Shall I look for 4WD or just RWD? The Hunt for an E51

[Martini91]

Hi all,
I am decided to buy a 3.5 unit.
I am tempted to go for the all wheel drive, not really because I need it, just for having it I guess. I go skiing to Europe just once a Year. The rest of the year would be grocery shopping and a trip to Spain in summer on well asphalted roads.

I would like to ask is the 4WD gives you problems and if it is much more expensive to maintain.
Does any Elgrander regret buying the 4x4 because of maintenance costs or failure headaches?

Many thanks

 

[Lpgc]

You have your own thoughts about whether or not you need or would like 4wd, so I won't comment on whether or not you should have it.

I like to have 4wd on my Elgrands because I know it's an advantage in snow or mud, it is reassuring to know I have it in case I need/want it. I tow a large boat that I launch on wet slipways, sometimes sites/fields where I take the boat can be muddy, I tow a large caravan.

I would say the 4wd system is generally very reliable. The only thing that commonly comes up is if someone has a failed front ABS sensor it causes an error code to be stored in the 4wd ECU (the 4wd system relies on input from ABS sensors)... ABS error codes self clear when the fault that caused the ABS erros is put right but 4wd error codes do not self clear. In the distant past this caused a few headaches, people fixed their ABS system and the ABS light went out but the 4wd warning light remained lit and the 4wd system wouldn't work while it was lit. But for a long time since then we have known how to clear the 4wd error code (caused by an ABS problem) quite easily using a 'pedal dance' type procedure, you don't need anything (such as a scan tool that will talk to the 4wd ECU) to clear 4wd error codes using the pedal dance procedure. My Launch diagnostics can talk to the 4wd ECU and clear error codes easier than the pedal dance but most scan tools won't talk to the 4wd ECU even if they will talk to the engine ECU, ABS, TCU, etc.

 

[Nevillerover]

I agree with Simon, if you desire or think you may occasionally need AWD (I tow a big caravan) then get it. We don't generally get problems with it on the forum.
NEVER drive on tarmac or grippy ground with diff lock engaged tho or you will wreck it.
As I drive 99.9% of the time in RWD if I am on dirt, grass or gravel I will turn it all on and off a few times on the principle of use it or lose it.

 

[Cato Fong]

My E51 is 4wd - bought since we have a steep drive slippery in Winter. However, I found that traction was limited on grass with the original Japanese Bridgestone tyres - tyre choice could be important and I will probably eventually replace them with Falken All Seasons . The only other downside I have found is that it's another pair of CV joint boots that can split.

 

[Algrand]

I can only add that my RWD has been fine in the snow/ice in the peak district on steep hills, I did use the snow button and tyres are all weather M+S, I've also been in wet fields in it, not an issue but am sure there could come a point depending on the severity of the conditions where 4wd would be handy.

 

[Lpgc]

The only other downside I have found is that it's another pair of CV foint boots that can split.

Yes I forgot to mention that