Odd AWD Misunderstanding

"Bryan doesn't drive a 1M" (bryantakespictures)
03/10/2015 at 12:09 • Filed to: Audi, AWD

I'm not exaggerating when I say that my co-workers know nothing about cars. Even one I thought was fairly knowledgeable or at least interested in me let me down yesterday.

They had recently bought an Audi A3 and I asked if they got all wheel drive. They responded that the got 2-wheel drive because they wanted the steering wheel to be easier to turn.

Does Audi add heft to the steering in its AWD models to make them feel sportier? That's the only reason I can imagine the steering wheel would be harder to turn. Though I can't imagine an A3 in any trim would have heavy steering.

DISCUSSION (36)

Nibby > Bryan doesn't drive a 1M
03/10/2015 at 12:10

AWD works by psychology.

CalzoneGolem > Bryan doesn't drive a 1M
03/10/2015 at 12:12

Wait ... you can get a 2wd Audi?

Snuze: Needs another Swede > Bryan doesn't drive a 1M
03/10/2015 at 12:13

Did they drive both the AWD and FWD versions of the car, or is this just a thing they invented in their mind?

Cherry_man1 > Bryan doesn't drive a 1M
03/10/2015 at 12:13

It's called idioits, that is all.

Bryan doesn't drive a 1M > CalzoneGolem
03/10/2015 at 12:14

Yeah, A3 and A4 base models are FWD. Not sure about the rest of Audi's lineup.

TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. > CalzoneGolem
03/10/2015 at 12:14

Yes, it's the only way to get a manual A3... figure that one out without getting a headache.

HammerheadFistpunch > Bryan doesn't drive a 1M
03/10/2015 at 12:15

What the hell kind of nonsense did that salesman spout to unload a FWD A3 on your coworker?!

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > Bryan doesn't drive a 1M
03/10/2015 at 12:16

Sounds like the kind of person who would think it makes the invincible in slippery conditions—probably better they don't have it.

jariten1781 > Bryan doesn't drive a 1M
03/10/2015 at 12:16

I've mentioned it before, but my brother in law has a FWD A4 that he is fully convinced is AWD. Audi marketing at work. I've dropped many hints but he just won't pick up on it and it isn't worth the ego slam to out and out tell him (or show him the lack of prop shaft or whatever) for what amounts to a harmless misconception...he wouldn't believe me anyway.

CalzoneGolem > Bryan doesn't drive a 1M
03/10/2015 at 12:16

TIL

ZHP Sparky, the 5th > Bryan doesn't drive a 1M
03/10/2015 at 12:16

LOL - certainly not, and even if there were variants with "sportier" feeling, having AWD would not be the determining factor.

Just to get this straight - a 2wd Audi is FWD...so an AWD Audi has the ability to send power to the rear wheels too - so if the amount of power being diverted to the wheels is what makes the steering wheel easier to turn (lol), wouldn't an AWD have lighter steering? You know, because now the rear wheels share the burden of laying down power with the front wheels which are also doing the turning?

CalzoneGolem > TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts.
03/10/2015 at 12:17

What? Why? Uhh ....

OPPOsaurus WRX > Bryan doesn't drive a 1M
03/10/2015 at 12:17

i got AWD so all m wheels would come with me when i go to work and i dont have to leave any at home

Bryan doesn't drive a 1M > Snuze: Needs another Swede
03/10/2015 at 12:17

Valid question. My brain was frozen after they said that because I was wondering why anyone would want lighter steering. Haven't driven an A3, but most new cars have very light steering.

Bryan doesn't drive a 1M > jariten1781
03/10/2015 at 12:18

Step 1: Find an icy lake / pond.

Step 2. Apply gas

Step 3. There is no step 3.

Flat Six > Bryan doesn't drive a 1M
03/10/2015 at 12:19

I've felt in the past that AWD drive cars like Suburus can have a little vibration when you are turning sharply at slow speeds. 4WD drive cars do this a lot if it is engaged and you are on pavement. Maybe this is what he is talking about. I don't think modern transmissions do this as much, and I've never driven an A3.

Bryan doesn't drive a 1M > HammerheadFistpunch
03/10/2015 at 12:20

I doubt the FWD's sell that poorly. They're pretty much the cheapest German luxury car you can buy. Not as cheap as a Golf, though...

ZHP Sparky, the 5th > CalzoneGolem
03/10/2015 at 12:22

Most certainly - not all Audis have Quattro, and non-Quattro = FWD.

It really surprised me the first time I saw a longitudinally mounted engine in a FWD Audi...whyyyy!

Snuze: Needs another Swede > Bryan doesn't drive a 1M
03/10/2015 at 12:23

Well I almost typed up a theory until I realized it was FWD vs. AWD. If it was RWD on the base model, I could see the case that if they use the same rack, maybe the added resistance of the CV joints or something makes it heavier. But I'm just stumped at this point.

HammerheadFistpunch > Bryan doesn't drive a 1M
03/10/2015 at 12:23

Well there is the CLA too, but yeah.

Bryan doesn't drive a 1M > ZHP Sparky, the 5th
03/10/2015 at 12:23

Yeah, FWD feels like it's "pushing" when you corner hard, until understeer, when the steering becomes super light! Doubt that happened during the test drive.

jariten1781 > Bryan doesn't drive a 1M
03/10/2015 at 12:23

Yeah, there's plenty of ways to prove it....but:

1. It's not worth it to just make him feel worse and me smug.

2. He may just think it's broken, won't activate in that situation, whatever

I do find it hilarious that he knows the type of wood used on the interior (and mentions it all the time....) but not a single thing about the mechanics.

McMike > Bryan doesn't drive a 1M
03/10/2015 at 12:23

That's just something the salesman told him to make him feel good about his purchase.

Just like the salesman that told the guy I know that the new Mini Cooper Coupe is the same thing as a BMW 2 series underneath.

#ShitSalesmenSay

Bryan doesn't drive a 1M > Cherry_man1
03/10/2015 at 12:24

idioits and morans

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > Bryan doesn't drive a 1M
03/10/2015 at 12:24

The AWD versions of cars often do have heavier steering WHEN THE BASE IS RWD. Likely, they've experienced this and just completely failed to understand it beyond the AWD = TEH HAVEY!!! level. Say, if they've had AWD Benzes or others.

Rico > CalzoneGolem
03/10/2015 at 12:25

You can get an A8 in FWD

Opposite Locksmith > Snuze: Needs another Swede
03/10/2015 at 12:28

exactly what went through my head.

Bryan doesn't drive a 1M > jariten1781
03/10/2015 at 12:28

What kind of friend doesn't want to win an argument just to make the other person feel worse? That should be motivation enough.

Bryan doesn't drive a 1M > McMike
03/10/2015 at 12:31

Whoa, that's a bit of a stretch. How far underneath? Do they have the same tires?

Ok, just read your link. Didn't know about that 2 series.

Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero > Bryan doesn't drive a 1M
03/10/2015 at 12:32

Wouldn't step 3 be fall through said ice

Snuze: Needs another Swede > jariten1781
03/10/2015 at 12:33

Those people infuriate me. I know a guy around here who has an "award winning" show car, and two of the features were a "shaved firewall" and "4-link rear." Well the the shaved firewall is really a fiberglass cover and the 4 link is really a 3 link ladder bar. I questioned it once, didn't actually try to point anything out, just asked and he flew off the handle at me that "he knows what his cars have, and maybe when I've been in the game as long as him I'll learn something" blah blah blah.

jariten1781 > Bryan doesn't drive a 1M
03/10/2015 at 12:39

Not really a friend...more of a 'forced cordial companion'.

Friend I can avoid until butthurt has reduced to acceptable levels and I'm never forced to be alone or talk with if shit's brewing under the surface. BIL I'm stuck hanging out with no matter the mood.

If he wasn't tertiary family he's not a guy I'd ever speak to...He's very cosmopolitan, health nut, likes spending gobs of money on paintings and shit...I'm whatever the opposite of that is (rustic, don't give a shit about healthy eating/exercise, spend money on durable good/disdain puffery I guess haha.)

Different dynamic.

But yeah, if it were a friend friend I'd point it out, do some demos and incessantly rag them about it 20 years later just to be an ass.

McMike > Bryan doesn't drive a 1M
03/10/2015 at 12:43

LOL, so it's not just me then. :)

They don't even sell that active tourer here, so it's a REAL stretch with the comparison.

spanfucker retire bitch > Bryan doesn't drive a 1M
03/10/2015 at 12:50

I mean, your turning radius does increase with 4WD vehicles, that isn't a lie. But an AWD vehicle? I don't know about that.

Galileo Humpkins (aka MC Clap Yo Handz) > Bryan doesn't drive a 1M
03/10/2015 at 13:47

I've had multiple Audi's over the last few years, and test driven many others. They are the same to me (with regards to ease of steering wheel turn), taking into account the various vehicle's weights and other factors.

Galileo Humpkins (aka MC Clap Yo Handz) > Bryan doesn't drive a 1M
03/10/2015 at 13:49

the filled them up at the same gas station, so you know...that counts