[s-cars] Broken Accelerator Pedal (or why can't I stop in the snow?)

[Kaklikian, Gary]

So, with 6" of fresh snow on the ground and some undisturbed secondary roads to play on, I take out my new '95 S6 to try out its new Dunlop Wintersport tires.  Traction accelerating and turning is fine, though  it's pretty easy to bring the rear around, given that the temp is only 22F and it is slick. And this with a stock suspension, except for the overly stiff Bilstein HD's (these have to go).  But braking is pretty poor, the ABS unable to completely stop the car from sliding. At one point, traveling too fast downhill (about 25mph) and conducting a braking experiment,  in the midst of doing all I can to avoid sliding into a curb, the accelerator pedal cover pops off!  Just like on my old S4, except this time within a month of owning the car. At least I didn't hit the curb!  

So,  what's the point (if any)? The Dunlop Wintersport's, while excellent in the dry and wet, aren't all that great in real slick conditions, certainly nothing like a soft ice compound or studded snow tire. And the accelerator pedal is only available as a complete unit for $91 list!