1) A 270 degree freeway to freeway "cloverleaf" turn posted at 20 mph?<p>2) A long sweeping freeway exit posted at 50 mph?<p>Assume stock suspension, dry roads, good blacktop, daylight, etc...

<grump><p>Is this a poll or are you looking for the right answer? My opinion: if you don't know how fast you can go, don't try to find out. The street is not a good place to look for the limits of a car, even one as forgiving as an A4. Autocross it or take it to a driver's school. Then you'll know the answer yourself.<p></grump>

Call me crazy (or slow, depending on how crazy YOU are!), but from my limited experience these are the numbers I came up with:<p>1) 20 mph cloverleaf - 55 mph<p>2) 50 mph sweeping ramp - 90 mph<p>This is with stock sport suspension, and stock SP8000Es in good condition...I got the rear end to come out on one of those 20 mph cloverleaf turns though...but it felt like I was pulling some serious Gs! Too much fun....<p>So...am I slow or crazy? (Probably slow compared to some of you guys eh? hehe).<p>Cheers,<br>-Ash 98.5 1.8TQMS

I dunno, I didn't think it was that bad....I'll admit that I was at or pretty close to the limit, but again, the car felt pretty controllable.....your A4 is new right? Just wait till you get used to it a bit more, and then you'll see....you be a raving looney just like me! ;-)<p>I only did it maybe twice, and now that I approximately know the limits, I don't think I'll try it again...I also agree that an autocross is the right place to explore the real limits of your car...<p>Have fun with your car...safely I might add...hehe<p>Cheers, <br>-Ash Silver 98.5 1.8TQMS

Here's what I usually do....<p>Any signs posted at 35 or below....Add 20 MPH for a reasonable saftey limit.<p>Signs posted above 35...Add 30 for the saftey limit.<p>I came up with these numbers during college when I would drive 240 miles of backroads from home ( Burlington, VT ) to school ( Syracuse, NY ) in my 90' Jetta Carat. The roads consisted of almost highway grade to very rough/old blacktop. These adjustments made the drive much more fun, but allowed it to remain relatively safe. Granted, I don't promote speeding, but if you gonna do it then at least be smart/less-stupid about it.<p>With the A4 you can add a little bit to this, but not much without asking for it.<p>What do the rest of you think????<br>Rick<br>98.5 Avant QMS

... I can take most speeds at "recommended times two". Thus, an off-ramp at 20 I am sure you can take at 50, and the 50mph exit just short of 100. I found this rule to apply quite well, even around here where they post at times 15mph. <p>The only time when it does not apply (at least not to me) is when the turn is downhill. Then I am much more careful :-)<p>There is one exit at the East Bay whre they actually meant the speed they posted; so I pushed a bit across the double yellow, and coming off the highway was a CHP friend. So I was stopped for drunk driving, which I was of course not :-)<p>- Stan<br>

Did the tires squeal or did anthing else happen that gave you an indication that the car was about to lose grip? I'd rather not learn the limits the hard way. <p>Mark (98.5 2.8 QMS)