BMWs quattro

BMWs quattro

WHAT! I didnt know they even did these.

I want one.

Bmws have always been a no go around here because of the snow we get, but an x-drive. Hello.

Sounds like plenty!

I keep seeing 'x-drive' on bmw's, but what exactly is it?

 

4 wheel drive

They've done them since the e30 3 series and the e34 5 series at least, possibly earlier. Not big in this country, if avalajble at all.

Still has a 70% rear power bias I believe (maybe not for the current models).

I don't get the snow thing. Just shove some winter tyres on and tada. People don't mock mercs or jags for it in the same way either...

Edited 11 August, 201411 yr by TriggerFish

They've done them since the e30 3 series and the e34 5 series at least, possibly earlier. Not big in the country, if avalajble at all.

Still has a 70% rear power bias I believe (maybe not for the current models).

I don't get the snow thing. Just shove some winter tyres on and tada. People don't mock mercs or jags for it in the same way either...

Yes! 525 IX if I remember correctly and the same respectively for the E30 they were meant to be quite good with mild off road usage from what I heard as I know someone who owned one ages ago to tow a horse box so it used to go down grassy slopes!

I was an anti-auto snob until purchasing the Mk5. The one I found I really liked was a 6sp DSG but had tiptronic and paddles so I thought I might as well have a go because I had the option to kind of circumvent the auto. Test drove it with apprehension- I think i've used the tiptronic once its so bloody good. Autos aren't the dullards they once were. 

Brilliant!

Yeah the standard ones are quite useless in the snow. Mercs are no different. Winter tyres do help, but if theres no weight on the wheels, theyre still carp compared to a FWD or 4WD

Honestly. Iv pushed many a bmw or merc out in the snow, only for them to get stuck again 10m down the road. Its a complete waste of time.

Our polo with snow tyres on would happily do the lot of em as they stopped, Still spinning. Without even as much as a wheel spin

Yes! 525 IX if I remember correctly and the same respectively for the E30 they were meant to be quite good with mild off road usage from what I heard as I know someone who owned one ages ago to tow a horse box so it used to go down grassy slopes!

Yeah,they lacked the clearance for proper off roading, but for tracks/lanes and bad weather/general traction, would be OK I guess. Preferable to a 4x4 of the 80s if you dont need the ground clearance IMO anyway

I was an anti-auto snob until purchasing the Mk5. The one I found I really liked was a 6sp DSG but had tiptronic and paddles so I thought I might as well have a go because I had the option to kind of circumvent the auto. Test drove it with apprehension- I think i've used the tiptronic once its so bloody good. Autos aren't the dullards they once were.

Yup! Remember how slow, dreary and boring they used to be.

They used to be much slower than a manual didnt they. Now even the DSG on vw's, skodas is faster than a manual change.

Clever really.

Brilliant!

Yeah the standard ones are quite useless in the snow. Mercs are no different. Winter tyres do help, but if theres no weight on the wheels, theyre still carp compared to a FWD or 4WD

Honestly. Iv pushed many a bmw or merc out in the snow, only for them to get stuck again 10m down the road. Its a complete waste of time.

Our polo with snow tyres on would happily do the lot of em as they stopped, Still spinning. Without even as much as a wheel spin

 

They seem to manage in Germany where winter tyres are compulsary.

 

I've been in fully loaded up E-Class mercs setting off on 20% inclines without it batting an eyelid.

 

And remember that most of the taxis (nearly all) are diesel rear wheel drive E class's and I've never one seen anyone struggling or getting stuck even when we were up in the mountains in thick snow.

 

Phil

It is often funny listening to people who have tried driving automatics in winter, had a go in them etc.

compared to people who own and drive automatics all the time, all year in all weather conditions and Front Drivers, Rear Drivers & All Wheel Driver Automatics.

 

Throttles do not need to be pushed hard, Auto Gearboxes often have Winter/Snow/Cold Weather settings, and Electrics Can be and sometimes need switched off.

Then of course tyres matter, but no more than with Manual Geabox cars really.

 

Automatics just happen to be very good in Snow when driven according to the conditions and tyres etc. Well In my Experience.

 

george

I have found it far easier driving the DSG in snow and I ever have in a manual car.

 

The benefit being that as soon as your off the brake the car begins to creep and without risk of being too harsh with the clutch and getting wheel spin.

 

Plus being able to force it to stay in a particular gear and the ability to turn of ASR for when some wheel spin is required.

 

You are also always in gear and so more control is maintained should you loose grip. It can be all too tempting to drop the clutch and try and regain control without drive to the engine engaged.

 

Phil

Nature gave us two legs. How can you drive a car with three pedals anyway?

 

A lot of high performance cars come with auto as standard. Have you ever tried keeping up with gears changes with 500+ under the hood?

 

Wouldn't call people who drive those cars non-enthusiasts.

Nature gave us two legs. How can you drive a car with three pedals anyway?

 

A lot of high performance cars come with auto as standard. Have you ever tried keeping up with gears changes with 500+ under the hood?

 

Wouldn't call people who drive those cars non-enthusiasts.

 

Hah. Never thought of it like that... 2 legs for 2 pedals. Although technically you only need one leg for the 2 pedals as you don't use your left leg. You could re-train yourself to use your left foot for just the brake though I suppose.

 

Phil

A lot of high performance cars come with auto as standard. Have you ever tried keeping up with gears changes with 500+ under the hood?

Yup. A GTR has changed gear in less time than it takes to press the clutch manually, let alone changed gear and let the clutch out again

Its pretty damn instant isnt it

You could re-train yourself to use your left foot for just the brake though I suppose.

Phil

Yeah. But expect some extremely fast stops as you get used to it haha.

I tried left foot braking once. Nearly went through the windscreen.

I think the DSG can change gear in 8ms... I would be very impressed if someone could change gear in a normal manual car that quick!

 

Phil

Yeah. But expect some extremely fast stops as you get used to it haha.

I tried left foot braking once. Nearly went through the windscreen.

proves the brakes work

Yeah. But expect some extremely fast stops as you get used to it haha.

I tried left foot braking once. Nearly went through the windscreen.

 

Haha. That would be like my other half the day we test drove the Octavia... pulled back into the dealers car park and went to put the clutch in... except there was no clutch and caught the brake! Oops!

 

Phil

I think the DSG can change gear in 8ms... I would be very impressed if someone could change gear in a normal manual car that quick!

Phil

After a curious google search, a GTR in race mode will change in 0.2 seconds.

After a curious google search, a GTR in race mode will change in 0.2 seconds.

 

I have my time off a bit then... I think I meant 0.8 seconds (so 800 milliseconds).

 

Phil

Actually... I have been searching again and that figure of 8ms is mentioned all over so I'm pretty sure it's 8ms.

 

That means the Nissan GTR shifts in 200ms... 192ms slower than a DSG can! Impressive.

 

Phil

I have a CVT, you say the DSG is quick?  Seamless up and down the box.

 

I wasn't sure if I'd like an automatic after years in a manual. Not going back now.

 

I was even less sure I'd like a CVT, but its so silky smooth I don't think I'd even want any jerk'o'matic. It is bizarre though, completely different to any other gearbox, or anything you'd expect from one. Like accelerating without the RPM changing at all. Or the sudden surge, very much like a very badly slipping clutch when you floor it.

I have my time off a bit then... I think I meant 0.8 seconds (so 800 milliseconds).

Phil

Yeah. That sounds about right.

Gtr would then he 200ms

Actually... I have been searching again and that figure of 8ms is mentioned all over so I'm pretty sure it's 8ms.

That means the Nissan GTR shifts in 200ms... 192ms slower than a DSG can! Impressive.

Phil

I think something is wrong here haha.