Hi, I just got a 1996 audi a4 2.8 with a 5 speed manual trans. The car has 139k on it. I was just wondering how durable these cars are. If i took it "racing" around a dirt field would that be horrible for the suspension or could it handle a little fun? I know these cars are pretty well made. Also, how tuff are the clutches and drive trains? If I release the clutch at around 3k would that be bad for the drivetrain of the car? Just let me know what you guys think.

 

Horrible, probably.

Will the suspension last? We don't know. As with ANY car, you may end up destroying the suspension components, the springs, or the struts. What kind of dirt field?

Fun, yes. Doable, yes. Expensive to fix when it breaks, usually.

Clutch toughness, depends on how far it's worn. I wouldn't go launching it frequently--the stock clutch will wear out more quickly.

 

I wouldn't do it, if you want to go drifting in a field go buy a suburu. As far as the clutch; if its the stock clutch it probably won't handle much of that behavior, an upgraded aftermarket one would do fine though

 

I sold my dear departed 96 at 271,000 miles. Had to have the auto trans rebuilt at 220,000.

Dropping the clutch at 3K is bad for any car. And if you want to go drifting, your car is either front wheel drive or Quattro. Go buy a beat up Civic to drift.

 

In the condition the car is in, I do not recommend heavy rally or any jumps.

Even though the car isn't great for this stock, if you were lets say to strip the entire interior, install a 8 or 10 point roll cage... and a bunch of other modifications... I could definitely see an A4 rallying.

They used to do it with the Audi Quattro but that was more of a coupe.

 

I see broken control arms a shredded clutch and a bashed oil pan just to name the first 3. HAH! Go have fun until it breaks because it will. then call the junker to come haul it off.

 

What you say is completely true.

I imagine the Subaru's that they use for rally have custom suspensions and the whole 9 yards anyway.

You think a stock Subaru can just hop on any gravel road and dominate it? I don't.

Most fully tuned and perfected rally car's cost around 500,000 anyway.

 

OP, you could probably get away with this:


But I wouldn't push it any further than that. It's still a regular commuter car, not a drift machine unless you upgrade parts.

 

That is actually totally safe because there aren't any high jumps. The jumps is what destroys suspensions. I assume Subarus are great for rally because the hatchbacks are short and wide which is good cause on a jump. If the car is too long, you know what can happen...

Its like rallying in a Cadillac lol.

 

You look like this: