Quattro vs xDrive Q5, X3
 

Pretty impressive.

The X3 makes it seem effortless.

YouTube - Quattro vs xDrive - Audi Q5 gegen BMW X3

I have an Audi as my weekend car. I can tell you first hand that Quattro is a much system than the Xdrive. Something doesn't seem right in the video.....

I drive both an X5 and now a 2011 S4 (with sport diff), both which I've driven for the past 5 days in serious snow and ice here in Calgary. Both are impressive systems. Don't underestimate the newer generation Xdrive system...especially when optimized for the X5 and X3...it is an incredibly good system which has served me flawlessly for the last 5 winters.:thumbup:

The new X3 scored last place in a recent Auto Bild snow test of 10 assorted 4x4 and AWD vehicles, where the tests measured things like climbing ability, deep snow traction, and handling. It was outranked by cars such as the Kia Sportage, Audi Q5, Mini Countryman All4, and the Dacia Duster.

There has to be some independent controlled test out there.

It would be nice to see that.

i wish someone did thsi with quattro xDrive and Attesa

They put slicks on the Q5..That explains it :)
This is even more embarrassing for the Q5!It struggles to go up a small ramp ,where a Ford Kuga(entry level mini-Suv) does it effortlessly:)
YouTube - Embarrasing moment for the new Q5

Yea, I saw that video as well. I think in this case it was the driver.

Even the first video I posted, it seems obvious the BMW woman is making a point to make the Q5 look crappy, by going slow, and looking out the window, hesitating etc.

I don't think any of these videos are embarrassing. Silly, yes, but not embarrassing. They are contrived situations. How often do you have 100% traction on one axle, and zero on the other axle? As long as there is a mechanical differential involved, as in the Audi, you need something to trigger the electrical lock up so that you get drive on both axles. If that was a real hill, both vehicles would have driven up it fine.

Now if it was a comparison tire test, that would matter. But different AWD systems have so little to choose between them, that these adds just make the producers look silly, like political attack adds do.

Well the video that Subaru video that "NIGHTMAREuki" posted, demonstrates testing of manufacturers claims.

Although the conditions are not likely to be encountered in the real world, it still demonstrates the ability of the vehicles to tackle the situation. Manufacturers and consumers need "controlled" tests, something that can not be done consistently in real open terrain.

If a manufacturer claims the vehicle can overcome 0 traction on three wheels, then it would be embarrassing for the vehicle to not do so when tested.

Just advertisement with this symetrical-non-symetrical AWD.X-drive will react the same way as the Subaru did.I have tested it with the X3 back in 2005.

Yes, unless there is an electronic traction control, or the driver knows to put his/her foot on the brake when one axle has no traction.

I've driven Audi awd vehicles (some years back), and always thought they did fine in the snow. But the videos above are all exploiting the same specific point, that a driver that doesn't know when to apply the brake can get stuck.

:rofl: I am not sure I would use BMW as an example of enlightened awd system control design. They have a button labelled Traction Control (DTC), which when you push it, reduces traction. Not only isn't it automatic, it is backwards. Other models use a 4x4 light for DTC, suggesting that if you don't push it you have 4x2. If they wanted to play to their customer base, most of whom don't seem to read the manual, they would get rid of the button.

I know what pushing the button does :D

In reference to "the majority of drivers who don't want to know how it works" it is backwards, ie it reduces traction. On those balance beam tricks, it would have reduced the vehicle's awd performance.

Try that "long press" and let us know how it works for you. It was a feature on our E46 325xi, it wasn't on our X5. It appears to be an internet urban legend these days.

Sorry, I was discussing the E53.....this being the E53 forum and all.

Some more BMW Xdrive "propaganda"
YouTube - BMW X3 xDrive 2010 2011 contre Audi Q5

Somewhat dated video:

Quattro vs 2001-2003 X5 et al. up what looks like a ski slope.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EyKstZ6a5ag

Top Gear:
X6 vs Range Rover. X6 fails.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7nGXpqb3FE

Even if these tests are not definitive, they are entertaining none the less!

Average drivers don't even know there's a DTC mode on the BMWs. Including both my parents. Nor do they care.

I remember seeing that Top Gear episode. I'm no fan of the X6 but I remember thinking that failure was clearly about the high performance tires on that model of X6 than a test of the Xdrive system. Locking diffs and ride height would not have helped the X6 in either case but that's what he refers to as the weakness. Like you said, it's all about the "entertainment value".

One day an independant outfit (Consumers Report? Car and Driver? Automobile? Motorweek? :dunno:) is going to do a reasonable, objective evaluation of current AWD systems under real world conditions (similar tires, similar class of vehicle, same driver, etc., etc.). I'd love to know who comes out on top :popcorn: