FWD vs RWD - Page 2 - United Bimmer Community

**RealBmw 02** · 07-13-2005, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shpuz

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...112_0506_grip/

Great find shpuz

This article really demonstrates how each drivetrain layout can be succesful if driven in the proper manner.

IMO it really comes down to the type of driving that the driver prefers. Some drivers can be fast in FWD, some in RWD, and some in AWD. However, when a driver really masters all aspects at driving, he can get into any of the three layouts and produce quick lap times by slightly adjusting his driving style on the fly.

**RealBmw 02** · 07-13-2005, 03:48 PM

I want to correct those of you who say that RWD cars do not have CV joints.

American cars that have solid axles in the rear DO NOT have CV joints.

However, European and Japaneese cars that have independent rear suspension (IRS) have CV joints (both tripod and roseta type) connecting the axles to the differential housing and to the hub assemblies.

BUT, since the CV joints on RWD cars do not experience full load under such extreme angles (such as full throttle out of a tight corner with FWD), they are less likely to fail.

**///M Power** · 07-13-2005, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xsperf

on FWD cars, outer tie rods, ball joints, wheel bearings, etc are more likely to go than RWD cars, and that is being said from personal expierience, not on BMW's/audi's or VWs, but any car, oh yes, 1 audi

This may be true, but I've never seen/heard any more complaints by wners of any other cars than BMWs about ball joints/bearings/tie rods. BMW's are notorious for these problems. Throw that one out the window.

Oddly enough my RWD nissan tie rods were worn too.

2 RWD cars both with tie rod/ball joint problems.

I'm 2 for 2. Anyone else?

**RealBmw 02** · 07-13-2005, 06:03 PM

ya i think I need new tie rods too. But it doesn't count since my car is 35 years old

**xsperf** · 07-13-2005, 08:58 PM

well my friend owns a shop and im there all the time, and for an inspection you must check the outer tie rods and ball joints.. and a whole bunch of other crap, and constantly FWD cars have them, usually in RWD they are pretty solid(this isnt from 1 or 2 cars, this is from many, many cars)

**TerryY** · 07-13-2005, 09:16 PM

I suppose that I could describe myself as "Situationally Ambivalent" on the subject.

Here in Rain country I'm a RWD guy. Rain tires (Goodyear F1) on both cars and I am a happy camper. (5.0 AWD Explorer for that 1 snow day a year)

When I lived in Tucson I had both FWD and RWD separately and at the same time.

When I lived 26 miles up in the Rockies above Denver and commuting down everyday, it was Turbo FWD with Studs in the winter. Damn, was that fun to play with in the snow!! It was great even when the new powder was so deep that it was sliding up over the hood

About 5 VW bugs and a Corvair over the years to cover the "All in the Back" RWD side of it too.

If you understand the strengths and limitations of each type as they relate to your own particular driving skills they are all fun to drive in most circumstances.

**komodo** · 07-13-2005, 10:55 PM

Not to distract from the conversation, but I'd just like to thank everyone for staying on topic and making this one of the most informative threads on ub.c.

**gotKRAUT** · 07-13-2005, 11:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xsperf

well my friend owns a shop and im there all the time, and for an inspection you must check the outer tie rods and ball joints.. and a whole bunch of other crap, and constantly FWD cars have them, usually in RWD they are pretty solid(this isnt from 1 or 2 cars, this is from many, many cars)

my tie rods are $25 each complete and my axles complete are $70 each...no complaints here haha...i checked my original ball joints (200k+ miles on them lol) and they still have no play but what they hey they are $18 so i slapped new ones on lol...i love hw cheap my parts are...but at the same time i miss the roundel

Quote:

Originally Posted by TerryY

When I lived 26 miles up in the Rockies above Denver and commuting down everyday, it was Turbo FWD with Studs in the winter. Damn, was that fun to play with in the snow!! It was great even when the new powder was so deep that it was sliding up over the hood

just picked up some 13's and some studded snow tires for this winter

gonna do some rally! Woot! and im slapping my G Lader (VW Corrado supercharger)back on this winter so i can make the same HP up in the snow elevations! haha

Quote:

Originally Posted by komodo

Not to distract from the conversation, but I'd just like to thank everyone for staying on topic and making this one of the most informative threads on ub.c.

i would like to take a moment to thank everyone too especially me

and torque for pushing this topic soo hard..all we wanted to do was earn some respect for the other sides of the automotive world and it sounds like we are acheving just that...making all of you who participated in this, much bigger people

beer all around!

Komodo gets the biggest

and a whole lot more beer than the rest though

**Chris** · 07-14-2005, 12:43 AM

AWD... skyline, any questions?
unless you're dragging and then yo better as hell have rwd.

**Addicted?** · 07-14-2005, 01:06 AM

i like to be pushed out of the corner.. not a huge fan of some of the torque steer you get from SOME fwd setups... and nothing like breaking the back end out in a corner

David

**gotKRAUT** · 07-14-2005, 03:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 95bmwpwer

nothing like breaking the back end out in a corner

David

must agree the breaking out of the back end can be fun...

**Chris** · 07-14-2005, 05:06 AM

unless you're chris worrell who's got the solid rear axle on his stang.... ask him to tell you about what happened the one day we had snow all year.... LOL even though that could happen to any car.

**gotKRAUT** · 07-14-2005, 05:26 AM

ya RWD is basically lost in Snow...i go up to the snow a LOOOOOOOOT it got rather tiresome owning a RWD car in those conditions

**Chris** · 07-14-2005, 05:33 AM

basically, he hit hice and sld the whole way down this hill and didn't get traction till it was too late and tried to turn and bent the whole rim inward and under at an angle like this \ (left rear) and damaged the axle and stuff too. it was a sad day. but then while it was getting fixed he drove the bimmer to school so it wasn't all bad...

**gotKRAUT** · 07-14-2005, 05:47 AM

hahaha nice nice...that always sucks...its ok i killed my bimmer in a ditch...blew the driverside front tire on a right hander and well the rest as they say is history...bad memories...im sure some of you remember this