Lars997:
The 4WD would make sense in very strong cars and if you live in the mountains. I live in the black forest of Germany... also a known cold area but still hear I dont have problems with the 2WD in strong winters. The modern cars do have so many gizmos.... I think the 4WD is for cars up to 400HP (and normal weight) totally overrated. If I see a C63 which is light and totally overpowered its a different story.
For example - I have choosen the integral-active-steering in my BMW 7 ahead of the 4WD (you can't combine both). Also I did the same for the Porsche as I wanted to have the little bit more trunk space and the Porsche handles so easy and fun with the 2WD, I just didnt want to have the 4WD option. On a Turbo I would have choosen different (even though there is no choice - I know). While I'm happy having it at the Range Rover a versatile car I take to the mountains for skiing every weekend and as I'm going for hunting I love to have it out in the rough - it must have 4WD.
For me 4WD is an option I still consider on the car specifics and the purpose.
True but not all people want to drift on public streets (BMW M3 has "only" 420 hp for example) and I've seen my share of BMW 7 series stuck in snow, just last week at a stop light at a slightly inclined street (OK, the driver may have been an idiot because he accelerated way too hard).
Overall, I think that a 100 hp car doesn't need AWD but the E63 will definitely benefit from it, no doubt about it. Also keep in mind that not everybody can afford two or three cars, many people who want to drive a "decent" car (luxurious and/or fast, etc.) need to choose one car, so they need to make a compromise. I think that Mercedes is very very clever by offering a choice. So does BMW lately with offering xDrive for almost all models. I also think that if BMW would offer xDrive for the new M5/M6, Porsche would have a stiff competition for their Panamera 4S and GTS/Turbo/Turbo S. The Mercedes E63 AMG AWD model will already put a lot of pressure on Porsche because to be honest, I don't think I would have paid 50k EUR more for the Panamera Turbo S, just for the brand and a better track performance only. The M5 AWD would be even cheaper.
Choice is the magic word and I think that BMW and now Mercedes/AMG have understood that very well. I am just curious if BMW M GmbH got the message too.
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RC (Germany) - Rennteam Editor Porsche Panamera Turbo S, Cayenne GTS (958), BMW X3 35d (2012), Mini Cooper S Countryman All4