Some track and autox comments (archive)

First off...I owned an E30 318i...and an E30 325iS before...I don't own them any longer. I did not autox or track either of these cars. I also owned an 97 Audi A4 2.8 Quattro with about 175-180 bhp (not stock). I autocrossed this car a bunch in C-Street Prepared in the SF Region. I probably autocrossed about 16 events in it. With this A4 I put on H&R coilovers and a 19mm rear anti-sway bar (to reduce understeer). I had the A4 for 60,000 miles and sold it when it was pretty dialed in for autox. I did decently well. I now own an Audi S4...same basic chassis as the A4 but with a bunch more power..and a little bit more weight. To answer your question about the quattro drivetrain...it is not just a FWD car and then when it slips the rear wheels turn. That is more of a description of that the AWD system is in the Audi TT (Haldex). The A4/S4 use a quattro system that drives all the wheels...all the time. IMHO, you cannot beat a quattro drivetrain in dry, wet, snow, ice, whatever you drive in.

As for on the track...I have used my A4..and borrowed a friends A4 (with only 172 bhp) and been all over E36 M3s. Yes, there are lots of
E36 M3 owners that could of beat me on the track
but not as many as the ones I could beat with a
significantly less powered A4 (with only 172 bhp)
My S4 (with coilovers and R compound tires) does
even better with E36 M3s..and blows away all the
E30 M3s I have been on track with. AGAIN, there is
always exceptions to the rule. I have a friend
that has raced E30 M3 for years (even with Neal
Sapp who is now racing in Speedvision)..and I am
sure he could wipe me all over the pavement.

So, in conclusion...I recommend the A4.

Steve S.
00 S4
89 E30 325i
00 Tahoe Z71

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