Rear Wheel Drive vs Front Wheel Drive

[Bert1701]

I'm on the lookout for a new car and have been offered a 1990 BMW 520i, I prefer older cars so that's not a problem. My only question is, I've only been driving two years and I've only ever driven a FWD setup. Is there any major differences in driving a RWD? I don't want to buy it and end up sideways through a wall due to inexperience or anything! I do want to go down the RWD drive route as lots of people tell me the cars are far better to drive, but as said, I'm just concerned about whether I need to alter my driving style at all? Thanks in advance.

[furrycheeky]

If you drive the car in a normal fashion you will never tell the difference. However drive like loon and then the fun starts.

[Bert1701]

Thanks for your reply!

[Loosehead]

proper cars are rear wheel drive. Welcome on board!

Depends on power, the 520 isn't much so as above hardly noticable.

When you get used to it you can go round bends and drift the a5se out and correcting by steering into it, geat fun. Much harder to do i a FWD.

[weggiewabbit]

RWD gives the best roadholding - you won't need to make any adjustment.

[Toureman]

I wish I still had a rear wheel drive, you won't know any dirrerence until it snows, then the fun starts when you corner with the rear wheels sliding out.

You will have a few months yet to practise.

Better that a front wheel car any day.

[gouldc]

I went from a C reg XR2 to a F reg BMW 320 - honest to god, the Beemer was far better to drive in regards to road handling (and the XR2 was good in the first place).

I've been back to FWD for quote a few years, but have another old beemer I run on weekends - no comparison. Get the RWD (especially the BMW), and you won't look back

[shylock73]

If you intend to be a careful motorist I`d suggest a RWD, an all round better performance. If you get snow where you live, put a couple of paving slabs in the boot to help prevent slides and easier uphill gradients. Also lower the tyre pressures about 3lbs at the rear, but don`t forget to re-adjust when the weather get better. Happy motoring Bert.

[Bert1701]

Thanks a lot everyone, appreciate the replies!
Think I'll look forward to the fun of RWD drive motoring in the next month or two then! :)