Test drove a BMW 135i and Focus ST

[michal1980]

All the time. The feel is very different

my experience driving a Malibu vs a Camaro ss back to back suggested otherwise.

 

[monkeydelmagico]

my experience driving a Malibu vs a Camaro ss back to back suggested otherwise.

If you can't tell the difference driving a Malibu vs Camaro ss then you have no business driving the latter and are hearby banished to the former forever. May your diety have mercy on your soul.

 

[michal1980]

If you can't tell the difference driving a Malibu vs Camaro ss then you have no business driving the latter and are hearby banished to the former forever. May your diety have mercy on your soul.

I could tell a difference, but not due to the driving wheels.


Like I posted before. even going 10-15 miles over the speed limit on canyon roads. Outside of have much more power, I was never near any limit that caused a difference in the handling of the two cars due to which wheels got power.

 

[Wingznut]

I could tell a difference, but not due to the driving wheels.


Like I posted before. even going 10-15 miles over the speed limit on canyon roads. Outside of have much more power, I was never near any limit that caused a difference in the handling of the two cars due to which wheels got power.

I see your point... My grandma also wouldn't be able to notice any difference.

 

[nickbits]

Seriously how often on real roads does FWD vs RWD make a difference?

Drive in the snow and get back to me... Hint RWD sucks in the snow.

 

[Wingznut]

Drive in the snow and get back to me... Hint RWD sucks in the snow.

His point was not that, at all... He's saying there's no significant performance advantage, outside of reckless driving or racing on a track.

 

[michal1980]

His point was not that, at all... He's saying there's no significant performance advantage, outside of reckless driving or racing on a track.

Is there a significant difference outside or near limits?

 

[monkeydelmagico]

Is there a significant difference outside or near limits?

Yes, but only in your imagination. Just think what you can do with a hoveround:

I hear GM will fix up your Malibu so you can carry it. I doubt you'll notice the difference in the driving experience.

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

I own a fiesta st and even I, owning a front wheel drive, can admit there is a difference. Torque steer kinda sucks and also coming around a corner with the tires spinning is much more fun with rwd.

 

[ballmode]

Any 135i owners chime in about their experience? I am still in the market for a used one as they are cheaper than the Focus ST new

 

[michal1980]

I own a fiesta st and even I, owning a front wheel drive, can admit there is a difference. Torque steer kinda sucks and also coming around a corner with the tires spinning is much more fun with rwd.

exactly. So when driving how your not supposed to on the roads leads to differences.

 

[slag]

My Forester had that (04 XT). Nifty feature.

My dad's 1982 subaru station wagon had it.

 

[yh125d]

Any 135i owners chime in about their experience? I am still in the market for a used one as they are cheaper than the Focus ST new

My ST was actually technically used. Probably one of the very first used ones. Bought it CPO @4.5k miles so I actually got a very slightly used ST3 in the color I wanted with a longer warranty than a brand new ST2 in the wrong color with a shorter warranty for only about $1k

 

[Midwayman]

Is there a significant difference outside or near limits?

Both will handle the speed limit and 2/10ths driving just fine. Doesn't mean there isn't a qualitative difference. If you can't feel it, or its just not important to you, that's your loss.

 

[Wingznut]

I own a fiesta st and even I, owning a front wheel drive, can admit there is a difference. Torque steer kinda sucks and also coming around a corner with the tires spinning is much more fun with rwd.

exactly. So when driving how your not supposed to on the roads leads to differences.

By that logic, there is absolutely no reason to own a sports car. And really, nobody should feel the desire to have more than like 100hp.

 

[michal1980]

By that logic, there is absolutely no reason to own a sports car. And really, nobody should feel the desire to have more than like 100hp.

lol. no.

my point is that much like the manual or die crowd. The fail wheel drive/wrong wheel drive crowd is just as wrong.

drive what you want, but your smug elitism is just wrong most of the time.

 

[Wingznut]

lol. no.

my point is that much like the manual or die crowd. The fail wheel drive/wrong wheel drive crowd is just as wrong.

drive what you want, but your smug elitism is just wrong most of the time.

Just because many of us don't agree with you, doesn't make us "elitists". Not at all... As a matter of fact, I haven't seen anyone here use the term "fail" or "wrong" wheel drive. I'm not sure why you bring that up.

Not to mention... I own two FWD cars. Neither are a high performance car, but I have owned three performance FWD cars in the past.

 

[Brian Stirling]

I'll pass on the sub 100hp car thank you very much! Accelerating onto an uphill freeway loaded with tractor trailers isn't the place to wimp it.

Having decent power in cruising gear so that you don't have to frequently downshift when driving on hilly roads is also a plus.


Brian

 

[monkeydelmagico]

My ST was actually technically used. Probably one of the very first used ones. Bought it CPO @4.5k miles so I actually got a very slightly used ST3 in the color I wanted with a longer warranty than a brand new ST2 in the wrong color with a shorter warranty for only about $1k

Wait what? Ford CPO has longer warranty period than new?

 

[monkeydelmagico]

lol. no.

my point is that much like the manual or die crowd. The fail wheel drive/wrong wheel drive crowd is just as wrong.

drive what you want, but your smug elitism is just wrong most of the time.

I've owned many FWD cars. Some were performance oriented. The driving experience is different. There is nothing "wrong" with FWD, it just is what it is. I've found RWD cars with manual to be far more entertaining and engaging. If that's "wrong" then I don't wanna be right.

/smug elitism off/

 

[njdevilsfan87]

The biggest issue wit FWD is lack of traction when you really want it. Coming out of those corners and feeling the wheels slip out from under you is disappointing. Same thing at the stop light. I'm sure every GTI owner can relate to this. But I've read LSDs and sway bar adjustments/upgrades make a huge difference and will keep that front planted when you need.

 

[yh125d]

The biggest issue wit FWD is lack of traction when you really want it. Coming out of those corners and feeling the wheels slip out from under you is disappointing. Same thing at the stop light. I'm sure every GTI owner can relate to this. But I've read LSDs and sway bar adjustments/upgrades make a huge difference and will keep that front planted when you need.

I can attest that in the Focus this is not the case. You brake hard entering the turn and accelerate hard coming out - rarely with understeer. On the rare case there is, (1) you are driving way too fast for public roads, and (2) lift throttle oversteer. Not quite as fun as hard throttle oversteer, but still good

 

[yh125d]

Wait what? Ford CPO has longer warranty period than new?

If I remember correctly I was told that since it was still under factory warranty, the 12 month/12k CPO warranty would be added to the end of the manufacturer warranty. Since it had less than 5000 miles when I bought it, I should have about 7000 more miles on warranty vs brand new