AWD VS RWD - Which Drivetrain Is REALLY Faster?
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 2 มิ.ย. 2024
- / tyre_reviews
AWD vs RWD has been argued since the start of the internet, but never before have we had the opportunity to compare the two drivetrains the same vehicle, on the same tires, on the same track, with the same driver to find out how much faster AWD is compared to RWD, if at all.
Thanks to the F90 BMW M5 Competition, we can now do exactly that, as the car comes with three different settings.
4WD is a normal all wheel drive setup.
4WD Sport is a rear bias all wheel drive system
RWD is full rear wheel drive with no driver aids such as traction control.
To find out which system is best, I do 0-60 mph (with no roll out, similar to 0-62 and 0-100 kph) and lap times in the dry and wet, in two wheel drive, four wheel drive sport and full four wheel drive.
A hue thank you to Pirelli for helping me with track time and tires, and BMW for lending me the M5.
For more information on the tires used, please follow the below links.
Wet - www.tyrereviews.com/Tyre/Pire...
Dry - www.tyrereviews.com/Tyre/Pire...
Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
0:21 Test Vehicle BMW M5 Competition
1:30 WET 0 to 60 and lap time
7:29 DRY 0 to 60 and lap time
14:51 Overall Results and Summary
Music by epidemicsound.com - ยานยนต์และพาหนะ
YES, this car is pulling around extra weight in RWD mode, however while there's no RWD only version of this car, the xDrive version of the G80 M3 will be around 55 kgs heavier so it's potentially not a huge amount of weight.
That said, I will still do the Porsche version of this, so subscribe if you'd like to be the first see that 🥳
yessss let's gooo!!
Jeeez that's exactly what I was thinking 😂 Yeah I was wondering what the overall difference would be between the heavier awd and the lighter rwd car. But let's see what happens with the porsche 😎 Nice video again! Keep up the good work
i dont think there would be much of a difference, even if the car was engineered without the awd system in place. i would imagine you would lose around 175lbs off the front of the car. that would take it from 2400lbs on the nose to 2225lbs. that would change the weight distribution from 55/45 to 53/47. enough to notice but probably not enough to matter on a car this size. steering would feel better but it didnt seem like you had any problems feeling the road or the car.
the real issue is that with rwd, you asking each tire to handle 310whp/300wtq vs an awd car that would only see around 150-200whp/150-200wtq depending on torque bias. youre just not going to be able to hook up a rwd with that much torque on a streetable tire or a hard sidewall track tire. you have to sacrifice handling to increase grip for straight line speed.
you are driving two extra diffs and here power loss comes, in most cases extra grip of 4wd is worth it anyway
@@OxBlitzkriegxO The suspension setup is a big part of the equation too. The M5 is setup as being an AWD first. I'm sure if it was RWD only they could irk out a bit more traction and even better balance out of it.
But well, in the end its a 700hp sedan so no miracle. I think the story would be different in something more balanced.
Id love to see this test with something like a Carrera 2 and 4. Just because you wont have the extra weight over the front in the 2wd model and its set up to be a rwd car from day one where as the M5 I think is designed to use the awd to get the most out of it. Great test none the less.
My thought exactly, 2wd's advantage is less weight, now I don't know how much that would help, but I'd like to see it tried.
I drove a 996 Carrera 4 tiptronic a few years ago, it was quite interesting because with the front diff it was nicely balanced, still felt rear engine for sure if you want to push it, but the front end was sharper on corner entry.
@@ThePEagle a few extra transfer gears inside the gbox, 1 extra diff, 2 extra driveshafts, 2 extra heavier front axel uprights. I'd say the extra AWD hardware is at least 100kg. Your lugging that extra 100kg with you all the time... How often are you REALLY driving your car in circumstances that you absolutely need AWD? Maybe if you live in Skandinavia or North Russia?
But i suppose somebody who can actually afford buying a brand new M5 doesn't care anyway.
I do think that not even 5% of all M5 buyers actually have the skills to exploit all the capabilities of this M5.
In the end it all boils down to supply and demand. If the demand is there BMW will supply.
@@frozenpete788
The problem with RWD is that setting them up to be actually usable and fast on track is an exercise of how much understeer you need to dial in to keep the car controllable without excessively compromising ultimate performance. A well setup AWD allows one to dial out understeer and make the car mechanically more balanced with the AWD system keeping the car controllable and do a much better job of translating power to forward motion. No surprise why AWD enables much more consistently fast lap times, especially in less than optimum conditions.
Been done a number of times. Top gear did it with the 997 C2 v's C4 with the Stig driving. C4 won
I hope you get the chance to redo this test with a regular M3/M4 Vs M3/M4 xdrive when they're available! Would be interesting to see the same cars go up against eachother, where the standard one doesn't suffer from the extra weight and parasitic loss of the AWD and whatever other variables involved! Loving your work!
Me too :D
Isn't the power different between those?
@@tyrereviews Don't lie, you are just looking forward to getting a shot....
That's a comparison worth seeing, get on it Jon!
I don't think that a difference of 50kg will make any serious differences in the lap time..
Problem with this car is that in 2wd mode its still carrying around all that 4wd weight.
...and in the wrong place for good balance.
^this would love to see a awd vs rwd models compared
That would be a better comparison; maybe like an M3 vs M3 Xdrive (when it comes out). However, I think the differences were not even close, despite the weight.
@@jm9371 I was thinking M340i and M340i xDrive.
@@albrechtjohnj Absolutely good choice. Available now and has plenty of power to make it a good track run.
Jonathan knocking it out of the park as usual. Love the focus on car AND tyre as a package - not just one or the other. Thank you for running this test!
Much appreciated!
such an underrated car channel! you deserve many more subscribers
Thank you!
Absolutely brilliant video with genuine excitement from you, so excited you called it an m3 at the end, thanks for the great content 🔥🔥
M3 on the brain
Another great video Mr consistency! Those lap times were incredible, makes it even easier to trust your verdicts when you're as accurate as that.
Very kind of you :)
I love how thoroughly you test, even down to not talking when pure concentration is needed. Thanks for the amazing informative and controlled tests! You are an awesome driver btw, your experience really shows.
Thank you, that's really kind of you to say
Another top shelf video mate, SUPER interesting, especially loved your face expressions 😉 Keep up the mega work bro ❤️
How come you like it since he is not using your beloved Michelin's ? lol still thinking of getting rid of your pzero's before they are worn?
👨❤️👨👨❤️👨
@@tyrereviews at 16.55 mins on the table do you have the times the wrong way around as the dry times are slower than the wet times 🤔
Great piece, and obviously one that you really enjoyed and had a lot of fun with!
What a great review! I felt the excitement with you as you were driving. And what a great car! Kudos to you… and to BMW.
Supreme driving skills and a really well thought out test....top drawer stuff! 💥
Thank you :)
Really informative review, I don't think anyone can do much better RWD in the wet. That sound of wheel slip reminds me of the previous E63
Excellent and possibly best demonstration on how to select preference between rwd and awd. Showed the strengths of both systems
What a great video, well done. I am glad you brought something fresh and new to the F90 M5.
Many thanks!
I don't understand why you don't have at least 1 million subscribers yet.
Such a great contents you have.
We need more nerds in the world!
Such a great video ! Please please do the same video again but with a RWD G80 vs AWD G80 to understand how the added weight of the AWD system impact the performance !!
Yes sir :)
Awesome test cheers! I'm going to look at this closer than before.
What a fantastic video. Your enthusiasm and energy were so genuine and the BMW M5 will always be my Lottery Jackpot car.
The most enjoyable video I've watched in a long time. I'm now a new subscriber to your channel too 👍👏
I think with a jackpot win I'd have something a bit more special straight away, but this would be my daily for sure!
Awesome video, but I feel like the 2WD mode in the M5 is rather limited due to the fact traction control has to be fully off (no 10 stage variation like in the G80). A future repeat of this test using the latest M3 in RWD spec vs the upcoming AWD version would be really interesting, particularly given how well that car seems to get it's power down in RWD form.
Can't speak to the BMW but I have a similar system however I can leave stability control on in RWD. It's still faster in AWD even in perfect conditions.
Yeah, not to mention that it's still AWD car with disabled one axis. Pure RWD car would shave off some of the weight and have different weight distribution for example.
Yes Johnny boy, another cracking video with facts! Thank u
Awesome video Jonathan! Man you were pushing it hard! You had me convinced that the M5 is a special eperience. Great work man!
It realaly is!
Great content. Glad someones finally done this with the numbers to back it
Awesome test, thank you.
This is such a great video, really makes me appreciate my M235i xDrive. Keep up the great content
Sorry to tell you but i have driven both M140 and M135 with and without xDrive. For me always a little faster if good conditions and most important, much more fun without xDrive. Hope you have manual ;)
@@fulltonefulltone damn lucky man! Here in the 🇺🇸 we only have M235i & M240i. I just feel that xDrive is more practical here since we get rain & snow quite often. RWD is useless in those conditions but I’m not hating at all. Everyone has their preference 😎
I must be honest this is one of the best car channels on youtube. Hats off to Jonathan and the production crew :)
I thoroughly enjoyed the enthusiasm you exuded during this video.
AWD all the way for me. The weight is negligible
2:38 Don't be so hard on yourself mate 😂😂😂. Amazing and very interesting test Johnathan.
Lol, launching that car in the wet on that track was frustrating to say the least, I didn't do a great job!
@@tyrereviews launching a sub- 100hp econo box in the wet is hard to do! You had 6× that to try to handle!
Launch control on the new M3 competition (RWD) uses 2nd gear off the line.
@@jm9371 and its still a slug....
@@tyrereviews There's only so much you can do. It's just hopeless to get off the line with that much Power on one Axle in the Wet...
I was rewatching your video when having dinner a little bit earlier and you know what would've been interesting as well? Comparing the 100-200 Time with RWD and AWD, given that the car has full traction in the Dry in the Gear you're starting with for measuring 100-200. It would've been interesting to see how large the drivetrain loss would be on the same car with the same weight and so on and so forth.
Looks like you had fun on this one! Great review
what a car
Superb review video man !!! Congrats from Barcelona :)
Thank you :)
The world champ of tyres killing it (Jenson Button 😉) Good work Jono and thank you
This is what i call a GOOD VIDEO! love it! True reactions no bla bla!
Glad you enjoyed!
Jonathan, love your videos!! Brilliant stuff keep it going!
Thanks!
What a great review! Can you literally feel the thrill & excitement from here! 😂
:D thank you
I guess the main question of 2wd vs 4wd is which one you enjoy driving the most. Because at the end of the day that's what matters
RWWDDDD, though AWD sport is pretty close
RWD,if life gives you corner ,drop the gear and go side ways :D:D
@@laacism THAT’s the spirit!
Part time 4wd. I see too many RWD (and many FWD) vehicles that can't get up hills in slippery conditions.
@@rich7447 I have a FWD Kona that doesnt have a problem with rainy hills. I honestley thought it would, but it ran like a champ in south carolina in the rain lamo. It's a grippy lil car for some reason tho.
M5 are absolutely marvellous. Love to see you enjoying it / being slightly terrified by it. Lol.
One thing I don’t like is that RWD mode means you MUST turn off the traction and stability. I know that mostly you would be using rear drive NOT on the road to cook tyres, but it would be nice to be able to drive rear only with a bit of a safety net.
4WD sport sounds tasty though.
4WD sport is plenty enough for me on the road. The only reason I can think of going full RWD is to do some yeet skids and for that you want everything off. Below the limit 4wd sport will feel pretty much RWD
@@tyrereviews fair enough then. Goodness I do love an M5
Another superb upload. Thanks JB
Thanks again :)
I just found your channel, and I'm glad I did. Great content. Currently own a 2009 E60 535xi and I'm in the process of purchasing and f10 M5 and this makes total sense. Great vid. Traction is King
Nice purchase :D
The design of the M5 has so much improved.
Great test as usual. I’d love to see the new Super sport road legal track tyres A052 / RE71RS / random track only tyre - to see if they really are faster or as fast.
Coming soon!
Great content! Expert driving and analysis! Cheers!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Superb and informative upload as always Jonathan. Many thanks Sir. 😃👍
My pleasure!
Love to see it!
Fantastic review; in my 3 years of owning a F90, I have never even pushed the button to dis-engage 4WD. It is too scary.
If you're ever on track, you must :D
Nice review bro. Cheers from Malaysia 🇲🇾
Cool test. Thank you and very well done.
Thank you!
Excellent driving😎 + very good test to show the differences between RWD & AWD! Don’t think I would ever use the 4WD other than on snow perhaps -> for me personally I want the most engagement/fun=RWD👌🏼
on the road I would use awd sport most of the time, as I like the idea of the safety and I don't want to run rwd with no driver aids!
@@tyrereviews for me it has been some time since I have driven a BMW with xdrive and it was before the M Division got their hands on the system and it never felt really natural since the car would shift the power, which is one reason why I am a bit reluctant towards it… How does it feel in AWD Sport? Glad to see it gives some rotation, but how natural/predictable does it feel?
"I'll try and be careful with the throttle..."
*proceeds to hang the arse right out*
🤣
Living your best life, Jonathan.
A lot of hard work! Very good.
Another interesting test buddy! Keep it up👍💪👍💪
Thank you :)
This is why the M5, is my absolute favorite car.
Smash an intermediate driver in a Ferrari at a track day, then drive with your family 1000km in luxury the same day.
Great content as always.
A good summary :)
Not entirely man because Ferrari is mid engine layout. Mid engine cars have superior acceleration and handling compared to front engine cars. A BMW will never beat a new Ferrari especially mid engine layout. Ferraris have dual clutch transmissions while this bmw has a regular traditional torque converter automatic transmission. Dual clutch transmissions are much more precise and quicker around a track.
Bloody brilliant and clever how BMW managed to get this M x drive system
Agreed, very impressive!
Great video, really enjoyable
Very cool video.
Thank you.
Great mix of love and fear in that session!
Dangerfun
That was brilliant, enjoyed that! No surprises, 4WD will always dynamically trump RWD but nothing beats RWD just for the way it feels. Saving starts now for an M5?
I can't save fast enough
You guys always manage to answer questions I think up in the shower and keep to myself. And you guys do it well.
Thanks, if you can think of anymore questions let me know!
@@tyrereviews some ludicrous ideas but I’ll give it a shot. Somehow, do the same test with other configurations. An FF vs F4, RR vs R4, MR vs M4 (I guess two Toyota Previas). But I guess it’s kinda difficult or near impossible to get a fair comparison.
Great video as always
Glad you enjoyed
But even when you turn off the FWD, it still not a proper RWD car, since the drive shafts remain connected to the wheels (high unsprung weight and rotational mass). Pure RWD cars don't have that problem.
Rather than having 2 cars that weigh different, using the same exact vehicle gives a more accurate result.
@@justhere4721 the chassis is built for awd! Either way thats the advantage of rwd and fwd. more components more weight
@@justhere4721 lol nothing could be further from the truth
@@justhere4721 the main advantages of rwd only is less weight/moving parts so in this test they basically remove its single advantage. That said i am not bashing awd. That stuff does miracles 😁
@@justhere4721 well that's one of the major advantages of a RWD car, it's going to be lighter. You can't dismiss that.
It's the same principle as with FWD vs AWD. No matter how much shit FWD gets the truth is that hot hatches around 300-400HP get slowed down a lot on a track by an AWD system. Not enough power to fully take advantage of it.
Finally a video on YT with RWD vs AWD with the same car. Thanks!
The video showed somewhat what I've been thinking in the dry the difference is small but in wet or less grip surface the big advantage is AWD. So from a track standpoint it would probably not make so much difference for RWD vs AWD. It would be interesting to see some kind of comparison with FWD and RWD especially for a hot lap because 0-60 I guess RWD will always win.
I guess the same too, it's just difficult to find platforms to do it on
Great test!
Great video , best car videos on TH-cam 👍
Thanks :)
Great video and just confirmed what I already knew, that AWD is just better than RWD
Thanks! 👍
Nice test, as always. It would be better to test a M4/M3 Competition vs M4/M3 Competition xDrive, though - AWD adds weight and this obviously can make a big difference on the track (both in laptimes and driver feel). Also the suspension would be setup for the drivetrain of choice. You'd be able to use all the systems you'd like to as well (LC would help, also M cars have great traction control modes which allows a lot but makes the throttle less scary :)). This was a test of an AWD car with the front end switched off, not an AWD and RWD drivetrain versions of the same car. Still a good watch!
Agreed! The xdrive m3 isn't out yet but I'll try when it is! Also, it's 55kgs heavier
Great video mate, talented driving too 👌
Thanks 👍
That was fun to watch and pretty much puts the argument to rest on the AWD/RWD question. Oh, and I want an M5 now!
Me too bro, me too
It was interesting to see on dry also a lap with pz4 to see the difference on lap
Good test, BUT - AWD Golf R VII weight 1427kg, FWD Golf GTi VII weight 1337kg - almost 100kg weight difference, and weight is a big disadvantage on track
GTI Clubsport vs Golf R would be a fun way to test FWD vs AWD. :)
Additional Haldex is around 55 kg more, so not 100 kg difference.
M3 vs m3 x drive is 55kgs
Great work!
Idea for video: staggered vs square setup on RWD and AWD
It's on the list :)
someone can corrected me if I am wrong on this but I am 80% sure you don't ever want to run staggered on any awd do to they are not set up for that and could damage the awd system do to awd drive detecting slip to send power to rear are front depending if it rwd biased awd or fwd biased awd.
@@knightridder2002 the m5 comes w staggered wheels from factory. 275/35/20 and 285/35/20 in either regular M5 and M5 competition.
Even my wife’s Mercedes glc43 came w factory staggered tires and it’s awd.
@@eptxm5664 even lambos come like that from factory, so I wonder if it is better or they do it for costs and easy fitment
@@eptxm5664 I stand corrected thank you.
then as for as stagger setup on a awd drive I would think it would depend highly on the car so one car may do beater with stagger and other may do beater with out stagger also I would think what you are wanting the car to do would play a big part in it. to me that would be a very hard test to do just with one car and say it flat across the all car that it would be the same.
This is like a battle between manual vs automatic transmission, yes the dual clutch automatic transmission definitely will be faster than manual but manual is more fun and exciting, just like this the awd definitely faster but the rwd is more exciting
Heh, just today I randomly saw a few comments by you on a Zotac blog post, and there you are-releasing a new video. Little as they are, I always enjoy coincidences like that. 😅
Oh, and to the video: I enjoy RWD the same way I enjoy the manual transmission: it might be slower on track, but it’s just more fun and engaging in normal driving, and for a car I don’t buy specifically for track use, I therefore prefer the RWD and MT.
I really love my Zotac (all HAIL) 3090 freaking oven.
As always spot on. Although i would like to see a different model with xDrive and RWD options, so we can see differences in weight and AWD addition.
Probably for Joe average is AWD way to go.
Great test, just watched it all the way through. Maybe it would be a bit more accurate if they used something like a base 230i vs an X drive 230i to see the benefit(or lack) of RWD without the extra weight
I plan to redo with the new M3
Man... you drive like you stole it... Simpy amazing. Love all the content!
Is there any other way to drive it on a track/test facility?
"Drive it like you can't afford the insurance excess" would be the other option :)
OK I'm sold! M5 for me it is ❤️
Fantastic video and really shows just how even a really good driver is blown away with that absolute weapon of a car 👌🏼
I want one so badly
14:28
So stylish man
That’s one stylish, i doubt any other car could do
That m5 is designed to be driven in AWD that RWD option is just for fun It doesn't mean is going to perform as well as a RWD.
You need to compare 2 different cars one designed from the factory AWD(that you have tested) and a RWD from the factory.
This doesn't mean the cars is a rwd. It is awd with front axle switched off
Yea but the gap is insane during accelerating
If you compare awd and rwd car from the same model the rwd doesn't have front differential, axles, driveshaft, transfer case to move. The suspension geometry is different, the car is lighter with 80 to 150kg and weight distribution is better. There is no torque steer and the steering wheel is more alive because there is no power transmitted to the front wheels.
Rear drive bias. Longitudinal mounted engine. 70/30 or 60/40 split.
For fast cornering weight distribution is much more important than torque split.
@D G Yes but it still has the weight and transmission losses of the added AWD components.
So in essence it's a car with all the downsides of AWD without the one advantage.
Absolutely great video, but there is only one thing I'd add. Let's not forget that, whether we like it or not, road cars in general, doesn't matter how sporty, are from factory set up as more understeery. I think rwd gives much better balance when the alignment is right on point. With more understeery alignment, rwd just plows through before it oversteers and awd helps with that understeer before you achieve the grip limit. With proper alignment, rwd might not be fasrer but I think it will be right on point.
Nice test. This compares heavier FR vehicles against AWD ones.
Best promotion for AWD cars from a tyre reviewer.. 😀
Hope someone sponsors you a AWD car 😀
A sponsor would be lovely one day lol
First and foremost, this is a unique channel among the, who knows, millions? It’s awesome and so is the host. Love watching it. The reviews and tests are among the very best. Now that I got my honest thoughts out of the way, were you leaning or kinda sitting on the front corner with your jeans on in the beginning? Respectfully, if that were my car, I’d tell you to ever so kindly get your bloomin’ arse off it.
Lightly leaning with the car wiped down and my jeans checked for anything that could mark the paint
You just made history with this test, my friend
Thanks?!
I don’t think I have ever seen you with such a look of concentration before! 😂 Excellent video.
She's a tricky girl in rwd + wet
@@tyrereviews you did good to handle her like you did 👌
but the rwd was still dragging the 100kg needed for the awd that was not in use. a fair test would be also to physically remove the shaft, transfer box and front diff. when you factor this plus the lack of a sport ESC in rwd, where is mostly needed, which to me is mind boggling, awd turns to be pretty much useless on a dry track
Is that how much weight AWD adds to this car, in mine it only adds 95lbs(43kg).
Also while I can't speak to the BMW, I have a similar system however I can leave stability control on in RWD. It's still faster in AWD even in perfect conditions.
@@snek9353 if I'm not mistaken for the m140i it adds 70kg. I would only assume that for the M5 would be quite beefier system hence more weight
@9 and 3 he knows that but that's the closest test you can get until they release a car with an rwd and awd version.
But then, here, your RWD car is was never meant to be in RWD only as its main drivetrain. You are also hulling the extra weight of the front drive components as dead weight. What you should do is test the new M3 RWD, along with the upcoming M3 X-drive.
Very impressive sport mode, allowing some fun even with AWD
@Tyre Reviews: Valiant effort and a very well executed test. I believe though that there is a fundamental flaw, as others have said; that the car is optimised around its AWD system (i.e. no electronics in 2WD) and the extra weight that it carries around, without any of the traction benefits, when it is in 2WD mode. Now, I understand that it is hard to find two identical cars, with their only difference being 2WD vs 4WD. The only pair I can think of are the 911 Carrera 2 vs the Carrera 4. That would be more representative IMHO. That said, kudos for the try! Nice and informative video, as always!
The 992 is planned :)
Very very entertaining. But it’s not a fair test because a proper RWD only car would drag a lot less weigh around the track for transfer case, prop shaft, Diff and drive shafts at the front.
though simultaneously, gives a nice reference point vecause that means both cars weigh the same and have the same balance points.
while you're not wrong, i think this single data point is still valuable.
Speed is one thing.. Control is another.. AWD in winter or any non ideal conditions is just insanely better and safer..
@@TheRealJohnHooper agreed, and also generally everyday-cars with more than 200HP/1000kg should be AWD.
We need to find out how much heavier the new M3 / M4 will be over the RWD version
Thanks I will be sticking to my AWD Golf R for longer
And I will be sticking with my M140i thanks, it may be slower but it's a lot more fun than any AWD car :-)
Same here. Golf R is a great all-rounder. No fun in a M140i getting beat all the time by less bhp hatches in the wet. lol :-)
@@DjNikGnashers fun is relative to the person driving. I would take the m140 if I had the money to own two car. but for my self I get a kick of going 0-100 as fast as possible and the fastest possible would be in AWD that is way i own a 2017 golf R. I do enjoy auto cross (done autocross for 10 years) and rwd bring an aspect to that that awd does not have but awd bring one that rwd does not have then fwd bring one that rwd and awd don't have they all are fun in there own ways. just a matter of what you are after in a car all of them can be a blast to drive.
cars i have driven in auto cross
350z
s2000
rx8
golf R
modified 2013 beetle
2002 new beetle
2015 Gti
2006 Honda si
2005may of been a 2006 Chevy c5 corvette. not sure what year the c5 corvette was
thank to everyone who has let me drive there cars in auto cross.
@@knightridder2002 Yes completely agree mate.
Whatever floats your boat, as regards fun, just the same for Aj Mark above too.
Maybe I should have worded it better.
It requires a lot more skill to get the best out of the M140i, than it does an AWD car.
I work in the motor trade, and have driven every hot hatch around currently, and most of the past 30 years too, so I have a lot of experience and comparisons to draw upon.
In a Golf R (which is an amazingly competent and fast machine), just like an RS3, or A45, it pings off the line so quickly, it's amazing. But, I can do 0-60 in sub 5 seconds in any of those cars, one-handed. It requires zero skill, because the car's AWD capability just does it all for you.
When I launch my tuned M140i, sometimes its closer to 6 seconds, other times it's 4.5, but when I do get a 4.5 to 60 launch, I know that it was because I had done that myself, through delicate throttle balance and skill, and not because I simply planted the throttle and let the car do all the work.
I'm no hater, no troll, and I hope you can see my side of the discussion matey. I love all hot hatches, and many other types of car too, I am a real petrolhead, and it's great to discuss these things with other likeminded people.
@@ajmark2031 Just one thing to add, Mark.
Once my car is rolling, say 30mph, I can destroy Golf R's, RS3's, and A45;'s matey ;-))
I don't really care about launching it from one set of traffic lights to another, but hey, each to their own.
Terrific, test. Thank you for doing it. I just purchased a BMW M340i RWD which I'm picking up this week. I sold my 2013 e92 M3. The M340i comes in RWD and AWD. AWD weighs almost 200 more pounds and costs $2,000 more. BMW states the X-Drive is 0.3 seconds faster to 60 mph despite the additional weight. Testers have confirmed that with many seeing 3.8 seconds or quicker with AWD. I suspect the track lap differences would be similar to what you experienced with the M5, especially in the wet.
Enjoy the new car!
I swear by the practicality of AWD in my RS5. Sure it’s not as fun as the drive in the M4 I owned (and loved 😢) but in real world daily driving, it just works. If I could afford it, I’d have both but if I can only have one car in the garage, it’s likely going to be AWD from now on, especially with the power these cars are putting down now!
Awesome vid as always 👍
Buy an M5 and have both :D
Great video and a few thoughts:
* in a high HP car, you're often traction limited in all conditions and especially wet. In a lower HP car in the dry, AWD won't be as much if any help.
* the RWD comparison here wasn't there best comparisons, because it also disabled safety controls, which if you're too aggressive on the throttle, you'll light up the rear wires. Many RWD cars today have some form of traction and stability control. So, RWD mode on the M5 also introduced others variables (safety disabled) and that makes it a difficult comparison to other modes. Though, no feasible way to beat an AWD launch in the wet.
* any time you saw the car slide or smoke the tires is a loss of speed. The fastest driving method is just a bit of yaw and no tire spinning. This is a too aggressive driver that the AWD systems just prevented from happening all together. So, it wasn't that the AWD systems were much faster in the dry, but the AWD mode prevented the driver from going slower or losing time due to mashing the throttle too much.
* put in Randy Pobst into the seat and I bet the dry RWD vs AWD will be much closer. Though in this car with the current setup and settings per mode, AWD will likely still be a tad quicker given the high HP and traction control.
Nice job and video!
All good points :) Keep in mind the filmed laps externally weren't the timed laps, so it wasn't quite as sideways as it's played out in the video, but there's certainly a little time to be had.
@@tyrereviews I think it's better to put the real laps on video so that viewers can actually see where the speed is gained or lost
I agree with many other comments, nice, but should have used Carrera 2 v Carrera 4.
It's planned :)
Power is nothing without control! But gotta love BMW for the RWD option for true sideways antics 😂
BTW great content as usual 👍🏽
Awesome!! Thanks!
Couple things: As much as it seems like a good idea to take this car, it's not a proper example for the RWD camp. The car is set as an AWD first (suspension setup), and all the hardware is also still on the car when you go into RWD, so you're not getting the balance right, nor the weight saving.
I'll also say that past a certain amount of power, RWD definitely starts to lose out in a car like this where traction will be limited. Overall I think it depends on the application, for this car AWD might win either way, but for a sportscar I dont think so, I've never seen a stock AWD car have good enough balance to match similar RWD cars. As long as you can put the power down that is.
Oh, and I wont really take the wet stuff into account much, especially since here it was quite an extreme example :P
I still have to retest with the Porsches :)
@@tyrereviews I mean in the end you flogged around a 700hp (you're not fooling anyone BMW) super sedan all day so all good hahaha
@@tyrereviews or with a Dodge Challenger Hellcat which is nothing ordinary compared to Porsche or BMW