RedS4inPA

Balance or weight?

I understand that lowering your un-sprung weight helps significantly in handling and braking. Mike, you've mentioned several times where you prefer 17" wheels on our cars for these reasons and others. Is this more of a factor over the front wheels than the rear? Here's where I'm going with this. I was driving home tonight thinking that lowering the front end weight and increasing the rear weight (even to the point where the overall curb weight of the car is higher) might help in handling.

Looks aside, if we ran with lighter wheels up front and decreased the weight further over the front wheels (battery, etc) - and actually increased the weight over the rear axle (heavier wheels maybe, or added weight in the trunk) hereby better achieving a balanced i.e. 50/50 distribution, would the car handle better?

Consider this with all other factors being equal such as improved suspension, sways, etc.

Bottom line: Would a lighter S4 with a 60/40 weight distribution handle better/same/worse than a heavier S4 with a 50/50 distribution?

Am I off my rocker? Thanks.

Jet Jockey/A4 Pilot

Than a heavier (+ several hundred pounds I would think) 50/50 weight distribution.

You can always change to a certain point the car's handling characteristics with suspension set ups, sway bars, tire pressures, modified TorSen, LSD and driving technique.

A lighter car will always accelerate faster, will always decelerate faster and will always go through a curve or a turn faster.

RedS4inPA

That makes sense to me! *crazy staring at tail lights rush hour thinking* Thanks.

ruknd

especially when the weight is added. The best solution...the avant.

bpp

Weight is not your friend. The boys below know of what they speak.