[Mr Podman]

I drove a rear-wheel-drive E46 for 15 years in Michigan and in the mountains of Colorado using all-season tires year around. I never got stuck.

Even so, when it came time to buy the F32 for Colorado mountain driving, xdrive was a no-brainer option.
Again, I just use all-season tires year around.

Average snowfall each winter here is 27 feet.


podman

[Fuller]

Whenever the subject of rwd vs awd comes up, there are always posts to the effect of, "I drove a Miata throughout winter in the Northwest Territories of Canada, and it was a tank!" "Once I even used it to tow a Ford Raptor out of a 20 foot snow drift."

While I'm sure you and your Miata are masters of the snow, for most people the best option is to choose the right tool for the job. In snowy climates, awd is always going to be more capable than rwd. Case closed. Sure, you can get snow tires for a rwd, but guess what, there's no law against outfitting an awd with snow tires either. The general rule of thumb is, assuming you drive sensibly, awd will get you through dicey road conditions with less drama.

[celsdogg]

AWD induces more confidence than ability/knowledge to the average driver.

[Skyhigh]

As it should. 4 is twice as much as 2.

[dan of montana]

Originally Posted by Fuller

Sure, you can get snow tires for a rwd, but guess what, there's no law against outfitting an awd with snow tires either.

I put snow tires on everything because all the cars need to stop and turn.
1 set for the RWD car.
1 set for the AWD car.
1 set for the 4WD truck.


Tires are the x factor here. I mean, everything we're talking about has all wheel support for stopping and turning. There is no "additional grip" up front because of all wheel drive. I mean maybe a higher coefficient of friction because of the weight, but that weight is going to be harder stop and turn.

[jh_f30]

So in summary, X-Drive owners say AWD is the best, RWD owners say you're fine sticking with RWD. To each their own.

I will say, those who say AWD is better all around might not be factoring gas mileage, mod availability, more flexibility in wheel/tire fitments, drivetrain losses, and the more objective "fun driving dynamics".

[super51fan]

Originally Posted by jh_f30

I will say, those who say AWD is better all around might not be factoring gas mileage, mod availability, more flexibility in wheel/tire fitments, drivetrain losses, and the more objective "fun driving dynamics".

Are we reading the same thread? Not a single person claims AWD is better all around.

Everyone knows the downsides to AWD, but this conversation is about driving in the snow and all those other factors are irrelevant in this conversation.

[jh_f30]

@Skyhigh seems to be a single person, with multiple posts to this thread. So yes, we are reading the same thread.

As you stated, this is a "conversation" correct? Do you not allow other points to be brought up in conversation that can relate to the original topic? Or do you just sit back and wait until someone says something that you can rebuff instead of you yourself contributing some semblance of added value?

[Skyhigh]

Of course AWD is better all around! I claim that, among many others, incl. car manufacturers (based on fact sheets).

HOWEVER - "better" almost never in life comes for free or free of some disadvantages!
AWD is more expensive to acquire (and potentially to maintain), adds another potential source of defects, adds weight, affects fuel consumption in a negative way and encourages you to grow up...

What can you do

To me all of the above worth the extra power transferred to the road, the extra acceleration and overall performance and most importantly - the much improved handling and safety - both in winter and in summer. RWD was never an option I've even considered. The alternative of buying an X-Drive was Quattro

P.s. my other car is FWD and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that - perfectly drive-able any season, very enjoyable as well. Still love driving it and taking care of it.
AWD is simply superior the same way 6 cylinders are superior to 4. And you could (very rightfully) say 2 additional cylinders also add to the price, to the weight and to the maintenance burden, as well as affect the MPG negatively. All true.

[jh_f30]

I respect your viewpoint. I'm personally still having trouble with the "growing up" part though.

I thoroughly enjoyed my WRX wagon for what it was, when I had it. I miss the manual tranny and the go-anywhere feel...I don't miss the understeer in that car.

[kern417]

I mean this question is obviously surrounding the idea that an owner wants a car to do it all and does RWD work. Yes it works, but if I want a car to do it all then it will be awd.

It's also like the rotary guys claiming that the cars are great and just require maintenance. That doesn't mean anyone would recommend it for a reliable daily driver.

[jh_f30]

Originally Posted by kern417

I mean this question is obviously surrounding the idea that an owner wants a car to do it all and does RWD work. Yes it works, but if I want a car to do it all then it will be awd.

It's also like the rotary guys claiming that the cars are great and just require maintenance. That doesn't mean anyone would recommend it for a reliable daily driver.

Can you imagine the the oil leaks in a rotary BMW??

[DgjoX6M2016]

Building on many of the comments, RWD is fine with with snow tires. I would also add a LSD would be ideal, as an open diff will just spin one rear tire (absent traction control).

So get a M3 with Blizzaks or Scorpions and send it....!

[Zara]

I drove my F30 RWD with summer tires during winter. It was a lot of fun lmao but I wouldn't recommend it..

Switched over to Continental DWS06s all seasons for last winter since they were rated as the best all season tires for the winter as well and have had zero issues driving on the snow since then.

[IanW555]

Yup, all year round on my winter and summer tyres 😎

[Mr Podman]

Back in 1984, Audi turned the world upside down at Pikes Peak by setting a new course record in an AWD Audi.

It's still true today. AWD at Pikes Peak won't guarantee you'll win, but having RWD guarantees you won't.



podman

[Fuller]

Originally Posted by IanW555

Yup, all year round on my winter and summer tyres 😎

If you try that in a region that can get significant below zero F temps, the tires can develop splits, sometimes in multiple places. Don't ask me how I know...

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by Mr Podman

Back in 1984, Audi turned the world upside down at Pikes Peak by setting a new course record in an AWD Audi.

It's still true today. AWD at Pikes Peak won't guarantee you'll win, but having RWD guarantees you won't.



podman

Something to keep in mind for those planning a trip to Pike's Peak. In decades of Michigan winters, RWD and studless winters had me "win" every day...getting to work and home safely. No need to carry around the cost/weight/even more numb steering/increased understeer all year long, and no problem getting all the power down to the road as well!

(Welcome back! )

[Mr Podman]

Originally Posted by Sportstick

Something to keep in mind for those planning a trip to Pike's Peak. In decades of Michigan winters, RWD and studless winters had me "win" every day...getting to work and home safely.

You broke even.

Something else to keep in mind for Michiganders planning a trip to Colorado. The sun shines in the winter out here, the humidity is dry and they don't dump salt on the road.

The world of automobilia in Colorado is populated with all wheel drive. It's considered to be a no-brainer, by enthusiasts and grocery getters alike.

[jh_f30]

Do you know ik6speed? I have a feeling you and he would get along.

[Mr Podman]

Originally Posted by jh_f30

Do you know ik6speed? I have a feeling you and he would get along.

You might be projecting.

[jh_f30]

Originally Posted by Mr Podman

You might be projecting.

Nah, not at all. I don't much like his "contributions" either. But whatever, you do you, bro. Whatever makes you feel...however it makes you feel. 👍🏼