Audi FWD VS BMW RWD - The Ultimate Test on Snow! ❄️

I think the reason why BMW was better on the hill start might be due to weight distribution. Standing on a hill some weight of a car goes into the rear, which means that BMWs 50/50 becomes something like 45 /55 (front/rear), thus giving rear wheels better traction. In case of Audi, which has weight distribution something like 55/45 (front/rear) on flat surface, becomes 50/50 on the hill, which means that front wheels get less grip and cannot pull the car effectively. The numbers I present are just for example, but the idea should be clear. The reason I come to this conclusion is because Porsche 911s are extremally good when it comes to acceleration and can smoke cars that have 100+ hp more - all thanks to the engine far in the rear, which gives them weight distribution 40/60 (front/rear), which means better traction for rear tires.

I live in a warm climate that almost never sees snow. However, I watched this entire video because I know if I ever move to a snowy climate this channel posts the best tire information on the internet.

The 2 most important things I got out of this video: 1. Get good winter tyres and you're almost always good to go, no matter what your car is. 2. I want to take my Type R on such a snow test track and have some fun.

I can tell you as an "Alpine person" - one situation where RWD falls flat on its face vs FWD - regardless of the tires. The deep, semi-wet snow. So for example - there was a snow plough or just heavy amount of snowfall on your parking lot - FWD will wiggle its way if you play with the steering wheel, but with RWD just pushing or pulling the car forward or backward - you will be stuck as hell. Therefore - lesson learned - I Only had RWD BMW once in my life - since then only Xdrive is bought.

I know a lot of people commenting on wanting to see deeper snow, but seriously you'd have to be crazy to take either of these cars, or any sedan, out in deep snow conditions. Thanks for the real world type test with a "normal" snow covered road.

One advantage that you didn’t mention with front wheel drive I have found is in deep snow often sawing the steering side to side you can maintain progress where otherwise you would be stuck? This often works!

In my experience, the gearbox also plays a considerable role, or maybe the gearbox-traction control combo. I got stuck on snow and gravel with a pre facelift audi A4 B9 2.0 TDI S-tronic way more than I did with any of the manual diesel Golfs and Ford Focus I previously owned. The traction control drops the revs while the gearbox pushes the clutch in just when you are about to get a move on! I have since switched to an xDrive diesel F10 with that creamy ZF 8HP gearbox and I never looked back!

I was waiting for such test in years. Dazzling! Keep on doing your best

Reversing up the hill would be a good test, biggest weakness of rwd. I've been stuck in sloped driveways before because of that

I am actually surprised at the RWD pipping FWD on the acceleration tests. Good content

I have the goodyear in the front of my Skoda Roomster (winterset). Even with the +-10°C now in BE they provid excelent grip and very responsive handeling. Rears will be swapped after this season. Always like seeing your videos because they are fun and get to the point. Also providing much needed answers to questions floating around. Love your work and I'll always recommened the top 3 or5 tyres you recommend because from my experience, you're always pretty much bang on the money.

Wow! Fantastic job of delivering real evidence that we need to know! Thank you, keep up the great job!

I live in Canada and have driven AWD, 4X4, FWD and RWD in the most insane weather conditions imaginable for decades long before traction control existed. I'm fascinated by your results because my real world experience tells me FWD over RWD in bad snowy weather, especially on hills. I've seen FWD with all season tires get up hills RWD vehicles with snow tires couldn't get up. Last winter I was driving in a storm on my way to work and came across a woman in a Nissan Altima 3.5 v6 with winter tires who was hung up in deep snow at an intersection where a snow plow left a bank of snow. I pulled over to help her and I could see her wheels were barely spinning. "Traction Control" was the cause. I showed her how to turn off the traction control and gave her a small push by myself. She had full power and her tires spun hard, she hooked up and took off no problem. You said traction control was turned off but in my experience some cars don't really let you ever turn it off fully. That could have been the problem in this instance with the FWD Audi.

Only one winner.........fitting the right tyres for the conditions.

Good video and interesting results. Looking forward to the next one! :)

Very happy that you included hill start mate! Kudos 👍🙏

Excellent test! Really sucks how brands like Audi keep nannying things even with ESC "turned off". I think these cars are aimed at slightly different people. The BMW is for people who enjoy the driving experience and aren't afraid to get a little sideways sometimes. The Audi is for people who mostly want to be primarily comfortable, but also want to have the illusion of being a "fast driver" once in a while without actually getting too risky.

🎉 I am extremely grateful for this video after waiting and asking for it for years. The content on your channel this month has been truly delightful. As a BMW owner, I can confidently say that people's fear of these cars is completely unfounded. In fact, BMW should be thanking you for this video!

Great content and really not what I expected in terms of results!

Great video, great content, well presented & made me smile being a BMW owner! Thank you & have a Great Xmas & Prosperous New Year.