M cars to remain RWD

[E90potentialbuyer]

Just saw this on Carbuzz:

Speaking to Motoring.com, M Division?s head of product management Carsten Pries said that for the time being, M cars will have at least a six-cylinder engine. When asked about the possibility of a four-cylinder M car, Pries said, ?I hope not, because six is part of our DNA. Not only the power, but that hallmark sound that we have.? We know a four-cylinder M car could work and perform well, but the straight-six is unique and

Pries confirmed that BMW M cars will remain at least six-cylinder and RWD "for the foreseeable future." Competitor Mercedes-Benz has added AWD on the hardcore E63 AMG-S. AWD helps the car get to 60 mph in just 3.4 seconds compared to the M5's 3.7. Audi has always built its RS cars with AWD and the 0-60 times have always been staggering. Some people would say that retaining RWD actually puts BMW M models at a disadvantage in specific performance areas, mainly sprints.

[SlammedR8]

the next gen M5 will be AWD, its pretty much for sure without official confirmation. We've seen it being tested and they have to do it to compete in this segment.

I for one am looking forward to it

[Karthigan]

Would it also mean the end of manual transmission. I thought BMW had a patent for 7 speed manual transmission. That would have been nice if they brought that.

[M6-Coupe]

Is 0-60 that important to carry extra 100-200 lb + under-steering for a heavy sedan ? I believe the only advantage of AWD is the possibility of driving in snow and ice ...

[SlammedR8]

Originally Posted by M6-Coupe

Is 0-60 that important to carry extra 100-200 lb + under-steering for a heavy sedan ? I believe the only advantage of AWD is the possibility of driving in snow and ice ...

Driving in snow...just snow! Ice? AWD doesn't help on ice. Nothing helps on ice except for maybe studded tires

Either way, from a performance standpoint. Yes I do think awd would be a huge benefit to put down anything over or around 600hp. There's a reason so many exotics, super cars etc are awd nowadays.

[chrisburns]

Originally Posted by SlammedR8

the next gen M5 will be AWD, its pretty much for sure without official confirmation. We've seen it being tested and they have to do it to compete in this segment.

I for one am looking forward to it

Exactly this. Currently the C7 RS6 is outshining the F10 M5 as in the real world its huge traction means it is much more usable.

[M6-Coupe]

Originally Posted by SlammedR8

Either way, from a performance standpoint. Yes I do think awd would be a huge benefit to put down anything over or around 600hp. There's a reason so many exotics, super cars etc are awd nowadays.

Not necessarily...another way to put power down is the correct weight distribution as many cars including McLaren 650s/675s or Ferrari 458/488 with over 600 hp even with light weight are still RWD; however for a big heavy sedan that configuration (mid or rear mounted engine) is hard to achieve. As another example the front mounted engine Ferrari F12 with over 700 HP is RWD but 46/54 weight distribution helps her to go 0-60 in about 3 second. I believe different approach like transaxle configuration will help a lot to put that much power down without any need to AWD...

[Scott@Radar-Mirror.com]

I prefer RWD but will have to wait and see.

[IshR]

Originally Posted by M6-Coupe

Not necessarily...another way to put power down is the correct weight distribution as many cars including McLaren 650s/675s or Ferrari 458/488 with over 600 hp even with light weight are still RWD; however for a big heavy sedan that configuration (mid or rear mounted engine) is hard to achieve. As another example the front mounted engine Ferrari F12 with over 700 HP is RWD but 46/54 weight distribution helps her to go 0-60 in about 3 second. I believe different approach like transaxle configuration will help a lot to put that much power down without any need to AWD...

Amen to that brother.
Also tyres play a bigger part in grip then rwd vs awd. In snow for example a rwd car with winter tyres will fair much better then an awd car with all weather tyres.

Rwd setup adds weight and transmits power less efficiently resulting in poor acceleration at higher speeds (look how the rwd f10 pulls so hard after 100mph)

As a purist, I pray your source is correct!! RWD for the win!!!!!

[SlammedR8]

Originally Posted by M6-Coupe

Not necessarily...another way to put power down is the correct weight distribution as many cars including McLaren 650s/675s or Ferrari 458/488 with over 600 hp even with light weight are still RWD; however for a big heavy sedan that configuration (mid or rear mounted engine) is hard to achieve. As another example the front mounted engine Ferrari F12 with over 700 HP is RWD but 46/54 weight distribution helps her to go 0-60 in about 3 second. I believe different approach like transaxle configuration will help a lot to put that much power down without any need to AWD...

Ever driven a 911 Turbo? Whether it's the older 996 or 997 models, but best of all the new 991 Turbo is ridiculous. It's all personal preference but to me AWD is a great thing to have. Both for performance and for the weather around where I live (even though this winter we have barely seen any snow). The confidence and stability I feel in a high powered AWD sports car cannot be compared to those without, again this is personal preference but to me, it is very important. I am still considering an F10 M5 right now because I've always wanted one and the deals are great now, but my decision would already be done if it was AWD.

[SlammedR8]

Originally Posted by IshR

In snow for example a rwd car with winter tyres will fair much better then an awd car with all weather tyres.

Umm..ya!! And an AWD car with winter tires wil fair much better than an RWD car with winter tires, so what's your point?

[M6-Coupe]

Originally Posted by SlammedR8

Ever driven a 911 Turbo? Whether it's the older 996 or 997 models, but best of all the new 991 Turbo is ridiculous. It's all personal preference but to me AWD is a great thing to have. Both for performance and for the weather around where I live (even though this winter we have barely seen any snow). The confidence and stability I feel in a high powered AWD sports car cannot be compared to those without, again this is personal preference but to me, it is very important. I am still considering an F10 M5 right now because I've always wanted one and the deals are great now, but my decision would already be done if it was AWD.

I'm not trying to argue with you but your comparison is not apple to apple... 911 turbo is not the car you can compare to a big heavy sedan like M5 and prove the superiority of AWD. Have you ever driven E63 AMG or RS7 those cars are the good example of AWD in M5 class...but I hear you. I believe in your case AWD is the best choice

[SlammedR8]

Originally Posted by M6-Coupe

I'm not trying to argue with you but your comparison is not apple to apple... 911 turbo is not the car you can compare to a big heavy sedan like M5 and prove the superiority of AWD. Have you ever driven E63 AMG or RS7 those cars are the good example of AWD in M5 class...but I hear you. I believe in your case AWD is the best choice

You're right! I haven't driven the E63 in 4matic yet but I have driven a couple RS7 and they are complete beasts. Have you seen the race between the RS7 and F10 M5 with wet conditions? Its embarrassing for the M5, and this coming from me who hates the RS7 and is seriously considering the M5 as my next car

[TrevorM3]

isn't the next gen m5 suppose to be lighter too? i thought i read that somewhere.


let that sink in for a minute, 560 hp motor (which is fairly impressive right now with mods) that undergoes a weight loss program (if true) and becomes AWD.

GTR killer anyone?

[nynd]

I personally think AWD is better as you can put that power to the ground. Now - keep in mind it depends on where and how you're using the car. For the track guy - maybe top end is more important so in that case, the dynamics of RWD will be ideal. But, if it's your daily driver I think AWD offers more pedal to the metal and go. GTR and E63 are AWD, which will be joined by the next gen M5 and then most like the CTS-V.

[M6-Coupe]

Originally Posted by SlammedR8

You're right! I haven't driven the E63 in 4matic yet but I have driven a couple RS7 and they are complete beasts. Have you seen the race between the RS7 and F10 M5 with wet conditions? Its embarrassing for the M5, and this coming from me who hates the RS7 and is seriously considering the M5 as my next car

I really don't see your points! All your concern is about jumping off the line? I mean you just care about 0-60? I am not talking about 911 again since that's different story but talking about big heavy sedans (RS7 vs M5) because RS7 is AWD with the only advantage of 0-60 while is a complete under-steer car with 55/45 (or worse) weight distribution... I also don't pay many attentions to home made videos because I saw a video that a stock M6 in wet condition beats AWD Nissan GTR ...
You can also search to find many videos that tuned M6 beats tuned E63,CLS63 4matic as well as Ferrari FF and Lambo Gallardo in rolling... the same thing with stock M6 vs stock Nissan GTR or stock M5 vs stock FF ...

[IshR]

Originally Posted by SlammedR8

Umm..ya!! And an AWD car with winter tires wil fair much better than an RWD car with winter tires, so what's your point?

My point is, rwd with correct tyres will suffice for the majority of situations. If roads are really that bad where you live, it might be worth considering a jeep / suv.
M5 was never designed to be a rally cross car or off road vehicle.

[E90potentialbuyer]

Originally Posted by IshR

My point is, rwd with correct tyres will suffice for the majority of situations. If roads are really that bad where you live, it might be worth considering a jeep / suv.
M5 was never designed to be a rally cross car or off road vehicle.

+1. She does fine but Need to be extra careful with M5 in anything more than modest amount of snow. I wouldn't take her out if facing inclines, or the snow that we had last time in NJ. She isn't built for rallying.

However, a Honda Accord with all weather tires did much better in that same weather. I got the beast around but it needed some more craft. I have Pirelli SottoZero's with good tread left.

[fkim119]

Originally Posted by M6-Coupe

Is 0-60 that important to carry extra 100-200 lb + under-steering for a heavy sedan ? I believe the only advantage of AWD is the possibility of driving in snow and ice ...

I would take that weight any day to get more traction from a dig and make the powers these cars have useable.

[M6-Coupe]

Originally Posted by fkim119

I would take that weight any day to get more traction from a dig and make the powers these cars have useable.

For the time being try this tire.. you won't regret
http://www.discountedwheelwarehouse....7320&pID=81622

[Phatcat]

Originally Posted by E90potentialbuyer

Just saw this on Carbuzz:

Speaking to Motoring.com, M Division?s head of product management Carsten Pries said that for the time being, M cars will have at least a six-cylinder engine. When asked about the possibility of a four-cylinder M car, Pries said, ?I hope not, because six is part of our DNA. Not only the power, but that hallmark sound that we have.? We know a four-cylinder M car could work and perform well, but the straight-six is unique and

Pries confirmed that BMW M cars will remain at least six-cylinder and RWD "for the foreseeable future." Competitor Mercedes-Benz has added AWD on the hardcore E63 AMG-S. AWD helps the car get to 60 mph in just 3.4 seconds compared to the M5's 3.7. Audi has always built its RS cars with AWD and the 0-60 times have always been staggering. Some people would say that retaining RWD actually puts BMW M models at a disadvantage in specific performance areas, mainly sprints.

BMW in recent years have proven that they will say one thing but do another, so whether the next M5 will come as RWD or AWD, doesn't matter, wouldn't surprise me one bit.

[nynd]

Why is that BMW offers Xdrive on their line up - simple, it sells! Having that "get up and go" is more than enough reason it would be ideal in a large sedan (like the M5) with much more horsepower! You can put all the horsepower you want in any car, problem is getting it to the pavement constructively.