AWD in BMW's, Porsches, Audi, and Subaru - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

Magna · 17th December 2002, 01:35

I know each company designs their AWD differently but which car company makes the best one? Difficult question to answer, I know, and the different AWDs are designed for different purposes. For example, I can't imagine Porsche's AWD system in the 911 is designed for snow traction or off-roading, while the Subaru system probably is. Perhaps that's why the Subarus don't handle well.

If Porsche makes an AWD for the 911 so that it handles better, would AWD on the M5 be really bad?

TCM · 17th December 2002, 02:26

Jackie:

You are correct in that each company designs AWD to fit their cars best. As far as putting AWD in the M5, I do not like the idea. AWD hurts handling as it makes the car heavier and understeer more (please correct me if I cam wrong here). I was lucky enough to drive the 996TT and the car actually does not handle well, it just GRIPS like there is no tommorrow!! I beleive if you ask some Porsche philes you will find that the C2 996 will outhandle the 996tt.

ycchan · 17th December 2002, 06:34

Nissan Skyline GTR AWD system?? Just a thought

Magna · 20th December 2002, 01:25

Hi TC: you must be done with finals now. saw the nice pics of your installation of 'rockets' new exhaust.

TCM · 20th December 2002, 23:15

Magna:

Yes, all done with finals now

. They were short and torturous(sp), but at least they went by quickly

.

MEnthusiast · 21st December 2002, 04:22

I think you have to ask why Porsche puts AWD in the turbo, but on their more ultimate car, the GT2, its left out. I dont think the AWD makes the car better or worse, but it makes it more appropriate for a wider audience becuase of Porsche's very rear biased weight distribution. BMWs dont have this characteristic. Porsche advocates will tell you the rear weight bias really defines what makes a 911- and it helps with acceleration and even stopping. I personally think Im with BMW in making a 50/50 distribution as a goal. Not to knock Porsche, I think they are right to put awd in the 911 turbo, but is it necessary in a M5? this generation: definately not, would add more weight and isnt required for traction. but maybe with even more power BMW will find awd is required. only time will tell...........

qrac · 21st December 2002, 06:16

aren't subarus 4wd and not awd?

para22 · 21st December 2002, 10:49

Quote:

Originally posted by ycchan
Nissan Skyline GTR AWD system?? Just a thought

Ahh the ATESSA PRO... my brother in NZ has a skyline GTR , lucky ba$tard...

... You press a button and the car is 100% RWD , when it's rain or snow you switch on the AWD , everything adjustable... like a dream...

tfung · 21st December 2002, 12:07

Quote:

Originally posted by para22
Ahh the ATESSA PRO... my brother in NZ has a skyline GTR , lucky ba$tard... ... You press a button and the car is 100% RWD , when it's rain or snow you switch on the AWD , everything adjustable... like a dream...

are you sure of that? All the GTR's that I know of is a AWD system... I think normally it's 20/80% and if needed for extra traction, power is transfered to the front to 40/60%....

Finality · 22nd December 2002, 03:18

Last I checked you needed to pull a fuse in the R34 to get it functioning as a RWD car though making that a flick switch would be really easy.

para22 · 22nd December 2002, 12:13

Quote:

Originally posted by Finality
Last I checked you needed to pull a fuse in the R34 to get it functioning as a RWD car though making that a flick switch would be really easy.

R32 and R33 literally have a button on the dash that makes them 100% RWD.