From: "David Rowney" <daver@uclink4.berkeley.edu>
> My brother autocrosses the A4Q and I the 328i (earlier E36 model). The A4
> and 328i were probably base models without sports suspension and with
> all-season tires. <snip>
Yes. Of course the cars were basic 2000 model year cars. I've owned and
autocrossed E36 325is and it was quite bit sportier than E46 I drove
yesterday. During the talk at the begining of the event Lexus folks
mentioned that BMW is the benchmark and that 2001 330i moves the performance
level even farther. With 3.0L engine, sports suspension and 17" rubber the
difference would be even more in the BMW's favor. I didn't know that A4 has
a sports option available. It must be a good one and the car probably
responds well to the auto-x tuning: shocks, bar and alighnment. Also it may
require different the driving technique than RWD cars I'm used to.
IMHO.
Boris.
They are both available with optional suspensions and
> with wider summer tires, and are considerably more effective for autocross
> with the packages (the A4 especially). The IS300 comes only one way(for
> now), with a firmer suspension and summer tires, I believe.
>
> Dave
>
> At 11:48 AM 8/7/00 -0700, you wrote:
> >The small course was very tight with just couple of spots were you can
get
> >on it. Out of the 3 cars provided (IS300, A4 and 328), I though the Lexus
is
> >the best all around car, but I felt Bimmer was better for autocrossing. I
> >was very disappointed with A4. I had expected it would be the best car
for
> >that surface. I've seen A4's do very well in SOLO2 competition, but the
one
> >I've driven was soft, understeered in the worst way, and was down on
power
> >in comparison to 328 and IS300. The BMW felt stronger, more predictable,
> >more neutral and the easiest to drive fast. I thought I was at least 1
sec
> >faster (according to my butt timer) than in other two cars. OK, maybe
it's
> >because I'm more familiar with BMWs. <g>
> >
> >By Sunday afternoon the surface was reasonably clean with well defined
grove
> >on the big course. The grip was pretty good. I think street tires work
> >better on that surface than Hoosiers. The Kumho's should work the best.
> >
> >Thanks to Lexus for an afternoon of fun.
> >
> >Boris.
> >00 Boxster AS84
>
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