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2019 Audi S4 — lowering springs made the car nervous on rough roads

ProjectDad654Community StarterJan 8, 20262019 Audi S4 Premium PlusDenver
2019 Audi S4 Premium Plus, about 113,000 miles. Ride height looks right, but the car now feels busier over broken pavement. Alignment is in range. Would you look at bump travel, damper match, toe or tire pressure first? I am in Denver. Mostly looking for the right next step.
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18 replies

HighwayWrench230Community StarterCommunity StarterJan 8, 2026permalink
Ask what changed right before it started. Get a real battery/charging test on the 2019 Audi S4, not just resting voltage, before blaming a module. If the cheap test changes it, stop and reassess. I'd want a dollar figure or a measured spec, not 'should be fine.' A day of patience here is cheaper than a wrong part. Happens in gear, not in park, for what that's worth.
RustBeltEnthusiast679Community StarterCommunity StarterJan 8, 2026permalink
Start with the test that can prove you wrong. Write temp, speed, and in-gear vs coast when the 2019 Audi S4 does it — then decide on parts. If the cheap test changes it, stop and reassess. Happy to compare notes if your setup is different. Video is ugly but it shows the hesitation.
HybridDetailer348Community StarterCommunity StarterJan 8, 2026permalink
I'd want a measurement, not a hunch. Move a coil or plug on the 2019 Audi S4 if it's cylinder-specific and see whether the code follows. If the cheap test changes it, stop and reassess. A shop burned me once by skipping that step. Video is ugly but it shows the hesitation.
MarketHunter747Community StarterCommunity StarterJan 9, 2026permalink
Log the conditions before you spend. Two 2019 Audi S4s can feel identical and have different causes, so measure before you copy someone else's repair. That's the branch I'd chase this week. On “lowering springs made the car nervous on,” that was the fork that mattered for me. I'd want that in writing, not as a promise. Only after sitting overnight so far.
RustBeltEnthusiast679Community StarterCommunity StarterJan 10, 2026permalink
That's a good start, but I wouldn't stop there. Write temp, speed, and in-gear vs coast when the 2019 Audi S4 does it — then decide on parts. Don't erase codes until someone who can help has seen them. Happy to compare notes if your setup is different. Worth doing even if the car feels fine right now. Not interested in a five-hour wait for a shrug.
NewCarRoadie849Community StarterCommunity StarterJan 9, 2026permalink
I'd want a measurement, not a hunch. Move a coil or plug on the 2019 Audi S4 if it's cylinder-specific and see whether the code follows. Don't erase codes until someone who can help has seen them. That's the sequence I'd use. That's my plan before I call anyone.
RoadGarage177Community StarterCommunity StarterJan 9, 2026permalink
Start with the test that can prove you wrong. Write temp, speed, and in-gear vs coast when the 2019 Audi S4 does it — then decide on parts. If the cheap test changes it, stop and reassess. If you share a photo of the worksheet, easier to sanity-check. This is the version I'd tell a friend.
HybridDetailer348Community StarterCommunity StarterJan 9, 2026permalink
This is usually cheaper to test than to guess. Loaded-suspension checks on the 2019 Audi S4 catch play that a wheels-hanging inspection misses. You'll know quickly if you're on the wrong tree. A shop burned me once by skipping that step. This is me being the wet blanket on purpose.
UsedCarDad869Community StarterCommunity StarterJan 9, 2026permalink
If it were in my driveway, a pressure test beats staring at a dry driveway if the 2019 Audi S4 is losing coolant with no puddle. You'll know quickly if you're on the wrong tree. Was this after sitting overnight? If it repeats twice more I'll book time.
ProjectDad654Community StarterCommunity StarterJan 9, 2026permalink
Checked the easy stuff on the 2019 Audi S4 and found one clue worth chasing before I book a shop. If this is nothing, great. I want that in data.
ShopDad397Community StarterCommunity StarterJan 9, 2026permalink
Ask what changed right before it started. Capture voltage while the 2019 Audi S4 is actually failing — after it restarts you've lost the clue. Don't erase codes until someone who can help has seen them. This is from a 2019 Audi S4 in Denver with 113,000 miles. Stop there until you know. Happens in gear, not in park, for what that's worth.
ManualMechanicish811Community StarterCommunity StarterJan 10, 2026permalink
If it were in my driveway, if a shop can't duplicate it on the 2019 Audi S4, bring a video plus freeze-frame data, not just a story. That's the branch I'd chase this week. Had a similar mess a couple years ago and that's what finally sorted it. I'd sleep better after that step, even if it finds nothing. I refuse to clear codes until someone else sees them.
FlatSixGuy792Community StarterCommunity StarterJan 10, 2026permalink
Log the conditions before you spend. Move a coil or plug on the 2019 Audi S4 if it's cylinder-specific and see whether the code follows. If the cheap test changes it, stop and reassess. On “lowering springs made the car nervous on,” that was the fork that mattered for me. Just my two cents from doing this recently. I'm in no rush to be a hero on it.
BrakeCommuterCommunity StarterCommunity StarterJan 11, 2026permalink
That's a good start, but I wouldn't stop there. If a shop can't duplicate it on the 2019 Audi S4, bring a video plus freeze-frame data, not just a story. Save the big job until that test fails. Time, temperature, and whether it's in gear are the notes that actually help a shop. A day of patience here is cheaper than a wrong part. I'd rather pay for diagnosis than a second guess-repair.
MarketHunter747Community StarterCommunity StarterJan 12, 2026permalink
Same neighborhood, different next step: Loaded-suspension checks on the 2019 Audi S4 catch play that a wheels-hanging inspection misses. Save the big job until that test fails. If they can't show the line item, I assume it's hiding. I'll poke at it this weekend.
CleanGal231Community StarterCommunity StarterJan 12, 2026permalink
I'd push back a little: Write temp, speed, and in-gear vs coast when the 2019 Audi S4 does it — then decide on parts. If the cheap test changes it, stop and reassess. Had a similar mess a couple years ago and that's what finally sorted it. Might be overthinking it, but I'd rather overthink than overspend.
HybridDetailer348Community StarterCommunity StarterJan 12, 2026permalink
Not convinced that's the whole story. Move a coil or plug on the 2019 Audi S4 if it's cylinder-specific and see whether the code follows. If the cheap test changes it, stop and reassess. This is from a 2019 Audi S4 in Denver with 113,000 miles. A shop burned me once by skipping that step. A day of patience here is cheaper than a wrong part. I'd rather pay for diagnosis than a second guess-repair.
OldSchoolMom518Community StarterCommunity StarterJan 11, 2026permalink
Same neighborhood, different next step: Two 2019 Audi S4s can feel identical and have different causes, so measure before you copy someone else's repair. That's the branch I'd chase this week. On “lowering springs made the car nervous on,” that was the fork that mattered for me. I'd want a dollar figure or a measured spec, not 'should be fine.' Next check is the cheap one I can do in a driveway.
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