TT and A3 - hard suspension??

[Sally, Surrey]

I'm only a girl, but had to hand back my TT because it caused back pain. Two years down the road I've bought the A3 cabriolet which I love ...... but, yeah, 3 months down the road I've got the same back pain. Can I get the ride "softened"??

 

[10blazin]

is it an sline ....

 

[10blazin]

why don't you just get some kind of gel cushion it would be alot cheaper....

If it is an sline then the springs are harsh and horrible ive heard eibach are softer they may be softer springs than eibach though so just wait for some more replys ....

 

[h5djr]

I'm only a girl, but had to hand back my TT because it caused back pain. Two years down the road I've bought the A3 cabriolet which I love ...... but, yeah, 3 months down the road I've got the same back pain. Can I get the ride "softened"??

I have driven a number of TTs and I don't like the hard suspension either. I've also driven both the Sport and S-Line versions of the A3 including a Sport version of the Cabriolet and again both my wife and myself find the suspension a little to hard for us.

My last three A3s have therefore have been the SE version which has standard rather than sport suspension which we both find a lot more comfortable, especially on long journeys.

I am assuming your's is probably a Sport version of the Cabriolet which will have the sport suspension. It would be possible to get the suspension components (springs and dampers) changed to the standard (as used on the SE) setup although this would work out quite expensive. Have a word with your dealer and see if they would do it and how much it would cost.

If you need any more info, come back to us.

 

[royjk]

Is the A3 cabrio an sline, as I find mine a lot softer ride over my old A3 sline & just a lttle firmer than my old A3 SE. Mind I also have a Mark 1 MX5 now that is a hard ride. I am also an old fart being in my late 60's
Must admit I love my Cabrio to bits especialy after having a remap.

 

[Staz]

I thought my S-Line was pretty soft to be honest. Are you sure you don't have an underlying back problem that can be aggravated by any car apart from maybe a Hummer??

 

[pcmanning]

Probably find the suspension isn't the major culprit for your back - either the seat or the seating position you have is part of the problem. I'd suggest that if you have access to an occupation health dept at work (or a private back bod) that they may be able to help you adjust the seating position?

Paul

 

[h5djr]

The ladies age can also make a big difference. In the past I have had many cars with 'sport' type suspension, including four Golf GTIs, a Golf VR6, four Audi 80/90 Sports and four A3 1.8T, but as I've got older I no longer find the 'hard' ride acceptable. If the A3 was only offered with sport suspension I personally would be looking elsewhere. Fortunately Audi offer the 'standard' suspension and seats in the SE model so I happy. I have the optional 17" wheels with 225/45 tyres and find the handling of the SE is perfectly acceptable even with the softer suspension.

 

[Sally, Surrey]

Thanks Dave. I'll contact the dealership to see what they can do to soften the suspension. I can't believe this has happened again after having to give back my lovely new TT (the backache was gone within a week!) I think you are right - it's a combination of a stiff suspension and a stiff old body! I had an SE A3 before the cabrio, and had no probs. Or should I sell at 6 months old and buy a nice little Fiesta?!

 

[h5djr]

Thanks Dave. I'll contact the dealership to see what they can do to soften the suspension. I can't believe this has happened again after having to give back my lovely new TT (the backache was gone within a week!) I think you are right - it's a combination of a stiff suspension and a stiff old body! I had an SE A3 before the cabrio, and had no probs. Or should I sell at 6 months old and buy a nice little Fiesta?!

No definetley not. Sell at 6 months and buy a nice new A3 Cabriolet SE by all means but not a Fiesta!!!

Have a word with your dealer. Tell them you want the standard suspension and see if it's better to change the suspension on your existing car or can they do you a good trade it in for a new SE model. Not sure on the trade-in but you should be able to get 10% discount on a new Cabriolet.

 

[Staz]

I bet Q7s are comfy!

 

[h5djr]

Having just looked at the online Pricing and Specification Guide Audi don't in fact do an SE model for the Cabriolet but the Standard model has the standard suspension. These can still have various petrol and diesel engines and you can always add 17" wheels from the options list to make it look at little more sporty without having to have the sports suspension of the sport model - if you follow me!

Let us know how you get on.

 

[h5djr]

I bet Q7s are comfy!

Probably similar to drive as a 4-tonne truck!

 

[hollows wife]

kw lowering springs are very comfy ,too comfy infact need to stiffen up the backend now cos it bottoms out with 3 kids in the back seat

 

[dunk]

eibach pro springs are a great replacement for the s-line suspension particularly combined with koni fsd dampers - they are wonderfully compliant and better ride than se suspension, but do improve the handling and road holding as well

also the ride height is very similar to s-line height as well, maybe 5-10mm lower

this would be a better and cheaper combination that retrofitting se/standard springs

 

[h5djr]

The only problem for the lady with various aftermarket springs etc is the unknown factor. She has driven a car with the standard Audi suspension set-up and knows that it's OK for her.

Anything else could end up as another costly mistake. What one person regards as a good suspension set-up, another may not agree.

 

[Sally, Surrey]

Hi. Update on springs and things. Dealership won't do a retro refit, and a recommended place that does tuning and upgrades says there are currently no dampers for this model and that by using ones for another model will be hit and miss. Looks like a gel cushion or selling it on are my only option.............. bring it on, Fiesta, or a nice little Jazz perhaps?!

 

[Sally, Surrey]

You may well be right ............ I'm checking everything out. Thanks.

 

[Ash B]

Hi. Update on springs and things. Dealership won't do a retro refit, and a recommended place that does tuning and upgrades says there are currently no dampers for this model and that by using ones for another model will be hit and miss. Looks like a gel cushion or selling it on are my only option.............. bring it on, Fiesta, or a nice little Jazz perhaps?!

Sally you dont have to get a Fiesta or Jazz yet lol...Still could try various aftermarket items? Im sure if your local to a member who has aftermarket springs, dampers, coilovers etc they wouldnt mind taking you out in there car to see how you get on with it? Before you even decide to buy any thing test it out in some one else car who ahs aftermarket suspension . Just an idea but worth it before you decide to sell up again.
Good luck
Ashley

 

[h5djr]

Perhaps some local firm would be prepared to change the springs and dampers for the appropiate genuine Audi parts for you. You buy the parts and they change them for you. You would loose your warranty but then you will if you change them for aftermarket ones anyway.

 

[Ash B]

Perhaps some local firm would be prepared to change the springs and dampers for the appropiate genuine Audi parts for you. You buy the parts and they change them for you. You would loose your warranty but then you will if you change them for aftermarket ones anyway.

You lose warrantly from changing springs and the dampers to aftermarket ones or coilovers?