2009 Audi A4 Avant: Really, This Is How It Rides?

@kingkhalas: I was editing the entry as you typed your comment. Was thinking "cargo bay" but accidentally typed "backseat." A brain fade. --ER

I used to work for an Audi Dealer until this January.

The low stance is nice, but it is prone to chips, and dings what destroy the paint.

I was on a test drive with a client for a brand new A5. It hit a pothole deep enough to completely destroy the foglight area.

You guys should really invest on one of those invisible car bras.

Many of the reviews of Audis with the sport suspension option read like ER's comments.

adavis2493: Wow that sucks! The A5 is a beauty though.

It seems BMW has the suspensions tuning down on most of it's vehicles. Except for the SAVs you hardly ever hear any complaints about ride quality. It's an enviable handling / ride trade off. Although the CTS seems to be well tuned also.

I've got a 2009 A-4 sedan with about 8,000 miles on it. I ran into a curious situation early on when I tried to learn the proper inflations for the tires. The manual said 36 front and 35 rear. Wow, what a rough ride! However, the tag in the door jam said 33 front and 30 rear. Huge difference. Also, I put better tires on (Dunlop Sport something or others) and dumped the lousy Goodyears. So now, with diligent inflation watching (and 17" wheels), I'd say the ride is about the same as on my former car, a 2006 A-4 Avant. It's firm but pretty compliant, much like on a 3 Series BMW. And the handling is much better than my '06 Audi.

I don't know how related the GTI and A4 are these days, but I'll say the same thing about my 08 GTI. Its fine on reasonably smooth pavement, but the horrible roads this spring and bad patching and potholes in Chicago have exposed the GTI as a booming car over these types of surfaces. The suspension is pretty quiet until a certain point, when it then sounds like you've hit something far worse than you actually did. Add the rattles the car's prone to having and can really drive you bonkers.

Glad I didn't get a MINI, but sometimes I think I shoulda got that C30 instead. Handles nearly as well, but I was amazed at that car's ability to absorb bad pavement.

BMWs do seem to be better, though if they have the sport suspension, I might disagree. I just wish they would stop it with the run flats. They'd really have an edge without em.

Debunker,

I'm with ya on the ride. I came from an '06 A4 sedan with the sports suspension and I wouldn't own an A4 without one.

My '06 Avant with the sports pack rides very nicely for my tastes... perhaps a little more compliant than my previous A4. I love the way the car stays flat while cornering.

My car wants 34 / 36 psi, front / rear, which seems weird to me, as you'd expect the heavier front end to be the recipient of that extra 2 psi. I'm going to try 35 / 37 and see how 'she' rides. Even got a calibrated pressure gauge to make things right on target.

I wonder if the InsideLine ride is suffering from over inflation? Doesn't seem likely. Probably just a case of some preferring a softer ride.

Wasn't too long ago that I read on this site that the A4 with the sports pack wasn't too far off the slalom speeds of the Evo and 370z. Not bad for a 'wagon'.

Oops, I meant '09 Avant in the above message. Where's that edit button :)

It's 69.3 mph slalom!
That's really fast!

What you have to understand about European cars is that they are set up for European roads. The roads in Germany are generally a lot smoother, and that's where the tough suspension really works. Also Europeans like it like that as it gives the driver an impression of control and stability. When I first came out to L.A. I was shocked by the condition of the freeways. That would never do in Holland (where I'm from).

European roads have lots of cobblestone roads, no? They don't seem too smooth...

In my previous post, I erred in reversing the locations of the tire pressure instructions. Nonetheless, the point remains the same. Go with the lower pressures on 17" wheels and you should be fine. Otherwise, admit it, you're really more the Genesis type, are you not? Especially so if your passengers tend to be of a paricularly delicate nature too.

"European roads have lots of cobblestone roads, no? They don't seem too smooth..."

It completely depends where you are. Like NA, Europe has gravel roads, asphalt, concrete, interlocking brick, cobblestones, etc.

"Glad I didn't get a MINI, but sometimes I think I shoulda got that C30 instead."

My MINI has some stiff suspension, you are correct. I drive it on construction sites regularly and its not easy, lol.

Hey Jerome81 My GTI suffers from the same harsh ride on Los Angeles Roads. I switched to 18 inch wheels and the ride of course got worse. I have heard great things about KONI FSD shocks that eliminate most of the bumps but decrease body roll. You should give them shot.

zeph summed it all up folks. These cars are tuned for smooth EUROPEAN roads. Bring them to the US where roads are poorly maintained and you might get beat up. The traditional ride that is so often criticized in American and some Japanese cars is largely appropriate for American roads. When designing a car for America it would make sense to tune the suspension for our road conditions.

rocklah-
I got the 17's specifically because of the roads in Chicago, but they've gotten just horrendous after this past winter, and even with these smaller rims, I'm still getting pummeled.

Just did some quick research on these KONI FSD. Sounds intriguing. I might have to give them a look. I appreciate the suggestion!

"I don't know how related the GTI and A4 are these days"

To answer your question, they are completely unrelated.

Any "world" car usually has tuning too firm for the US. Mazda is guilty of this as well. I can see why SUV sell so well here in the US- nice soft rides and beaucoup suspension travel to deal with our terrible roads. There are some nice roads in the southeast though. When I drive down there I'm always pleased at the contrast between the two locations.

I got Avant with the 18" / all seasons timres that came with the prestige trim. I do not have the sports package neither have I checked the tire pressures. I find the ride to be comfortable at least here in the SF bay area.