[urq] re-quattro-ing a quattro - ALSO

[Jon Archibald]

It's an interesting observation. I have heard that Porsches at least
are extremely sensitive to the correct tire size being used for proper
alignment. In addition to the probability that a suspension that's
been lowered more than 1/2"-1" just won't work like it was designed
to, wider wheels with different offsets than the original design must
surely also have the potential to reduce optimum response. It makes me
wonder if Audi thought much about this when they switched to the wider
and further-outboard offset 15x8s. I've always loved the aesthetics of
wide tires and there is no questioning the firm grip on flat, dry
pavement, but when I rolled with 6" wheels and 195-width snow tires
for a few weeks with my car, I was amazed at how much more normal
everything felt and how much less I had to fight with it over bumps
and rutted roads. My embracing of the rugged "well it's a sports car
and needs to be wrestled with" atittude has given way with age to "it
would be nice if this drove like a normal car"...

It would be super interesting to have a back-to back test from the
same driver of lateral grip, braking, and slalom handling of a car
with stock ride height and 205-width tires on stock 6" rims vs.
lowered with wider-stance 225's and see if the perceived benefits of a
lower car with wider tires and stance actually equate to real world
performance increases. I would not be entirely surprised if the former
actually "danced" more nimbly.

On Wed, Dec 14, 2011 at 8:49 AM, j.koenig <koenigj at comcast.net> wrote:
> There is such a thing as out-teching an older suspension design with modern tire sizes.  I
> bet the period tarmac rally cars changed out a lot of bearings and bushings and hubs back
> in the day.
> My two-cents worth...
> John
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Thatcher Hubbard" <thatcher.hubbard at gmail.com>
> To: "Keith Lloyd" <spotatashleys at hotmail.com>
> Cc: <urq at audifans.com>; "Jon Archibald" <talisman05 at gmail.com>
> Sent: Tuesday, December 13, 2011 5:09 PM
> Subject: Re: [urq] re-quattro-ing a quattro - ALSO
>
>
> John, my own experience is similar to yours, I just hadn't got to the built engine yet.
> Now I just want the 20v for reliability and smoothness.
>
> FWIW, my car had 17x8 wheels on it when I got it.  I bought a set of nice Fuchs for Winter
> tires and I've ended up putting all seasons on them and leaving them on for 5 years now.
> They look better on the car, and feel better on most roads.
>