Quote:
Originally Posted by Ron Scott
You guys are missing the point enTIREly, IMO.
Sure, you can separate discrete road conditions to find which car component contributes to traction, but the bottom line is twofold, again IMO and I've driven a number of 2000+ RWD 3s including and F30, in addition to my F30 335 DHP xDrive:
1. The F30 xDrive delivers 99% of what older RWDs did in terms of feel and steer.
2. The F30 xDrive kicks the living shit out of RWD in actual, real-time slippery conditions regardless of what tires you're switching back-and-forth all year round on your RWD.
I find it very hard to believe people who are putting the F30 xDrive and F30 RWD to head-to-head tests in all conditions think the RWD is the better performer in all conditions.
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I don't think we are missing the point. What we are saying is that xDrive only enhances traction on acceleration. Braking and turning traction is the same for RWD and xDrive. Therefore, tires decide what car will perform better under braking and turning. xDrive only gives a clear advantage in 1 out of 3 areas the car needs to perform in poor weather. The other two are determined by tire choice. Overall, the xDrive car will perform better in bad conditions because it has the advantage in acceleration. Given similar tires, the xDrive car will accelerate better, turn equally as well and brake equally as well... therefore, overall better. If the xDrive had all seasons, it would still likely accelerate better but stop and turn less well than a RWD car with winters. Overall, maybe still better because getting going is important... but so is stopping
An xDrive car with winter tires is as good or better in every winter related condition.
Also, your point that the xDrive car is 99% of the feel and performance of the RWD car is true during daily commuting but not in aggressive driving IMO. I have also spent a lot of time in AWD cars (not just xDrive cars) and there is absolutely a difference in feel, performance and mostly fun factor IMO. Go to the track in an RS5 and then in an M3 and tell me which one is more fun regardless of actual lap times
Also, the extra weight of xDrive, non staggered tires and the increased ride height (although this is largely cosmetic) will impact handling in summer. Is it hugely different, no. Would it be noticeable in aggressive driving, yes. Is it relevant in day to day commutes, no. Many people enjoy driving their car aggressively and the RWD bias is absolutely noticeable. If you don't notice it, that is because you aren't pushing the car hard enough. RWD cars are a challenge and very fun to drive hard. xDrive takes away some of that in the summer. It may not matter to everyone but it does to some.
At the end of the day, I'm not suggesting that a RWD is better than an xDrive car but they are different in their dynamics and there is no disputing that in my mind. I may go with the AWD variant of the next car I buy so I am, in fact, a fan of the concept. However, there are small comprises one makes to go AWD in any car during summer months when the roads are clear and dry and that is a fact. People then need to decide which is more important given their driving style and weather conditions.