A Cars forum. AutoBanter

If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

Go Back   Home » AutoBanter forum » Auto makers » BMW
Site Map Home Register Authors List Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read Web Partners

AWD vs RWD -which handles better in good conditions?



 
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old May 25th 14, 01:44 AM posted to alt.autos.bmw
really real
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 34
Default AWD vs RWD -which handles better in good conditions?

I live on a very steep hill, and for those few slushy days, I need AWD.
I was very happy that BMW started making their xDrive system.

I always assumed that with AWD, one pays a price as the car is heavier,
and I assumed, the handling in good conditions wasn't as good.

I'm confused about handling anyway. The first time I drove a front wheel
drive car, I was utterly impressed with the handling. I've always had
front wheel drive ever since, and was surprised to hear so many good
things about rear wheel drive.

But now that I have BMW 3281 AWD , am I getting handling as good as a
rear wheel drive BMW?
Ads
  #2  
Old May 25th 14, 11:18 AM posted to alt.autos.bmw
jeanyves
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 6
Default AWD vs RWD -which handles better in good conditions?

On 2014-05-25 02:44:06 +0200, really real said:

> I live on a very steep hill, and for those few slushy days, I need AWD.
> I was very happy that BMW started making their xDrive system.
>
> I always assumed that with AWD, one pays a price as the car is heavier,
> and I assumed, the handling in good conditions wasn't as good.
>
> I'm confused about handling anyway. The first time I drove a front
> wheel drive car, I was utterly impressed with the handling. I've always
> had front wheel drive ever since, and was surprised to hear so many
> good things about rear wheel drive.
>
> But now that I have BMW 3281 AWD , am I getting handling as good as a
> rear wheel drive BMW?


I had a 330d wagon E46 and then a 330xd wagon E46 between 2000 and 2013
basically the same cars except that the second was really more
powerfull than the first.

you have a light that gets on when the electronic detects a slippery
road the bmw "DTC" or "ESP" for other brands.
it was quite easy to light it with the 330d : any wet road, a
roundabout, a wet roundabout (easy !)

it was quite impossible to light it with the 330xd. I only could do it
once or twice under heavy rain and bad road and fast speed at the same
time...

--

Jean-Yves.

  #3  
Old May 25th 14, 12:40 PM posted to alt.autos.bmw
R. Mark Clayton
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 778
Default AWD vs RWD -which handles better in good conditions?


"really real" > wrote in message
...
>I live on a very steep hill, and for those few slushy days, I need AWD. I
>was very happy that BMW started making their xDrive system.
>
> I always assumed that with AWD, one pays a price as the car is heavier,
> and I assumed, the handling in good conditions wasn't as good.
>
> I'm confused about handling anyway. The first time I drove a front wheel
> drive car, I was utterly impressed with the handling. I've always had
> front wheel drive ever since, and was surprised to hear so many good
> things about rear wheel drive.
>
> But now that I have BMW 3281 AWD , am I getting handling as good as a rear
> wheel drive BMW?


Basic car (< 100kW)

FWD good handling, better than RWD in snow / rain
RWD good handling in dry, more difficult (but predictable) in wet, poor
in snow
AWD good handling in all conditions, but noticeable penalty in
performance and fuel consumption

Powerful car (>100kW)

FWD moderate handling - encounters problems with wheel spin under hard
acceleration, especially in wet
RWD good in dry, fishtails under hard straight-line acceleration in the
wet, difficult in wet, bad in snow (especially on wide tyres)
RWD with LSD / DSC LSD or DSC will prevent fishtailing, DSC will also
remove power slides and improve handling in snow*
4WD good in all conditions, performance penalty less noticeable and
offset by better application (e.g. Bentley Flying Spur burning off a drag
racer with ease), however you still pay for it at the pump and in the
workshop. Offset torque distribution (e.g Ferguson Formula) or an automatic
system will giver the best results.


Most mass market cars have gone over to FWD, even Ford who held out the
longest. OTOH BMW have stuck with it as most of their cars are high
performance.


* in 2011 I foolishly followed a 4WD down a narrow hilly country lane in my
735i after heavy snow. I managed to turn it around in a farm yard, and then
tried to re-ascend the hill. Gently throttle application and the DSC meant
I was able to crawl out slowly and steadily and not slide off to the side.
Without DSC it would have been nearly impossible.


  #4  
Old May 25th 14, 11:04 PM posted to alt.autos.bmw
Scott Dorsey
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 3,914
Default AWD vs RWD -which handles better in good conditions?

really real > wrote:
>I always assumed that with AWD, one pays a price as the car is heavier,
>and I assumed, the handling in good conditions wasn't as good.


Not all AWD systems are the same. The design of the center differential
makes a big difference in performance and some use hydraulic coupling that
allows the vehicle to drive very much like a RWD under good conditions.

The Subaru AWD system handles remarkably well and permits you to adjust
the compliance of the coupling to meet the road conditions. The BMW
system I can't say anything about because I have never driven it.

BUT.... your point about the added weight is an important one and one that
people seem to miss. Don't forget the added complexity of the drive
train and the added repair difficulty either.

>But now that I have BMW 3281 AWD , am I getting handling as good as a
>rear wheel drive BMW?


I don't know, but I suggest you go to to the dealer and test drive a
3-series RWD and decide for yourself. I'd love to know what you think!
--scott

--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."
  #5  
Old May 29th 14, 11:47 PM posted to alt.autos.bmw
dizzy[_2_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 40
Default AWD vs RWD -which handles better in good conditions?

really real > wrote:

>I live on a very steep hill, and for those few slushy days, I need AWD.
>I was very happy that BMW started making their xDrive system.
>
>I always assumed that with AWD, one pays a price as the car is heavier,
>and I assumed, the handling in good conditions wasn't as good.
>
>I'm confused about handling anyway. The first time I drove a front wheel
>drive car, I was utterly impressed with the handling. I've always had
>front wheel drive ever since, and was surprised to hear so many good
>things about rear wheel drive.
>
>But now that I have BMW 3281 AWD , am I getting handling as good as a
>rear wheel drive BMW?


It's "about the same", being essentially the same car and still having
a near 50/50 weight balance. If you need to negetiate steep hills, or
live where plowing is less frequent, it's a good choice.

Since I live in town, I choose not to pay extra for the added weight
and complexity that I don't want. Most people don't need it. I've
never had a problem in over a decade, but I do swap tires/wheels
Spring and Fall, running Dunlop Winter Sports in the Winter.

Front drive cars can be made to handle OK, with lighter and
lower-powered motors and stiffer suspension. Rear drive is obviously
better, though, and becomes more important the sportier you drive.

I am amazed, actually, at how hard ALL the luxury brands are pushing
AWD, these days. Lexus dealers around here do not even stock RWD
cars, and they are rare even at BMW. Mercedes is pretty-much going
AWD, too.

I thought we were supposed to be down-sizing, yet everywhere I look I
see AWD cars that weigh more and get worse gas milage than they would
if they were RWD. Start/stop and electric sterring boost makes up for
that? I don't think so.

 




Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
How would you like these conditions? Studemania Driving 0 March 6th 08 05:52 AM
Wonder how this Miata handles? Scott Streeter[_4_] Mazda 14 June 1st 07 01:46 AM
AWA [OFFER] HANDLES [email protected] General 0 December 22nd 05 01:52 PM
66 Bug Door handles Patrick VW air cooled 2 August 15th 05 01:54 AM
Door handles 89 Colt Steven Porter Dodge 0 October 20th 04 10:24 PM


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 10:27 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.6.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright ©2004-2024 AutoBanter.
The comments are property of their posters.