A4 1.8T stability problems
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A4 1.8T stability problems
Hi, everybody.<br>I have got an Audi A4 1.8T Ambition, equipped with sport kit and bought this year. In general, I am very happy with it, but nevertheless I have strong problems of driving stability meanly in situations of high speed and wind conditions. For example, once I was literally changed of line going at 120 mph in a straight highway.<br>Are there anybody with similar problems? If someone could give me information about these kind of problems and possible solutions, I would be very grateful.<br>Thanks in advance.<br>Tycho<br>Spain<br>
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Re: A4 1.8T stability problems
The A4 is not a Lotus Elise or a Caterham 7, but it is still fairly small and fairly light. It is quite aerodynamic from front to back, but from the side, it exposes a broad face to a crosswind. If the wind is stiff enough, the car is going to be pushed from its line, unless the driver compensates. At speed, this phenomenon may be exaggerated. Such is just one of the risks one takes when cruising at 120 mph. Not that such a car doesn't tempt one. Buena suerte.
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Re: A4 1.8T stability problems
I find the car 'darty' on the highway; it does not want to drive straight, and I have to be hyper-vigilant when driving fast. I'm getting used to it, but it's still an unpleasant way to drive.<p>I don't know if it's the sports tires, the AWD, poor wheel alignment from the factory, or a condition intrinsic to the A4. If it turns out to be the latter, it will be quite a disappointment.<br>
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Re: A4 1.8T stability problems
I have a 2.8Q with sport suspension and I haven't really noticed any problems driving unless there is a very heavy cross wind or on a road with deep grooves caused by trucks. It handles about the same with the original Dunlops and the Michelin Z4 all seasons I put on it. I had it over 110 mph on the autobahns in Germany a few times. Maybe it is the road surface. Cars with wider tires tend to not like roads that are smooth with no truck grooves. Happy travels around Espana. <br>98.5 2.8QTS
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Re: A4 1.8T stability problems
My guess is probably the allignment in your car... Have it checked. and also mentioned before that it also because of the truck grooves on the highways..<p>My brother has an RX-7 and he had the similiar problem and after a wheel allignment, no more darting back and forth on the highway...<p>Dmak 1.8TQMS
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Re: A4 1.8T stability problems
I think you'veprobably found your own problem when you describ it happening at high speeds and during windy conditions. If it also happens at low speeds, then check alignment, including cambeer and caster. I did some racing in production based cars and going down the back straight at Riverside, it was quite common for the afternoon cross winds to move a car over a full lane. The effect of wind is accentuated by high speed. I like having my steering wheel perfectly straight and any slight off center drives me nuts, so I had my A4 1.8t quattro given a full all wheel alignment when it was brand new. At a hundred miles per hour (hard to go faster during normal Los Angeles traffic) I've had not tracking problems...except when encountering groves that have been cut in the road.
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Re: A4 1.8T stability problems
<br>I have a 1.8T with stock tyres and suspension. I have noticed the same problem, though probably not to the same extent you describe. I find that it occurs even with a slight wind. The tarcking varies slightly relatively constantly, and I find myself having to make minor steering adjustments all the time to compensate. This is usually at speeds over 140 km/h; I guess the wind effect is heightened at spped. I find it disconcerting, but have learned to live with it. Based on the other posts, I will have my alignment checked soon, and hopefully this will cure the problem.
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Re: Do 3-series have the same problem????????????????????
I have the 323i with standard suspension and 205/55 16" tires. I have yet to feel any effect whatever from crosswinds. I've had the car up to 110 mph and it feels literally glued to the road.<p>My wife has an A4 with the sport package, and although it is substantially more stable than the standard suspension, it is no match for the Bimmer.<p>I think you'd have to do some suspension modifications to approach what you get with a Bimmer, but even then, you still won't have the 50/50 weight distribution and RWD which I think are part of the reason the 323i is so rock solid stable at speed.
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Re: Do 3-series have the same problem? Yes
A little over a month ago I got the chance to drive several makes of car on German Autobahns. (Merceedes, BMW, Opel, and Audi) <p>Once you reach into the high speed department wind will move you. It scared the Sh** out of me in a new 5 series while at about 140 mph. After this happened for the first time I payed extra attention and had no problem maintaining a lane. <p>The weather was horrible the whole time I was there, it was rainy and windy almost the entire time. I experienced the same darty motions in all of the cars I drove. <p>American roads are much worse than the roads in Germany and I'm sure this doesn't help.
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