[navysinksarmy]

This is my first post, sorry if this is a repeat; I've watched this fourm for awhile, but I don't believe this question/situation has been proposed.

Please note: I have driven a 300C, but its been over 6 months.

I'm looking to purchase a 300C, and I'm trying to decide between the 2 versions available. Just to try a comparison of the RWD VS AWD, I drove an AWD magnum and RWD 300. Both had the high level V-6, so I know this may not be an accurrate comparison of the two drive-trains as on the 300C, but it was all the dealer had to test drive. Over a series of curves, I felt that AWD Magnum gripped the road better then the RWD 300. It also seemed that the steering was a little tighter on the AWD Magnum.

So from you drivers, I humbly ask:
Is this the same situation between the 300C AWD VS RWD?

Comments on the differences between the two drive-trains from drivers that have experienced both on the 300C would be most appreciated. Thank you in advance.

PS Although they are not 300C's, I was still impressed with the V-6 models.

 

[rizzo]

300C RWD vs 300C AWD

I had a 300C RWD for 9 months ... just moved into a 300C AWD (live in Minnesota, lots of snow) ... after putting miles on both, in my opinon, you give up a fair amount of "off the line" power in the AWD because of the 32/68 power distribution. On the flip side, again in my opinon, as good as the RWD was in turns, it feels like the AWD outperforms it - so that makes it feel like the steering is tighter. I think it gets to personal preference .. I love them both

 

[Taha24]

If you tried the V6's, then also keep in mind that the RWD is a 4 speed trannie while the AWD has a 5 speed.

 

[navysinksarmy]

^^^ Rizzo or any other fourm member....

Does the loss of "off the line power" more associated with feeling (perhaps due to suspension differences), or is there a signifigant loss of power to the wheels in the AWD system? I'm certain there will be more loss of power at the wheels as more parts = more friction = less power at wheels. However, does this translate into significantly slower performance times in fair weather? Also, is anyone aware of a difference in steering ratios of the AWD and the RWD? Because I've read this on the fourms, I'm certain there is a difference in the suspensions of the two types of drive-trains, I've read there is a height difference. Again, thank you all for your input.

 

[turbohips]

Hey bud had them both. If you want the looks for cheaper go for the RWD. If you want the performance but have a hastle with aftermarket wheels and lowering go for the AWD. I've had both and am glad that I totaled the RWD and not the AWD. I like performance and I'm not trying to be getto.

 

[rizzo]

There is a noticeable loss of "jump" from a dead stop .. my neck is not near as sore since I've been driving the AWD, and I know my driving habits haven't changed. I haven't clocked a 0-60 run so I can't hep there. Like I said I attribute that to the power distribution and the fact that the AWD is heavier to start with. Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining, it still does a great job. Can't help on the steering. As far as handling, I test drove both on the same stretch of twist/turn roadway and I can say that the AWD performed better at speed in those conditions than my RWD did, and I thought the RWD did a great job.

^^^ Rizzo or any other fourm member....

Does the loss of "off the line power" more associated with feeling (perhaps due to suspension differences), or is there a signifigant loss of power to the wheels in the AWD system? I'm certain there will be more loss of power at the wheels as more parts = more friction = less power at wheels. However, does this translate into significantly slower performance times in fair weather? Also, is anyone aware of a difference in steering ratios of the AWD and the RWD? Because I've read this on the fourms, I'm certain there is a difference in the suspensions of the two types of drive-trains, I've read there is a height difference. Again, thank you all for your input.

 

[AWD 300C]

I ordered AWD because of its performance and safety on icy mountain roads. I have other cars for drag racing. However, theoretically, If you can brake launch at a decent RPM (I don't know what the stall is on the stock converter), AWD will hook up better off the line. The rule of thumb is that for every tenth of a second saved in the 60 ft. time, you gain two tenths in overall ET in the 1/4 mile. Will the ability to hook up overcome the weight and the higher parasitic drivetrain loss when compared to the RWD car? Time will tell. My gut feeling is that the RWD is probably a little quicker off the line. But, we also tend to get a little one dimensional judging cars only by their 1/4 mile potential.

 

[rogue]

Bringing the ass end of your RWD through a turn at 45mph and teaching that BMW 540i behind you a lesson in driving, and horsepower = priceless.

I wouldn't take an AWD if you paid me. RWD was one of the major reasons I bought the 300c in the first place. I got sick of having AWD in my Audi A4. It reminds me of the Manual vs Automatic conversation where people say "Automatic isn't really DRIVING".

You could say I feel the same about RWD vs AWD. AWD may have more grip and accell in situations, but I like a challenge and a bit of oversteer in my vehicle. How does a huge AWD car feel through the turns? Someone go out and whip it for me and tell me how it feels.

Keep in mind I'm in sunny california where I don't have to worry about seasons and weather

 

[AWD 300C]

I wouldn't take an AWD if you paid me. RWD was one of the major reasons I bought the 300c in the first place. I got sick of having AWD in my Audi A4.

I understand exactly what you're saying. I love to throttle steer. My Ram SRT-10 does it very well. But, an A4 is a little under powered to really test AWD. Three of my kids autocross STis. Let me tell you, smoking all four tires while drifting through a tight corner can be quite exciting. Then, having the grunt to power out of the turn, that also = priceless. AWD with a lot of hp poses its own set of driving challenges.

That said, if I wasn't up in the mountains I'd be all over RWD.

 

[jjs]

If you tried the V6's, then also keep in mind that the RWD is a 4 speed trannie while the AWD has a 5 speed.

Say what? Are you referring to the 6's or the C's?

 

[rogue]

Please stop saying the STi word. It makes me want to trade my 300c in so badly.

 

[joeSRT8]

I drove an AWD 300C for two months, got rid of it because I didn't like the wheel gap and lack of aftermarket rims (a true tragedy, that DCX mismatched the CHROME exterior accents on the 300C AWD with ALUMINUM rims!). Now I drive a 300C RWD as I await an SRT-8 order. Having the RWD for a month now I can say that the AWD was actually an overall better performer/handler (disclaimer: for MY particular style of driving - and no two peoples' are alike!). The RWD feels a little faster off the line, but thats where the comparisons end because the RWD feels a little less like its on "rails" as the AWD did. That's probably the biggest difference I can point to overall, now having driven them both at least a month each including pouring rain conditions: the AWD inspired more confidence because of the way it felt like it was almost invincible even at high speeds in corners.

AWD EXPERIENCES - Consider this: Once in pouring rain driving the AWD (while I still had it), I was feeling particularly daring as I approached a long winding freeway ramp to transition from one freeway to another .. I remember looking down out of habit to double-check that I had NOT disengaged the ESP as I sometimes did in dry weather. ESP ON, I proceeded to punch the gas into the turn and going about 80-85mph I blew past the cars in the other two lanes and suddenly felt "that feeling" in my stomach from the centrifugal force. The AWD was solid and felt like it was on rails the whole way and I remember one wide-eyed guy eyeing my car up and down for a brief moment as I passed him that was either thinking I was 'crazy' or was wondering how I was doing 80+ mph on this long freeway ramp in pouring rain. I figured if the wheels started to slip the ESP would back me off, but it didn't because apparently I wasn't slipping enough for it. I also made practice of whipping the AWD around corners at higher speeds when it was raining just to see what it was capable of. I never did slip around a right corner no matter how hard I pushed it, though sometimes the ESP backed me off sheerly because of the speed too high. Driving the AWD in long curves on dry pavement? Forget about it - it was such a great feeling like a roller-coaster ride. It simply felt like it was on rails and I can't say that enough.

RWD EXPERIENCES - Upon taking ownership of the RWD model a month ago I finally had an opportunity in a pouring rain condition about and a week and a half ago to repeat the same exercise. With no other cars on the road (super early morning) I approached the same freeway transition ramp - again with ESP ON, once I hit about 50-60mph I started to feel the ESP backing me off and so I let off the throttle after a few more seconds because obviously I was slipping. The whipping-it-around-corners exercise really engaged the ESP in pouring rain however, much more so than the AWD. Why did I end up with an RWD? Living in California where it barely ever rains (except lately), I don't do all that much "roller-coaster driving" anyway, and I love the stock RWD wheels and less wheel gap (than AWD), plus I gained HID and PGII in my special order RWD 300C which my dealer-stock AWD hadn't had.

Bottom line: the AWD "feels" like a safer car especially during hard driving whether it be wet or dry conditions. In wet conditions is where it really sets itself apart from the RWD.

 

[JPB68]

In my opinion, I am very happy with AWD. There is control and power, and it is definitely empowering to drive this thing in bad weather. Oh yeah, we need more cowbell!

 

[AWD 300C]

The RWD feels a little faster off the line, but thats where the comparisons end because the RWD feels a little less like its on "rails" as the AWD did.

Great post, joeSRT8! Good, useable feedback. It confirmed my choice of AWD for where I live. If I lived where you live, I think I'd make the same choice you did. Thanks!