In Reply to: Real snow vs SoCal snow......, Mike Lynch [Profile/Gallery] , Mon, 15 Dec 2003 10:43:40

...same thing in NorCal for the many trips I take to Tahoe...if there is enough snow on the road up around the passes, chains are required unless you have AWD/4WD and "snow" tires (which basically means at least all season tires that are M&S and/or have the snowflake on the side wall). So, one factor for me preferring AWD is it's a non-driving issue that my Audi quattro provides that level of luxury over my old C900 in that I don't have to get outside and put on chains and freeze my hands, scrape my knuckles, and waste a lot of time dealing with chains.

But, more important than this small non-driving luxury is of course the real driving issue of traction and safety. In my real world experince, my AWD Audi does have a big improvement over my FWD C900 in snow--and I've driven on the exact same roads in the same conditions in Tahoe many times in both cars. Driving uphill, turning, and downhill engine braking are areas where the quattro has a definite edge. Of course, I agree AWD doesn't help pedal braking and lots of bad drivers think 4WD/AWD makes them invincible, thus causing unneccessary accidents. But, I can say with 100% confidence that the Audi does have an advantage, no question, in my experiences--ice, hard packed snow, fresh untouched snow. I don't mean to sound like I'm knocking Saabs, I loved my old C900 and our current NG900 but just stating my personal experiences. Therefore, as an aside, I am very happy to see the 9-2X is AWD and I think it will be a great car.

But, again, I think driver ability is the most important factor, I'd rather be a passenger in a FWD Saab with a good driver than an Audi quattro with a bad driver. And of course tire type and condition is very important as well.



posted by 209.86.3...

• Thoughts on FWD in the snow (vrs AWD), Bob M, Mon, 15 Dec 2003 06:42:17
  • One example where no one could argue AWD is better>, ChipJ, Tue, 16 Dec 2003 11:46:37
  • AWD is supperior., Coolknight, Tue, 16 Dec 2003 06:47:07
    • Quattro: 2 to 1 front bias, rg, Tue, 16 Dec 2003 13:25:15
      • Are you sure?, Bob M, Tue, 16 Dec 2003 14:44:44
        • Yes, rg, Tue, 16 Dec 2003 15:32:02
      • are you sure?, nt moore, Tue, 16 Dec 2003 13:43:15
        • positive..., rg, Tue, 16 Dec 2003 14:09:28
  • Re: Thoughts on FWD in the snow (vrs AWD), Spiros Trianta, Mon, 15 Dec 2003 16:25:28
  • Don't forget stability control, Atul, Mon, 15 Dec 2003 13:50:13
    • good points, but..., rg, Tue, 16 Dec 2003 13:49:59
  • All agreed, RWD sucks!....nm, Mike Lynch , Mon, 15 Dec 2003 12:30:06
    • Re: really?, steveC, Tue, 16 Dec 2003 11:28:57
    • Re: All agreed, RWD sucks!...., rg, Mon, 15 Dec 2003 13:43:04
    • Not if you are on dry roads :-) n/m, TKC, Mon, 15 Dec 2003 13:28:03
      • or even wet from rain n/m, Aero'ed, Wed, 17 Dec 2003 09:31:38
  • Real snow vs SoCal snow......, Mike Lynch , Mon, 15 Dec 2003 10:43:40
    • or NorCal snow..., rg, Mon, 15 Dec 2003 11:39:42 <-- Viewing This Message
      • That's what I'm sayin' man - steep and deep = AWD, BrianD, Mon, 15 Dec 2003 19:58:27
      • Same road with snows mounted?...., Mike Lynch , Mon, 15 Dec 2003 12:28:46
        • Re: not a good idea to mount only 2 snow tires, steveC, Tue, 16 Dec 2003 11:33:30
        • good point, no...(long), rg, Mon, 15 Dec 2003 13:07:53
          • (minor typo edit), rg, Mon, 15 Dec 2003 13:30:13
            • are you a lawyer? nm, BrianD, Mon, 15 Dec 2003 19:32:49
              • ha! no..., rg, Tue, 16 Dec 2003 08:33:43
  • 2WD is way better in snow (+), Vlad, Mon, 15 Dec 2003 08:08:49
    • You sir, are WRONG ! ..its your opinion.., 91Aero.jr, Mon, 15 Dec 2003 14:31:31
      • Re: You sir, are WRONG ! ..its your opinion.., Jonathan, Mon, 15 Dec 2003 21:10:56
        • correct,,....i wanted to make that clear, 91Aero.jr, Tue, 16 Dec 2003 12:11:41
          • but which one would you want to be in..., Bob M, Tue, 16 Dec 2003 13:02:48
            • Oh yeah....dont get me wrong ....., 91Aero.jr, Tue, 16 Dec 2003 14:08:29
    • no way, nickR, Mon, 15 Dec 2003 12:37:45
      • more:, nickR, Mon, 15 Dec 2003 12:41:29
        • I think it could be the driver too..., Chris., Tue, 16 Dec 2003 06:13:41
    • Re: 2WD is way better in snow..mostly true, but+, Noel, Mon, 15 Dec 2003 11:26:53
    • On the other hand, BrianD, Mon, 15 Dec 2003 08:41:30
      • Agree 100%, Brian in MA, Mon, 15 Dec 2003 09:12:42
    • It depends on how the AWD/4WD works, many..., TKC, Mon, 15 Dec 2003 08:39:42
    • What if SAABs had AWD?, BrianD, Mon, 15 Dec 2003 08:28:06
  • It's all in the tires, if these SUV/AWD vehicles have.., TKC, Mon, 15 Dec 2003 07:00:54

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