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AWD vs. FWD vs. RWD: A lesson in important acronyms

The above three letter acronyms will mean something to a few, but confuse others.  We’re here to explain the pros and cons of the three main different drive types for vehicles on the road today.  First, let’s just spell those out:

AWD = All Wheel Drive  :  FWD = Front Wheel Drive  :  RWD = Rear Wheel Drive

With that out of the way, let’s start out with one of the more useful drive types for here in New England, AWD.  All wheel drive means that all 4 wheels of the car are being powered by the engine, generally providing more grip in slippery situations.  Manufacturers known for their prowess in this particular drive type are Audi and Subaru, Audi in particular having really pioneered the movement through their early Quattro rally cars.  The benefits are numerous, more grip in the snow/rain/loose surfaces, extreme dry circumstances and generally even tire wear among others, but you do sacrifice gas mileage as there are more wheels that need to be powered by the engine.  Most would consider vehicles with AWD a great all-around vehicle for those needing one car to do it all through all 4 seasons, however, this drive type isn’t as common as the next one.

Front wheel drive is where the engine only powers the front two wheels.  This is generally considered to the most common type of drivetrain, accounting for a vast majority of vehicles on the road because of its low cost and simplicity, and is found in popular vehicles such as the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord and others.  Front wheel drive vehicles can be more compact, and often have better legroom in the rear as they don’t require any mechanicals in the rear of the vehicle as in RWD or AWD.  Additionally, FWD is much easier to control in inclement conditions as you don’t have to worry about the rear end swinging out every time you touch the throttle  The downsides to FWD are few, but they generally have a greater turning radius as a result of having the driven wheels also do the turning, and they often exhibit what is called torque steer, which means in rapid acceleration the car will pull to the left or the right.  However, manufacturers are constantly coming up with ways to combat this issue and newer, sportier FWD cars are being praised for their handling similar to a RWD sports car.

If you were to take a poll amongst gearheads on which drivetrain they preferred, nine out of ten would probably answer RWD.  The simple, front engine, RWD layout is what those with oil running through their veins consider to be the purest expression of a sports car.  It allows the driver to get a little sideways when desired, and generally helps a vehicle keep close to the perfect 50/50 weight distribution.  This is probably the rarest of drive-trains and often limits the vehicle’s ability to perform well in anything but ideal conditions with anything less than a very experienced driver.  Porsche, BMW, Ferrari, and most sports cars have this layout (among others) and it will probably stay that way for the foreseeable future.  The benefits among those listed above are a higher MPG rating than AWD, lighter weight, and a generally simpler layout because of the two wheel drive instead of four.  However, as much fun as these cars are on a sunny day, when the weather turns they can be a bit tricky to handle as a slightly liberal use of the throttle can result in a spin.  RWD cars are generally found in garages as a second weekend vehicle, but there are those out there that will daily drive them as well (though they are few and far between in states that experience bad weather).  While RWD has traditionally been found in higher-end exotics, manufacturers such as Mazda, Subaru, Honda and Toyota are stepping up and making cheap, fun, and simple cars such as the long-lived Miata and the joint BRZ/FRS project by Subaru/Toyota.  This leaves enthusiasts that aren’t among the 1% to enjoy the thrills of a well-balanced vehicle without emptying their pockets.

While we didn’t cover the 4WD type of drivetrain in this article, it is very similar to AWD in that the number of driven wheels is the same, and the differences are minimal except for the fact that 4WD is generally associated with more off-road oriented vehicles and AWD is usually reserved for cars or light-duty cross-overs.  Whichever one you choose for your next vehicle, be sure to do your research before you decide so that you are happy with your purchase for years to come.

“Never drive your heroes” they say…the e39 M5

Well folks, this is one of the big ones.  The number 5 is pretty average, nothing to write home about, a pretty boring digit on its own, but as soon as you stick an M in front of it, things change pretty quickly.  And as if that isn’t enough, add e39 to the equation, and you end up with pure magic.  To many, this is still the best driver’s sedan on the road, despite being over 13 years old.  A car that represents one of the greatest vehicles to ever leave the BMW factory, an analog example of what a super-sedan should be.  And now, probably one of the most affordable fun cars on the road, that is, if you can find one.

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Well we did.  This particular vehicle, a 2000 M5 with a hair over 100k miles is listed for sale in Weymouth, MA for the price of a new Toyota Yaris.  We couldn’t resist the urge to drive, photograph, and review this aging wolf in sheep’s clothing in an attempt to help it find the enthusiast it deserves.  The M5 represents a car that we have been longing to drive and despite the risk of it not living up to all of the hype, we decided to take the plunge anyway.

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First impressions are important.  From a distance, this car could be confused with a typical early 2000’s well-equipped 5 series.  The subtle styling, classic understated front fascia coupled with the slightly aggressive quad exhaust tips make this thing fly under the radar unless you have a keen eye for an M badge.  This particular model had upgraded headlights from the later 2001 and up M5’s, which make a world of difference in giving the front end a more modern look.  The stance, the body lines, everything is as you’ve seen in the pictures, awe-inspiring class mixed with subtle hints that say “I mean business”

The drive is hard to pin down.  On one hand, you are driving a 16 year old car that some could call outdated, but most would see as simply worn down.  On the other hand, in all the important ways it is still very much an M5 and unequivocally deserving of the name.  The interior may be a little worse for wear in some spots, but the engine is so eager to get going, and the shifts, to use a cliché, like a well-oiled bolt-action rifle, that you quickly forget that the cupholders have seen better days.  Thanks to near 400 hp, acceleration is still kick-you-in-the-pants fast, and the ride is sublime despite some additional rattles due to age.  You get a sense that this car is still holding on to the glory days, yearning for a new owner to clean it up a bit and show it a little TLC.

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We came away in awe of the tire-munching machine and how well it has aged.  After all of these years never having driven what many consider to be the auto epitome of class/badass, we can safely say it was far from a let-down.  Often the hype misleads everyone and the cars have a tough time living up to the excessive praise of reviews and publications, but this tired M5 showed so much life, one could only dream about what it was like new.  It’s safe to say that this generation of M5 has made the list of performance bargain cars considering that near-mint examples can be had for under $25k.  It is hard to find something that will excite a real driver this much and still be able to pull up to the Four Seasons and not look out of place, the M5 is still that car, and imitators are still playing catch up.

A big thanks to 777 Auto in Weymouth, MA and Svetlin for letting us test drive this car.  Their selection of fun European autos is sizeable and their pricing reasonable, definitely check them out.