RS55 VAG'S Build Thread - 4.2 V8 S5

Here are just a few random photos up until this point:

Taken on the drive back down from Aberdeen - she isn't as thirsty as I was expecting - my average back was 25.5mpg with some "spirited" driving.



Coilovers were a bit of a pain to fit - took approx. 10 hours all together as many of the bolts were seized and I was reluctant the touch the pinch bolts on his after many bad experiences with them being seized or snapping off. So yes, the front shocks can be installed without undoing these pinch bolts but its very hard and very painful at times.



Backs were sitting very very low so had to taken them completely apart again to adjust the height - can't be done in situ as the adjustment collar isn't accessible due to the rear suspension seat's lip - grrr!!!



Checking for spacer sizes - going to go with 20mm as most people on here have had good luck with them.



Mid way through coil over fitting - what a mess.



This then dragged out well into the night until enough was enough - I had to sleep and attack it the next day.



Victory after removing one of the front shocks - literally had to battle to get this out on both sides for my reluctant to touch the pinch bolts.



Also gave it a full service inc air filter, spark plugs, oil, oil filter etc.



How is is sitting this evening - I think the rear is the perfect height, the front i'm going to allow to settle then lower down later this week to even it out. I like to go low but not silly low.

So after letting the suspension settle for a while I started to play around with the stance and the ride height last night.

On with the 20mm H+R spacers, they really are excellent quality:




Then down on the front:


And how it now sits:



Unfortunately the 20mm spacers on the fronts were too wide with the offset and how low I wanted to run it so will need to get some 15mm spacers.

The 20mm spacers on the rear are just right but I plan to bring the rear down another 10mm or so.

Then once I have all the spacers sorted and ride height established I will need to take it to get fully aligned again.

This is what it was like parked half on a kerb (the high side) - never going to be able to drive with it like this so the spacers had to come off and the suspension had to come up approx. 10mm.