BMW M-Division to switch all cars to AWD

"Klaus Schmoll" (klausschmoll) 01/19/2015 at 15:31 • Filed to: None

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Had a chat with my buddy at BMW in Munich recently and he told me that all M cars will have a viscous diff/clutch AWD system sooner or later.

He works in R&D but I've told you that already:

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And now before the people start crying "Oh BMW have lost their way. First cars with even numbers, then cars with even numbers and an X..." and so on, let me tell you that it will be RWD biased. The idea is that you can put the car into a drift using RWD power and when they loose traction the front wheels also get power so that you can put the steering wheel straight and keep that drift angle forever and ever. Or that's how I understood it.

And don't despair! There'll even be a RWD-only mode. Selecting that will also disable traction control for some good old fashioned hoonage. To fully disengage the front wheels they plan on letting the oil out of the viscous thingy and pump it into a reserviour or something (again not an engineer, I only understood half of the technical stuff).

While I like my M cars manual, naturally aspirated and RWD, I think I can live with this. But I'm sure the internet is full of haters, so let the bitching begin and get it over with rather sooner than later.

KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs > Klaus Schmoll 01/19/2015 at 15:33

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I understand *why* they are doing it, but as a counterpoint, if what you have is a forced induction AWD monster, why not buy an Audi RS6 or Mercedes E63?

Manuél Ferrari > KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs 01/19/2015 at 15:35

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BMW better keep offering the stick in some of their M models. Because if they don't then there will be no reason not to get the Audi RS or Mercedes AMG models.

Klaus Schmoll > KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs 01/19/2015 at 15:37

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Yep, spoils the "unique selling point" thing. Apparently they have some prototypes and they are so much fun that the M people loved it, but still. Maybe the market for "unique" isn't that big?

ly2v8-Brian > Klaus Schmoll 01/19/2015 at 15:39

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The key is if I don't need AWD/4x4 I don't want the unnecessary weight of those systems. Even if you turn AWD off you're still lugging around a lot of extra weight.

Oh well, as long as I can still get non M cars without xDrive.

Group B Enthusiast - Captain of the supercharged barge > Klaus Schmoll 01/19/2015 at 16:02

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If they go the way of the M235i, and offer X-Drive as an option, good for them!

HammerheadFistpunch > Klaus Schmoll 01/19/2015 at 16:06

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Why smaller, lighter and less powerful is the only way forward; we're approaching the upper limit of horsepower/traction and loosing all the fun (aside from silly 1/4 mile grins) in the process. Cars like the i8 will be the fun cars in the future and these boats with rocket motors will just continue to be the top spec option for the well heeled to be used as commuter cars that speak for them.

luvMeSome142 & some Lincoln! > Klaus Schmoll 01/19/2015 at 16:30

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From that very brief description it sounds like an interesting system and very different from other systems.

A lot of systems are primarily FWD, but this would be primarily RWD. The clue is the statement about draining the fluid from the viscous coupling. Do this on a Subie and you get a FWD car.

I like this because you can design the system with fairly lightweight drive to the font wheels.

E92M3 > Group B Enthusiast - Captain of the supercharged barge 01/19/2015 at 16:49

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Yes hopefully it will just be a $4k option I don't have to check off. As others have said if I wanted AWD I would of bought an Audi.

Tohru > Klaus Schmoll 01/19/2015 at 17:06

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BMW announced today their intentions to go after Audi for the title of "Ultimate Understeering Machine".

Klaus Schmoll > Tohru 01/19/2015 at 17:17

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So you didn't fully read it! It's RWD biased, get the oil out of the viscous coupling and it's RWD only, not FWD like in most other systems.

Tohru > Klaus Schmoll 01/19/2015 at 17:27

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I read it but I wasn't going to let that interfere with a quality joke.

Besides, it is going to have a bunch more weight on the front. Which can cause understeer.

KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs > Klaus Schmoll 01/19/2015 at 17:35

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I would think they would want product differentiation beyond the badge. Otherwise aren't BMW falling into the trap of the "Me Too" product?

I mean Porsche still sell a rear engined car, even though there are better ways to mount the engine. You have to hand it to them for their persistence.

Klaus Schmoll > Tohru 01/19/2015 at 17:36

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"Quality is in the eye of the beholder." - Somebody

Tohru > Klaus Schmoll 01/19/2015 at 17:46

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I'm the one beholding that joke and I think it's great.

Ain't my fault you Germans are all serious all the time.

Group B Enthusiast - Captain of the supercharged barge > E92M3 01/19/2015 at 18:14

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This. I'm hoping the new M2 will drive the 1M prices down a bit, but if it goes AWD, the 1M will quickly be the new 2.7 RS...

$$$,$$$,$$$.$$

Klaus Schmoll > Tohru 01/19/2015 at 18:17

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Nah come on! It's not like we don't have a sense of .... what is this thing you are speaking of again?

E92M3 > Group B Enthusiast - Captain of the supercharged barge 01/19/2015 at 18:18

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I don't get 1M prices. The Z4 M Coupe was low production as well, lighter than the E46 M3, were only available as manuals, and are much better looking than the 1M and they haven't appreciated.

Tohru > Klaus Schmoll 01/19/2015 at 22:25

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theloudmouth > Klaus Schmoll 01/19/2015 at 22:48

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so long as they leave the 1M/M2/et. Al. Alone...

I'll keep my 335is with a stick, no sport button, and hydraulic rack for a long time (if I'm going for an all motor option I'll add a cayman to the stable).

Klaus Schmoll > Tohru 01/20/2015 at 10:28

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Tohru > Klaus Schmoll 01/20/2015 at 10:37

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The one I posted is edited because I didn't want to bring up ze war.