Quality Audi tuner shops in Vancouver...
 

Hi everyone,

I'm posting this here since I figured it would get more responses than the A3 forum, besides it's kind of model independent.

I'd like to upgrade the suspension on my premium package A3 when i get it in June. I'm not going to do anything drastic, probably something equivilant to the stock sport suspension.

My question is where to get this done ? I'd like to go somewhere that knows German cars, Audi in particular, and has a good reputation. Any suggestions for a shop in the Greater Vancouver area ? Also any palces to avoid ?

Thanks,

verm

I can't help you with your question, but once the forum is a bit more active I will set up a parts/tuning section for just this type of post.

Sounds good Daniel. This forum will work for now, but a Tuning / Technical forum would be sweet.

Thanks,

verm

Daniel,

Could you please move this thread to the Performance / Tuning forum, thanks !

verm

good idea...topic moved

www.rpiequipped.com
They're out over in richmond and they stock H&R, Blistein and Koni suspension options.
There's a bunch of other tuner shops out there that could do your suspension for you but it depends what you're looking for exactly (coil overs? springs/shocks? which brand?)

I'll have a look at RPI. Have you any experience with them ? Another I've heard of is HPA, they seem to have quite a few cars written about in magazines including Road and Track and Car and Driver. Dunno if this makes them a good shop for an average joe like me, but their SHS Street Coilovers get good recommendations.

I want to lower the car a bit (it will have the squishy premium suspension) and improve the handling a bit. I'd go with springs/shocks but I'd want to be sure that the shop that did it knew what they were doing and weren't going to recommend some ultra stiff race setup or super slammed just cause that's what they think is cool or cause it'll squeeze a few bucks more outta me.

I've also been thinking coilovers for the height adjustability, but it may be wasted on my car since I'd probably have it set once and never move it again. However I'm willing to spend the extra if it will give me the ride I'm looking for - sporty yet reasonably comfortable.

Anyway, thanks for the help,

verm

Here's an article on the HPA TT

Does very well against some outstanding competition.

http://www.roadandtrack.com/article....rticle_id=2572


And here's one about HPA's 442 horsepower Golf :shock:

http://www.roadandtrack.com/article....&page_number=5

Yeah I do actually, I got my car chipped by them and they were great with my car (and service wise with me too)
I dealt with Mike personally, a great guy that you might want to try get in contact with regarding your questions (He's been pretty straight with me so I don't think he'd try sell you anything just for profit or anything like that).
His e-mail is mike@rpiequipped.com

HPA and RPI are both pretty well known in magazines and stuff, but to my knowledge, HPA were more into the Volkswagen side (Their project cars are .... :shock:)

Well just remember in general I believe coilovers will for the most part be a stiffer ride than a spring/shocks set up (..well, maybe the issue lies more on the wallet too haha).

I also found a good deal on a set of TEIN's from a shop over in metrotown (well, they'd help me order them in and send me to a place where the two guys I spoke to had theirs done)

Alternatively you could order a set online and get one of the local shops (HPA, RPI etc) to install them for you. I was pretty interested in the stasis engineering street sport coilovers at one point but the closest dealer I could find was in portland (choices choices choices...)

To be honest with you im sorta in the same position (different car and different reasons mind you), whereby i'm trying to decide on a set of coilovers or save the $ and go with a shock/spring combination. I too don't want my ass smacking the pavement too hard considering a few sports injuries i've had in the past but I also want something slightly better than stock (stance and handling wise). Most people who've given me 'realistic' answers tend to tell me if you don't track your car or don't see yourself lowering the car or raising her back up, to not really bother with coilovers... but i'm still on the fence.

Best of luck on deciding man :)

Last time I paid them a visit they were in Langley...

PG Performance is another shop you should look into, as well as Kinetic and Momentum. I actually had my suspension (and exhaust) installed at a little shop in Port Coquitlam called Westmount; they're pretty much just a garage (in the British usage of the word) though. In the same way you can have stuff installed at Scan Auto in North Van; very friendly and competent guys there.

They moved around christmas.

"Unit 325 - 5930 No. 6 Road
Richmond, BC V6V 1Z1

Canada"

Its on their website...

Thanks for the suggestion's guys !!

I've got about 1.5 months to research what I wanna do. These http://hpamotorsports.com/product_suspension_shs.htm have piqued my interest, what'd ya think ?

I've been reading that coilovers are actually the best way to combine handling and performance, cupkits are for slamming and shock/spring combo's are a crapshoot...they can be great or tragic. Any advice ?

Thanks again for the help.

verm.

The main point of coilovers is their height adjustability. I run springs and shocks and am quite happy 'bout them. That being said, I would've gone with Bilstein PSS9 if I were to do it over again: those coilovers have external damping adjustments for relatively little money.

STaSIS makes REALLY good stuff, if you don't mind spending a bit more money.

Re: Quality Audi tuner shops in Vancouver...
 

For those interested in chiptuning and dynamometer testing in Vancouver, we invite you to check out our website. We are currently finalizing our preparations; however, we are happy to discuss our offer, which includes a large selection of chiptuning options for VAG cars. In addition, we are happy to announce that our shop has the first V-Tech dynamometer in Canada, which are renowned amongst tuners and racing teams across Europe. We look forward to meeting you!

Re: Quality Audi tuner shops in Vancouver...
 

I used RPI in Richmond to tune my MKVI GTI. Very good people to deal with. The only other company I know of is Shift Autosports in Burnaby. I haven't used them but I've heard nothing but good things about them and may try them when I Stage II my A3.