Lower an Exeo to A4 S-Line spec??

[TomGW]

I am just in the process of changing my B7 A4 170 S-Line to a low mileage Exeo SE Lux (143) and would like to get it lowered to be similar to my old A4. What is the most straightforward way to achieve this, bearing in mind that the 'new' Exeo has very low mileage and nothing else needs to be changed?
I would also like to have the grill changed to the 2012 honeycomb style and would prefer the de-badged look - is there OEM style honeycomb that doesn't have the badge?

 

[Matt-V5-Duffy]

A good set of springs would be your best bet if you don't want to spends loads of cash, other than that a decent set of coilovers will let you get it to the height you want but the ride will be harsher.

 

[TomGW]

Thanks for that. I was thinking along those lines but very confused about which set of lowering springs will lower the non-sport setup to be similar to the S-Line in height. I'm assuming that the Exeo 'sport' is approximately the same as the S-Line?? Would a set of Seat 'sport' springs be ok with the rest left as standard? The only other mod that I intend is to upgrade to an RS4 ARB the same as I had in my A4.

 

[Mr Bigglesworth]

Thanks for that. I was thinking along those lines but very confused about which set of lowering springs will lower the non-sport setup to be similar to the S-Line in height. I'm assuming that the Exeo 'sport' is approximately the same as the S-Line?? Would a set of Seat 'sport' springs be ok with the rest left as standard? The only other mod that I intend is to upgrade to an RS4 ARB the same as I had in my A4.

I've been thinking about the RS4 ARB mod as well. I'm wondering if there are any differences on the Exeo which would make this not fit?

 

[RichL]

I've been thinking about the RS4 ARB mod as well. I'm wondering if there are any differences on the Exeo which would make this not fit?

I fitted it on mine no problems. Make sure you buy the right rubber bushes and brackets for the thicker diameter bar.

 

[Mr Bigglesworth]

I fitted it on mine no problems. Make sure you buy the right rubber bushes and brackets for the thicker diameter bar.

Do you have the right/latest part numbers - or can you confirm if the below ones are correct and is this everything you need:

1 x RS4 Rear Sway Bar (Part #8E0511409AL)
2 x RS4 Rear Sway Bar Bushings (Part #8E0511327D)
2 x Bushing Brackets (Part #8E0511439)
4 x Bolts for Brackets (Part #N10127707)
2 x Bolts for ARB links (Part #N10528103)
2 x Bushing Brackets (Part #8E0511439)

and can I please ask how much the parts set you back?

Did it make much of difference?

 

[RichL]

Do you have the right/latest part numbers - or can you confirm if the below ones are correct and is this everything you need:

1 x RS4 Rear Sway Bar (Part #8E0511409AL)
2 x RS4 Rear Sway Bar Bushings (Part #8E0511327D)
2 x Bushing Brackets (Part #8E0511439)
4 x Bolts for Brackets (Part #N10127707)
2 x Bolts for ARB links (Part #N10528103)
2 x Bushing Brackets (Part #8E0511439)

and can I please ask how much the parts set you back?

I can't remember the numbers offhand - I went to one of the many A4 forums and found a link to a USian who'd done an article on the whole thing with pics etc and provided the parts list. I bought the parts at the same time as I bought the underbonnet dressup bits, but I think I put the receipt in with the rest of the car paperwork so I'll see if I can find it tonight.

Did it make much of difference?

Honestly can't tell you - I didn't have the car long enough as standard to draw a meaningful comparison and the handling was compromised by overinflated tyres until long after I'd put the RS4 bar on.
I suppose you can draw the conclusion that it wasn't a huge difference or I'd have noticed it more.

 

[jakey boy]

standard ride height is not for the win !!

a since your exeo isn't on many miles a set of quality springs should help with ride and looks.

I have used eibachs on my past few Hondas but have H & R's on the exeo. totally recommend both brands.

Damien @ DPM from this site supplied and was grand to deal with.

for me, cheap coilovers are not worth the hassle and if you are prepared to pay £800+ for decent coilovers you might as well go the whole hog and get it bagged

 

[TomGW]

standard ride height is not for the win !!

a since your exeo isn't on many miles a set of quality springs should help with ride and looks.

I have used eibachs on my past few Hondas but have H & R's on the exeo. totally recommend both brands.

Damien @ DPM from this site supplied and was grand to deal with.

for me, cheap coilovers are not worth the hassle and if you are prepared to pay £800+ for decent coilovers you might as well go the whole hog and get it bagged

Thanks for the advice. I'm not aiming for the 'bagged' look. I just want to get rid of the massive gaps above the 18" Fenix wheels, reduce the bobbing and pitching on uneven roads and generally tighten it up. If it had the 'sport' suspension set-up I would probably have been totally content to leave it alone. I think I'll be ordering the Eibach Pro Kit which should end up just subtly lower than the OEM sport spec in appearance - possibly not noticeable at all. That, together with an RS4 ARB should make it look and feel much better.

I have been admiring the pics of yours with the badgeless grill. I see you have referred to it as a DIY grill - can you explain how it was done please?

Thanks to all for the input. I'm replacing an A4 S-Line that I bought new in 2007. It now has 156,000 miles and the Exeo has just under 10,000, so it will likely be with me for a long time. If I put the same miles on the Seat it won't result in the same depreciation which suits this post-depression era.

 

[jakey boy]

hi Tom

as for the grille, the previous owner did the job. He told me he followed a guide on clubseatexeo.com which is a great forum if you can speak Spanish.

If you bought an exeo sport from new, you had an factory option of getting sports springs.
these were made by eibach and were iirc 10/15mm lower than regular sport springs. anyway, my exeo came on these springs and the pictures on the members gallery show it with the these on it.
I would consider selling them if you were interested ?

cheers

 

[TomGW]

I don't speak any Spanish but a thread with plenty of pics would be a big help - finding the thread without the language would be nigh impossible though. I imagine the vertical bars are cut out of the original grill and the honeycomb ection fitted to the rear. This would work providing that the honeycomb was in designed to fit onto the frame rather than the rear of the bars.

Thanks for the offer of selling your sport springs but I've just ordered the Eibach Pro Kit from Germany - it was a lot less than from a UK source. I'll order the RS4 ARB from TPS and get the work done as soon as possible.

 

[dazzcupra]

jake boy .... i may be interested in buying the springs

 

[TomGW]

Springs arrived today. I'll order the RS4 ARB tomorrow and get it all fitted next week. Can't wait to get the handling sharpened up and hope it feels as good as the old A4 S-Line.

 

[TomGW]

I have now got the Eibach Pro Kit and RS4 rear ARB fitted on my SE Lux. This has made a huge improvement to the handling, without losing too much in terms of comfort. It's probably very similar to my previous A4 S Line and it certainly looks the same height. Thanks for the advice. I'm now enjoying my Exeo.

 

[mikey_b]

Gi tom aby pics of the exeo?

 

[TomGW]

Gi tom aby pics of the exeo?

I haven't taken any pics yet but will take a few shortly. I'm not used to the whole photo hosting thing though, so might be a bit slow about getting them posted.

 

[DanBass]

I haven't taken any pics yet but will take a few shortly. I'm not used to the whole photo hosting thing though, so might be a bit slow about getting them posted.

Which springs did you go for and where did you order them from please?

 

[barney01]

Hi guys im looking for lowering springs for my 2012 white exeo se tech cr tdi to look a bit more like my a4 s-line,i have 19" alloys on both i put a set of 19" audi rotary style on my exeo the same day i picked it up i only then realised the horrendus looking gap betwenn rim and wheel arch,where would be the best/cheapest place to purchase a half descent set of springs??

 

[TomGW]

Which springs did you go for and where did you order them from please?

I bought these on Ebay and fitted them together with an RS4 ARB. I can thoroughly recommend this for both appearance and handling.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/EIBACH-Pr...-0TDI-2-0TFSI-E10-81-011-04-22-/311316525923?

 

[Gizmo98]

I have just ordered the eibach sportline kit for mine
Imo the pro kits aren't low enough,have fun the sportlines in my last two cars and loved them