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Ultimate AWD Sports Sedans

855 messages,  Last post on Feb 08, 2012 at 8:57 AM

You are in the Sedans Forum.

What is this discussion about? BMW 3 Series, Audi A4, Volvo S60 R, Subaru Legacy, Audi S4, Mazda MAZDASPEED MAZDA6, Sedan

Messages Page 64 of 86

#628 of 855 Re: Edmunds: RS4 > IS-F [circlew] by habitat1

Oct 31, 2007 (1:44 am)

Replying to: circlew (Oct 30, 2007 6:51 pm)
Do you really think Audi handling performance is that much better 335xi vs. an A4 awd?
 
I think there are too many varieties of fruit getting into the basket for meaningful comparison here. As Shipo said, the AWD RS4 "winning" against the RWD IS-F is hardly a validation of anything.
 
As for BMW's vs. Audi's AWD systems, IMO, Audi's gets more accolades because the alternative in the A4 is a ho-hum FWD system that, frankly, didn't feel as nimble or tight as my TL 6-speed back in 2004 (and that's not saying much). Other than it's still too damn heavy, I would have to recommend the AWD A4 over the FWD A4 for almost any driving condition.
 
With the BMW, you are comparing their AWD system to arguably the best balanced, best handling RWD sedan on the market. Now that AWD added weight, imbalancing effect etc. becomes much more apparant, IMO.
 
You have already gone on record as stating that you prefer the handling of the 330xi over the non-sport 330i. I can't speak directly to that, because I've only driven the sport versions of both and have an opposite preference. And virtually all of the enthusiasts I know (who are better drivers than me) go in favor of the RWD versions of both the 3 and 5 series for performance. But in the end, there is still as much subjectivity to this equation as objectivity. My sence of "heavy" may be your sense of "planted" - and it appears from just this forum there are people who prefer a heavier, planted feel over a lighter, more nimble one. So be it.

#629 of 855 Re: boo! [unlimitedjoe] by habitat1

Oct 31, 2007 (2:01 am)

Replying to: unlimitedjoe (Oct 30, 2007 4:35 pm)
hey habitat if that don't scare you, go on u tube and watch, boogatti and other scary awd friends, MASSACRE rwd kids!
 
I guess those boob tube videographers didn't invite the RWD SSC Ultimate Aero TT?
 
From Wikopedia:
 
The first run clocked 257.41 The return trip came up with 254.88 for the previously mentioned average of 256.18 besting Bugatti Veyron's speed by more than 2 mph (3 km/h). The results of this test, verified by Guinness World Records on October 9, 2007, gave the SSC Aero the world's fastest production car title.[5]
 
So sorry to take the wind out of your sails, Joe, but at least now when you are in fantasyland, you can fantasize about a car that is not only faster than the Boogerati, but about half of its price. Such a bargain.
 
I'm sticking a little closer to the surface of planet Earth when it comes to my car preferences, but dream away my friend.

#630 of 855 New Possibility by tiff_c

Oct 31, 2007 (2:45 am)

It seems at the SEMA show they built an AWD Mazdaspeed 3.
It's in the Edmunds article on SEMA.
Supposedly it's an STi killer. I could go for something like that if it's stock and the price is right.

#631 of 855 Again... by pat

Oct 31, 2007 (5:37 am)

This is not the place for an ongoing debate about RWD vehicles vs AWD vehicles. We have a perfect place for that right here: FWD, AWD, RWD and the Luxury Performance Sedans.
 
Thanks.

#632 of 855 Re: Again... [pat] by tiff_c

Oct 31, 2007 (9:36 am)

Replying to: pat (Oct 31, 2007 5:37 am)
Wait the new Mazdaspeed 3 built at SEMA has a chance at production and is in fact AWD. How is that off topic? It's fast and will hold it's own with many other cars like the BMW 325xi etc...
For it's price there is no other AWD that could touch it certainly not the feeble WRX! So for the money it would be the Ultimate AWD. Plus a useable hatchback style body.

#633 of 855 Re: Again... [tiff_c] by ateixeira

Oct 31, 2007 (12:10 pm)

Replying to: tiff_c (Oct 31, 2007 9:36 am)
It's not a sedan, though. (Nothing wrong with that, but this is a sedans thread)
 
I haven't sampled the latest BMW 3 series AWD models. I've driven the X3, but the AWD system has been revised since I've been behind the wheel.
 
I linked to the article more to show that Edmunds' ultimate sports sedan happens to be AWD. Not to compare Audi's Quattro to Lexus' RWD IS.

#634 of 855 Re: Again... [pat] by pat

Oct 31, 2007 (1:21 pm)

Replying to: pat (Oct 31, 2007 5:37 am)
Sorry if you thought I was responding to you, I was not. Several previous posts prompted that one of mine.

#635 of 855 $138,500.00 by unlimitedjoe

Oct 31, 2007 (7:20 pm)

THAT'S ALOT OF CANDY, for the upcoming RS6, i just read that it should outright beat the M5.
 
but who knows what those guys at bmw have instore for 2009?
anything twin TURBO scares me, especially a M5 awd twin turbo.
 
we will see!
 
until then safe & fun driving gentleman

#636 of 855 Re: boo! [habitat1] by unlimitedjoe

Oct 31, 2007 (9:59 pm)

Replying to: habitat1 (Oct 31, 2007 2:01 am)
yep, you win top speed, but thats it.
at the track you loose, at 1/4mi. you loose, at 0to60, yep you loose, and every other catagory, bugatti wins, even in braking.
 
thats enough wind for my sails!
 
maybe the doubled price has it's many reasons.
 
safe & fun driving gentlemen.

#637 of 855 Re: Again... [ateixeira] by tiff_c

Oct 31, 2007 (10:36 pm)

Replying to: ateixeira (Oct 31, 2007 12:10 pm)
It's not a sedan, though. (Nothing wrong with that, but this is a sedans thread)
 
Oops!
You've got me on that one although I'd still like to see a AWD MazdaSpeed 3 and an AWD Mini Cooper S for sale!

Messages Page 64 of 86

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