I've felt the difference of FWD vs RWD in my steering radius..

From google:

verb /ˌəndərˈsti(ə)r/ (of a motor vehicle) Have a tendency to turn less sharply than is intended

This really doesn't have anything to do with tires breaking loose... More to do with the dynamics of your car.

Understeer is all about grip, and slip angle. It has everything to do with your tires breaking loose. By definition, the front tire is not matching the steering input, which means............... it’s not gripping.

You can induce or reduce understeer in car setup (or vehicle dynamics if you like), but actual understeer itself is the fact the front tires are loosing grip, so the vehicle is going on a more forward direction that the driver is inputing.

If you want some reading, dont look up vague definitions on Google, try something like this:

Understeer - Trackpedia

But as per being on topic, I also have zero issue with “high end” FWD cars. Mercedes has done well with them, I’m surprised BMW hasn’t had one sooner.

That's what I wanted to say but they said it better than I ever could. We are not on the track here and are talking about driving in the real world. Your definition is correct and so is mine.

agreed with that. most normal herp derp average joes wont feel differences between them in a commuter. but keep in mind though, this is a car forum full of car enthusiasts, and yes enthusiasts tend to lean on "because race car" opinions.
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I think you're on the wrong forum.

VLS is just a click away. :troll:

People that don't know how to drive would say FWD are useless which is 90% on this forum.

Make>fuel economy>tech features

It's all about showing off and impressing people around you.

More like its all about impressing yourself.


Make > tech > fuel.

imo.

You understand the link you pointed out is saying that understeer is a loss of grip on the front tire, right?

We can argue this down to the tiniest detail but the point is simple: FWD cars have a tendency to turn in less sharply than intended. You can be going 10kmh or 100kmh and the effect is the same.

I give up.

Back on topic:

“European media have already driven powertrain mules of the new 3-cylinder engine set to be used in the UKL cars. How does a 221-horsepower turbocharged three-banger sound?”
So I assume then that these are FWD layouts stuffed in a regular 1 series?

4x4 will have a transfer case and some sort of locking hub/differential setup. Ability to choose 4HI, 4LO, 2HI, neutral.

4wd will act like awd in certain situations, depending on the manufacturer/system. Acceleration from a stop, 4wd. Once you hit a certain speed, 2wd (whether FWD or RWD) depends on the vehicle and the system. 4wd may also have a manual low setting via a push button. 4wd may also act like awd in that it may be on all the time (Full-time 4wd).

AWD = all wheels, all the time. Depending on the system, there may be a power bias to the front/rear. Subarus, for example, are 90/10 for automatic, 50/50 for standard transmissions. At least, they used to be. Whether this remains true, I honestly haven't researched lately.

Some 4wd systems are completely and utterly useless outside of paved road driving. Same goes for many true 4x4 systems when it comes to driving on dry pavement. They're made for slip situations where traction is an issue.

Anyways, that's the brief lesson on 4x4/4wd/awd for today.

Great. You made several good points and I learned how to better explain understeer in a fancy technical way.

why do people hate FWD so much?
I know this is kinda obvious, but it all depends.

I'm sure some FWD cars are more fun to drive, and better handling than some RWD cars.

http://d2i6c6y1xqgf7t.cloudfront.net..._091214_01.jpg
http://dereksemmler.com/images/ford_pi.jpg

I am driving a 450 RWHP RWD V8 car with blizzaks and never had any issues in the winter.

It takes practice/skills to drive in the snow. Just because people put snow tires on their cars doesn't mean they become better drivers.

Back on topic, I don't think most people who buy low-end BMWs care wether it is RWD or FWD.

Timpo. Shut up.

The Crown Vic has an excellent turning radius and if it has RAS its quite stable in turns. And yes, this is from personal experiance. And its a hell of a lot of fun to drive.

Imagine a big 'ol Crown Vic, black on black, going down the highway. The left lane is always clear (; People slow down. Its the "crown vic effect"

WTCC has been dominated by FWD for a while now. Theres Audi's insane FWD TT-RS race car as well. Also, 2012 Superlap, an unlimited class FWD beat out the unlimted AWD class car by 2 seconds a lap... its not a matter of FWD being inferior; or can't handle; or not as fun.

Its just that when you think BMW, you tend to associate it with RWD.

Don't think RWD can do this either..

Oops, a FWD manage to be one of the best car ever...
http://www.evo.co.uk/carreviews/carg...e_r34_gtr.html

They REALLY need to sell these overseas
http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphoto...77408029_n.jpg

Im asking if its more fun :P

Realistically speaking bmw is probably more concerned about their target market, which is the average joe, not ppl like you and i as car enthusiates. I want bmw to stay true to it's roots to but you gotta be realistic. Car enthusiates only make up about maybe 5% of the Car market. Take the dieing away of manuals as a testament to the new target audience.

Besides, I don't think there is a problem with progress in cars... I personally drive a rwd and thats how it always will be, even if somehow fwds are the fastest shit on the planet.
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after 12 years of owning many cars, from 350hp fwd DSMs to 350hp RWD nissans with many fwd nissans and rwd nissans or hyundais, plus being a mechanic for 5 years and test driving every average consumer car ever made, including everything from police interceptors to ambulances, 68 mustangs to 2013 F350 diesels........

the average consumer, bmw customer or not, will not notice the difference between fwd and rwd...until they get stuck in the snow

there are minor differences in turning radius that can be found, but that has more to do with engine bay layout than wheels putting power to the ground.

if BMW wants to put out fwd cars, all the best to them, if they can lower costs while doing that, they will win huge. they'll still be shitty and expensive to work on, but i support BMWs FWD decision 100%

with all that said, for pure fun outside the average consumers level, rwd is best (imo) rwd gives a feeling that no other layout can give, while fwd and awd can be faster and safer, rwd will always have it's place

that's what she said! :fullofwin: