FWD -> AWD is it worth it?

[Deleted member 103408]

However some of us just enjoy the front wheel drive experience, don't mean its the best (what ever that actually means) but for me I drove the Golf R and much preferred the Cupra as I feel I am driving it.

You don't have to agree with me just saying what is best is down to what you want out of the car, With all the mods I have wheel tramp and traction loss is very much limited to extreme situations still not as good as 4 drive in the wet but I do 5k and mostly on the track and in good weather so it don't matter how good / bad it is in the wet.

0-60 Times are irrelevant to me (grip issues apparently) because my fun is 30 - 150 (on the track) and there the FWD does it's job well and as can be seen in may comparison videos holds its own against 4 drive.

So in answer to OP Question it very much depends on how you use the car and what you want out of it.

 

[Deleted member 103408]

oh and were you live is very important

 

[caz95]

Be a waste of money I reckon. I don't do track days or anything like that, so in my experience the only real world benefits of awd are flooring it at a set of lights and better handling on country roads. I've drove an S3 and although it was rapid, it was a bit boring and I'd never own one because someone would try and rob it. Mate of mine has one and has to put it in a garage overnight.

I think it's a bit wank how seat don't offer the cupra hatchback with awd. I know you can get the estate with awd but I think the hatchback with awd would seriously dent Golf R sales.

 

[Deleted member 103408]

I think it's a bit wank how seat don't offer the cupra hatchback with awd. I know you can get the estate with awd but I think the hatchback with awd would seriously dent Golf R sales.

VW HQ telling them not to compete with Golf with AWD i suspect.

 

[Jaco2k]

VW HQ telling them not to compete with Golf with AWD i suspect.

I think it is pretty obvious why they don't

 

[LouG]

better handling on country roads.

Better drive out of corners, and perhaps a more secure feeling in the wet. But better handling? I think not.
Most AWD cars just don't have the throttle adjustability or FWD or RWD.

 

[QuietQuackers]

Personally, I’d say the move over to AWD for me was definitely worth it. Much better traction in all weathers and it suits the needs of the driving I do. I just want to get home safe and quickly after a long day at work without having to worry about grip all the time!

 

[N8KOW]

I went from a 350bhp Stage 2 + ED30 to a 350bhp Stage 1 Golf 7R. 4WD ADL for me. I then had a 4WD GLA 45 and now the 4WD Cupra ST. People say that FWD is fun and 4WD is boring, but in my opinion and my experience there is nothing more boring than struggling for traction/grip

 

[LouG]

I guess it depends where you live. We have plenty of wet, little ice. I've found little difference in available traction between the Cupra and our old 86. That would spin up or go sideways just as easily as the Cupra spins up. It may be different on a wet track, but I don't drive there.

 

[Jaco2k]

Just to say that this is one of the most epic threads in a long time and I love how both sides have been so civilized about sharing opinions

 

[CupraSwede]

Personally I did not even consider anything but 4wd. I have driven 4wd the last cars I have owned. Audi A4, A5, A7, WRX Sti and now the 300 ST. Living in Sweden and driving quite often from the capital upp north to the ski resorts in winter, fwd is not an option for me. I can't wait to get my 2019 300 St from the tuning shop this Friday.

 

[Redline]

Personally I did not even consider anything but 4wd. I have driven 4wd the last cars I have owned. Audi A4, A5, A7, WRX Sti and now the 300 ST. Living in Sweden and driving quite often from the capital upp north to the ski resorts in winter, fwd is not an option for me. I can't wait to get my 2019 300 St from the tuning shop this Friday.

What are you getting done to it and what shop?

 

[CupraSwede]

What are you getting done to it and what shop?

New turbo and stage 2 at Stertman. Leaving for Sweden tomorrow morning and have an appointment with them to leave the car on Wednesday. Should be ready on Friday!

 

[KernelOkey]

^ For every1 outside Sweden that is +450hp

 

[JonnyG]

Is that on winter tyres? 4drive on order. But will be summer months when it arrives.

AWD is much better in Winter than FWD, even on Summer tyres (here in the UK anyway). Much less likely to get stuck and spin wheels etc. HOWEVER, braking is a different matter - as the AWD car is heavier (and no foot clutch with DSG). So Winter tyres are still much safer for vastly improved braking distances when icy/snow.

 

[Deadly Ferret]

New turbo and stage 2 at Stertman. Leaving for Sweden tomorrow morning and have an appointment with them to leave the car on Wednesday. Should be ready on Friday!

How much did that cost?

 

[alper]

How much did that cost?

Judging from their previous cars, horribly expensive and with worse results than it should. They are a very "particular" tuner if I may say so and I'd rather leave it at that...

It's anyway irrelevant for anyone in the UK. Plenty of capable tuning choices on the island and at a very reasonable prices too.

 

[davidstarkey11]

Be a waste of money I reckon. I don't do track days or anything like that, so in my experience the only real world benefits of awd are flooring it at a set of lights and better handling on country roads. I've drove an S3 and although it was rapid, it was a bit boring and I'd never own one because someone would try and rob it. Mate of mine has one and has to put it in a garage overnight.

I think it's a bit wank how seat don't offer the cupra hatchback with awd. I know you can get the estate with awd but I think the hatchback with awd would seriously dent Golf R sales.

Since Seat is owned by VW also they would never give the Cupra Hatch AWD because it would probably out do the Golf R. The Golf R is VW's top hot hatch.

 

[Redline]

Since Seat is owned by VW also they would never give the Cupra Hatch AWD because it would probably out do the Golf R. The Golf R is VW's top hot hatch.

Cupra R is FWD?

If anyone missed this one:

 

[davidstarkey11]

Cupra R is FWD?

If anyone missed this one:

Yes the Cupra R is FWD, only the ST gets AWD. That's an AWD conversion. Absolute rocketship!