DavidRD

After driving the girlfriend's MX5 at the weekend, it brings home how poorly the front wheel drive A3 goes around the corners. The tendancy to understeer, especially under power cannot be doing my front tyres any good, this is not helped by the overly light steering.

Has anyone tried fitting larger rubber to the standard rims (I'm sure there's a little leeway), or for that matter do things improve at all with widder/lower profile tyres. I know the theory, but some first hand views would be nice!

Cheers,

CS

David,
It is no better with the Quattro version either !
I suspect you need to upgrade to the S3 to notice any real improvement.
CS

David R

The Koni adjustable suspension helps to some extent and is not too pricey, but you'll never get close to the feel of the mx-5.

Ed Owen

Had 2 Mx-5's before the Audi, and as David says, you'll never get close to the handling of a light RWD sports car.. Get 4WD and disconnect the front wheels?? (Joke by the way...)

AL B

David,

You are right. The A3 does understeer a fair bit, but it's hardly a fair comparison with and MX-5. Them things are like go-karts!!

I think in it's class, the A3 may not be the best, but it's one of the best. Certainly was a couple of years ago, the competition may have caught up now.

But you've got to agree, the A3 is easily adjustable with the throttle. Which makes it fun. You can push the front wide, but you can also get the backend sliding round a little too. I think they've done a reasonable job - a good compromise. Sporty but not too harsh. But for long spells on the limit, especially in the wet, it could do with less body roll and more grip.

And I have to agree also that getting the power down on the exits from roundabouts is a problem at this time of year - and my car isn't chipped!

AL

DOMUS

I am very lucky, I have one of each! An MX-5 icon,1.8 leather,six-speed, LSD. And the Audi.

S3 due in March.

Peter
A3 quattro

DavidRD

Nice to know it isn't just my car, but would more rubber help??

BenP

>it could do with less body roll

Jeez man, how hard do you want the suspension? I already view drain-covers with a sense of impending doom ... I don't know if I could stand any harder suspension!

First fix the roads, then the suspension :-)

Ben

BenP

Personaly I don't find body-roll a problem. But in addition to granite blocks (or similar :-) ) for suspension, you could try these strut braces from my mate's Demon Tweeks catalog (pg 110 - Motorsport). £40 to you sir. And no, he's not a Max-Power Escort owner, he's got a Westfield which definatly does not suffer from body roll :-) Allthough he has been known to spin it rather badly!

Ben

AL B

To be honest harder suspension would be a nightmare for me - my car rattles enough! Any harder and my interior would fall out! (Ok, slight exaggeration)

But ask any of the guys here, and you'll find most think there is a little too much body roll - and all think the car understeers too much. Me I think the understeer isn't too bad. But in general I think my comments were quite favourable of the A3.

Regarding "Jeez man, how hard do you want the suspension?". Well to be honest I don't - I'll make do with the way it is. But on the other hand firmer dampers and springs doesn't always mean a more uncomfortable ride. But I'm no expert on suspension.

AL