I searched in vain for a 1.8T back in Aug/Sept and settled for a 2.8Quattro (without sport suspension- weren't any around). I've been happy with the car, but I don't feel like I have a car I can drive hard. It sounds like everyone with the 1.8's feel like that they have a curve hugging roadster.<br>What would people suggest in order to turn my A4 into the performance machine I need?<br>Thanks in advance<p>PS Don't anyone suggest trading it for a 328

I have a 1.8t w Sport and although I think it's fairly enjoyable to drive, I don't think of it as a car for driving hard. I'm sure the people who have modified their 1.8t's would feel otherwise, and understandably so. But the stock 1.8t just isn't what I'd call a sports car and I'm sure your 2.8 is not all that much different, although I do wonder why you didn't get the Sports package.<p>As for the 328, comparison reviews often point to the BMW's greater capacity for hard driving.

<br>Get an aftermarket suspension system and 17 or 18 inch wheels and tires. The handling will improve enormously.

Klidge is right. I have a 1.8TQM with suspension and wheels upgrade (no chip yet) and it doens't tempt me to drive it hard as my GTI 16V does. Everytime I drive the 16V is begging to be punished! I can just hear it yelling HARDER, HARDER!!!<p>Oscar

PES Supercharger Kit<br>Eibach Springs and Koni Sport Shocks<br>17 inch wheels and some sticky high performance rubber<p>That should get your blood boiling!<p>Dave<br>'97 1.8TQMS, Wett 1.0 Bar, Eibach/Koni (17inch Type-T with S-02s next)<p>

Would recommend changing the springs/shocks/swaybars and putting on ZR rated tires - basically, matching or upgrading on the Sport suspension. 2.8 in 30V form has enuf punch in my opinion to keep you entertained on windy secondary roads. Chips don't do much to a non-aspirated engine (in my experinece) and other changes that result in significantly higher horsepower (supercharger, turbocharger) to me would significantly downgrade relaibility. When the manufacturer starts doing these changes, ther is a whole host of major and (just as important) subtle changes they make to keep reliability that you can't match at a reasonable cost.<br>

Swap out the suspension/tires as I did. It makes a HUGE difference. My 2.8 w/ the aftermarket setup feels great. No wallow, very little to no body roll, and sticks like glue. Here is my setup:<p>A!AvantGarde sport suspension kit (springs/shocks)<br>Toyo Proxes T1<p>There is a pic of my car after the mods if you care to see it. Just follow the link.<p>Mike<ul><li><a href="http://www.mck.com/a4/a4northe.nsf/372ea83d2e4df598852565f1005fab52/eb52d70b7ed4dd278525661e00683c6b?OpenDocument">My Car</a></li></ul>

I tried a non-sport 2.8 and I was disappointed with the amount of body roll in a hard turn. The sport setup handles quite nicely and that's what I ended up with. I love driving my sport 2.8, my girlfriend hates it. ;) I drive half as hard with her and that is still to much for her. Get the suspension upgrades that the others recommend, it will transform your car! I was dissapointed with the stock 1.8 and I didn't want to mess with the warranty by chipping one. The 2.8 with a good suspension is an excellent car. BTW, the C&D people gave the nod to the 2.8 for road driving and the 328 for track driving. Very few owners take their car on the track.<p>Mark (98.5 2.8 QMS)

Yeah, I saw your car the other day (while net surfing). How do you avoid tickets on that thing???<p>Did you do the suspension before the other mods??<br>

As far as tickets go...I've been VERY lucky (knock on wood).<p>The suspension was done after the chip, before the exhaust, but at the same time as the 17" wheels/tires. I haven't driven the car with the aftermarket suspension with the stock 5-spokes and all-season tires. The car rides very stiff with the 17" tires/wheels (but handles like a kart), and I am not certain whether the suspension or the tires/wheels are the culprit. However, I am about to put the stock 5-spokes back on for the winter, so I will let you know.<p>Mike