StaSIS Challenge Kit or SC only for R8 Spyder

[azr8]

Anyone have experience with STaSIS suspension and 20" wheels on their R8?

I am planning to add the STaSIS supercharger to my R8 Spyder. However, I am not sure if I want to add the SC only, or the entire Challenge Kit which includes wheels, tires, suspension, and breaks.

My primary concerns with the entire kit are:

1) the potential roughness in ride with the new suspension plus 20" wheels. Does it remove all semblance of comfort for the times you are simply cruising? I've noticed the 19" wheels are already fairly hard and tight over rough road surfaces.

2) the potential for damaging the 20" wheels. I used to have 3 piece forged 22s on my (very heavy) Bentley Continental GTC but bent them 3 times on normal potholes before giving up out of frustration. They simply weren't practical (although my new 21s are doing great). Could that be an issue with 20s on an R8? I don't particularly enjoy a car you can't drive down an ordinary street without worrying about damaging it on bumps no other car has any problem with. You can never anticipate them all.

3) I am also concerned about bottoming out on speed bumps and steep driveway and parking lot transitions. How big of a difference will the STaSIS setup make on these transitions and speed bumps?

Those issues being minor, I'm inclined to do the kit. Some tradeoff is expected, I just want it to be (at least remotely) practical which is one of the things I love about the R8. If it significantly impairs the general driveability of the car in ordinary urban situations, I'm inclined to stick with the SC only.

Has anyone driven an R8 with the STaSIS suspension and/or 20" tires? If so, any input on the above 3 concerns would be greatly appreciated.

[Bodhii]

Unless you plan on doing more track miles than normal street miles,.. stick with the Audi OEM magnetic ride suspension. It really is a great, great setup.

Also, to me 20" wheels are just for looks. And to me they look like silly temporary spare tire setups rather than genuine hi-performance wheel/tires. And they also ruin the feel and handling gain that the great modern hi-performance tires are built for. 20" wheels are all show and NO go.

But if that is what makes you smile,.. do it!

The STaSiS supercharger and exhaust rock!

[KfabR8]

20 inch wheels rub and ride roughly compared to 19's. Any sort of road dip/rise will cause the front wheels to rub on a small protrusion on the upper inside of the fender well liners. It's very annoying.

The rears will just tag a similar protrusion on the front, upper section of the fender well liners in a harder bottoming out type of dip.

I didn't think that I'd notice a difference in ride quality, but yea, it's there. When I put my winter tires back on the car (OEM rims), the rubbing went completely away and the overall comfort and ride improved quite dramatically.

If you drop the suspension, expect even more rubbing.

Stay away from 20's. Plain and simple. They were a HUGE mistake for me.

I agree w/Bodhii; if you're not tracking the car, stick with the stock magnetically controlled suspension. It's a wonderful balance of supple and comfortable ride when you're not attacking the asphalt and has great feedback, and stick to the ground abilities when activated. It really is the best of both worlds.

[harrison]

Be nice to your R8 by not affecting the handling adversely. The great handling will save you. Before I hit the streets or track I engage mag ride and sport mode. It is a battle-zone out there. Having the best handling available just makes the car even safer. Live to drive another day.

[azr8]

Thanks guys. That was the type of info I was looking for. I have decided to go with the supercharger and exhaust, but not the 20" wheels or lower suspension. To me, its not worth it to be bottoming out or rubbing or to have an unnecessarily rougher ride.

[azr8]

Actually, reading Motortrend's review of the R8 Spyder Challenge Extreme Edition, it seems like the STaSIS suspension combined with their 20" wheel setup may avoid the typical rubbing that occurs when you only put aftermarket 20s on a vehicle without modifying the standard suspension (sorry can't link due to my junior status on forum).

First Drive: 2011 Stasis Engineering Audi R8 5.2 Challenge Extreme Edition
...
Not surprisingly, turning into a corner remains a beautifully engineered, fluid, and responsive act bearing loads of grip the perennial R8 way. Now with wider 265/30-20 PS2 rubber (on 20 x 9.5-inch alloys), front end bite is near magnetic. At mid-corner, the gigantic 20 x 12-inch forged rear wheels (wrapped in astounding 325/25-20 tires) secure the R8's footing even further than stock limits, allowing for all 710 sets of hooves to pummel the tarmac. The R8 adheres to every road nuance as though preprogrammed, and with such copious supercharged power available at a mere 2000 rpm, it devours them.

Much of this prowess comes from the upgraded suspension, which rides 1 inch lower via higher rate springs. Hsu's team didn't alter the electromagnetic suspension's Drive Select settings, so users can still change from Normal to Sport while on the fly (customers desiring the highest level of adjustability can opt for the full Öhlins coilovers).

New anti-roll bars replace Audi's renditions to improve overall rigidity, and with everything set, there is no jouncing, knocking, or tire-rubbing -- only a slightly stiffer ride, better grip, and one badass look.
...

They did mention they only got to take the car on a short ride, so I'd still love to hear from anyone that has had the STaSIS suspension and 20" wheels installed on their R8.

[Bodhii]

Azr8, I have been in the STaSiS V10 Spyder 2 times. To tell you the truth I cannot remember if a disconnect of the magnetic ride system was needed for the STaSiS suspension setup or not. Sorry,.. my bad. I would assume that article is correct. I wish I could remember, cuz it is an important element for the R8. The car does ride very well. Much firmer ride,.. and yes, very firm is normal in my cars. But my feelings on the 20" wheels did not change at all. The wider rubber is super. The 20" wheels are not. We even made jokes about them during one of the drives. The new wider 265's and 325's tire sizes will work for 18", 19" or 20" wheels.

My drives were also short. But dang, that STaSiS V10 Spyder was quick!

[desperado]

But dang, that STaSiS V10 Spyder was quick!

Maybe too quick for optimum handling?
3700lb / 710HP = 5.2 lb/HP

[moldowan]

the stasis suspension does not get rid old the mag-ride shocks, only the springs are changed out

[jy7785a]

i was told by stasis that to avoid the rubbing they limit the turning radius a bit. Main reason i was turned off by their wheel setup...but at SEMA i lifted them and they were light as ISH