Mike@Ikon Motorsport

I've been thinking. We know the A4 3.0 is heavier than the A4 1.8T. But where is the weight? Comparing the Manual MT5 to the MT6, and tip, the MT6 weighs about 50Lbs more. What is the actual weight difference between the 3.0 and 1.8T engines. I'm thinking that the 3.0 couldn't weigh much more than the 1.8T since you're talking about an aluminum block vs. iron, plus the added turbo, IC, and piping.

The dealer said there is no difference in the chassis, so could it be because of the added options in the 3.0?

Mike

vx211

brakes are bigger, the motor has some weight over the 1.8T im sure.

Mike@Ikon Motorsport

The B5 forum had constant bickering over which handled better, the 2.8 or 1.8T. I didn't feel like the 3.0 was any more nose heavy than the 1.8T, so I'm just wondering if my hunch is right.

Mike

Jet Jockey/A4 Pilot

on the track the one with the less weight in the nose will tend to understeer less and be more nimble. The same conclusion is true on the B5 and with the Golf VR6 vs the 1.8t.

Mike@Ikon Motorsport

I'm trying to figure out the actual weight of the engines. In total there is a 100LB difference between the multitronic 3.0 and 1.8T. The brakes on the 3.0 are larger, the passenger seat is power, and I'm not sure what else. But, that's what I was trying to figure out. The 1.8T has a cast iron block, a turbo, IC, and extra piping. The 3.0 is obviously NA and aluminum block. I was interested in seeing how the numbers played out. IE, the B6 S4 is no more nose heavy than the B5 since it's a NA V8 with an aluminum block.

I pushed the 325Ci and the A4 3.0 to about 80 on a tight corner. I didn't feel like the BMW, with it's 50/50 weight distribution fared much better than the A4. I also drove the 1.8T, but a week prior and found that car didn't feel any more nimble than the 3.0.

Mike

Jet Jockey/A4 Pilot

Because the weight is on top or ahead of the front axle it makes it prone to understeer. Audis are known to understeer especialy when compared to BMWs. Don't believe what specs. are offered on brochures and on the internet from Audi they don't always represent the rear world values. The only way to find out is by putting the car on a digital scale and getting it corner weighed. BMW claims a 50/50 weight distribution, I have to take there word for it, on the hand here is my cars weights.By the way it weighs in at 3360 lbs if you think a 3.0l is anywhere close to that let me know.

The bad news first, the car's weight is 3360lbs (empty, no spare 1/3 fuel no back head rest, no loose things inside the car and in the trunk.Here is how the corner weights came in:

LEFT FRONT RIGHT FRONT

1050 lbs 1052 lbs
(DIFF.-2 lbs)

LEFT REAR RIGHT REAR

761 lbs 675 lbs
DIFF.+86 lbs)

Cross side Weight
percentage = 51.2% 48.7%

These weights and percentage calculations are with me sitting in the car.

Mike@Ikon Motorsport

Exactly 100Lbs. I'm using multitronic as a reference, since you can't compare a 5 vs. 6 speed transmission.

"Because the weight is on top or ahead of the front axle it makes it prone to understeer." That's what I'm trying to figure out. Like I said the B6 vs B5 S4, the engines weigh the same. No increase in weight over the front axle.

No, you can't trust their numbers, but it's a starting point. I would also be interested in knowing how they judge the weights. Is it for a base model car? If that's the case, the 1.8T doesn't have a drivers power seat standard which is good for about 20Lbs on it's own, plus the 3.0 has a passenger power seat. That could be 30-40 lbs right there.

I'll get my car corner weighted once it comes in. BMW's are prone to understeer from the factory too. Even the E46 M3 does. The '95 E36 M3 is supposedly the most nimble of the E36 M3's. The '96 and later used a staggered rear, but even owners of the '95 model say after switching wheels the feeling is the same.

Like I said, I didn't feel like the 3.0 understeered any more than the 1.8T. But I still give the 1.8T the tunability award

IIRC, the 3.0 engine weighs in at about 240-250LBs.

Mike