4Matic

[Naraic]

^+1.

But in reality...not necessarily...the question has so many answers...depending on the system employed.

 

[st4]

Ask a rally driver!

Probably but in a world of NSLs, junctions and roundabouts is it that vital.

Rallying is done on loose surfaces, roads aren't loose. F1 cars, touring cars and le mans cars that travel on Tarmac don't have two driven axels

 

[st4]

^+1.

But in reality...not necessarily...the question has so many answers...depending on the system employed.

Decent tyres are your friend. The biggest improvement I made to a car was putting decent tyres on the back

They help with braking too, which is nice.

 

[Naraic]

Back on topic...it'll be great to see MB do 4 matic in rhd...if they do.

 

[Naraic]

Decent tyres are your friend. The biggest improvement I made to a car was putting decent tyres on the back

The help with that other thing that's vital too, braking.

OK you're right...decent tyres on RWD is the safest (not the fwd that is usually cited as safest).

Decent tyres on the front will be better braking than decent tyres on the back.

 

[st4]

Back on topic...it'll be great to see MB do 4 matic in rhd...if they do.

I'm not against choice, I am for it, so I'll agree. It's just not one I'd make.

 

[st4]

OK you're right...decent tyres on RWD is the safest (not the fwd that is usually cited as safest).

lol

 

[toby1]

Probably but in a world of NSLs, junctions and roundabouts is it that vital.

Rallying is done on loose surfaces, roads aren't loose. F1 cars, touring cars and le mans cars that travel on Tarmac don't have two driven axels

Corsican Rally
Catalyuan Rally
Rally of Germany
etc

 

[Naraic]

Circuit of Ireland
Donegal Rally

...the Tarmac series...

 

[prwales]

You need weight over the driven axel so fwd or a 911 work well in slippery or icy conditions, not convinced about rwd in poor conditions.:neutral:

 

[turbopete]

You need weight over the driven axel so fwd or a 911 work well in slippery or icy conditions, not convinced about rwd in poor conditions.:neutral:

easily remedied with a few concrete slabs or bags of sand etc.

or the MIL in the boot!

 

[st4]

Circuit of Ireland
Donegal Rally

...the Tarmac series...

And what about other forms of motorsports? The cars are not 4wd.

 

[toby1]

I dare say it's not permitted in the regulations, but that's a guess on my part

 

[whitenemesis]

4 wheels providing traction has got to be better than just 2

 

[television]

4 wheels providing traction has got to be better than just 2

True and I think that Clarkson has proved that to be true on Top Gear enough

 

[tode]

I think it's a question of striking a happy medium.

I was very tempted by a 4matic (since we're LHD over here), but thinking about the continuous extra fuel (even in the middle of August) + the extra mechanical bits + the extra cost, it just didn't add up.

I'm never going rallying in my car, nor do I intend chasing sheep over the Welsh mountains.

I'll have winter tyres for when there's a bit of cold/snow/ice. And if it's really bad out there I'll stay home, 'cos there's just too many people out there who have no idea in bad conditions.

 

[television]

I think it's a question of striking a happy medium.

I was very tempted by a 4matic (since we're LHD over here), but thinking about the continuous extra fuel (even in the middle of August) + the extra mechanical bits + the extra cost, it just didn't add up.

I'm never going rallying in my car, nor do I intend chasing sheep over the Welsh mountains.

I'll have winter tyres for when there's a bit of cold/snow/ice. And if it's really bad out there I'll stay home, 'cos there's just too many people out there who have no idea in bad conditions.

What a nice sensible post, and so true

 

[Spannaz]

i have heard a rumour the new A class AMG IS to be 4wd due to the stupid amounts of power it's chucking out

 

[gizze]

Audi sell loads of Quattros as their FWD cars are just so ****** bad in so many ways, I wouldn't think people buy them for the UK weather, or those that do don't really have a clue anyway and probably keep the summer tyres on them.

BMW is the biggest supplier of AWD cars in Europe, they outsell Audi, but because we haven't had their xdrive cars over here for such a long time I guess we just don't think of them as any thing other the RWD and the 'Ultimate Driving Machine' tag that BMW took on in the late 80's. That is the main reason we don't have, or haven't had until this year, AWD BMWs in the UK, BMW UK decided it may dilute the tagline and the image of the marque.

They are here, but stupidly they have brought them over in petrol versions only, which will never sell well, so at the year end when they look at the order books they will probably make the decision that the UK doesn't want AWD.

If they do take off though expect Mercedes to follow suit.

 

[gizze]

i have heard a rumour the new A class AMG IS to be 4wd due to the stupid amounts of power it's chucking out

Haldex though, so not proper 4WD.