[200q20v] V8 vs old S4 - tramming

[Gene Caldwell]

Glen Powell wrote:
> 
> The follow-the-grooves problem (also know as 'tramming' I think) is mostly a
> function of tire and wheel width and tire profile. As width goes up and
> aspect-ratio goes down tramming becomes more and more of a problem. Two
> otherwise identical cars but with substantially different tire/wheel widths
> and tire aspect ratios will behave very differently. This is a trade-off
> manufactures have to make based on the target cusomer and his expectations.
> 
> Suspension design greatly effects the magnitude of observed tramming. Older
> cars not designed for wide, low tires and wheels tend to exhibit this
> problem in a far more extreme manner Vs modern designs intended to work with
> wiiiiide rubber.
> 
> The ur-q with stock 215-50-15s on 8" wheels is far more sensitive, for
> example, Vs the 200q20v with factory tires and wheels, but the ur-q driver
> is expected to accept this as part of the handling/ease-of-use tradeoff made
> by Audi. Porsche 911s with monster tires exhibit major-league tramming as
> well, BTDT.

Some years ago I had this "characteristic" on a '90 VW GLI-16v with
stock 15" BBS wheels.  The 205/50 Dunlop D40M2s wanted to steer the car
themselves and at times it was quite a handful.  Thankfully, they wore
out quickly.  Replacement with Dunlop SP8000s made the
follow-the-grooves problem vanish.  Simply amazing.  It was like having
a new car.

-Gene