Test drove an S4 for the first time yesterday...
02-26-2004, 02:54 PM
#1
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Test drove an S4 for the first time yesterday...
Was my first time ever being in a B5, and I loved it! Awesome power delivery; very smooth. I am definitely going to be buying one sometime this year.
I have a few complaints, though, and was wondering if anyone has any suggestions for fixing them. First off, I thought the shifting was kinda crappy; I know all you can really do about that is a DTS and short-shifter and I can live with not the greatest shift feel. My real gripe is the steering, I found it very front-heavy and unresponsive with a fair bit of understeer. I do plan on getting coil-overs and a sway bar but is there anything else I can do to fix that damn heavy steering feel?
P.S. AW is evil, I don't even have the car yet and I can't believe how many mods I already have planned
I have a few complaints, though, and was wondering if anyone has any suggestions for fixing them. First off, I thought the shifting was kinda crappy; I know all you can really do about that is a DTS and short-shifter and I can live with not the greatest shift feel. My real gripe is the steering, I found it very front-heavy and unresponsive with a fair bit of understeer. I do plan on getting coil-overs and a sway bar but is there anything else I can do to fix that damn heavy steering feel?
P.S. AW is evil, I don't even have the car yet and I can't believe how many mods I already have planned
02-26-2004, 03:18 PM
#2
You picked up on the two biggest shortcomings of the B5-platform ... chassis and tranny
You can enhance shifter feel through a short shifter, and moderate slop with a DTS, but it'll still be a typical, rubbery VAG box. The new 6-speed tranny in the B6 is a leaps-and-bounds improvement, with respect to feel, but they've had buttloads of clutch problems.
The B5 chassis, especially in as heavy an application as the S4, leaves a lot to be desired. Upgrading to an aftermarket supsension system - properly set up - will result in a marked improvement. And the stock damping/spring rate has a lot to do with those steering characteristics you mention, due to the nose-heavy layout and terrible weight bias ... along with AWD.
The B5 chassis, especially in as heavy an application as the S4, leaves a lot to be desired. Upgrading to an aftermarket supsension system - properly set up - will result in a marked improvement. And the stock damping/spring rate has a lot to do with those steering characteristics you mention, due to the nose-heavy layout and terrible weight bias ... along with AWD.
02-26-2004, 03:58 PM
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yeah, but you'll have greater improvement...
from a track event. ;-)
Seriously, getting 90% out of the car stock is greater than 60% out of a modded one. You'd be surprised how many on here think power-on understeer is a four wheel drift. :-P
-KJ
Seriously, getting 90% out of the car stock is greater than 60% out of a modded one. You'd be surprised how many on here think power-on understeer is a four wheel drift. :-P
-KJ
02-26-2004, 04:12 PM
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One suggestion if you do buy one - drive it stock for a while
and learn to enjoy the car the way it came from the factory, for two reasons: (1) it really is a fine car in stock form, and (2) you'll better be able to evaluate the amount of modded improvement if you're comfortable with the baseline.
Unless of course you immediately plan on tracking it, in which case the only must-do mod if you have any track experience is brakes. Everything else, including suspension, is not a must-do, despite what anyone says. Better suspension helps, but you're not going to wreck without it.
Unless of course you immediately plan on tracking it, in which case the only must-do mod if you have any track experience is brakes. Everything else, including suspension, is not a must-do, despite what anyone says. Better suspension helps, but you're not going to wreck without it.
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02-26-2004, 04:32 PM
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Great idea, I was thinking about doing mods on-by-one
to get a good feel for each individual mod and be able to tweak specific areas better.
Am I correct in believing that the only reason to upgrade the brakes is to reduce fade, ie. the stock brakes have sufficient stopping power?
Am I correct in believing that the only reason to upgrade the brakes is to reduce fade, ie. the stock brakes have sufficient stopping power?
02-26-2004, 05:14 PM
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Yes - steering response improves with less roll
So both a stiffer suspension & sway bar help. I started with just a sway bar set on hard. Now with H&R streets I need to set the bar softer to be more neutral.