FWD or RWD?

[RobM77]

mx-6 said:

It's an interesting one. I've driven and owned various FWD and RWD cars and would have to admit that I prefer the feel of FWD. To be fair I'm not one of these serious car men and have never owned anything very special, I'm sure others can tell me how RWD is technically better. I can see advantages for lap time, power slides/drifting and that sort of thing but I don't really get involved in that so it's not a requirement.

It's interesting to see how sort after older RWD performance cars are in comparison to FWD ones. I recently bought a new project motor, a MX6 2.5 V6 manual for £430, it's in very good shape for the year, I'm happy with it. I think they would be worth quite a bit more if they were RWD, as they aren't they are quite unfashionable and cheap...

There isn't really a significant advantage with RWD for lap times, and drifting is arguably easier with FWD (see the Mini video from a few pages ago). To this end, BMW don't make the 3 series RWD for track use or hooning around - most 3 series models on the roads are <200bhp diesels. The advantage is simply an inherent balance with the layout that is as apparent in a 318d or MX5 as it is with a C63 AMG or Caterham R500. If you don't care for such things though, yes, there are certainly bargains to be had.

[mx-6]

RobM77 said:

There isn't really a significant advantage with RWD for lap times, and drifting is arguably easier with FWD (see the Mini video from a few pages ago). To this end, BMW don't make the 3 series RWD for track use or hooning around - most 3 series models on the roads are <200bhp diesels. The advantage is simply an inherent balance with the layout that is as apparent in a 318d or MX5 as it is with a C63 AMG or Caterham R500. If you don't care for such things though, yes, there are certainly bargains to be had.

I assume you mean balance as in front to rear weight distribution, as you have the diff as part of the rear axle? I can see what saying on the grounds of balanced handling in a front engined car. From an engineering point of view I guess one could argue that FWD packaging makes more sence as it dispenses with a certain amount of extra weight and complexity involved in driving the rear wheels. Yes there will likely be a forward bias to the weight distribution with FWD but you could argue that having more of the weight over the driven wheels isn't a bad thing for traction...

[Hungrymc]

There is certainly truth in that mx6. The limitation FWD cars is when you're asking for traction for acceleration and the slip angles required to for cornering - clever set up and diffs can do a lot to minimize the issue but it's fundamentally present. That's the trait where I rather a good RWD. But I also enjoy lots of attributes of a good FWD.

I've had my most challenging sideways moments in FWD. I ultimately feel in less control as to what line I can hold while gathering it up and when the car will be true again. But that's probably not a FWD fundamental issues as much as it is me being more used to controlling a RWD car that's out of shape.