Re: 325ix vs. Quattro

[MICHAEL ZAMIKHOVSKY <mikez755@sprintmail.com>]

Mark Nelson wrote:
> 
> Mike-
> 
> >They came to the conclusion that the iX had a superior all wheel drive
> system.
> 
> I strongly beg to differ.  I have seen 12 different 325ix's at my dad's
> business, and both of us have looked closely at the drivetrain on these
> cars and here's what we came up with:
> 
> The front driveline goes through a donut shaped hole in oil pan (no
> joke), and connects to the front differential via a CV joint.  The front
> driveline only sits inches away from the crank on the motor!  The front
> diff is just like the rear, except it was flopped upside down of course.
> 
> The center differential, if you can even call it that, highly resembles
> a transfer case out of say, a Toyota pickup truck.
> 
> The drivetrain on these cars is a joke.  As a matter of fact, a guy I
> work with here has a red 2 door 325ix, and that d*** thing couldn't keep
> up with my ex-5KTQ going down an extremely windy 4-lane road!!  He said
> when he tried to follow my line at the same speed, he felt the car was
> just going to completely break lose if he didn't let up off the
> throttle.  Just so you all know, we did this on a very wide four lane
> mountain road (Interstate 50) between Lake Tahoe and Carson City.
> Anyone who has been on this road knows what I am talking about
> (extremely fun in a Quattro). I actually expected his car to keep up
> pretty well, but we were both amazed that his little Bimmer couldn't
> keep up with my big sedan.
> 
> Some other interesting notes on the 325ix is that there is NO
> differential locks on these cars.  They have limited slips built into
> the differentials, and that is it.  I am not going to say that these are
> terrible cars because they are not.  Interestingly enough, all of the
> people that we know that own these cars have NEVER driven a Quattro.
> Although there is one exception, Satch Carlson, who uses his 325ix for
> TSD rallies.  Satch has admitted to us that he has, in some events,
> co-driven in a Quattro, while someone-else-drove-his-car.  Why you ask -
> because he said the Quattro was faster and handled better.
> 
> The common engine conversion for the 325ix is to drop in an M5 motor,
> which gives the car around 300HP.  Very impressive IMHO.
> 
> Anyway, this is just my .02.  I've seen several of these cars, and I can
> definitely tell you that they do not even compare on the same level of
> sophistication of a Quattro.  If they did, then BMW would have kept
> making them on past '91.  Essentially, if your friend thinks that a four
> wheel drive system, that is as sophisticated as that in a pickup truck,
> better rethink his conclusion, and do some research.  The 325ix is NOT
> at all as sophisticated as some might think.
> 
> Best Regards,
> 
> Mark Nelson
> ================================================================
> mnelson@brls.com
> Borealis Technology Corp.
> SQA Engineer
>    http://www.brls.com
> 
> 1990 Audi "S2" Quattro (Building for SCCA Pro Rally)
> 
> Past Audis: 1987 5000CSTQ, 1987 5000CSTQW
> ================================================================

Hi Mark.

I have personally didagree with inferority of design on BMW transfer 
case.
It allows to have the engine closer to the firewall and not in front of 
front axles. Escort Cosworth has same layout for much better weight 
destribution. As for absence of dif locks it is inconvenient only when 
you get stuck. For spirited driving visco in the center and LSD front and 
rear is better than what Audi has ,which if I am not mistaking is open 
everything or one Torsen and two open ones. For rally last Audi setup was 
LSD front and rear and fixed split center which can be adjusted from 
50/50 to 30/70 but not while you are driving. Of corse BMW setup may not 
be as well constructed and I know that it not as durable because I heard 
of many Visco falures but they do have a point and they are closer in 
theory than modern Subru WRX and MITSU EVO3 & EVO4 both of which are far 
superior to any AUDI. However this is another story. I do not believe in 
brand loyalty. I do agree that for daily driving Audi is more practical.
   Mike