It began with an Italian Car show with some great cars: old Ferraris, various Alfas (mine was in the body shop unfortunately) Fiats and Lancias and a Italia (rare) and a Maserati Kahmsin. (the A4 content is coming)<p>Then we went to the BMW driver school at Stone Mountain GA where they had a two hour auto-x class with new 328s and 323s. (there will be A4 content just keep reading)<p>They first showed off the Traction Control (TC) system by choosing a volunteer to run over a tarp wetted down with soapy water with the TC off then on. They happened to pick my wife who had a big grin on her face as she whipped that BMW 180 degrees.<p>We then moved to the track where we did some braking excercises to experience the ABS. woohoo.<br>Then we did some timed runs. The instructor (a Toyota Atlantic dude looking for a ride next year)showed us the way around the simple course. I made note of where he gassed and braked. Then it was our turn. <p>It was a little dissappointing since the cars were all auto trannys which they made us keep in 2nd with the TC on, AC on, no sports package and you were toting a couple of other students in the back, but it was still fun. Everyone did 2 runs in a 328 and 2 in a 323. Biggest diff I notice was low end power.<p>They then split us up into teams and had a tag-team race where one person drove, hopped out, tagged a team member and then that person drove and repeated. My team lost but I did come away with the fasted time and a nifty "novelty cone" for my triumphs. (I've done lots of Solo II so I sort of had an advantage I guess.) In fact my fasted time actually beat a couple of the instructors. I did NOT beat the 2 time Solo II Champion Rich Iforgethisname. But my wife said he was asking about me and seemed impressed. (ooooo... stroke my ego right THERE! ahhhhhh..<p>IMPRESSIONS OF THE 328 OVER THE A4 (see I told you there was A4 content here) I don't know if it was because I spent alot of time in the car observing before I drove it, or the TC made it such a benign car, but the 328 seemed to be such an easy car to learn. I'll even say that it seemed easier than my A4 but maybe I'm just more nervous in the A4 because its mine and/or my unfamiliarity with Quattro (which i have solved: read further) I will say this though, I really can't say I came away with a good idea of how the 328 handles. With the combo of TC, power robbing AC and Auto tranny, you can't MAKE the car do anything to see how the chassis reacts.<p>Well we had fun, it was my wife's first time auto-xing and I think she's ready to do it again. They also have M roadsters, M coupe, 540i sport, and 7 series available for UNSUPERVISED test drives for the rest of the week. We didn't have time to do it Saturday but I'LL BE BACK!<p>SUNDAY: (Even more A4 content)<p>The Fiat/Lancia Club was doing a drive through the N. Georgia mountains and with the Alfa in the shop, my wife and I took our A4 1.8T QMS. By the end of the day I came away with such a better appreciation of the car's ability. We own one DAMN FAST, CAPABLE VEHICLE!! <p>The event that made me extremely aware of this is when I got behind Todd Spruell (of Spruell Alfa, Lamborgini and Lotus) in a new Lotus V8 and began following him as we led the pack. There was also an 88 M3 (mild mods: exhaust, wheels) a 91 Alfa 164 (hot chip, wheels, suspension and Sterbo exhaust sans cat) a new Miata, a Lancia Scorpion and a fast Fiat X1/9 running racing suspension and tires.<p>As we took off, Todd in the Lotus began gradually turning up the pace as he saw me staying with him. It was not long until we had left everyone far behind and we were really hauling a** down arm twisting HEAVY brakeing switch back roads! Of course Todd was not driving the Lotus all out and could've done away with me, but I stayed with him and made him work for it. After the run he got out and shook my hand. I was absolutely in AWE of how the Audi handled. It trully has the ability of a sports car! Yet it does everything sooo well!<p>It was sort of funny because before we left for the trip, not many people noticed the Audi, but after they all caught up at the next stop, I was answering a lot of questions! They were truly impressed, as was I.<p>In fact, I didn't have a problem keeping up with any of the cars today, (Lotus being the obvious exception) the Audi is just that capable. The turbo and superior suspension design helps in keeping up with the 88 M3 and the Quattro helps in keeping up with anybody in the twistys. I got on the gas no matter where I was in the corner. AMAZING! And the turbo really helped on those hills, I had very little trouble keeping up with the Alfa 164 (a six cylinder, with a hot chip and no cat exhaust remember!) Please allow me the opportunity to pat myself on my back for driver ability too. Thank you.<p>The only downer to the day was when the Lancia Scorpion blew it distributor rotor to bits. AHH Italian Cars. <p>I came away with a great new understanding and respect for this car and can't wait for the Road Atlanta Track day, Nov. 8&9th. I'll keep you posted,(probably will be long)<p>I'm going to go buy new tires now and blead the brakes......<p>Enzo<p>Wife's -- AMAZING 98.5 1.8T QMS what a car!<br>Mine -- EMOTIONAL 84 Alfa Romeo GTV-6 which I haven't driven in 2 months AAARRRGGG!!<br>Dog's -- SMELLY -- 90 Acura Integra Ho Hum...<br>

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