The A4 B8 gets ECS Tuning Coilovers | Review, Install & Road Test
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- Опубліковано 28 чер 2024
- After suspension disaster strikes the avant, I review the @ecstuning coilover system for the B8/B8.5 A4, S4, A5 and S5, DIY install them, make some rebound and height adjustments, then go on a road test.
These Audi coilovers feature 32 levels of rebound damping adjustment of the monotube shocks and struts, progressive rate coil springs, up (down, really) 2.75" of height drop and overall improved handling performance. This is especially true when the ECS Tuning adjustable front sway bar end links and billet rear end links are added.
Featured tools:
Spring compressor - geni.us/spring-compressor
Strut/shock install+removal kit - geni.us/strut-install-kit
Strut nut sockets (a 15mm doesn't exist, I looked really hard, sorry): geni.us/strut-nut-sockets
Long allen socket set - geni.us/metric-extended-allens
@fcpeuro Front control arm removal ( • Audi B8 (A4, A5, S4, S... ) and rear spring removal ( • Audi A4 Rear Shock & S... )
ECS installation PDF: bd8ba3c866c8cbc330ab-7b26c6f3e...
Chapters:
00:00 - What's going on
02:49 - What went wrong
06:23 - Coilover features
10:00 - OE suspension removal insights
13:30 - Front coilover install
21:09 - Strut tower modification
24:04 - Rear shock and spring install
28:03 - Height adjustment
32:25 - Road test - Авто та транспорт
Really appreciate the thorough road test review!
Great video, this tips will help me on my upcoming decisions for my S4
Wow the ECS set looks so much better than my $1200 H&R Coilovers
Man! I thought I was the only one lol, I had the green eBay brand installed on my A6, and coming from a Lexus/ Toyota guy I was thinking this was gonna be a few Hr job to do, Nope!! Took me the entire weekend on jack stands lol. And I’m glad I came across your vid cuz I’m still in the tinning phase and has been lazy to drop the fronts for adjustments, and them suckers went in on full stiffness 🤦🏾♂️. But I’ll be doing the tower mod thanks to you 🙏🏾!
Just picked up a low mile a4 Avant and this was exactly what I was looking for. I don't want a ride like my mk6 Golf R which is why I picked up the Audi, this is my daily now and I want reasonable comfort. thanks for doing this!
I wouldn't rule out just a set of upgraded shocks/struts + lowering springs as a reasonable, cost effective option to totally freshen up the look and feel of the suspension on dailies like these either.
Hello friend, how are you. Could you explain to me how I can unload my car in the back?
also keep in mind your rear wheel arch is lower than the front as it doesn't have to accomodate the wheels turning as the fronts do
Question: I live in Michigan, with I’m guessing similar winters and roads as you. I also run summer and winter tires/wheels. I drive a 09 B8 Avant and I need to avoid my rears from sight fender rubbing that is now happening due to my own mistake of running 275/30/20’s, 265/30/20’s were just fine with my current H&R lowering springs, but like you I well over due for new shocks and springs…. I know going back to 265’s would be the easiest fix, but if I go with the ECS style coil overs like you went with for my Avant, will this style allow me to make the adjustments on my rears to raise it so it allows enough room to drop when hitting bumps that my tires will not rub the inner fender well? I recall in your video, which was extremely helpful and well explained, you stating that you were at your max height on the rears. I’m just wondering if I should go with a different brand that has more height, adjustment or stick with the ECS brand that you have? Trying to avoid and future headaches before I dive into this. Thank you
Hey Matt - My opinion is that these ECS coilovers are somewhat aggressive in terms of the lowering range for this platform and were designed for a lot of drop that depends on a rather firm setting to keep from bottoming out the shock travel. I'm a little skeptical you'd have a rub-free ride on 20's. If you need to hedge your ride-height bets, it might be safer to get a fresh set of lowering springs and nice quality (like Bilstein B8s) and simply avoid the messing about with coilover height adjustment tuning all together. And that would let you swap springs in the future for a different height (or more likely, different spring rate characteristics). Hope that helps.
How good have they been since the install
Getting ready to do this but I though if you drop the subframe you don't need the compressors in the rear
So they say, but I found it was still necessary to compress the big OE springs to get clearance to remove them. Even doing that, I used a long pry bar to stand on and push the control arms down towards the floor to get the spring out. Maybe there's a combination of efforts I didn't try that would be easier but that was my method.
Hello, what is the configuration that you recommend both in the front and in the rear of the coilovers, both in terms of hardness, height and rebound?
I set the height as high as they would allow because I still wanted maximum ground clearance and to run winter tires on 18's. Rebound was set to ~17/18. The trick with 1-way adjustable coilovers that only control rebound is that the ride comfort is almost entirely dictated by the spring rates that have been selected with the kit. In my opinion, the rates on these are a bit too high, meaning they're too stiff, at least for the road quality that's around here. That and/or, the compression damping characterists of whatever brand ECS uses in the shocks/struts could be valved differently to provide a little more cushion on compression.
I'm no suspension expert but these are my overall impressions when comparing to the ride quality of my old (as in, they are old, but I still run them) Stasis/Ohlins 1 way adjustable coilovers on the S4. Those ride incredibly well. For triple the price.
I always use clear wax on the treads, when i have coilovers on my car😉 regards sören from denmark
Did your avant specific coilovers come with rear spacers ?
If so where did you install them
Nope, there are no spacers included in the kit. Do you mean for either the upper or lower perch, to increase ride height? Where do you believe a spacer is required?
Ps you can in denmark get scandinavien control arm kit,thats better in the cold😉
I ment better quallity
So I don't use the stock bump stop on the rear?
The rear wouldn't fit so used the one's from the front.
There should be bump stops already under the black plastic cover on the hydraulic arm that comes out of the shock.
Howdy, Looking for an update a year later? How does your wife feel about the ride quality? I have other brand installed and its bouncy. I'm in an allroad.
It just so happened that a few months after this work, I found a deal on a B9 Allroad and we ended up selling the avant to make that change. That said, she found the ride to be very firm and I have no doubt she would have preferred I just replace everything with OE parts. Such is the curse of being an auto enthusiast but it was a fair lesson in "do not mess with your wife's daily".
Great statement! Journey begins for a better setup for me. Thanks man!
That amount of dirt next to the open engine makes me nervous 😅
Hahahaha I bought an allroad cuz I love the shape and the fenders, and Im gonna slam it on coils or airbags haha. Kinda funny buying the car meant for off road capabilities an lowering it :p
Lowroad gang
LOWROAD would be a sweet license plate.
Well soooo she hit a pot hole 🕳️ ??? And how was the control arms ?!?
No, the spring snapped while sitting stationary in the garage, just due to rust and the cars own weight. She simply didn't notice in the morning and tried to drive away with the wheel sunk way up in the fender and rubbing in all directions. When the spring blew I was in the garage and after the BANG, I had no idea what happened...till that next morning.
@@FigureItAudi damnnn well that’s crazy good thing it was taken care of instead of dealing with a tow truck .. super awesome good work man I enjoyed the video
Those end links are going to squeak and be an absolute nightmare. Just use oem bushings instead.