Weight Balance

[HVAC25000]

What's the difference in weight balance between the S4 and BJ4WE? I've heard the S4 seems to be more weight forward and thus doesn't work as well as the BJ4WE on low grip tracks, but does work better on high grip. Any thoughts on the subject are greatly appreciated.

Chris

[Chris Doughty]

the S4 certainly does have a lot more weight forward than most 4WD cars, but this certainly does not make it 'bad' on low grip tracks.

it does give the car a more 'drive from the front' feel though. some like it, some don't. but if you can drive it right, its VERY fast on low grip.

[Body Paint]

I agree with Chris. The car does feel more about the front end, I was unsure of this at first myself but after a few runs you soon realise that the car is "FAST" to quote Days of Thunder "Loose is fast" and once you realise the car isn't going to "loop" in the corners you can start to muscle the car as much as you like.

If you want a 4wd car that handles like a 2wd but with more forward traction then the BJ4 weight distribution is great, but IMO you need to push the BJ4 quite hard to get the best from it. The first impression when you drive an S4 is that it feels much faster, I find I can relax with the car when I'm driving it and can feel confident that the car is lapping on the pace even though I am not ragging the guts out of it. With the weight further forward you can drive the S4 very deep into a corner and still be able to get it turned by using the extra drive the front of the car produces. I run the rear of my car quite stiff and don't find the rear of the car too loose even on wet astro.

[AndyM]

Originally Posted by Body Paint

but IMO you need to push the BJ4 quite hard to get the best from it.

my opinion is quite the oposite. i have run the car for a few months now, and when driving it, i just have to relax; just like the way you drive your S4.

Like Mr Lowe explained to me before i got the car; you only have to drive at about 80% to be quick; you just have to let the car drive you round the track. (Rich makes it sound so much more convincing )

But the BJ4 is just so easy to drive.

[Chris Doughty]

Originally Posted by AndyM

my opinion is quite the oposite. i have run the car for a few months now, and when driving it, i just have to relax; just like the way you drive your S4.

Like Mr Lowe explained to me before i got the car; you only have to drive at about 80% to be quick; you just have to let the car drive you round the track. (Rich makes it sound so much more convincing )

But the BJ4 is just so easy to drive.

the S4 is even more so like that. the S4's weight distribution is set so that is a very positive when steering.

the BJ4 may need to be driven smoothly and fast times come easy, but the S4 is even more that way.

[ben]

I agree with ya chris. If i drive my s4 smooooth it is very consistent and fast. Now i no why northy was always telling me to drive the s4 at 80%

lil ben

[GRIFF55]

I found that the S4 doesn't need to be pushed as fast laps can be made just by being smooth with it. But if needed or you want to drive aggressively then the car is sooo forgiving that it is possible. It didn't even want to loop out at the end of a carpet straight going onto polished floor corner.
I had a go with a bj4 (also a v good car) but did find the S4 suited my driving better. I could push more on corners, and it looks bloody gorgeous as well