RE:A4q/RX7TT/M3...putting it to rest

[MSV96@aol.com]

With all due respect to Gradon, Eric, et all...I want to clarify my two
points and put this RX7TT/M3/any q thing to rest (at least from my
perspective). First when making the comparison with my first impression of
the M3 I stated that given the difference in tire sizes that I felt that the
4kq handled as well (meaning that if I had the 17” meats under the 4kq it
could be on par....if only they fit! :-(...). The comparison in staright line
speed was with the two 911’s and a 5ktqw which I have owned in the past-not
with the 4kq. Overall the M3 was a disapointment to me...I expected it to
“rock my world” and it didn’t...it was NOT 10 times the car my near classic
4ksq is-though suprior in every way to lesser degrees. I think another 4ksq
lister, Pat Martin, got the drift of what I was trying to say and reflected
it in his post. With regards to A4q vs. M3 comparisons...it is correct that a
US Stock A4q is really only a match for the 328i...but in reading the review
on the abt A4 and hearing of BMW’s (M3) clock being cleaned by abt and
AudiSport in the BTC, etc. I think we all realize the performance potential
of that platform. When it comes to comparing with the RX7TT...everyone here
is correct, having strapped one of those on I concurr it was a rocket right
out of the box (too bad they were discontinued here). When it comes to
comparing 4 door sports sedans to “pure sports cars” the vivid memory comes
to mind of Jean Alesi in a F40 in a qualifying dual with Hans and Hurley in
the (admittedly purpose-built tube-framed) 90q “4 door sports sedan” at
Laguna in 1989...and yes, I also recall that Wally D. won the title in a
Cougar (Roush Racing) but we (Audi fans) missed out on a few points early on
in the season.

What comes to mind from all this is this; we all know about Mazda’s IMSA GTU
dominance, and Porsche’s  virtual ownership of bigger sports car racing
classes (pre-Nissan/Toyota years)...but could it be that since the early 80’s
that AudiSport has the highest winning percentage of all marques based on
series’ entered vs. wins? I don’t have the numbers easily at hand to crunch
and it is just a hunch...but it is food for thought and it helps get us off
this comparison page-I’m done...and I apologize for the long-windedness for
those who still pay by the byte!

PS: I love this list and listen to and respect all opinions I have read here!
Also, the friend who owns the M3 I drove has an Audi 100CS (92 I think) and
now wishes he had saved his $$$$$$$ and bought a new A4q. The M3 is now for
sale to the tune of 35k...it is beautiful, purple, euro delivered from
M-Sport with special interior and exterior treatments (do I didn't put into a
fence!). It is a '95 with about 26k on it. Selling it will help my buddy save
his marraige and he won't have to steal his wife's 100CS to drive to work (he
works in sales and his boss thinks it is "a pimp car" and inappropriate for a
sales rep). As a sometimes BMW fan and manytimes owner of the marque...this
is a very nice car. I promise, this is may last .02 on this subject!

Regards,
Mike Veglia
85 4ksq (which was really fun in this morning’s first rain!)