4WD BMW and Audi (and other?) Buying Assistance

[blueg33]

NewUsername said:

forget x-drive and the like, they're still utter dogmanure in snow/mud, just use the regular rwd on a set of cross climates or run winter and summer tyres.

My E91 320d has gone everywhere in all weathers on the right tyres, snow included, and its an auto

MUCH better

I prefer 4wd on cross climates. Much better than 2wd on the same.

[NewUsername]

blueg33 said:

NewUsername said:

forget x-drive and the like, they're still utter dogmanure in snow/mud, just use the regular rwd on a set of cross climates or run winter and summer tyres.

My E91 320d has gone everywhere in all weathers on the right tyres, snow included, and its an auto

MUCH better

I prefer 4wd on cross climates. Much better than 2wd on the same.

I prefer a Unimog if I’m honest.


With a RWD on the correct tyres you don’t have to worry about tyre wear limits....try mismatched wear front to rear on x-drive and also the car will
Have nice steering and you still won’t get stuck in normal British conditions. You takes your choices

Cheers

[blueg33]

NewUsername said:

blueg33 said:

NewUsername said:

forget x-drive and the like, they're still utter dogmanure in snow/mud, just use the regular rwd on a set of cross climates or run winter and summer tyres.

My E91 320d has gone everywhere in all weathers on the right tyres, snow included, and its an auto

MUCH better

I prefer 4wd on cross climates. Much better than 2wd on the same.

I prefer a Unimog if I’m honest.


With a RWD on the correct tyres you don’t have to worry about tyre wear limits....try mismatched wear front to rear on x-drive and also the car will
Have nice steering and you still won’t get stuck in normal British conditions. You takes your choices

Cheers

My Haldex 4wd and before it my Outback had Continental Cross Climates and in the snow we could get out of the village whilst similarly equipped RWD couldn’t. And then as soon as you get into a muddy field with an incline or towing something the difference is huge.

With cross climates you have to worry about tyre wear. The wear indicators are typically at 4mm. Uneven wear is a factor on 2wd, you should always have the least worn on the back, so you should rotate the tyres exactly as you should with 4x4.

[NewUsername]

blueg33 said:

NewUsername said:

blueg33 said:

NewUsername said:

forget x-drive and the like, they're still utter dogmanure in snow/mud, just use the regular rwd on a set of cross climates or run winter and summer tyres.

My E91 320d has gone everywhere in all weathers on the right tyres, snow included, and its an auto

MUCH better

I prefer 4wd on cross climates. Much better than 2wd on the same.

I prefer a Unimog if I’m honest.


With a RWD on the correct tyres you don’t have to worry about tyre wear limits....try mismatched wear front to rear on x-drive and also the car will
Have nice steering and you still won’t get stuck in normal British conditions. You takes your choices

Cheers

My Haldex 4wd and before it my Outback had Continental Cross Climates and in the snow we could get out of the village whilst similarly equipped RWD couldn’t. And then as soon as you get into a muddy field with an incline or towing something the difference is huge.

With cross climates you have to worry about tyre wear. The wear indicators are typically at 4mm. Uneven wear is a factor on 2wd, you should always have the least worn on the back, so you should rotate the tyres exactly as you should with 4x4.

Erm on a 2wd you arent going to damage the 4wd system with uneven wear between axles.........

Your anecdotes are great and i'm not doubting your experience, my experience is probably different, around 450,000 miles in rwd BMW's over the last 10 years running summer\winter tyres , based in the Midlands commuting as far as Leeds, Falmouth, Kings Lynn and i've never had any trouble whatsoever.

[blueg33]

NewUsername said:

blueg33 said:

NewUsername said:

blueg33 said:

NewUsername said:

forget x-drive and the like, they're still utter dogmanure in snow/mud, just use the regular rwd on a set of cross climates or run winter and summer tyres.

My E91 320d has gone everywhere in all weathers on the right tyres, snow included, and its an auto

MUCH better

I prefer 4wd on cross climates. Much better than 2wd on the same.

I prefer a Unimog if I’m honest.


With a RWD on the correct tyres you don’t have to worry about tyre wear limits....try mismatched wear front to rear on x-drive and also the car will
Have nice steering and you still won’t get stuck in normal British conditions. You takes your choices

Cheers

My Haldex 4wd and before it my Outback had Continental Cross Climates and in the snow we could get out of the village whilst similarly equipped RWD couldn’t. And then as soon as you get into a muddy field with an incline or towing something the difference is huge.

With cross climates you have to worry about tyre wear. The wear indicators are typically at 4mm. Uneven wear is a factor on 2wd, you should always have the least worn on the back, so you should rotate the tyres exactly as you should with 4x4.

Erm on a 2wd you arent going to damage the 4wd system with uneven wear between axles.........

Your anecdotes are great and i'm not doubting your experience, my experience is probably different, around 450,000 miles in rwd BMW's over the last 10 years running summer\winter tyres , based in the Midlands commuting as far as Leeds, Falmouth, Kings Lynn and i've never had any trouble whatsoever.

I put winter tyres on my Evora, I’d take the Outback or the Scout every time if it’s icy or if there is snow/slush whether on winters or not.

I agree on wear to 4x4 system, doesn’t impact cars like Subarus. Buy you should rotate tyres anyway whichever wheels drive the car.

Edited by blueg33 on Tuesday 25th February 09:42

[PushedDover]

Audi A6 AllRoad - 3.0D
Something like this :
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

Driven carefully I saw *just* 50mpg. regularly on a run 40-45mpg. Air suspension for comfort, you can raise the ride height and it locks the 4wd (I believe) in 'All Road' mode.
Has enough shove if kicked.

Through some decent tyres on it - Cross Climates were £100 a corner and youve all the car you could ever want.

Great all rounder


ETA - because PH - you can take the 4.2L 345hp, V8 version instead. and spunk the £10k saving on the fuel. I don't think they do the previously acclaimed 50mpg

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

Edited by PushedDover on Tuesday 25th February 09:27

[NewUsername]

PushedDover said:

Audi A6 AllRoad - 3.0D
Something like this :
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

Driven carefully I saw *just* 50mpg. regularly on a run 40-45mpg. Air suspension for comfort, you can raise the ride height and it locks the 4wd (I believe) in 'All Road' mode.
Has enough shove if kicked.

Through some decent tyres on it - Cross Climates were £100 a corner and youve all the car you could ever want.

Great all rounder


ETA - because PH - you can take the 4.2L 345hp, V8 version instead. and spunk the £10k saving on the fuel. I don't think they do the previously acclaimed 50mpg

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

Edited by PushedDover on Tuesday 25th February 09:27

Huge Bork Potential here


If honestly concerned about all weather ability and looking at 3 series\a4 sized cars just get an Octavia Scout.

[Pistonheader101]

blueg33 said:

NewUsername said:

forget x-drive and the like, they're still utter dogmanure in snow/mud, just use the regular rwd on a set of cross climates or run winter and summer tyres.

My E91 320d has gone everywhere in all weathers on the right tyres, snow included, and its an auto

MUCH better

I prefer 4wd on cross climates. Much better than 2wd on the same.

Agreed - 4wd with the right tyres is an amazing combo. Been stuck in snow countless times with my rwd 3 series.

[PushedDover]

NewUsername said:

Huge Bork Potential here


If honestly concerned about all weather ability and looking at 3 series\a4 sized cars just get an Octavia Scout.

The V8 ? or both ?
Get a A6 Allroad, 2016 model, and put the VAG warranty on it for £450pa.

[NewUsername]

PushedDover said:

NewUsername said:

Huge Bork Potential here


If honestly concerned about all weather ability and looking at 3 series\a4 sized cars just get an Octavia Scout.

The V8 ? or both ?
Get a A6 Allroad, 2016 model, and put the VAG warranty on it for £450pa.

On a budget of £11-14k ( purchase price ) id say the OP will be doing well to get a 2016 A6 Allroad?

[blueg33]

NewUsername said:

PushedDover said:

NewUsername said:

Huge Bork Potential here


If honestly concerned about all weather ability and looking at 3 series\a4 sized cars just get an Octavia Scout.

The V8 ? or both ?
Get a A6 Allroad, 2016 model, and put the VAG warranty on it for £450pa.

On a budget of £11-14k ( purchase price ) id say the OP will be doing well to get a 2016 A6 Allroad?

Yes that’s the price of a 2016 Scout

[NewUsername]

blueg33 said:

NewUsername said:

PushedDover said:

NewUsername said:

Huge Bork Potential here


If honestly concerned about all weather ability and looking at 3 series\a4 sized cars just get an Octavia Scout.

The V8 ? or both ?
Get a A6 Allroad, 2016 model, and put the VAG warranty on it for £450pa.

On a budget of £11-14k ( purchase price ) id say the OP will be doing well to get a 2016 A6 Allroad?

Yes that’s the price of a 2016 Scout

Absolutely, such as this https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

[ZX10R NIN]

So OP have managed to test drive any of your shortlist?

[blueg33]

NewUsername said:

blueg33 said:

NewUsername said:

PushedDover said:

NewUsername said:

Huge Bork Potential here


If honestly concerned about all weather ability and looking at 3 series\a4 sized cars just get an Octavia Scout.

The V8 ? or both ?
Get a A6 Allroad, 2016 model, and put the VAG warranty on it for £450pa.

On a budget of £11-14k ( purchase price ) id say the OP will be doing well to get a 2016 A6 Allroad?

Yes that’s the price of a 2016 Scout

Absolutely, such as this https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

Mines up too. Lower mileage, slightly higher price.

[BenDodds]

shelsley walsh said:

Full Dealer service history, mostly motorway miles at pace. Was as good as new after the 91k. Shame to see it go but the company car tax saw common sense. Best car i've ever had by someway on the company. plenty of miles on the clock but it was just 3 years old to the day. Had it specced right mid 40's mpg, 4 wheel drive, 19" RS boots, adaptive sports suspension, tech pack, comfort and sound pack, handsfree boot opening, light and vision pack, alcantara leather, heated front and rear, virtual cockpit....... someone somewhere has picked up helluva car. i would have kept it 100% but the new kitchen saw to that. l

Sorry just getting back to you all.

Sounds like a great motor. We're looking at kitchens at the minute so I know your pain!

[BenDodds]

ikarl said:

I had a similar dilemma and went for a 2014 330d Xdrive estate and am over the moon with it. I took it for a remap of both the engine and gearbox and it totally transformed the car.

330bhp, 0-60 in 4.5s, and the ability to get me on/off site no worries and a very decent steer on the M, A and B roads I cover daily

See that sounds ideal. Site management and the higher powers often come on site with A6s and don't seem to have much bother, those guys have been round plenty of sites too.

You're in the same boat as myself so I really appreciate your feedback!

[BenDodds]

NewUsername said:

forget x-drive and the like, they're still utter dogmanure in snow/mud, just use the regular rwd on a set of cross climates or run winter and summer tyres.

My E91 320d has gone everywhere in all weathers on the right tyres, snow included, and its an auto

MUCH better

Winter tyres on my RWD 1 series have done the trick too. Obvs doesn't hep much in the mud (or does it?) I still slide about a lot but maintain control so sliding isn't a big problem.

I think 4WD is more suited but theres the premiums that come with and that is where opinion differs. My 1 series has done the job but its that little bit of security that the 4WD offers. It would nice to try them side by side!

Cheers!

[BenDodds]

blueg33 said:

I prefer 4wd on cross climates. Much better than 2wd on the same.

I can't remember the reference or the car but someone did a comparison and basically said that

RWD + Normal Tyres < 4WD + Normal Tyres
RWD + Cross-Climates = 4WD + Normal Tyres
RWD + Cross-Climates < 4WD + Cross-Climates

Thats obvs pretty arbitrary but they reckoned for said car traction was increased with cross climates to the extent of a 4WD without them.

[BenDodds]

PushedDover said:

Audi A6 AllRoad - 3.0D
Something like this :
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

Driven carefully I saw *just* 50mpg. regularly on a run 40-45mpg. Air suspension for comfort, you can raise the ride height and it locks the 4wd (I believe) in 'All Road' mode.
Has enough shove if kicked.

Through some decent tyres on it - Cross Climates were £100 a corner and youve all the car you could ever want.

Great all rounder


ETA - because PH - you can take the 4.2L 345hp, V8 version instead. and spunk the £10k saving on the fuel. I don't think they do the previously acclaimed 50mpg

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

Edited by PushedDover on Tuesday 25th February 09:27

Do you own one of these?

See the Scout may be the smarter (well, cheaper option) but for me the A6 Allroad has the aesthetics.

What is the reliability like of the Allroad models?

[BenDodds]

NewUsername said:

Huge Bork Potential here


If honestly concerned about all weather ability and looking at 3 series\a4 sized cars just get an Octavia Scout.

How does the Scout fair on Motorways and B-roads? Still a good ride?