has covered 130000 miles (How long should shocks last).
The tires had been inflated to 40 psi (seems excessive for empty vehicle). I have adjusted to 32 all round and the car now handles even worse.
The front suspension is kinda springy compared with the rear.
Has anybody got the the Audi Sport Suspension fitted, if so, is it any good?
The tires had been inflated to 40 psi (seems excessive for empty vehicle). I have adjusted to 32 all round and the car now handles even worse.
The front suspension is kinda springy compared with the rear.
Has anybody got the the Audi Sport Suspension fitted, if so, is it any good?
[quote=geezer(]Just to say that I have now checked with Audi and it would appear that I just have the standard suspension package and the car has covered 130000 miles (How long should shocks last).
The tires had been inflated to 40 psi (seems excessive for empty vehicle). I have adjusted to 32 all round and the car now handles even worse.
The front suspension is kinda springy compared with the rear.
Has anybody got the the Audi Sport Suspension fitted, if so, is it any good?
[/quote]
Some of the stories on here are utterly incredible, although I can't help laughing.
"Jupiter Dark Horse" tyres???!!!
Is that the planet they were made on?
My God, why do we allow this absolute crap to be sold in this country.
OK Geezer, so what we have so far is that you have mixed tyres, a couple of them probably from a horse box, your car has done 130,000 miles on standard suspension and you wonder if there is anything wrong?
Yes Geezer, there are a few things.
In engineering terms, shockers start to lose their effectiveness after about 40,000 miles, but this is largely theoretical and varies with the quality of the shocker.
What it means of course is that your's are utterly f****d!
I don't know if you have a budget or not, but being practical, what you do is stick with the original Audi wheels and buy yourself a full set of either Continental or Dunlop tyres; don't let the song and dance men talk you into anything else because they have a deal going. If you have the original wheels on the car the tyre size along with the correct running pressure will be on a label inside the petrol flap; I suggest that before you go another mile you put the rear tyres back up to I think 42 psi, but check on the label to make sure.
The Quattro is designed to run at that pressure, so don't change it, you'll just wear the tyres out prematurely on the outside edges.
Go to Euro Car Parts or GSF, and buy yourself a Bilstein suspension kit, or at least a full set of shocks, you'll be surprised at how cheap they are from them.
If you want to spend more money then a Koni kit is the ultimate on these cars, but will cost you twice the price.
DON'T touch the anti-roll bars, they're there for a damned good reason.
If you do this you won't believe how your car will handle; in fact you'll probably become a real pain in the arse at parties boasting about it!!
The tires had been inflated to 40 psi (seems excessive for empty vehicle). I have adjusted to 32 all round and the car now handles even worse.
The front suspension is kinda springy compared with the rear.
Has anybody got the the Audi Sport Suspension fitted, if so, is it any good?
[/quote]
Some of the stories on here are utterly incredible, although I can't help laughing.
"Jupiter Dark Horse" tyres???!!!
Is that the planet they were made on?
My God, why do we allow this absolute crap to be sold in this country.
OK Geezer, so what we have so far is that you have mixed tyres, a couple of them probably from a horse box, your car has done 130,000 miles on standard suspension and you wonder if there is anything wrong?
Yes Geezer, there are a few things.
In engineering terms, shockers start to lose their effectiveness after about 40,000 miles, but this is largely theoretical and varies with the quality of the shocker.
What it means of course is that your's are utterly f****d!
I don't know if you have a budget or not, but being practical, what you do is stick with the original Audi wheels and buy yourself a full set of either Continental or Dunlop tyres; don't let the song and dance men talk you into anything else because they have a deal going. If you have the original wheels on the car the tyre size along with the correct running pressure will be on a label inside the petrol flap; I suggest that before you go another mile you put the rear tyres back up to I think 42 psi, but check on the label to make sure.
The Quattro is designed to run at that pressure, so don't change it, you'll just wear the tyres out prematurely on the outside edges.
Go to Euro Car Parts or GSF, and buy yourself a Bilstein suspension kit, or at least a full set of shocks, you'll be surprised at how cheap they are from them.
If you want to spend more money then a Koni kit is the ultimate on these cars, but will cost you twice the price.
DON'T touch the anti-roll bars, they're there for a damned good reason.
If you do this you won't believe how your car will handle; in fact you'll probably become a real pain in the arse at parties boasting about it!!
Another wee thought Geezer, while you're having your suspension changed, get them to check the bushing front and rear for wear and when the job is done have the caste/camber/wheel alignment checked and adjusted, preferably on a four wheel laser jig.
That way the car will drive like new and you'll get the maximum from your tyres.
That way the car will drive like new and you'll get the maximum from your tyres.
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