S4 Damper Control

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Discussion

CSK423

Original Poster:

761 posts

206 months

Saturday 25th October 2014
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Looking at used S4s which have audi drive select, diff and dynamic steering but no damping.

Ive dismissed a few due to the lack of damping in particular a white one that west lond audi have but is it such a critical option will I'll really notice the difference ?

Unsure if Im trying to have my cake and eat it as its becoming a task trying to tick all the boxes.

rs4al

925 posts

164 months

Sunday 26th October 2014
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I don't know about the facelift S4's but my 09 S4 has drive select and that is damper control, sounds like a dealer has you confused.

Drive select May equal damper control on preface lift B8's

Facelift. B8.5 I don't know !

Edited by rs4al on Monday 27th October 08:58


Edited by rs4al on Monday 27th October 09:02

CSK423

Original Poster:

761 posts

206 months

Sunday 26th October 2014
quotequote all
On the B8.5

Audi drive select is an option on its own that gives you quicker gear changes and revs higher. When you have this option along with damper control and dynamic steering (both separate options) these can be adjusted in the ADS menu.

Damper control is not part of the ADS option, it has to be ticked as a separate option.

GrahamC230K

384 posts

243 months

Sunday 26th October 2014
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I've a pre-facelift without damper control.

The handling is as good as I need it, plenty firm enough for fast A to B motoring. On the 19 wheels, the ride is also reasonably good.

If I had damper control, I doubt I would be seeking a firmer or sportier ride, but would find a use for a comfort mode when not on it and have passengers.

CSK423

Original Poster:

761 posts

206 months

Sunday 26th October 2014
quotequote all
GrahamC230K said:
I've a pre-facelift without damper control.

The handling is as good as I need it, plenty firm enough for fast A to B motoring. On the 19 wheels, the ride is also reasonably good.

If I had damper control, I doubt I would be seeking a firmer or sportier ride, but would find a use for a comfort mode when not on it and have passengers.
How is the standard suspension on the motorway, comfortable enough ?

GrahamC230K

384 posts

243 months

Sunday 26th October 2014
quotequote all
I find the car ample comfortable enough. Motorway is no issue. On a poor road, yes it can be a little harsh and that is where I can see a benefit to damper control.

I don't regret not holding out for damper control, I see it's purpose, but don't regard it a must have. The standard suspension does a good job.


CSK423

Original Poster:

761 posts

206 months

Sunday 26th October 2014
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Mmmm interesting, a non damper control S4 might not be the end of the world then.

jimmyjimjim

7,329 posts

237 months

Sunday 26th October 2014
quotequote all
ADS = Audi Drive Select
ADS = Adaptive Damping suspension

I suspect this is where the dealer got confused.

The adaptive suspension is an option, which can then be setup as part of Audi Drive Select.

I've got both on mine and while the suspension is a nice option to have - in comfort mode it's softer for long trips or for when you just want to stick it in cruise control, the difference is not night and day.

It's worth having, but if it was a toss up between a car with it, or one with the rear differential, I'd go for the differential every time.

If the right car without it comes up, go for it; it isn't a huge loss.

Adrian E

3,248 posts

175 months

Sunday 26th October 2014
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rs4al said:
I don't know about the facelift S4's but my 09 S4 has drive select and that is damper control, sounds like a dealer has you confused.

Drive select = damper control
It's not as straightforward as that I'm afraid.

As above posts Audi Drive select is basically the option that gives you the 2 buttons buttons on the dash to control modes (comfort, auto, dynamic, individual) on a pre-facelift. On the facelifts you get only 1 button on the right side of the centre console switches that cycles through the modes, which also adds an 'eco' mode.

Once you have the buttons, the engine and gearbox can be controlled but you have to spec one of the other ADS options out of damping control, dynamic steering or quattro sports diff when ordering ADS.

Ours has the diff and steering options. I thought it had damper control but the only way to check 100% is to go into the MMI screen and click 'car' then 'drive select individual' (something like that anyway) - the available options are then shown so you can spec what each ADS feature does when you have individual mode selected. If you can select a feature and change it, then the car has it. If it's not listed then it's not fitted. Engine and box will be there by default - the others are spec sensitive.

Our S5 Sportback is on 20" rims, and we'd previously test driven one on 19s with damper control, but bugger all else spec-wise not even front parking sensors, and I honestly thought the one we bought had it as the ride seemed very good (coming from an S8 on 20s and an A6 on 17s!) so although I do regret not having it for the option to stick it in 'comfort' on the motorway (which would probably make my son car sick anyway!) it doesn't mean the ride is overly crashy. I have managed to trouble the suspension once when properly pressing on but I'd still have run out of ability before the car did.

It's one of those models where nearly every car is different so if you find one in budget and with 90% of what you want then consider it as there's really not many turning up at the moment. We looked for 6 months before buying ours

CSK423

Original Poster:

761 posts

206 months

Sunday 26th October 2014
quotequote all
jimmyjimjim said:
ADS = Audi Drive Select
ADS = Adaptive Damping suspension

I suspect this is where the dealer got confused.

The adaptive suspension is an option, which can then be setup as part of Audi Drive Select.

I've got both on mine and while the suspension is a nice option to have - in comfort mode it's softer for long trips or for when you just want to stick it in cruise control, the difference is not night and day.

It's worth having, but if it was a toss up between a car with it, or one with the rear differential, I'd go for the differential every time.

If the right car without it comes up, go for it; it isn't a huge loss.
The dealer assumed it had the full package because it had the ADS button, after asking for the full spec damping control was not listed but the rest was ie diff etc.


BIGYIN1314

72 posts

204 months

Monday 27th October 2014
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I've got a 2011 S4 with Driver select and the full package. I tend to run the car in auto mode most of the time as its the default on start up. I generally find that auto will at slow speed alter the steering to make it lighter (as in comfort mode), but I havent noticed it alter the damping in any way. I have used comfort mode on occasion when cruising along the motorway but rarely any other time. I DO notice a difference between comfort mode and auto/dynamic as i think it makes the car very soft which i dont actually like. I personally wouldnt walk away from a car that didnt have Damper Control, as long as it had the others and the sports diff.

BIGYIN1314

72 posts

204 months

Monday 27th October 2014
quotequote all
I've got a 2011 S4 with Driver select and the full package. I tend to run the car in auto mode most of the time as its the default on start up. I generally find that auto will at slow speed alter the steering to make it lighter (as in comfort mode), but I havent noticed it alter the damping in any way. I have used comfort mode on occasion when cruising along the motorway but rarely any other time. I DO notice a difference between comfort mode and auto/dynamic as i think it makes the car very soft which i dont actually like. I personally wouldnt walk away from a car that didnt have Damper Control, as long as it had the others and the sports diff.

rs4al

925 posts

164 months

Monday 27th October 2014
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Post edited for clarity !

I guess it's depends on how long you are planning to keep the car and if you are going to mod it, if you are planning mods then a standard suspension S4 would be better as that opens up a world of suspension options.

Adrian E

3,248 posts

175 months

Monday 27th October 2014
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Good point - many of those who mod the cars instantly rip off the adaptive damping in favour of either a manually setup system or one of a number of aftermarket adaptive options which have mainly come about because for some reason the USA market wasn't offered damping even as an option!

jimmyjimjim

7,329 posts

237 months

Monday 27th October 2014
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That'll be why it's an option in the US, then....

Tonsko

6,299 posts

214 months

Monday 27th October 2014
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I've always liked the idea of owning an Audi S car - I see now that it's not that simple. It sounds exhausting trying to work out what is and isn't on!

Adrian E

3,248 posts

175 months

Monday 27th October 2014
quotequote all
jimmyjimjim said:
That'll be why it's an option in the US, then....
I understood it wasn't available as an option on the B8 platform, although that may only apply to the A/S5?

Adrian E

3,248 posts

175 months

Monday 27th October 2014
quotequote all
Tonsko said:
I've always liked the idea of owning an Audi S car - I see now that it's not that simple. It sounds exhausting trying to work out what is and isn't on!
Just wait till you try asking a dealer to tell you what the spec is! Even the Audi main dealers are mainly useless at this....you get good at identifying features from photos!

A few pointed questions around the MMI screen usually fill in the blanks, but stuff like DAB aren't obvious without seeing the car.

jimmyjimjim

7,329 posts

237 months

Monday 27th October 2014
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Huh, I was intrigued enough at that to go look(I've a US S4, so KNOW it has the adaptive dampers) -

Comment on audizine "The RS5 outside of North America is available with the optional Dynamic Ride Control. While it does have Comfort, Auto and Dynamic settings, its really mostly about eliminating body roll, dive and squat. Audi was forced to redesign the rear crash zone for the US market. The new design didn't leave enough room to mount the DRC valves. "


Tonsko

6,299 posts

214 months

Monday 27th October 2014
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Does any of this stuff go wrong at any time? I mean, on mine, I've fitted uprated ARBs and KWv3 dampers and springs, y'know the standard stuff to reduce body roll etc. Simple & mechanical. Admittedly you then don't have the flexibility, which I guess is the point...