4WD Fever
- Thread starter MikeHiow
- Start date
Soldato
- Joined
- 18 May 2010
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- 12,852
I owned my A4 quattro in the last mild winter so didnt get to see what it was like in the snow and ice of the last two winters, I imagine it would have been great for exiting our road because its a small hill of compacted snow and ice that doesnt get gritted but as soon as i'm off the estate and the back streets it becomes pointless again, obviously it had a noticable difference in the wet too however it was thirsty and heavy so the negatives outweigh the positives for me.
If I said it hadnt crossed my mind i'd be lying though, I do like the A3 2.0TFSI quattro quite a bit and if I was in the market for a turbo 4WD car thats what i'd be looking at
If I said it hadnt crossed my mind i'd be lying though, I do like the A3 2.0TFSI quattro quite a bit and if I was in the market for a turbo 4WD car thats what i'd be looking at
Soldato
- Joined
- 24 Jul 2006
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- 8,876
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- Hoddesdon, London, UK
I don't feel any safer stopping my dads legacy AWD in snow than i do my RWD 320D. Granted it feels a little more stable and controllable on ice/snow (hes got all seasons on as well, i've only got summer) but thats not a license to go rocketing everywhere.
On a side note, it isn't the convenience that attracts me to 4WD during the snow, as I got around in my FWD Mondeo with 225/40/18 tyres just fine, but rather it is going places that no one else is managing and having some fun in the snow 
As for stopping, engine braking is far more effective in a 4WD motor, but I'd still find some snow/winter tyres for a 4WD if it was bought with the snow in mind.
As for stopping, engine braking is far more effective in a 4WD motor, but I'd still find some snow/winter tyres for a 4WD if it was bought with the snow in mind.
The car park I use for the park and ride in the mornings is always untreated when there's been snow. Last year in the Clio with it being pretty low it was a pain to get down the slope into the car park, then fun trying to navigate round, and getting out up the slope was even trickier.
This year in the Impreza there's been no drama, wheels spinning, all uneventful. But that's just a nice by product of having the car, by no means why I chose one in the first place.
Ended up pushing a few people who'd been stuck whilst waiting for the bus today, all women of course
The lady in the one series really had no clue how to drive in the snow though, got her sorted in the end. One guy asked her if her car was rwd, she said she had no idea what that was
This year in the Impreza there's been no drama, wheels spinning, all uneventful. But that's just a nice by product of having the car, by no means why I chose one in the first place.
Ended up pushing a few people who'd been stuck whilst waiting for the bus today, all women of course
The lady in the one series really had no clue how to drive in the snow though, got her sorted in the end. One guy asked her if her car was rwd, she said she had no idea what that was 
Hmm, ok perhaps I should have said "I'd like to see the average UK snow driving plank do that!"
Would I buy one just because of the snow?
No.
Did I buy one because it had 4WD?
No.
Did my car happen to have 4WD because that's how it was built, and when I decided I wanted the car, that's how it came?
Yes.
I've wanted a Galant/Legnum VR-4 for years, I got myself one. It's now been great in the snow, and back in February I was the only one who got to work every day there was snow, even though I lived 35 miles away. It's been nice these last couple of weeks.
Would lack of 4WD and snow bother me, if I were to change car?
No.
No.
Did I buy one because it had 4WD?
No.
Did my car happen to have 4WD because that's how it was built, and when I decided I wanted the car, that's how it came?
Yes.
I've wanted a Galant/Legnum VR-4 for years, I got myself one. It's now been great in the snow, and back in February I was the only one who got to work every day there was snow, even though I lived 35 miles away. It's been nice these last couple of weeks.
Would lack of 4WD and snow bother me, if I were to change car?
No.
Hmm, ok perhaps I should have said "I'd like to see the average UK snow driving plank do that!"
Thats not even 2 foot xD
Deepest there was about one
OP; No, I would never buy a 4WD just because of a trend for a few weeks of crappy weather.
I'd buy a car best suited to my needs, and buy some winter tyres for those few weeks when they'll afford me some more stability.
In a nutshell, this.
If at some stage I did end up getting a 4WD it would most probably be to do with ground clearance for year round activities, rather than some snow for a few weeks of the year at most. I will however consider winter tyres next year.
This notion that 4wd doesn't help you slow down is false. I've used engine braking numerous times this winter to good effect, which obviously applies this to all four wheels not just two.
There's a really bad untreated incline near me which I've had to go down a few times the last week. Selecting first and allowing the engine to slow all four wheels made it very safe.
There's a really bad untreated incline near me which I've had to go down a few times the last week. Selecting first and allowing the engine to slow all four wheels made it very safe.
Thats not even 2 foot xD
Deepest there was about one
Yes, hence my doubt re the 2ft comment....
Thats not even 2 foot xD
Deepest there was about one
Forward to 40 seconds if you're not going to watch the whole video ;P
My BMW is absolutely dreadful in this weather, wheel-spin even on the flat, wheel-spin even on slushed snow. I'[ve reversed up some hills in desperation.
For 5 days now I don't think I've got beyond 4th gear. Last Saturday I went shopping - weather was ok - whilst I was throwing stuff into the shopping trolley the snow came and I had to abandon the car about half a mile from home - walked home - got kids sledge out - went back to car and dragged shopping home via sledge.
Winter tyres being ordered tomorrow!
For 5 days now I don't think I've got beyond 4th gear. Last Saturday I went shopping - weather was ok - whilst I was throwing stuff into the shopping trolley the snow came and I had to abandon the car about half a mile from home - walked home - got kids sledge out - went back to car and dragged shopping home via sledge.
Winter tyres being ordered tomorrow!
I thought the exact same point - the 4WD engine braking makes decending hills a doddle, much safer.
I don't know if you want RFT ones, but we've got 17" Goodyear Ultra Grips on the E60 and they're rather good.
God knows how much they cost though..
Conti do their TS810s in SSR form too - £250 each for 17s
Good call - reverse turns it into a FWD car.
Have you tried filling the boot with ballast?
No issues with my RWD 730d deathtrap. I've been using it as normal the last few days and its been fine. I just have to adjust my driving. Auto box in manual, high gears used etc.
I don't know why people have so much trouble with RWD and snow. Must have lead feet or not have a clue how to drive or something.
I don't know why people have so much trouble with RWD and snow. Must have lead feet or not have a clue how to drive or something.
Living in Gloucestershire we haven't had our roads gritted (very few of them have but not the ones I need) and its hilly. Having 4WD has meant there hasn't been a single day this winter that I've been stuck. I was even able to pick my mum up & take her to her hospital appointment, she lives at the top of the valley & everyones cars were parked at the bottom, a 2 mile walk away
I wouldn't choose 4WD because of this snow however it is very useful. I agree fully that using the engine to slow the car going down icy/snowy roads is greatly improved compared to FWD.
Edit: I dont drive like a **** though. I realise it is equally hard when turning and stopping.
I wouldn't choose 4WD because of this snow however it is very useful. I agree fully that using the engine to slow the car going down icy/snowy roads is greatly improved compared to FWD.
Edit: I dont drive like a **** though. I realise it is equally hard when turning and stopping.
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Ungritted hills are an issue, depends whether or not you can avoid them.
Yes that's it - I can't drive, that must be it.
Please do enlighten us oh mighty god of driving - how do you get a car rwd car going when even bringing the clutch up in 3rd with zero throttle spins the driven wheels?