Received my a4 and one thing really let me down

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scotaudiavantman

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hi guys,

I got my a4 avant 218 Quattro sline and thanks for helping me with the spec. I drive the same car in saloon format and all seemed fine.

The ride though has really let me down. It doesn't like the roads in my country location and I guess I really should have ticked that box for comfort ....

It's taking the shine off as it feels much worse than my a3 se from 2013 didn't expect that.

Is it possible to retro fit comfort suspension and would cost be ruinous ? Test drive felt fine which is why I didn't tick box to select comfort. I'm sure the extra Weight from avant can't be it. It must be the roads were that much better on the test drive.

Hmmm
 
Did the saloon you drove have the adaptive suspension and yours doesn't? Also get the dealer you bought it from to check it out.

Ours (with sports adaptive) in comfort mode is pretty good over bad surfaces, and given our roads I rarely put it in Dynamic.
 
Been mentioned on here. Not sure if this will impact in a negative way but have you checked the tyre pressure. Some as new are over inflated.
Don't know if that makes a difference off top of my head.
 
Exactly what I thought, I test drove a a4 avant diesel sline for a day and if I had made a decision based on that, almost did, I would have never have purchased an A4. The ride was so hard I started to avoid every crack in the road to avoid hurting my back it was terrible compared to my current car then, a A3 sline saloon. But my current A4 is so far removed from that it is like driving a different model so I can only put it down to the tyre pressures on the test car being to high as both have the same suspension.
However don't think about having the suspension changed, firstly it'll cost thousands, secondly it would spoil the handling and thirdly it will ruin the looks, that one being my opinion of course and please no-one with comfort suspension be offended by it.
 
Hmm I don't even know how to check tyre pressures I'm embarrassed to say,

If it could be something that simple I would be very relieved.

They are only standard 18 inch rims btw and same as the saloon I drove. Only difference was the avant body which I'm sure isn't much difference. Probably the additional rather large Audi salesman in the car weighed more.

Still, roads were much smoother on test roads but I'm sure that's not all. It's fussy even on decent stretches.

Can I check tyre pressure from inside car?
 
Absolutely check the tyre pressure. I thought mine was a bit crashy but put it down to firmer suspension than the outgoing model. It wasn't till it hit a bump in the road and skittered off to the side I thought something was seriously wrong. Checked the tyre pressure and it was set to 3.6 bar.

Also I find the steering in comfort mode to be too loose and allows the road surface to dictate the handling to a certain extend. In auto or dynamic it weights up a bit and feels more secure.
 
Thanks guys I'm going to check this out and will let you know.

Just took the missus on a drive and she didn't think it was that bad. I'm still convinced it should be better though.
 
Sorry to gatecrash the thread ...Would these blocks only be in the front suspension?

I'm still getting a knocking type noise at the rear of the car, this is after checking the space saver and jack were all secured?
 
I have an A4 S Line with sports suspension as far as I know and I have to say it's far more compliant than my 8V A3 Sport which had sport suspension.

It drives far better than the A3, turns in faster without understeer and doesn't feel as wild on the bumpy back roads as the A3. In fact, for a big saloon car I find it excellent at cornering.

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk
 
DJW84 said:
Sorry to gatecrash the thread ...Would these blocks only be in the front suspension?

I'm still getting a knocking type noise at the rear of the car, this is after checking the space saver and jack were all secured?
Click to expand...

I know that on the Golf they're only on the front but may be different on the A4?

I'd pop it into the dealer as the blocks are more about suspension travel. For you it might be something loose under the car such as the undertray?
 
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Assuming this is normal ...

Photos are from the rear suspension?
 

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Thanks cuke2u

Looks like I'll be calling the dealer tomorrow to see what the noise is thats coming from the rear.

Sounds like I'm driving an old saxo when I hit a bump in the road
 
DJW84 said:
Thanks cuke2u

Looks like I'll be calling the dealer tomorrow to see what the noise is thats coming from the rear.

Sounds like I'm driving an old saxo when I hit a bump in the road
Click to expand...

Any news on this?


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Checked tyre pressures.

3 wheels were 40 and one 35 .. yeah, so front two wheels not the same and none of them matched any of the three official settings on the door.

Anyway, ride still too harsh for my tastes and by far the biggest disappointment of the car.

Taking it to a dealer on Tuesday where they will take a drive with me and offer and opininion and maybe check it on ramp.

If this is normal for sline then I'm very unimpressed. Even on smooth roads it's kind of fussy ...
 
Doesn't sound right to me. I have an Avant on S-line suspension and live on very rural roads, it is miles better ride and handling than my previous A3 on SE / Comfort suspension.

Definitely worth getting the dealer to check it over, wouldn't be the first time transport chocks have been left in the suspension!

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scotaudiavantman said:
Checked tyre pressures.

3 wheels were 40 and one 35 .. yeah, so front two wheels not the same and none of them matched any of the three official settings on the door.

Anyway, ride still too harsh for my tastes and by far the biggest disappointment of the car.

Taking it to a dealer on Tuesday where they will take a drive with me and offer and opininion and maybe check it on ramp.

If this is normal for sline then I'm very unimpressed. Even on smooth roads it's kind of fussy ...
Click to expand...
The b9 chassis has a far more sophisticated suspension system than any previous models, it is much more refined and as mjcourtney has said even compared to the a3 it's far better and doesn't transmit bumps into the passenger compartment. In fact Audi have tuned the suspension to deal with roads in the UK thus it certainly should not be fussy on smooth roads..
 
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Will update on Friday, I've got the car booked in for then. Hoping to get the problem fixed so I can carry on enjoying the car as it's the only thing that's putting a dampener on driving the car
 
McCortney, good to hear from someone with a3 se.

I drove that car again for first time in a week and it felt at least as comfortable, perhaps a bit more though my wife debated this.

Just the fact the tyre pressures were all over the place suggests the prep was a bit off to me.

Anyway, appointment tomorrow so will let u know.
 
I would also ask to drive another Avant with s-line suspension whilst I was there, just to do a comparison.
 
We have the same 3Ltr 218 TDI Q Avant as yours but in Sport spec on standard suspension and over more than 11k miles, on a massive variety of rounds in UK, France, Spain and Italy we've been hugely impressed with the ride across all manner of roads and surfaces.

So if it's not tyre pressure then well worth the trip to the dealers - the only difference in ours is we're on 17" wheels as opposed to your presumably standard 18's - however we test drove a 2Ltr 190 TDI Q Avant on 19's and the ride on that was still very good, if not as compliant as it is on 17's.
 
Took it in and they put it up on the ramps as well as coming on test drive.

He could find anything wrong though he did seem to be a wee bit surprised at the ride during drive ...

I guess not much more I can do. It's not unbearable and maybe I'm just expecting too much. My wife doesn't think it's worse than the a3 se we have.

Btw both the mirror, telegraph and some other reviews think the sline is a bit too harsh so I guess this is just how it is.

Shame as this car could have been a 9.5 for me but has to be a 7.5 or maybe 8 now. The bunny country roads here are too harsh to really enjoy and I noticed one reviewer said even driving fast more fun in comfort due to composure.
 
I tend to ignore the reviews and trust in my own judgement as far as the ride is concerned, they say the same for the a3 sline, in fact all Audi's. It's firm, yes, but far more compliant than the previous model and the current a3 sline...
 
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Ps reviews do say 17 inch wheels and sport suspension is significantly better than sline with 18 wheels so doesn't surprise me you have much better ride,

One thing I noticed is how much more obvious bumps are when you are using headrest and have firm seats.

Also, when you are concentrating on something perception can be skewed.

Still, stand my position generally I'm just not sure how much of it is disapointment with product and disappointed with choice.
 
The sline has sports suspension as standard, not sline, you would need to specify sline. Its the same for any car, it doesn't take rocket science to work out a 18" 40 profile will have a harsher ride than a 17" 45 profile. But hey its all down to personal preference but I would say the a4 with 18" tyres is just about a perfect balance between comfort and good road holding. But if its not for you then fair enough...
 
Of course I get there's a trade off and I did pick a sport trim and had a free option at the end of the day.

That fact makes it more fustrating if anything.

Also, I should say there is an impressive lack of body roll round corners. Far less than the c class amg line I test drove.

Problem is my country roads are so pot holled it takes the fun away s bit.

Ps every other major thing on the car either met or exceeded expectations. Annoying thing with suspensiob is you are reminded of your mistakes at every bump!!

Anyway , thanks for all the help guys
 
Sorry to hear about your frustration I've just ordered an sline Avant with adaptive sport suspension (18's), I'm hoping this covers all bases. With the Ultra models you have to have some sort of sport suspension.
 
I've got the 19"s with adaptive sports suspension and I'm more than happy with the ride . Yes, it's very 'firm' in dynamic, but auto and comfort are great. There's a tad more road noise with the bigger wheels, but I think it more noticeable because the car's so quite in other areas. Her indoors is really happy with it, and she's really fussy. So all good!
 
That was my quandary, adaptive suspension or virtual cockpit. Could not get both.
 
Drive into work again today like being poked with a stick the whole way.

Wonder if there is anyone out there with standard suspension who would want to swap?
 
Mike north east said:
Any news on this?


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Click to expand...

Audi back to how it should be...

The factory hadn't fitted the spring correctly - so new spring and few bolts replaced sorted the problem out!

Feels the way it should...very quiet and I'm a happy man driving again
 
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DJW84 said:
Audi back to how it should be...

The factory hadn't fitted the spring correctly - so new spring and few bolts replaced sorted the problem out!

Feels the way it should...very quiet and I'm a happy man driving again
Click to expand...

That's great mate! It is quite worrying though as stuff like this really shouldn't happen, slightly worried when the new car comes in may!


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It is worrying, however I'm sure I've been very unlucky...

Hopefully when your car comes everything will be as it should. Enjoy it when you pick it up
 
I've booked into a different garage for a second opinion 22 April.

Even on the motorway it feels jittery which everyone tells me shouldn't be right.

Also, going to try it side by side with a3 in same road today to see how different it feels.

Any members near Ayshire who would fancy a drive and opinion ?
 
My previous audi was a A3 se from 2014 on 16 inch wheels.
My A4 on 18s and sport suspension still rides far better.Its more refined,dosent transmit near as much noise and is all round smoother and feels better engineered.
 
I've upgraded my opinion of the ride from harsh to very firm.

The roads are awful here so I can forgive the low speed ride.

It's the motorway ride which never really settles down that bothers me.

The multi coloured interior lights are a bit disappointing too and the seats very firm.

Everything else either meets or exceeds expectations. The matrix lights are s wonder and the driving assistance much smarter than I expected. It doesn't slam on the breaks when someone cuts me up like I feared.

Cornering is also excellent and the 218 engine is smooth and has the perfect power/economy balance for me.
 
What you say about the motorway ride is puzzling as the A4, and in my experience, has the most refined and composed ride out of any car I have driven. From what you describe it is almost like they have fitted the sline suspension by mistake...
 
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