Best car in the snow?

[Johnmed]

Watched that very video just the other day. Can't say I gained much from watching it.

This is my first AWD car. And driving in the snow on Boxing Day was a hoot. At the end of a three hour journey of cautious driving, and where the roads were clear I floored the throttle to see how much traction there was. From zero to about 40-50mph, no issues, no wheelspin. Then just a light on the dash showing the stability/traction control system was doing something. With summer tyres.

Quite incredible.

[goldsax]

this is my first Quattro after having 2WD for over 25 years.
and over the past couple of days it has proved itself.
my daily run involves 50 miles of rolling country driving.
i have had the car for about 2 months and felt its sure footedness in very heavy rain and muddy conditions.
the ice/snow we have had recently affirms its 4 wheel drive credentials.
Quattro every time in all future Audis..
raj

[Delboy]

Wish I could be home to go play in the snow, since owning the S8 never had any to try it out. Hopefully there will be some Jan / Feb to have a try.

As for the video, well its not a conclusive test as there are so many variables, but still nice to see Audi romp it

[Sir WIll]

I always found a D2 on 20s never great in the snow. Just too bigger wheel with a tiny sidewall.

Not bad as its 4WD but the wheel/ tyre combination does not help at all.

Now my C4 100 (2.8 Quattro) was amazing as it had 15" wheels and nice high profile tyres.

I would of thought a D2 on 18s with winter tyres would be the car of choice.

[tintin]

Originally Posted by Sir WIll

I always found a D2 on 20s never great in the snow. Just too bigger wheel with a tiny sidewall.

Not bad as its 4WD but the wheel/ tyre combination does not help at all.

Now my C4 100 (2.8 Quattro) was amazing as it had 15" wheels and nice high profile tyres.

I would of thought a D2 on 18s with winter tyres would be the car of choice.

Precisely...

[Johnmed]

I understand the need for smaller Wheels with a higher profile tyre, but why a D2 over a D3/4?

Did the D2 have true 4 wheel drive, where the D3 et al have AWD?

[Adrian E]

I can concur that D2 on 20s and summer tyres isn't that great when grip is lacking! Nearly binned mine the day I collected it after driving home on ice and snow (even the m25 had 6" of slush on it and 2 lanes closed!)

The ABS system on the D2 is hyperactive in poor conditions - I would never choose to take mine out on slippery roads on the 20s. I'd consider it on proper winter tyres when the mechanical grip would be higher.

Our C5 A6 on the other hand (17s) was awesome in poor weather and you could play with it on icy roads and it'd never bite. ABS was much more modern and it'd manage to slow you down whereas the D2 just won't!

[The_Laird]

Originally Posted by Sir WIll

I would of thought a D2 on 18s with winter tyres would be the car of choice.

Seconded!

[snapdragon]

I had some understeer on a large roundabout with roadworks and those large plastic water-filled blocks for barriers. The road was clear, but the roundabout had too much slush on it and adverse camber and when I went to turn-in it sailed on at a tangent. It seemed the only way to get the ESP to help out was turn the steering even more rather than a little less lock and hope it regains enough grip. If we get some more, I will try and recreate it in the B&Q car park.

When I had a D4 courtesy car for a week 2 winters ago, we were coincidentally blessed with a week of snow - it was not as good as the D3 because the rear always stepped out or tried to overtake the front when pulling away. Not sure if it was the odd pirelli Pzero 'system' of having different tread patterns front and rear or the rear-bias on the newer Torsen system.

[Glync]

My D4 sport has behaved brilliant in the snow we have had a fair bit in Derbyshire/Leicestershire. Very sure footed and hasn't lost traction once, that's on slightly more than half worn Goodyear tyres (as fitted new) and 20" rims.
Believe me after the last two winters in a Merc you really appreciate your Quattro again. I don't think the Merc would have got off the drive and up the lane let alone got around safely! In fact often I couldn't get in the damn thing as the doors/windows were stuck!
I was out last night and it was indicating -5 on the clock, having to pick up my daughter, and some of the roads on the housing estates were pure ice and I never once felt concerned no issues pulling away or braking and the electronics weren't that noticeable kicking in either.
Having said all that, it still amazes me what idiots there are about and seemingly have no idea of the state of the roads.
Cheers Glyn