4wd = at some point the car can transmit power to the road via all 4 wheels
Awd = at all times the car is transmitting power to the road via all 4 wheels.
The latter is inefficient.
Most systems (on cars) now use HALDEX or similar systems - and only transfer power to the wheels that aren't normally driven when there is slip - OR under hard acceleration.
There have only been a few times when I have really needed 4wd - but I have been glad to have it.
If you need your car every single day a 4WD is a must. If you are fine to not use the car when there is heavy snowfall (maybe 1 to 4 days a year), then not.
Once when I needed to get the kids from school, only 4WD cars could drive up the hill, all other front or rear WD got stuck. And that was on the Zurisee shore so not even in the mountains...
the biggest benefit with 4x4 is at the ski resorts, heavy snow and without 4x4's they will make you park at the bottom of the mountain and get the ski bus up, with 4x4 they'll let drive to the top.
I'd rather have a 4x4 and not need it, then need it and not have it
All, I know this topic has been done to death but wanted to just get some more feedback. Would members of the forum recommend an Audi A4 Quattro (AWD) over a 2 FWD model? I'm moving to Basel and will be living out side the city but wanted to get some other opinions?
I am in the mountains 2 days a week (minimium) in winter & I have a BMW 328 rear wheel drive with LSD, I am always overtaking Audi A4's & Toyota Quashqi's that are stuck in the snow, heavy front wheem drive cars are a waste of space IMHO.
It's really not a big deal if you have good snow tires, you will have way less problems than with 1 inch of snow in London!
Very few people who live in the mountains have 4 Wheel drive, maybe 10 %, somewhat less than London!
Well, although I said you can easily get by with a FWD and a set of chains, I've gone for an AWD for my current car, simply because I do drive a lot in the mountains. Even then, I'll carry a set of chains - they don't take up much room, quick to fit and sometimes - even with 4WD - you'll need them.
The thing to bear in mind if it's Icy & going downhill 4WD does help, you may need to hit the gas to get the wheels turning whilst sliding. I would say ABS is a must, however today it's standard with most cars.
I have been stuck with Front wheel drive & chains as the front wheels can just spin & dig a deep hole. This happened with both a Citroen BX & Peugeot 306. I only had to put chains on twice in the last 10 years since driving BMW's with RWD & LSD way better than any FWD I ever drove,
Often if there is a trafic jam in the mountains , the car at the front holding everybody up is a UK registered Range Rover, the driver being the problem rather than the car!
Only all wheel drive is a viable option for city inhabitant if you consider buying vehicle made by manufacturers specializing in rear wheel drives (Merc & BMW), in which case you might be dancing on the snow (trust me I know something about it ). Otherwise front wheel drive with hefty engine will get you to the mountains and thru the snow. Winter tyres is the must and no compromise there. Some places require wheel chains to be fitted before you will be allowed in the resort. Unless you plan to tow a boat and access muddy areas in the middle of nowhere which in CH is less likely. I would stick to front wheel drive but it's your call.