RE:Chassis flex (longish)

[MSV96@aol.com]

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?

On Mon, 17 Mar 1997, Kevin McRae wrote:

>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.

I tend to agree with Kevin regarding chassis stiffness of Audi's in
general...but the main reason for my post is to explain the easiest was to
"feel" chassis flex. Drive both a coupe (or sedan) version of a car that is
also offered in a convertable version. Cases in point; 911 coupe vs.
cabriolet, 325i sedan vs. convertable (or perhaps even a golf vs. VW
cabriolet). These comparisons will give you the "feel" for what chassis flex
is all about for those who are curious. I also recall that the Trans-Am 200tq
was the only car in that series built on a production chassis-not a tube
frame purpose built race car. Yes, there was a full cage and other
reinforcements which stiffened up the car significantly...but it was a
"production based" chassis which took on the best of tube-frame technology
and won. Audi's do feel very solid in driver feel though and drive very
well-stiff or not.

Mike Veglia
85 4ksq