Re: Them's the breaks ...

[Dave Eaton <dave.eaton@minedu.govt.nz>]

>
>Date: Wed, 03 Jun 1998 09:06:56 -0500
>From: Bruce Aukerman <Bruce@mannlawfirm.com>
>Subject: Re:  Them's the breaks ...
>
>Mr. Eaton sez:  ...that, or drive safer.
>
>Dave, I think you and I agree on some points here, but not that
>comment.
>
>For the vast majority of people, stock brakes ok?  ahhh, maybe.  Who
>though, is the vast majority?  The vast majority of drivers, imfo,
>dont know the first thing about driving a car.  The vast majority
>idea to crash avoidance is put the steering wheel in a death-grip, put
>1000 pound of pressure on the brake pedal, close their eyes and hope.
>Could argue that the mouthbreathers need big reds more than some of us
>kidding here:).
>

mmmm, actually, thats a pretty *good* thing to do in a panic stop (bit about
closing eyes excepted).

>Now, to the drive safer point.  This reminds me so much of
>manufacturers defenses in crashworthiness cases.  Obviously, if no one
>drives at all, the roads would be damned safe.  That is not real
>world.  Lets put it this way.  If your idea of driving safer means
>never letting the car stretch its legs on twisty roads where I do
>show brake fade, consistently, then we need to do a straight up swap
>of cars.  Your RS2 for one of the nice NAs my folks drive:)
>
>In stock form, the Audi brakes on US tq cars sold prior to the S4
>suck.  They are imo, under-designed, not over, just like the door

[snip]
>
>It's funny how the people that keep defending the stock (a.k.a. suck)
>brakes on our Audis do not even own/drive/use our brakes.  Kinda like a
>millionaire saying that poverty is not a problem.  Common brake knowledge

[snip]

mmmm, there seems to be some difficulty in understanding what i am saying.  to
recap.  imho:-

1) the panic stop scenario should concern everyone.  this is why we should pay
attention to brake, tyre and shock absorber condition.  this has *nothing* to
do with fade.  if you can bring on your abs, then you're doing ok.  want to
push that point back a little, then check your shocks, your tyres, or both.

2) fade is much less of a problem in *normal* use.  if it's a major problem for
you, upgrade your brakes.  moralistic tone about driving too fast for your
equipment withheld.  fade was a big issue in my old s2.  brought the brakes
back to spec, and moved the fade point further out.  to improve further, i'd
need to have upgraded the suckers...

3) if you like beauty contests, upgrade your brakes.

me, i'm waiting until c/ind paints their c/c brakes red.  grey just don't do it
for me :-)

dave.
'95 rs2
'90 ur-q