Re: 30v "sport" pkg

["Josh Pinkert" <flush@radix.net>]

From: Scott Stiles <scottst@microsoft.com>
>Warning: very biased opinion to follow.
>I guess this goes under the heading of Personal Preference.
>
>I couldn't disagree more wrt the sport pkg. I think it's interesting how
>polarized folks are on this topic. Especially after they've spent their
>hard-earned money on a car.
>You mention "save your money and go aftermarket"... What are you
>going to do with $400 in the aftermarket?
>- Want some good sport tires to go with your base-susp A4? $500+
>- Want better handling, (HOW BOUT COIL OVERS? :)), seriously, you're
>looking at a minimum of $700 plus 9hrs of shop time, for dampers only,
>and you're not ending
>up with a factory tuned system. It's a crapshoot, I've been there.
>- The wheels are a toss-up. Folks seem to be pretty passionate in their
>dislike of the sport rims, I happened to have fell in love with the look
>Immediately
>after seeing them in person. To each their own. I've heard they're
>lighter, if so
>this is a big plus.
>
>Personal seat of the pants review of the suspension: I couldn't have
>specified tuning more to my liking, IMHO it's spot-on. Again, to each
>their own.
>
>I'm just glad Audi finally gave us the choice.


Here's my take on the sport package...I had to make a spot decision...

1) I ordered my '98 in late Feb., so I had no idea on pricing.  My dealer
estimated a cost of $1000.  Would it still be so appealing at that cost?

2) The Dunlop 2000's are OK tires, but not my first choice by far.  I am
totally in favor of the Pirelli P7000SS.  It's all season and Z-rated.  It
also packs a wallop for a treadwear rating (320).  I had a set on my last
car, replacing Goodyear Gatorbacks.  The P7000s were better across the
board, maybe just a bit noisier.

3) I hate the sport wheels.  Like you said, though, everyone is entitled to
their own opinion.

4) If the sport wheels are lighter, and I wanted to change, I'd be messing
with the stock dampening / unsprung weight.  I don't want to get into a
suspension debate (we all know where that will go...who's got the mroe
legit engineering degree?!?), but if the sport package is truly a package,
the normal 5-spokers would mess up the feel.  Can you say a change in
unsprung weight?

5) An aftermarket system at least allows tuneability.  I know it is not
tuned by the manufacturer, but I could set up an aftermarket system
specifically to my tastes.  BTW, there is some research out there with
various levels of success and failure (magazines and other people).

So, in light of the above, I opted to go without the sport suspension.  I
may not change the suspension at all.  I feel that some good tires alone
might do the trick.  BTW, the stock contis are not THAT bad...good grip in
the rain (or maybe its the quattro that I haven't gotten used to).  Ever
since my car arrived, it's rained non-stop in the Wash, DC area.  My old
Mustang would've been all over the place!!!

- Josh Pinkert
- flush@radix.net