Re: 325ix vs. Quattro

[MICHAEL ZAMIKHOVSKY <mikez755@sprintmail.com>]

Mark Nelson wrote:
> 
> Mike-
> 
> If the BMW AWD idea was a better design than the Audi, then why didn't
> they keep making it??
> 
> As far as I'm concerned, I still think that Porsche has the best AWD
> designs, most notably in the 959.  What other manufacturer has taken a
> COMPLETELY stock AWD car (i.e. the Porsche Turbo/Carrera 4) and gone out
> and been competitive in SCCA Pro Rally, won Pikes Peak, won the
> Paris-Dakar Rally, the Pharonen Rally, etc.?
> 
> Personally, from looking at several 325ix's and seeing the problems of
> those cars, I strongly disagree that the design is better than the
> Quattro system.  The fact is on the Quattro rally cars, the entire
> drivetrain was custom made, and as you mentioned had a manual bias setup
> for transferring power from one end of the car to the other, not unlike
> that of the 959.  I have seen less failures on Quattros, relating to the
> drivetrain, than I have seen on 325ix's, and the area where I live has
> more Quattros and 325ix's per capita, than any other place in the
> country!
> 
> Another thing to remember on the Subarus that McRae and Erikkson run as
> well as the Mitsubishi that Tommi Makinen runs, is that those cars have
> a completely custom drivetrain as well.  I will guarantee that you will
> not see the same drivetrain sitting in say a Subaru Legacy wagon.
> Another interesting note pertaining to the Hyundai Tiburon that Paul
> Choinere runs(built by John Buffum), is that the car is running a
> complete Mitsubishi drivetrain, the same drivetrain as in the factory
> Mistubishi cars that run the WRC.
> 
> My .02.
> 
> 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
> >Subaru Legacy wagon has nothing in common with Impretsa WRX. WRX is sold 
to public in Japan for $45KUS. True it doesn't have $65K XTrack 
trasmission of WRX cars but it (like Mitsu Evo4 ) has active center diff.
I also feel that dropping IX from US market has nothing to do with how 
good or bad it was. Other AWD cars came and went and lived on in other 
parts of the world. As far as I am conserned C4 is the only high perf. 
AWD car on US market. We never see any homologation specials from 
Subaru,Nissan, Mitsu, Ford.
I have not seen Tiboron yet. When I see it I will be running far behinde 
it at STPR. 
None of previous Libra Hundai cars had WRC drivetrains. These were 
Mitsubishi transmissions and engines built by private shops in England 
for rally specifications for much less than WRC stuff from Rallyart.I 
would be very surprised if Tiboron had XTrack transmission with new 
active front and center diffs. A setup like that costs no less than 
$75KUS for trans alone. Private shops in England will build close ratio 
dog box for much less. Several others use them in this contry as well.

Mike Z