RE:Chassis flex (longish)

[kmcrae@grundy-center.k12.ia.us (Kevin McRae)]

Hi.  I'm pretty new to the list, but not new to Audi's.  I wish to weigh in
on the current debate about chassis flex.  Graydon D. Stucke wrote:

On Sun, 16 Mar 1997, Michael Shields wrote:

> What exactly does chassis flex feel like?  I can understand why it's
> bad but except for having less traction than you might, what are the
> effects?
Mike,

     Oh boy, that's a tuffy.   Detecting chassis flex is not easily
taught or described, because it feels similar to suspension travel.
I've driven a few cars with extremely stiff chassis - race cars with full
cages -and these have a completely different feel about them.    They
feel like the chassis moves as a unit while the suspension soaks up the
bumps.   Unfortunately, that description applies to any car - that's why
you have to experience it to know.   On a really flexible car, you can
almost see the windshield move in different directions than the rest of
car, like on a Chrysler convertible.

        BTW, the 5000 is NOT stiff at all.  I have seen few cars flex as
much as this car.  This is likely evidence of why it is so safe in a
crash- it is very absorbant.

***I haven't had your experiences with race cars, Graydon, but I do
strongly disagree with the statement about the 5k.  It actually is very
stiff in all the right places.  My experiences come from rebuilding wrecked
cars of all makes and wrecking two CGT's.  The 5k is far stiffer than any
of it's domestic counterparts (duh) but also more so than many in its past
class.  Stiffness deals with bending forces and the thickness of metal at
critical points.  All Audi's score highly here.  They tend to have little
chassis flex, again, relative to others in their class.  To respond to the
original question, chassis flex feels like 'numbness'.  Go drive an Escort.
That's numb.  Now, drive an Audi.  There is a feeling of solidity and
responsiveness in turns and in every situation that denotes stiffness.
        A CGT will perform in a crash situation like no car it's size.  I
happened to be driving one at 62 mph which rear-ended a Honda Accord, which
was stopped dead.  I am here to tell the story of how I opened my door
after impact and walked over to see how the other driver was.  I do have
some soft tissue injuries, but everything works.  Since my accidents, I
won't drive anything but Audi's.  Their combination of safety, fun and
sportiness is not matched by any other brand.  No, I am not on the Audi
payroll--experiences like mine aren't fun, but they tell volumes about what
a car is REALLY about.

Make mine German, Kevin McRae
90 CQ
83 CGT