Visit 1: With standard but chipped 310Bhp S4. Goodyear GSD-3’s and newish std brakes.
In short, as quick as std 964 911 but slower than nearly all std dedicated trackday crars including type R’s and a host of 7’s with 160-180+bhp..
A lot of turn in under steer. Poor damping for a 3rd gear mid corner bump and massive exit under-steer. Initial good brake feel but loosing a lot of speed to huge brake fade within 2- 3 laps. Seriously overheating front outside tyre within 5 laps make all the under-steer worse. Unable to really provoke over-steer. New front tyre destroyed in 30 laps. A lot of pitching and rolling requiring hanging of the wheel and bracing against centre console with clutch leg. Conclusion – I figured that 1500+kg of S4 with its front weigh bias could never be suited to track-days.
Visit 2 With standard but chipped 310Bhp S4. Goodyear two thirds used GSD Asymetric F1’s. (stiffer sidewalls) 2nd hand fixed Koni dampers and Eibach springs 30-40mm lower HR ARB’s stiff stiff with metal links and MRC mouting brakets. 2nd hand RS4 B5 brakes.
In Short 2nd quickest out of 47 cars. Incuding several 200Bhp+ 7’s a dozen cards with slicks and cages. and 2 space frame specials and Less than 1 second per lap behind a 316Bhp carbon fibre sequential box £48K Westfeild with slicks and huge aero package.
Obviously I still at a huge bhp/tonne disadvantage to the light weights but the new chassis gave me a massive increase in traction meaning I was on the gas masses before anyone else The relatively compliant set up meant I was able to take allot speed and far more kerb into the chicaine than most. I could uses more of the lumpy run off areas than others.
Previously 87 and 95mph for the 2 braking points now 100 and 107Mph. Worse initial pedal feel than previously but NO fade over on 15 lap stints. Both outside tyres sharing the ware evenly. Car inspired huge confidence and a momentry lift short of the two pre straight exits got the rear moving nicely allowing full exits with a fraction of over-steer. Exceptionally stable in the bumpy braking which I was now doing approx 20meter later. Reduced roll meant the std seat wasn’t such a problem and less bracing was needed despite the faster pace. The 2/3rds used tyres lasted 45 laps and I went through half a set of pads. Hats off to Audi 130K miles- engine and std exhaust ultra quiet and the oil never went over 120degrees C. Discs not warped despite glowing white for majority of each session. On the road the car is now has the same ride quality as before but MASSIVELY better damping for yumpy B roads where it now feels like its working with the road rather trying to steam roller it flat. If like me you have moderate driving skill and a small wallet and only have room for 1 car then a fettled S4 B5 can strike a cracking balance between being a road and track car.
Night and day different. A BIG thank you to MRC
