Haldex Gen 4

[Greggles]

Hi all,

Saved my pennies and am now about to take the $2.5k (with remote) plunge on a Haldex Gen 4 traction upgrade for my R36. Any last words or thoughts from those who have the system already installed? Also what are the preferred settings for round-town vs track driving?

[R34]

I'd be keen to find out your thoughts after fitting one

[team_v]

Unles you are going to be tracking your car i don't see any real benefit for the cost.

I would be using the dosh on a set of race tyres since the haldex is more than suitable for road use and should be good enough for track days unless you are going every month and are racing competitively.

[Timbo]

Unles you are going to be tracking your car i don't see any real benefit for the cost.

I would be using the dosh on a set of race tyres since the haldex is more than suitable for road use and should be good enough for track days unless you are going every month and are racing competitively.

Agree. Haven't seen much evidence of lap time improvements with the Haldex controller, whereas there's a lot of evidence of the gains made through fitting a set of R-specs. Hence that's what I'd do first. And, if it doesn't help that much on the track, what benefits does it offer on the road?

[Lance B]

I have installed the Haldex and find it great. I use it in Race mode most of the time and think it is well worth the cost. Having said that, one man's meat is another's poison, so I guess it depends on what you consider value and what is important to you.

In Race mode and when pushed, the car exhibits better balance and a more neutral feel rather than the usual slight understeering nature. It hard to explain, but it also feels as though it is tighter due to the rear having more push behind it on acceleration, especially out of corners. I haven't tracked my car....yet, but even around town, the car feels better to drive due to the better balance, IMHO. As for not helping that much on track, I have no idea and at this juncture I don't care, but simply for the fact that the car feels better to drive when pushed it is worth it. Would I fit one again? Yes, but again, I guess it depends on what is important to you.

[rays5150]

Is there any issue with mechanical wear running in Race mode all the time?

[Guy_H]

There will be more mechanical wear in Race mode. For day to day stuff, sport mode is recommended by Haldex.

If you wanted to do Targa Tassie in Race mode, there will be no problem

I agree with LanceB, the feeling of the car is totally different - It would be a toss up on what mod next. R36 is an understeering beast, this takes a lot of that out (more fun on the street & track) - probably better value than tearing apart track tyres with massive understeer.

[R34]

Geez you really hate R36's don't you Guy
If you have ever driven the R36 back to back with any "sports" Audi, the R36 is horribly slow. "Promises a lot, delivers very little" Its a real shame, the chassis is great, brakes pretty good, just the engine is a let down.
And now it's a massive understeering beast too ??

[Rocket36]

ANY car is only as good as its driver...

[R34]

ANY car is only as good as its driver...

True , and understeer isn't necessarily a bad thing (unless you're a drifter )

[Guy_H]

I'm not an R36 hater by any means, My wife might have a wagon soon - so don't get me wrong! It could have just been so much better if VW had have wished it to be!

Understeer - yes, same as has plagued the R32 Golf, engine weight, engine placement, chassis balance. There are a lot of understeerers (hope thats a word!) out there. Golf R & Audi S3 to name a few more

[Swallowtail]

It could have just been so much better if VW had have wished it to be!

But at what cost? It's a $65K European car, not a $90K one. Any car is a compromise - not too many tick as many boxes. Sure it's only quick not blisteringly quick, but for those of us for whom an RS4 or an M3 are not realistic options, there is very little out there that comes close in so many ways.

Yes it understeers, but the chassis is actually pretty well balanced if you know what it likes - go in just right and you can make it dance. And the brakes are great... Realistically it needs another 20KW / 80NM but where do you stop?

Is it my perfect car? No, it could be quicker, the handling could be better, etc, etc... but I don't get those that bag it... Show me a better family size Euro for under 70K with AWD, 200+KW, and sub 6s 0-100.

[Rocket36]

Show me a better family size Euro for under 70K with AWD, 200+KW, and sub 6s 0-100.

And that right there really is the bottom line for everyone that buys one... At least I thought it was.

As Jeremy Clarkson says, "the R36 is like saying 'here's your fruit cake Vicar, with COCAINE IN IT!'"

[Timbo]

I like the R36, and if I still needed a family car or wagon, it'd be top of the list. Back in the day, when I did, I had a Volvo 740 turbo wagon. I used to see a lot of smirks from others, but the truth was, once I fitted Koni adjustable shocks and thicker front and rear bars, it was greatest 'stealth' car I've ever owned.

But back on topic, I'm interested in people's experience with the Gen 4 Haldex controller -- preferably more than anecdotal -- because I've not yet seen a car with it fitted manage appreciably better track times. Happy to hear if anyone has some time deltas to share.

[gead]

i entered the r36 in last weekends tarmac challenge....there were quite a few smirks at scruitneering....not so many at the end of the event....as rocket said its all about how you drive it...