Thanks guys, the Enkei’s are at the top of my list due to weight/price. The B7 certainly isn’t a track star but shaving off an est 8-9lbs per wheel is substantial.
I was told or read the unsprung weight reduction has a 6:1 ratio to curb weight. Can anyone confirm this and does this figure differ based on AWD or 2wd? In other words, losing 8lbs on each corner equates to losing 192lbs of curb weight.
I felt a big difference when I droppe the weight. However, I did JHM LW front rotors atthe same time. I actually just switched to stock rotors again and honestly I couldn tell you the JHM rotors make a HUGE difference when combined with LW wheels. I’d say the wheels make a bigger impact, possibly because of the amount of weight farther from the center axis
the front rotors are just 10 lbs each = 20 vs. the 35 lbs you dropped with the wheels Joe, so there would certainly be a big difference just based on the weight alone with the wheels. It shouldn’t be surprising that the wheels felt a bigger change…whether that was due to distance from the rotating hub or not.
The rotors however when they were put on my car were definitely enough of a change that I said ‘wow’. That’s just 20lbs up front. So dropping nearly double that would be awesome.
I’m a fan of Jhm’s lw rotors but not for track use. I toasted a set on my s4 Avant in four months on tracks that don’t involve heavy braking! Daytona and Sebring would have crushed them, regardless they’re perfect for daily use spirited fun.
I have an Alcon BBK on my B7 so I’m limited to wheels/tires there. Though I can certainly feel the difference on the avant when I switch from the LM’s @ 23lbs to my track wheel/tire combo (Kosei’s) which weigh around 16lbs.
yeah, lots of the track day guys say they suck.
Personally, I wouldn’t take my daily driver to a road course. Nor would I take any 62/38 nose heavy family sedan to a road course…these are desgned to be autobahn stormers, not track day cars. Get a Boxster or something mid engined and 50:50 for the track is my opinion…they’re 100 times more fun. People make cracks about how these aren’t built for the dragstrip, but we’re using the dragstrip to measure acceleration, and the dragstrip is great for it. We’re there for a pass time, not a pastime. It’s an evaluative tool is all really.
These cars are 100 times less suitable for the road course than the dragstrip.
It’s funny how that works out. I’m sure guys love it though, so that’s all that matters. They should get some seat time in a mid engined sports car though…I reckon they’d ditch the Audi and change their mind real quick.
Very true! Daily driver + road courses isn’t a great idea, though I did track the b7 several times prior to the addition of the avant. It pushes hard thanks to the distribution you mention above.
The wagon certainly isn’t ideal either but it works in many ways from loading track gear to hauling damp golden retrievers to and from the beach all while being very capable on the track. The B7 has benefitted from the shared DD duties as it still is insanely clean, I might be nuts but it still smells new!
Dup post, deleted the 2nd
axel’s OZ wheels look solid. Big, 19, gunmetal (or really dirty) and light. Good combo. He has stoptechs up front.
^…let’s see the video you pulled that from!
Haha, of all the photos I have of my car, you had to pull a distorted video frame 
Too funny!
Here’s a couple better photos:
Funny! I thought your sled was bagged! Thanks for posting some better shots.
LMAO it always amazes me how Saki talks about things he doesn’t know and speaks, as if its the Gospel. First of all, the RS4 has a weight distribution of 58:42. 2nd of all, if you had any experience on a road course, you would know that the RS4 dominates MOST cars on the track! 3rd of All, I’ve gotten seat time in GT3’s and wouldn’t trade it for my RS4. 4th of all, its 100x more fun than the stupid drag strip! Who buys an AWD luxury german sports car and spends their LIFE at a dragstrip? oh yeah Saki does! the leader of misconception and the “cut and paste” master!
I believe saki was referring to corner balance. There’s a considerable difference. That said, I’m sure saki will chime in.
That’s just a wild statement that has way too many variables to actually have any relevance.
Depends, a brand new GT3? With an MSRP of $115,700 - $185,000, I would, then sell it and make tons of money to spend however I’d want.
If you consider going there less than 5 times a year living there, then sure, I guess he does.
Sorry, I just had to answer. So much ignorance…
lok
Corner balancing would be expressed in 4 numbers so, he couldn’t have meant that. Yes RS4 does great on the track and many other cars are underpowered, or out-handled in turns and have to take turns at much slower speeds. We will always have more weight in the nose due to our quattro system, however as we all know, we can mod the car to have a little better weight distribution. The benefits of Quattro out weigh the slight weight imbalance on a track…and only those who have experienced how great this car is on the track would know this. There are many cars which have 50/50 neutral balance and cannot take turns as fast, over steer off the track or end up causing major wrecks on the track. Also, don’t let a little rain hit the track…those guys are done! The GTR or a Porsche is probably the only car I would consider as a “dedicated” track car for me. But to get a Porsche with enough power for the track would require spending $90-$115k and honestly, I would prefer a $45k RS4 that I can still use as a daily driver, pick up clients for work, drive my fam around etc. A $120k Porsche is not practical.
944 turbo can be had for 10K. Great track car.
Axel, oz’s look nice!
And for an 18 wheel I just got my TDR 1.2 18x9 for a track wheel but they look nicer than I thought. Think they are 19lbs
I’m assuming he meant RF/LR.
Thanks zmon. I’ve been looking for a light 18 for the track, that actually looks decent!
I’m not so sure about the RS4 dominating on any track, yes they are fast and absolutely one of my favorite cars but not dominating. I’ll run laps around an RS and there are others passing me. The few times I did track the B7, then got back in the B5, the difference was quite evident in the nose. I’m spefically referring to handling the twisties not HP differences.
The problem with track racing and comparing cars is that there are so many variables that it ends up meaning nothing unless you’re actually properly truly racing in a series with different track configurations.
By that I mean in that scenario, you can make a few assumptions to try and remove some variables such as:
Then, in a circuit with different tracks, you can see how it behaves with smaller tighter tracks as well as larger tracks with most likely longer straight-aways, and all sorts of other configurations.
You take an underpowered Miata with a stiff suspension to a small twisty track and it’ll most likely fare better than the RS4. You take those two same cars to a larger F1 style track and the RS4 will trounce the underpowered Miata.
I remember watching a series that only had E36 M3s and Acura Integra Type-Rs. Obviously one platform was RWD and the other FWD and you might assume the M3s were kicking the Integras’ asses but it wasn’t the case at all. They were all neck and neck.
By going to a lapping event at a local track, you might come across a GT3 RS or a GT-R being driven by some older dude who’s simply having fun and doesn’t want to push the car too hard giving you an impression that your car rules cause somehow you’re keeping up or maybe even passing him. Or maybe it’s his first time on a track whereas you might have been tracking your car for years in addition to knowing your local track so well you could drive it with your eyes closed. Again, way too many variables to simply state “My RS4 beats most cars on the track”. Such a statement shows a lack of understanding of these variables. I got my Formula 2000 open-wheel racing license on an ex-F1 track (http://www.trackpedia.com/wiki/Circuit_Mont-Tremblant) and then went weekend tracking a lot (lapping and solo-1 racing) and I’ve seen many things. Enough things so as not to make any assumptions of the other drivers and their cars.
I especially loved the 725hp Lingenfelter Twin Turbo LS1 ZO6 Corvettes getting their asses kicked by small shifter karts on this track http://www.trackpedia.com/wiki/Shannonville_Motorsport_Park as well as this track http://www.trackpedia.com/wiki/Toronto_Motorsports_Park
The Corvette drivers were pissed (obviously they weren’t racing on the track at the same time).