Audi S3 Drivers - Harsh Suspension, Options?

[Mr Jones]

So I ended up with an Audi S3 Saloon, 2016 Model as my daily drive for our family of 3.

I love the handling, the styling and ommph when I need it.

The trouble I have is the stock suspension, even with Comfort mode/ settings, it's still harsh over those stumpy narrow bumps. Road is fairly decent here, just those speed bumps jolting the car when going over it, even at 15kph - don't want to develop back problems in the future.

Anyone upgraded their suspension?

Coilover or air suspension? What type and is it worth the price, especially with air suspension compressor kit eating into my boot space.

 

[Mr Jones]

What tyres are you running? I found the stock Pirellis were awful. The Pilot Sport 4S were a bit more pliant, which I found more than acceptable with "comfort" suspension settings.

18" Michelin X, that came with the car when sold. Will this make that big a difference?
And do you pump to recommended or slightly under?

 

[Mr Jones]

No point in adaptive dampers with the rock hard springs they fit as you just get varying levels of harshness. They still aren't all that smooth compared to e.g. a Citroen or Jag with a more simple setup.

Citroen with the air suspension is awesome.
Citroen DS5, not so much.

That's why I am considering aftermarket air sus, or even decent coilover. Now you guys got me thinking about my wheels...

 

[Mr Jones]

It came with 18s? S3 Saloons come with 19s as standard, and adding Magnetic Ride (standard on a Saloon) to a Hatch or Sportback also adds 19" wheels.

I'll need to double check now... It was sold as 18, I didn't take a tape measurer to it.
As for the magnetic ride, I'm going to have to check - it was never highlighted and I didn't know the saloon came with is as standard... If that's the case, even with Magnetic Ride, comfort mode is harsh!

 

[Mr Jones]

It came with 18s? S3 Saloons come with 19s as standard, and adding Magnetic Ride (standard on a Saloon) to a Hatch or Sportback also adds 19" wheels.

OK, confirmed its 18" wheels and also, got the exact same tyres as you... I remembered Michelin X but didn't know the sub brand was The Pilot Sport 4S.

Also, I don't have the Magnetic Ride - no switch or suspension with a lightning bolt when I start up.

Back round again, even with Comfort setting, it's harsh. I tried Dynamic today on route home. It's tight, and then hit a small speed bump at 20kph, and my god! It's likes I ran over a dead animal or something!

 

[Mr Jones]

If you don't have magnetic ride, the 'comfort' or 'dynamic' setting is presumably not actually altering the suspension, it'll be on standard fixed rate dampers, it'll just be changing stuff like throttle response and change points of auto gearbox etc.

Is there any other way to check if I have Magnetic Ride or not? I can change the suspension with drive modes and different settings (Dynamic, Economy, Auto, Comfort, and Individual works for suspension adjustments...)

Online for Audi shows that icon and possibly a switch is what to look out for...

 

[Mr Jones]

If it's specifically letting you adjust suspension, I suspect it has it, I think without the equipment the options to adjust it just don't appear (that's certainly how it works on the sister Skodas anyway, the option to adjust suspension is simply not present in the Individual settings and Comfort mode doesn't exist, only Normal, Eco, Sport and Individual)

I'm a numpty, it was Steering, not suspension as an option. I checked and definitely no Mag Ride.
Had a little drive around and looks like the firmer bump is really down to speed. 15kph is just acceptable but 20kph is boom, your baby in the back goes wooo!

Also, if you sign up to myAudi and get your nearest dealer to add you as the owner of your vehicle you can see all the spec that the car is equipped with.

It's just a case of signing up then emailing your dealer once it requests activation. Just need the VIN

I didn't know about the app, registration with just the VIN, I get all the details on the car.

Looks like my rear suspension is a Sports suspension. Must be why it's so firm, the front wheels is just suspension - I assume with the engine weight, this makes the difference to why the rear is harsher?

 

[Mr Jones]

It sounds like you find the ride harsh as you want to go over speed bumps quickly. You can slow down over them adding a matter of seconds to your journey time and save having to fork out hundreds on suspension and alignment. Alternatively, go for a passenger ride in a low sports car and watch how they have to deal with them, in turn making you realise your car is fine.

I think this may be the case.

I didn't think going over a bump at 20kmph is going to be *that* bad. My missus literally got lifted off the back seat. My kiddo is in a 5 point harness so she was fine.

That said, I've researched more and yes, looks like some suggested here, some coilover will help - but for the price, is it worth it over driving more careful slowly over bumps and keep the existing handling when going round corners (especially here in Dubai, the feed on and off is a little crazy).