My New DD 2016 Audi S4!!!

[lensch09]

CR-15 Upper strut mount bar was installed last night.

Install/Product impressions:
James was super easy to deal with in procuring the product! He kept me informed on availability updates, and processed the shipment incredibly fast with included tracking/insurance/etc. The product itself is a nice piece. I opted for the black anodized part (James thought it would look better). Initial quality looks spot on. Hardware (correct quantity, too) and instructions were also included. All accurate, all quality well beyond the initial price point.

Super easy install. I had a small drop-in problem with the tab on the drivers side tower which wasn't unexpected (actually says it might be a small issue in the instructions and some convincing with a hammer may be required). Overall install time took maybe a total of 30 minutes (not in a hurry at all and on the phone half the time).

Driving impressions:
Car seems to "load and plant" better than it did before. Steering feedback seems a bit more precise. All in all, for the ~$150 entry fee, why in the world anyone who tinkers wouldn't want this thing on a $30-$65k car is beyond me.

Picture of the bar on the ground with some of the hardware (no instructions pictured)

Stock location with the tray removed. Car still only has about 1500 miles on it at this point. Ooops.

Now with the CR-15 bar installed

And just a random picture I took last night with my new 6S after leaving the gym. Car is super dirty, but might be the only semi-decent picture I have with the new ride-height, E-codes, wheels, etc....

Sarge and I are putting it up on the alignment rack tomorrow night and will be going with a custom alignment setup. Should be the tits.

Also, looking to throw in my Eurocode sways and spherical endlinks one of the days. Not sure it will happen before the Fall-tour or not.
-DL

 

[mbbrewer]

Car looks pretty good. I need to wait a few more days so I can let the coating completely cure, then give it a wash and take some pictures. Because of the high heat on the day of application, there are also a few minor streaks in the Cquartz finish from the product flashing out too soon and leaving a few minor high-spots (nothing too serious). I have a plan to resolve that... More on that later.


DL

How did you resolve the minor streaks and high spots? I've got a few after coating my car and don't really feel like recoating those areas.

 

[lensch09]

How did you resolve the minor streaks and high spots? I've got a few after coating my car and don't really feel like recoating those areas.

Only way I could figure it out was to take a light finessing pad with some finish polish (3M Finesse-It II) and then re-coat.

Kinda sucks, but it is what it is.
-DL

 

[Kamakaz1961]

Beautiful Ride!

 

[lensch09]

Well folks, finally got a chance to install my EuroCode USS sways and spherical endlinks....

Installed boots on the front. Pink zippes, for the awareness....

Front installed

With links!

Rear bar installed (AWE Track has been installed the last 900 miles or so, car only has 1600 miles...ooops)

Getting alignment

More alignment

Badnews...I'm all but positive the front subframe is shifted. I'm not running adjustable fronts, and there is no way that the deviation between the driver and passenger side camber should delta at this level... We will fix that later....

Latest pictures

Some Instagram editing for the feels...

Fixing that subrame non-sense with the AWE kit/alignment tool soon,

-DL

 

[VISITOR]

lookin good...rops:

 

[lensch09]

What I walk away from as I head into work....

-DL

 

[lensch09]

Another small update.

Picked up the AWE-Tuning Camber Adjustment Solution which includes the following:

SPC Performance Control Arms
AWE-Tuning wiring harness relocation kit
AWE-Tuning subframe alignment tool

This should clear up the previously mentioned alignment/camber issues. Car should handle even better (if that's even possible).

Now officially out of things to do with the suspension with right around 3,000 miles on the car.... Oops.

Also picked up a set of USP Motorsports LED reverse lights. Not sure why Audi didn't install them from the factory. Oh well, pictures of those will come tonight when I get off work and install them.

Also, afraid to say it's time to switch wheels to winter-mode in the next few weeks. Gonna run the stock 19" Titanium wheels with some spacers...

Stay tuned!

-DL

 

[lensch09]

Next mod is/are USP Motorsports LED reverse lights. They are DAMN awesome....

Before

50/50 comparison

After

Before (sorry, brake lights are on)

After

Overall, an absolutely awesome mod. These are so much brighter than the stock lights. Huge improvement.

Stay tuned!

-DL

 

[Sicoupe]

Your ride is coming along nicely! Well done buddy.

 

[lensch09]

I guess I'll update this. The weather has been shitty, I moved into a new condo, I'm going through a career change and possibly an employer change (which could result in a relocation from the Midwest to East Bay), so the car has sort of been on the back-burner.

Picked up some Sumitomo HTRs for the stock wheels for winter. We don't get much snow here. But, it's cold and slushy most of the time

Finally got around to aligning the sub-frame and installing the SPC adjustable upper control arms and AWE wiring harness relocation kit (all AWE pieces are AWESOME)

Re-adjusted the ride-height and re-adjusted alignment. I'm pretty close to factory alignment settings with a little bit more camber dialed in, and a little less toe in the front (to ease tire-wear). Currently sitting 25.5" FTG all the way around

My coworkers have a sense of humor

Waiting for this crappy weather to go away. The front bumper on the car isn't perfect (someone tapped it) and it needs to be repaired/repainted. It isn't that bad, but I know it's there. The dealer quoted less than $700 for the repair/repaint and will also throw in a re-application of Xpel Ultimate. I will not run it through insurance.

I might also add a CF rear valence, CF spoiler, CF mirrors, and a black RS4 grille in the spring. I've also been recently kicking around the idea of a GIAC chip + program switcher. The only setback is that the car only has 5,800 miles on the clock... Time will tell.

Stay tuned!

-DL

 

[TTQ B4U]

Nice ride! Glad to see another IVRing owner here.

I'm newer to the ranks here. Looking forward to hearing more about yours. Think I recognize it from the AZ Forum.

Summer Mode: Niche M131's on Stock Conti Summer Only for now



Winter Shoes on: Stock 19" Peelers with Blizzak LM-32's

 

[Klasse Act]

The stock wheels make for great winter wheels Len! Without going back I know I gushed about your 3 season wheels but I'm going to do it again....MY GOD ARE THEY AMAZING!

The use of winter wheels is not just for snow but I'm sure you probably know this but I feel inclined to type it here as to educate someone who may NOT know this. The thing is that winter tires, its what they're actually called, perform well when the temps are 45 degrees and lower and stay pliable when the temps drop, thus giving you better handling!

 

[lensch09]

The stock wheels make for great winter wheels Len! Without going back I know I gushed about your 3 season wheels but I'm going to do it again....MY GOD ARE THEY AMAZING!

The use of winter wheels is not just for snow but I'm sure you probably know this but I feel inclined to type it here as to educate someone who may NOT know this. The thing is that winter tires, its what they're actually called, perform well when the temps are 45 degrees and lower and stay pliable when the temps drop, thus giving you better handling!

I agree with you completely! My summer tires are Summer Performance ONLY. They would totally suck in this weather (I've tried it before).

Snow or at a minimum of all-seasons should be required.
-DL

 

[Klasse Act]

I mean you could get away with a set of Continental DWS06's but when you have purpose built tires (snows of hiperf summers) they give you the utmost confidence. That said, I see a lot of people running the new DWS06's here in Chicagoland on many cars, including my wife's Mazda 6. They are, IMO, the best all season tires you can buy...PERIOD

Sent from my LGLS990 using Tapatalk

 

[Ancient1]

I mean you could get away with a set of Continental DWS06's but when you have purpose built tires (snows of hiperf summers) they give you the utmost confidence. That said, I see a lot of people running the new DWS06's here in Chicagoland on many cars, including my wife's Mazda 6. They are, IMO, the best all season tires you can buy...PERIOD

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I agree I put the DWS06's on my S5 for winter. I don't have to get out in bad weather but with them I feel I can if need be. They do not handle as well or drive as good as the Mich Super Sports but give the option of getting out on some bad roads if I want to.

 

[IAtegeler]

Great looking car. Where in Iowa are you from?

 

[spazzz]

Beautiful car. You have excellent tastes in all the mods.
That yardstick pic got me. I knew what you meant by ftg but 27 showed up.

 

[UCDIE]

nice, welcome to the S family haha

 

[Klasse Act]

I agree I put the DWS06's on my S5 for winter. I don't have to get out in bad weather but with them I feel I can if need be. They do not handle as well or drive as good as the Mich Super Sports but give the option of getting out on some bad roads if I want to.

Yeah they are no Mich SS in the dry but for a tire that's all season they're no penalty box when on dry roads

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