A4 with sport suspension handling vs. GTI?
03-17-2006, 04:08 AM
#1
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A4 with sport suspension handling vs. GTI?
I'm interested in the A4 2.0T Quatro with the sport suspension, but the nearest dealer is over an hour away from me. I've had a chance to test drive the MKV GTI and was wondering how it compared? The 2.0T is definitely a sweet engine!
03-17-2006, 04:26 AM
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Re: A4 with sport suspension handling vs. GTI?
A4 is a lot heavier than the GTI. However, the setup on the A4 is pretty impressive coming from a B5, both with the stock sport suspension.
I test drove a stock A3 (no sport suspension) and it handled pretty good, of course, the weight was a big factor in that.
I test drove a stock A3 (no sport suspension) and it handled pretty good, of course, the weight was a big factor in that.
03-17-2006, 08:19 AM
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i disagree, after getting out of a TT
The A4 is WAY funner to drive and feels more like a sports car than the front drive cars. Yea, my TT was "quattro" and it was fun, but it never handled like a sports car - the understeering lil weeine that it was...
03-17-2006, 09:10 AM
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It probably depends on your definition of "handling."
It could be argued that the GTI's tossable enough to overcome the limitations of its economy car suspension. I would not equate that with superior handling.
Push the GTI to its limits in a turn, and the front wheels will begin to plow in understeer. At that point you're not turning so much as you're scrubbing the front tires.
The Quattro has better weight distribution, power at the rear wheels, and a suspension that results in optimal traction over a greater range of travel.
Push the A4 Quattro to its limits, and instead of plowing, the steering stays coupled while the entire car slides laterally to the outside of the turn. The driver deliberately takes turns sideways on the track, using steering and power to control the slide. Everybody should have the privilege of seeing this demonstrated on a wet surface at least once.
And it's all with a smooth ride that never feels like a skateboard.
In the end, you do get what you pay for. So the real question is what are you trying to buy?
Push the GTI to its limits in a turn, and the front wheels will begin to plow in understeer. At that point you're not turning so much as you're scrubbing the front tires.
The Quattro has better weight distribution, power at the rear wheels, and a suspension that results in optimal traction over a greater range of travel.
Push the A4 Quattro to its limits, and instead of plowing, the steering stays coupled while the entire car slides laterally to the outside of the turn. The driver deliberately takes turns sideways on the track, using steering and power to control the slide. Everybody should have the privilege of seeing this demonstrated on a wet surface at least once.
And it's all with a smooth ride that never feels like a skateboard.
In the end, you do get what you pay for. So the real question is what are you trying to buy?
03-17-2006, 10:12 AM
#7
I have sport suspension
and i HAVE driven a GTi to around 100mph. at higher speeds ur gonna wish you were in the B7. Both arent great in terms of winds, but the B7 is incredibly stable. Gti is more tossable, but it will understeer. the new AWD is VERY NUETRAL if u really want you can do a nice oversteer. OVERSTEER IS MORE FUN THAN UNDERSTEER. Granted i love my B7 but im thinkin of a GTi as a project car.
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03-17-2006, 11:20 AM
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A3 is actually lighter than the GTI
The GTI is 3308 pounds with manual, the A3 2.0T manual is 3263 pounds. The A4 frontrak manual is 3428 pounds.
I was suprised that the A3 is lighter.
I was suprised that the A3 is lighter.
03-17-2006, 08:46 PM
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The B7 sure is stable.....
The B7 sure as hell is stable at high speed.
100-120 mph all the way to south Florida, one hand on the wheel =o)
A lot of people will never understand, as their drive they mustang convertibles and watch their cowl shake at 50 MPH, listening to their dash creak and feel their seat move up a click when they hit the brake and move back a click when they hit the gas.... laughing at my "2.0T" symbol on the trunk.
You know, I think I AM gonna debadge the car =o)
"Representing Deutchland! We just dropped it like it's hot"
100-120 mph all the way to south Florida, one hand on the wheel =o)
A lot of people will never understand, as their drive they mustang convertibles and watch their cowl shake at 50 MPH, listening to their dash creak and feel their seat move up a click when they hit the brake and move back a click when they hit the gas.... laughing at my "2.0T" symbol on the trunk.
You know, I think I AM gonna debadge the car =o)
"Representing Deutchland! We just dropped it like it's hot"
