dr.rog

How low did you go in the end?.... Also you say "not into spec" how far out is the calibration. I had the alignment done at JPS motorsport who usually deal in Japanese machines. I haven't got the printout in front of me but one of the front measurements was very slightly out and obviously the rear camber was just out of spec. He has sent the form back to Backdraft so they can recommend an adjustable setup for me! The car is noticeably lower - more than 20mm I would think. Having had the chance to drive around a bit over the weekend everything feels much better round MK (roundabout city) and even braking and throttle response feels sharper. Some of this no doubt down to new tyres though. Rog

No idea how it happened to be honest. The car had been fine then i left it for a few weeks and when i cam back to it it was really creaky. The suggestion is that one front spring may have broken first due to dried out bushes and this resulted in the other going. (it looks as though I may have had a bad batch of springs that were brittle.) I have no idea about the back one apart from the fact that i drove it on broken front springs for a day after some idiot advised me that it was probably just dried out bushes.) btw all the settings haven't quite come into spec so I'm now looking at some adjustables! ps the S3 groups all reckon H&R springs and Billies are the way forward with R32 (H&R) anti roll bars. Recommended tyres Goodyear Eagles GSD-3's. I've been doing a lot of research!

Flaunden was where I got mine done Saab 900 Aero wheels - ask him how much for cash! he did a belting job and was much cheaper than Pristine wheels which is much closer to me! Rog

eek, have I opened a large can of worms here? It seems I was wrongly advise that a 15-20mm drop wouldn't affect the geometry of the car where it couldn't be sufficiently adjusted using the rest of the standard parts! I haven't got a fortune to spend and was trying to make the best of a bad job! I really didn't want to go down the route of new all adjustable suspension. What's the minimum I can get away with spending now? Or can I have the alignement done so it will be ok without further outlay? Thanks in advance Rog

Hi all, Sorry I'm a noob here! Just hoping someone can put my mind at rest! (and if you can solve this one then its on to the squeak on my g/f's car that is bugging the life out of me!). After leaving my beloved 2001 S3 untouched for about 6 weeks I returned to driving her and found she was handling like £$%%^ and creaking like an old rusty bed. On inspection on a ramp it was obvious the front 2 springs were broken! Rang around for prices and it tuirned out to be a cheaper option to buy 4 x H&R springs than 2 x audi front springs. These lower the whole thing by some 20mm! I had these fitted by Backdraft (Mark) in Milton Keynes (Audi TT racing team) and it turned out that I was lucky to buy 4 springs as one of the rears had broken too! And no I haven't been doing any Eviel Knievel (or Eddie Kidd for younger readers) type stunts over MK's speed bumps and roundabouts. After rebuilding one of the front suspension mounts Backdraft have assured me that the shockers are all ok and not leaking and the bushes etc should be fine. I have left the geometry setup just now because tomorrow I'm getting a set of new boots (Toyo Proxes T1-R's) as the old ones had scrubbed through to the wires on the front inners. I have already booked in (and paid upfront) to have the 4 wheel alignment done (at the same place Audi and Backdraft both send their TT's and S3's etc). What do I need to look out for so that I know they have done a good job for me? I don't want to be going through this scenario again for a LONG while! Thanks in advance Rog