G35x - AWD for snow as good as Subaru?

[vlad1966]

I'm thinking about buying a G35x soon, but the only thing that has me concerned is that the AWD isn't full-time. Living in Chicago, winters can sometimes be a nightmare & haven't been a problem for the past 3 years of driving my WRX.

I test-drove a G35x about 4 weeks ago and it seemed very grippy, though there was no snow at the time.

I'd like to get people's honest opinion of the G35x performance in the snow, compared to Subaru full-time AWD or even Audi's.

I drove a couple of weeks ago through about a foot of snow with no problems in my WRX. Hope the G's AWD is just as good.

[Garnet Canuck]

I can't offer any personal experience regarding the G35x nor the Subie or Audi, but here is a thread that may help.

G's AWD vs Audi's Quattro

[Audiophile]

I don't believe Subaru or Audi are full time AWD any more or less then the G35x. The subaru and Audi are FWD until a loss of traction is detected and then it transfer's power to the rear wheels as needed. Driving both front and rear differentials all the time would KILL fuel economy. The G has a RWD bias that transfer's power to the front wheels when a loss in power is detected, there is also a snow button that I believe looks the AWD system in until a certain speed so you can use AWD with out it sensing a slip.

I am very familiar with the system in the audi, and uses a fluid filled viscous coupler(aka the haldux(sp?) system) to manage its transfer of power from front to rear. I am pretty sure the subaru system is the same, though the newer subie's may have an electronic system to control power distribution as where the older ones use a mechanical process.

[KLASiKAHL]

Unless of course it's Quattro, in which case it's AWD all the time.

[kca2000]

My snow experience has been slim with my 07 G. (a few inches for a few days) But the car held well no matter what i put it through. With the VDC and the AWD working together the car really seemed unstoppable. Will it plow over a foot of snow the same? Im not sure. But i can tell you in light snow it works just as good as my Volkswagon Touareg, which i havent been able to stop yet in any condition. I dont see much getting the best of this car even when the weather gets worse. I wouldnt worry..

[jackygor]

Originally Posted by KLASiKAHL

Unless of course it's Quattro, in which case it's AWD all the time.

Thought Quattro is just a fancy name for front wheel biased AWD?

[moose1963]

I keep waiting for some snow here in Baltimore so I can see how my G35x handles, but NO SNOW!

Here's a thread from someone who was hit by the big snow in Denver. He seems rather happy with his.

Blizzard in Denver

[Audiophile]

Originally Posted by KLASiKAHL

Unless of course it's Quattro, in which case it's AWD all the time.

Negative, audi is definately NOT AWD all the time. I've worked on their AWD systems MANY times and am very familiar with how it works. FWD bias that transfers power to the rear wheels when its detected that the front wheels are slipping.

[400HPA4]

Originally Posted by Audiophile

Negative, audi is definately NOT AWD all the time. I've worked on their AWD systems MANY times and am very familiar with how it works. FWD bias that transfers power to the rear wheels when its detected that the front wheels are slipping.

You may be slightly mistaken, there are two types of AWD systems offered by Audi, the first one you are talking about is the Haldex system which is available on transverse engined cars. It is indeed front biased and does transfer power to the rear wheen needed. This system is found on the TT and A3, it is also shared with the VW R32.

The second system is the Quattro drivetrain which is full-time AWD and is not front biased. The Quattro system is fully mechanical and uses a Torsen (torque sensing) center differential to distribute power to which ever of the four wheels that need it.

Here is an example of quattro distributing power to the wheels that have lost traction.

http://dthaus.com/Videos/donut.mov

[BigPuppy]

Yes, Quattro is permanent AWD normally split 50/50 in most models but rear-biased 40/60 in the RS4 and newer S4/S6/S8.

The debate between Haldex and Torsen is almost as legendary as Quattro itself.

I'm certain there exists a wide range of opinion around which AWD system is best, but never have I heard any other manufacturer attempt to climb up a ski jump like Audi has repeated. The video is in German (not sure if there's an English version,) so I won't post a link to it, but you can easily find it if you do a quick search.

Link to ski jump 2005 story

[Andy77]

I have a Subaru Outback Wagon LL Bean with the H-6 engine (2002) in addition to the G35x. They are both very good in snow and I would feel comfortable (at least as comfortable as one can) in either in a usual snow or rain situation. They both can spin wheels if given too much throttle, but they tend to recover quickly. The Subaru has more ground clearance, so in some situations it would be better, but given the choice of cars on a daily basis, I always choose the G. It is a lot more comfortable, more roomy and is a lot more fun to drive.

[eqt2010]

Originally Posted by Audiophile

I don't believe Subaru or Audi are full time AWD any more or less then the G35x. The subaru and Audi are FWD until a loss of traction is detected and then it transfer's power to the rear wheels as needed.

Subaru has various AWD systems. Only one of them is FWD based/biased.
http://www.subaru.com/allwheeldrive/ver2005/index.jsp

[bigwilly]

I live in Toronto and have had my X for two winters now and it has performed fine with the crappy all seasons Turenzas. The snow mode and VDC helps a lot. A few years back my friend with an Impreza managed to drive his car into a ditch, he only had all seasons, and was probably a little over confident with the AWD. I suggest that you get a nice set of snow tires if you are concerned, and always drive according to the road conditions.

[Xer]

I think I am qualified to answer the subi and audi question and am working on the G. I have put 300K on my 00 Outback limited sedan, it is a tank and inspires confidence in extremely bad weather, the awd is seamless and because the car has no power it really doesn't get in trouble. Even when the LSD kicks in there is only a slight uumf! I have probably just about 100k under my belt in AUDI's and although its premise for awd is the same as the subaru however I think not only is the car more refined than the subi, but the awd is as well, you never would realize this thing was working(02 A6 avant). In November I finally justified the G35x I have wanted for a couple of years and got rid of the subi(beleive it or not I kind of miss the old girl, she is off to mexico for another 300K)I have had only one occasion to drive it in the snow, and although it performed very well, I will report back later on a couple of my concerns below-
1)What happens when the awd engages @ 55mph, will it fish tail 1st?
2)What happens when I travel 200-300 miles in a snow storm and the awd is constantly on and off rather than the subi that was always on. Will the attesa live through that!When shopping for a new car the Audi sales guy said during a abusive session at there driving grounds the infiniti and lexus had awd failures due to being overworked(salesmans bul****???? I don't know)
3) Attesa is extremely noisy when functioning, I think this is partly the VDC as well, but somewhat annoying none the less(wifey's Armada makes similar noise although not as prominent).

I love my G and am glad I bought it. Also one last thing, if you are looking at the new subi's, think twice. I bought the wife an 05 LL bean wagon with the H-6 which was strong,but a gas hog @ 18mpg. This thing was a death trap in the snow, my tech told me they changed from 60 front 40 rear in my 2000, to 50/50 on the 05, not a good move. As you can see I drive alot and this car scared me in the snow(wifey loves the ARMAMA, she even called me one day out of the blue to tell me so!!!!!!) Sorry on the long post, will get back later this winter with an update on winter driving in Northern New England in the G.

[eqt2010]

Originally Posted by Xer

Also one last thing, if you are looking at the new subi's, think twice. I bought the wife an 05 LL bean wagon with the H-6 which was strong,but a gas hog @ 18mpg. This thing was a death trap in the snow, my tech told me they changed from 60 front 40 rear in my 2000, to 50/50 on the 05, not a good move.

I have a 05 LGT(2.5L H4 Turbo) wagon 5EAT and it has the VTD AWD system(45 front / 55 rear). I LOVE IT!! I don't have any problem driving it in the big snow storm with common sense, actually it performs excellent. The MPG is OK in my opinion(around 23~24 mpg with performance mod and occasional spirit driving).


BTW, I don't understand why you think 50 / 50 is not a good move.

PS: Outback LL Bean with 5EAT should also have the VTD system like mine.