M3 Touring vs RS4 Avant: The Final Winter Check

Regardless of how issues look, this take a look at of winter tires and all-wheel drive techniques is solely scientific. Ignore the sideways motion and 500-hp engines. This video from the Tyre Evaluations YouTube channel that includes an Audi RS4 Avant and a BMW M3 Touring getting fantastically sideways is for instructional functions solely.

Within the spirit of studying, it is best to know every automotive was fitted with Pirelli P-Zero winter tires in the identical 275/35-19 measurement. The BMW has a slight energy benefit at 503 horsepower, versus 444 hp for the Audi, however the RS4 is a bit lighter. Contemplating the floor for this comparability is decidedly slippery, being a porker would possibly truly assist the BMW.

The primary half of the video is devoted to old style drag racing. Exams are performed on each snow and ice, with traction management techniques on and off, and the winner is … inconclusive. With all of the assists on, the BMW has a slight benefit. In sport modes with traction management dialed again, the Audi is best. And with every part off, it is nothing however spinning wheels.

Handing comparisons, nevertheless, reveal key variations in the way in which Audi and BMW execute their all-wheel-drive techniques. The M3 Touring proves to be a handful, albeit a tail-happy handful that requires appreciable enter to be quick. In the meantime within the Audi, the Quattro system is extra point-and-shoot, sending the automotive round corners in a tidier vogue. Mockingly, the automobiles returned similar lap instances as soon as every part was averaged out—even with a number of drivers going out in quite a few periods.

So which all-wheel-drive system is best? After cautious scientific research, the conclusion relies upon totally on how sideways you wish to be. It is a robust job, however somebody needed to do it.