Several thoughts [longish]

[Mann Law <mannlaw@indy.net>]

	Gonna talk about 2 subjects:  Euro lights and Awd.

	At the outset I admit I am not a scientist [although I play one 
on TV] nor do I race anymore.  When I did race, it was drag racing, so, I 
didn't have much track experience with corners.

	That said, I own an Audi with the quad front light setup [wife's 
car] and I own a set of euros [not on car yet because some jerkweed at 
UPS impaled the shipping box with a post--breaking one of the 
reflectors].  That is why no comparo has been written from here.  
However, the reason I ordered the euros was because I have ridden in 
STEADIRIC's car and, was amazed.  Now, are the euro lights the best?  
Absolutely not!  The best I have seen were Xenon's / Xenon aux. set up.  
Guy claimed to have over $2,500 in the mix, and, it was amazing.  
Literally turned night into light.  Are the euros better than the stock 
quad setup?  Not even a question.  So, I have around 5 bills in euro 
lights with 100 /130.  Wattage?  I have not read where anyone has EVER 
said wattage is the end all be all in lights.  BUT, given similar 
reflector design [ie., something decent, unlike stock older audi's], I 
like more wattage, not less.  For some reason, I like seeing the deer 
eyes down here before they are on the seat beside me.  Completely 
subjective?  Frankly, I don't think so.  Scientific?  Nope.  Just telling 
when I could see and when I could not.  If you have the quad setup, I 
would not throw it away.  But, put your best lights in it and go side by 
side with the euros, see which ones you like best [no vanity].  I like 
the euros, and, hey, it was my money.

	On the AWD comparison, who was it that said for "speed, add 
lightness"?  To compare an RX7tt with a 3000GTV4 is no comparison at all, 
other than for comfort, etc.  Our old rule of thumb in drag racing was 
1/10 for every 100 pounds you shaved from a car---thus, the glass 
frontend, plastic windows, aluminum [huge and very thin] wheel wells, 
etc.  We cared about 3 things:  Weight, intake air temp [1% gain for 
every 10 degrees you lower it---funny why nitrous is so nice] and of 
course HP.  IMHO, when you make cars near identical [ie., BTCC] in 
weight, etc., the advantage Audi has is, well, obvious---it will be banned.

	Now how does this translate onto the street?  You must find a car 
of near weight, near hp, near suspension, etc., and THEN compare.  How 
much does an untouched 5ktq weigh and how much does an M3 / RX7tt weigh?  
Answer this and you are on the right track as to 1 of the reasons a 5k 
will get its ass kicked most placed against either of the above.  Now, 
the 540i6 and S6 are probably closer comparisons, but, you must look to 
the HP, if weight is close.  Guarantee the 540i6 has just a little 
[smile] more juice than the S6.

	I know that we don't like to look to the racing A4Q's on this 
question, but, in my mind, it is about the only fair comparison out 
there.  And, we all know how those races went, head to head.

	So, the lesson here is, add good lights and lightness if you want 
a go-fast glow in the dark horse.  

	Bruce