Glenn’s RS4 Avant gets down, deep, deep down, with the help of KW Suspension…
If you’re a regular in these here parts of FC, you’ll know I’ve had the RS4 for just over a year now. So it may be a surprise to you that it’s not been lowered yet. But the truth is, I’ve had a set of coilovers for some time now. I’ve just not had the time to get them fitted. However, this month I finally found the time to pop over to Down & Out and get them on the car.
As standard, the B7 RS4 comes with DRC (Dynamic Ride Control), a mechanical suspension system that uses shock absorbers that are linked via hydraulic lines and a valve at the centre. Basically, as you corner, the valves regulate the oil flow in the diagonally opposed shock absorber and do lots of clever stuff to stop you crashing.
Now don’t get me wrong. This is a great system. But on older RS4s, like mine, it’s a known weak point and a case of when not if the hydraulic fluid will leak. Also, it’s bloody expensive to get fixed. In many cases it’s more than a set of high-end coilovers, so even the most die-hard RS4 purists see decent aftermarket suspension as a sensible option.
Obviously, there’s plenty of options when it comes to upgrading the suspension, but there’s one brand that stands head and shoulders above the rest. KW are probably the world’s most recognisable suspension brand. When you see the famous purple and yellow and the quality of craftsmanship you just know it’s KW.
From high-level motorsport suspension, to coilovers for classics and the latest performance cars, there’s not much they don’t do. Sure, they’re not the cheapest. But you get what you pay for. And when you’ve got 420bhp under your right foot, you want to be able to plant it into the corner and know you’re coming out the other side alive.
When it comes to kit choice, there are plenty of variants available from KW, from the top of the range V3 with rebound, compression damping and height adjustment, to the V1 version that I went for. I’m not planning on taking the RS4 on track (I can’t afford to crash it!). All I was after was height adjustment, so I could lose some of that big arch gap and something that would improve the handling.
The V1 offers front lowering of 15-45mm and 10-30mm at the rear, which is perfect for what I need. Also, KW develop the damper setup and spring rate on each kit bespoke for each vehicle. So you’re not just getting a set of coilovers, but coilovers developed especially for your car.
Now I could tell porkies and say I did the fitting. After all there is at least one picture of me with a ratchet doing something. However, I pretty much just took pictures and left the fitting to Chris Hazell of Down & Out. Other than a seized bolt on the upper front control arms and the draining of the DRC system, it was a pretty straightforward job overall.
Driving wise, I’m amazed how much difference it’s made. I’ve always felt the DRC was a little slow to react coming out the corners, whereas the KWs just make you feel a lot more planted to the road and give you the confidence to hit the accelerator a lot earlier as you exit a corner. The drive in the RS4 is definitely a lot more dynamic now and has made blasting round the B-roads a lot more fun. So thanks KW!
SPENT
KW suspensions V1 coilovers £1,119
Down & Out labour £90
TOTAL £1,209
CONTACTS
KW Automotive
info@kwautomotive.co.uk
01634 255506
Down & Out Customs
07557 799006
See more of Glenn’s Audi RS4 Avant B7
