I think all Wheel drive does is give you misguided confidence in the mind to go faster ...


and thereafter all hell brakes loose , because you've ( unless you know the particular cars characteristics ) no idea what itll do next

 

Got to be the Audi. bmw miles behind merc & Audi.

 

True I'm more used to 4wd having owned the Imprezas.

If we do go for the RS then I'll take the missus to a driver training day over at North Weald airfield.

Did that When I got my first Scooby. Really helps to explore the cars limits and learn what it does when you're at them.

http://www.carlimits.com/

 

In what regard?

 

Test drive went well.

Likes
Lots of torque and pulls from anywhere in the rev range.
Styling and cockpit are very classy, feels a quality piece of kit.
Lots of grip, I was unable to come even remotely close to unsticking it
Driving position was good. Even being 6ft 3 I found a good position. No chance of anybody getting in behind me though!

Dislikes.
Lack of steering feedback
Fidgety ride (no magic shocks on the car I drove)

I still want to take a DSG version out and also get a test drive of a M235i before I make my mind up.

 

I bought a M135i about 18 months ago now, know you're looking at 235i's but same engine e.t.c, they are really good cars, it was bought with my wife in mind really with the added bonus of it having a bit of poke for when I got the keys off her, I wouldn't worry to much about the rwd / traction issue, you've got to be driving like a complete tool to get the back end out and even then the traction control brings it straight back in line anyway, I've got the zf 8 speed auto and it's great, behaves just like a dual clutch. The straight six engine sounds really good as well and 400bhp is easily achieved with a jb4 piggy back ecu.