Whenever you take a bone-stock virgin example of a car that's historically over-modified and began to modify it, a twinge of guilt may occur. After all, it's a privilege to find a car in stock form that typically represents a horrible buy on the enthusiast marketplace because the modifications ruin an otherwise fine automobile.
Consider me relieved that the small but significant modifications made to the S6 Avant have yielded significant driving improvements. The gorgeous Stromung exhaust not only fit perfectly but sounds incredible - deep, bassy, and glorious. But more importantly, the exhaust combined with the larger aftermarket downpipe has yielded far snappier off-the-line acceleration and it absolutely hauls on the interstate.
Suspension-wise, the stock components were swapped out for Koni Yellows with H&R lowering springs; meatier Dunlops and a set of Japanese-market Audi RS2 BBS wheels bolted on. At the same time, the front control arms were replaced. The suspension response is night and day over the tired stock components, and grip is what you'd expect for an all-wheel drive car without as much of an understeer penalty as I was expecting.
Overall, I am really happy with how this car performs, and look forward to keeping it around for some time.