The A3 we drove was kind of hard-riding, could feel every edge. I know this is good for handling, etc., but I've been in other high-performance vehicles where the ride is not quite as hard.

We really like the styling, engine, etc, but are hesitating because of the ride. Are there aftermarket suspension kitsthat might soften it up but keep the handling?

 

Maybe you were riding in an S-line, which I know has a tougher suspension. If not I personally don't know any suspension kits, I suggest searching the site sponsor vendors.

 

Steverw

Which one did you drive? If it was an S-Line, try a sport or an SAE

The SE has softer (non sport suspension)
The Sport typicallly has 17" rather than 18" wheels - this makes a really big difference and doesn't overly effec the handling (I have the 3.2 Sport and the ride is superb and it handles welleven when you are chucking it about)

Hope that helps

James

 

Jas, we don't get the same cars you do. Suspensions here are S line or Premium/base.

Steve, the car will soften up a bit with mileage. If you search this forum, plus Fourtitude and Audiworld, you'll find a ton of info on getting your suspension just right for your area and tastes. I run Koni FSD shocks with the stock Audi S Line springs, and love it. Firm, but very nice handling and bump absorbtion.

 

It also depends on the cars you were driving prior to this one. German cars will feel a bit more stiff and edgy, compared to an American or Japanese car. I personally love the communication to the ground that the German cars offer. It keeps you in touch with your driving, but it is a PITA if your roads are very poor. There's the degree of compromise that you need to find in your suspension.

Cheers!

 

David

I agree, but moving to 17" from 18" will soften ride significantly in my experience, so if Steve has test driven one with 18" it is worth trying one with 17" IMHO

James

 

James , I agree wholeheartedly - I stuck with 17's on mine due to bad roads here. Audi just recently added 18's to the option list here for 2.0, but I haven't seen any sold like that factory equipped. 3.2's have 18's pretty regularly.

 

hey, does the s-line have any other improvements suspension wize over base/premium other than its shocks/springs or is that it?

In other words, If i switch out my suspension for somthing softer, am I in essence nullifying the amount I paid for sports package?

 

udpate: we (my wife and I)drove another A3, was better. To clarify, our concern was the way the car dealt with the edges of bumps or rough road surface, not whether is has a soft or hard ride. The first A3 banged up and down on even the smallest bump, the second did not. The first one was the standard setup, the second was the S-line. With the sport suspension we got the handling we want, without the jarring transients. We also drove an A4, and it bounced along like it was on balloons, which can't be the way it was supposed to work. The sales guy said they are all like that. But I wonder if these things could all be due to air pressure in the tires being different. We'll go back again with a pressure gauge.

Thanks to everyone for your responses.

 

Steve, you're likely on to something. Most dealers routinely air up the tires on the lot to 45 - 50 lbs, keeps them inflated when sitting for long periods. Experienced Audi Brand Specialists keep a tire gauge with them, and will check a car before allowing a customer to drive it. Most people aren't terribly sensitive to this - I am, and apparently so are you.I notice when my tires are more than a few pounds off;I oncetook off once in a dealer car, turned right around and brought it back toremove 15 pounds. Most salesmen are insensitive idiots or don't care.