VAP

<center><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/711/Audi4ktq.jpg"></center><p>
"Driving School Cars: Audi Turbo Quattro 4000
The Audi Quattro drive train has been the workhorse in snowy and slippery conditions for decades. With lockable differentials and 4WD the 4000 is a driver favorite (at the school). This particular car is a 5 cylinder turbo conversion producing plenty of horsepower! You will have to try it for yourself for the full effect."



I got my first feedback from Alan at Team O'neil this morning. As some of you know I sent them 2 sets of Mount-Savers for testing &amp; evaluation at their rally school. One set with machined, blue-printed, and sealed OEM Boge mounts and pro-rally/off-road Mount-Saver Inserts to use in the front of one of their cars. Another set of pro-rally/off-road Mount-Saver Inserts to use in the rear of a standard "off-the-shelf" set of new mounts that they replace as part of their standard maintenance regimen.

These are being used in one of their turbo 4kQ school ralley cars. As I understand it they load 4 people per car with Tim O'neil driving/instructing with 3 students aboard then attack the course. After that the students are turned loose in the school cars to practice improving times around the course. I cant imagine a tougher test for a strut mount than having 4 people loaded up in a small chassis Turbo Quattro, 3 of them noobs/novices and beating each other to death in that sardine can at-speed over an off-road rally course as each of them take their turn behind the wheel! Glad its not MY car ;-)

Here's the note Alan sent me this morning. Alan is the ralley vehicle fleet manager at the school and responsible for keeping all the rally cars in top running condition and ready-to-race.

&lt;&lt;Mance

I am very impressed, looks like a great design, install was easy and straight forward. No glitches at all. The Audi has been thru 2 classes, a third this week and so far no problems what so ever. After a few more classes I will take a look and see how they are holding up.

Alan&gt;&gt;


Least I'm relieved to know that "no news" thus far in this case is good news. I look forward to their removal and inspection after those "few more classes." Having this kind of test facility using these is the best I could've hoped for as it will allow a serious trial by fire. If I can get these to survive 2, 3, 4 or 5 years in a rally school pro-rally car there's hardly anything the streets or a road race/auto-x course could throw at them thats very worrisome to me.

And an interesting aside to all those rumors you've heard about Bilstein Sports "having" to be used with shorter springs that I've tried to dispel here for years; the school rally cars use bilstein sports at all 4 corners with extra-long Buick LeSabre and Cadillac Fleetwood springs (same part #'s) that fit the stock perches after having a pigtail bent in the top coil!! Another one bites the dust!

520

Great! Did you get my email couple days ago, Re: mount savers?

VAP

yes, yesterday at 9:27am. Replied at 10:04am. Re-sending now.

Regenmeister

can make upgrades and modifications to OEM parts AND make them better without ONE INQUIRY from the factory on how it was done or praising them on their inguenuity .
You'd think they would want people to keep their older models and build a loyal following that BMW, Porsche &amp; Benz do. But nope, Audi seems to just ignore those who own their older models as if we are the redheaded kids of the family. Am I asking too much?

VAP

Given that more-than-generous window of opportunity its time their choice in the matter was revoked and given someone else who "can" do it right and for life... guaranteed!

Regenmeister

Agreed.

520

got it now - thanks.