RWD vs. AWD: handling differences?
#1
RWD vs. AWD: handling differences?
Hello,
Does anyone have any first hand experience driving a comparably equipped XE 3.0 RWD vs. 3.0 AWD? Did you notice any differences in handling in the dry?
I thought I've read some online reports stating that the RWD felt better, but I don't think there was much exact science behind it. Granted, the AWD is about 200 lbs heavier, so that alone could potentially impact handling. Not sure what else...
The reason I ask is that I want an RWD one, but my local dealer only has RWD ones available on the lot for test drives. He claims I will not notice any difference between AWD and RWD on dry pavement, but of course he would say that given that all he has is AWD ones to try.
Thanks!
Does anyone have any first hand experience driving a comparably equipped XE 3.0 RWD vs. 3.0 AWD? Did you notice any differences in handling in the dry?
I thought I've read some online reports stating that the RWD felt better, but I don't think there was much exact science behind it. Granted, the AWD is about 200 lbs heavier, so that alone could potentially impact handling. Not sure what else...
The reason I ask is that I want an RWD one, but my local dealer only has RWD ones available on the lot for test drives. He claims I will not notice any difference between AWD and RWD on dry pavement, but of course he would say that given that all he has is AWD ones to try.
Thanks!
#3
I have a AWD XE Sport and the AWD is all they sell in Canada. I can't give you a comparison, however, I suggest you take an AWD out for a spirited drive and test it out.
The weight will make some difference overall and if you accelerate when turning or in a bend etc.. you can tell if the AWD is coming on, so as to speak. In my opinion its very smooth, seamless and hard to tell its an AWD.
I enjoy high performance cars and the V-6 is fairly quick, but not actually in the high performance category, however it really handles very well overall, a real joy to drive.
Lawrence.
The weight will make some difference overall and if you accelerate when turning or in a bend etc.. you can tell if the AWD is coming on, so as to speak. In my opinion its very smooth, seamless and hard to tell its an AWD.
I enjoy high performance cars and the V-6 is fairly quick, but not actually in the high performance category, however it really handles very well overall, a real joy to drive.
Lawrence.
#5
Anyway, I'm going to drive the awd one. If I like it, then I'll probably like the rwd version even more. I've been driving an rwd car for the past 10 years.
#7
'02 bmw 530i manual.
I test drove a 3.0 awd xe today back to back against a 340i. I preferred the handling and the engine notes of the bmw. XE's handling was just ok, but all in all did not feel that engaging to me. I felt the trans programming was better in the bmw, and all in all, it just felt more buttoned up/refined. Hard to put it in words. I'm sure it's personal preference to a large degree.
I test drove a 3.0 awd xe today back to back against a 340i. I preferred the handling and the engine notes of the bmw. XE's handling was just ok, but all in all did not feel that engaging to me. I felt the trans programming was better in the bmw, and all in all, it just felt more buttoned up/refined. Hard to put it in words. I'm sure it's personal preference to a large degree.
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#8
'02 bmw 530i manual.
I test drove a 3.0 awd xe today back to back against a 340i. I preferred the handling and the engine notes of the bmw. XE's handling was just ok, but all in all did not feel that engaging to me. I felt the trans programming was better in the bmw, and all in all, it just felt more buttoned up/refined. Hard to put it in words. I'm sure it's personal preference to a large degree.
I test drove a 3.0 awd xe today back to back against a 340i. I preferred the handling and the engine notes of the bmw. XE's handling was just ok, but all in all did not feel that engaging to me. I felt the trans programming was better in the bmw, and all in all, it just felt more buttoned up/refined. Hard to put it in words. I'm sure it's personal preference to a large degree.
As you noted the reviews of the Jaguar are quite polarized with respect to AWD vs RWD. That is one of the reasons why I have avoided test driving the AWD R-Sport which the dealer has in stock instead waiting for the RWD to arrive.
In the meantime, I'm also looking at Audi A4. I did not like the standard car. Today I'm going in to try one with the sport pack.
I'm a bit bummed with BMW because, even though the design is good, quality is very much lacking. My < 2 year old car is full of rattles, squeaks, and clicks. The engine has a slight shrill whine. And there's whistling from wind noise. I have taken it to the dealer to address these issues and they have done the best they can (I think), but the quality is just lacking. As a result, I simply cannot recommend the BMW.
#9
Fyi, there was some wind noise/whistle when driving the xe on hwy as well.
Also, the AC in auto mode would keep switching the compressor on and off which would result in you getting hit with humid air every couple of minutes. Very annoying. not sure if there was something wrong with the one i drove or if they all do it.
The various body panels didnt seem to fit tightly together either. and then there were some really cheap plastics in the interior. Not a deal breaker, but kind of a letdown in this price segment.
Also, the AC in auto mode would keep switching the compressor on and off which would result in you getting hit with humid air every couple of minutes. Very annoying. not sure if there was something wrong with the one i drove or if they all do it.
The various body panels didnt seem to fit tightly together either. and then there were some really cheap plastics in the interior. Not a deal breaker, but kind of a letdown in this price segment.
#10
Fyi, there was some wind noise/whistle when driving the xe on hwy as well.
Also, the AC in auto mode would keep switching the compressor on and off which would result in you getting hit with humid air every couple of minutes. Very annoying. not sure if there was something wrong with the one i drove or if they all do it.
Also, the AC in auto mode would keep switching the compressor on and off which would result in you getting hit with humid air every couple of minutes. Very annoying. not sure if there was something wrong with the one i drove or if they all do it.
The A4 was super quiet on the highway, but it just wasn't enjoyable.
#13
They only have AWD's where I live and honestly even with a spirited test drive I could not tell if it was AWD.
The system works 10% front 90% rear torque bias, with 20%/80% under hard acceleration. Thus you almost never feel that front wheels are doing anything.
Under hard acceleration through the corners, the car rotates very well and seems very RWD biased. The only time I felt AWD was in pouring rain coming out from a very tight corner under hard acceleration. That's when I felt that the front wheels were pulling.
The issue with AWD is weight. It distorts the 50/50 weight distribution to 52.7/47.3
The system works 10% front 90% rear torque bias, with 20%/80% under hard acceleration. Thus you almost never feel that front wheels are doing anything.
Under hard acceleration through the corners, the car rotates very well and seems very RWD biased. The only time I felt AWD was in pouring rain coming out from a very tight corner under hard acceleration. That's when I felt that the front wheels were pulling.
The issue with AWD is weight. It distorts the 50/50 weight distribution to 52.7/47.3
#14
Thanks, although that didn't really answer my question. The question was: if you were to drive AWD and RWD versions back-to-back, would you notice a difference?
#16
I've driven both an AWD and RWD XE 35t R sport and I have two things to say.
1) The steering feel on the RWD is heavier than the steering in the AWD. To my taste, it's perfectly weighted for a practical but sporty sedan/saloon car. The feel was excellent on both, but the RWD had a heavier feel. I drove a 435i m sport and the steering sucked compared to the XE's steering. The beamer was light, had no feel, and just sucked.
2) The AWD didn't feel heavier than the RWD model despite being a couple hundred pounds heavier. The engine pulls so strong and the ZF transmission are perfectly matched. This combo blasts right through the extra weight. I didn't even really feel it in the nose of the car. I think if I had been able to drive them back to back, its more likely that I would have sensed something though.
1) The steering feel on the RWD is heavier than the steering in the AWD. To my taste, it's perfectly weighted for a practical but sporty sedan/saloon car. The feel was excellent on both, but the RWD had a heavier feel. I drove a 435i m sport and the steering sucked compared to the XE's steering. The beamer was light, had no feel, and just sucked.
2) The AWD didn't feel heavier than the RWD model despite being a couple hundred pounds heavier. The engine pulls so strong and the ZF transmission are perfectly matched. This combo blasts right through the extra weight. I didn't even really feel it in the nose of the car. I think if I had been able to drive them back to back, its more likely that I would have sensed something though.
The following 2 users liked this post by FrankTheTank:
mosesbotbol (08-31-2016),
Panthro (08-10-2023)
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