LJK Setright

[Blenheim Boy]

Originally Posted by Ashley James

My son's second Prelude was a Jap import.
Some years ago a number of cars were sold with four wheel steering and
none claim it now, presumably because manufacturers have found they
can do better without.
I have owned quite a few Citroens over the years and have found that
although some were a bit noisy, they were much more relaxing for long
trips than bumpier German cars. I have a friend who has a 420 BHP Audi
Estate for instance and he prefers his wife's 2 Litre Diesel because
the ride on his is so harsh.
I don't think I'm being ignorant but do consider that you're more
tolerant of harsh rides than I am.
Ash

Ash, I see you live near Stroud. Do I too, so come and take a drive in my Preludes and experience the beauty and brilliance of 4WS!

What I took exception to was;
"I'd guess it was dropped because cars cornered better without it."

I think this is a rather vague assumption that I would kindly ask you to reconsider! On what grounds is 2WS superior to 4WS? I recommend Setright's article on 4WS to understand its superiority.

I do not question your tolerances on ride quality; what I may consider an acceptable level of comfort might be unacceptable to you. Ride quality is a matter of preference. Indeed, some Bristol cars have been considered to have a rather firm ride for a ‘luxury’ car; though that is only relevant if you consider the Bristol to be a mere ‘luxury’ car.

I believe manufacturers rarely bother with 4WS now because they know they can get away without it, saving resources/finances for other things. If The Celebrated Man In The Street was more aware of the benefits of 4WS he may well have come to demand it, just as he now expects his car to have power steering, anti-lock brakes, alloy wheels and air conditioning.

4WS is still in use in passenger cars. BMW’s interest in 4WS has resurfaced and can be found in certain versions of the 7 Series. Nissan offer it on a number of their American-market cars, under the Infiniti brand. And courtesy of Nissan, Renault can provide the Laguna with 4WS; but they repeat Honda’s mistake and only fit it to the top-of-the-range model. And despite their authority on 4WS in a passenger car, Honda no longer markets a single 4WS car.

[Ashley James]

Blenheim Boy

I think you're taking this all rather seriously, cars are cars are
cars and even Formula One, which has to be the dullest and most self
important sport on the planet, shows that they are sabotaged by
traffic jams. If you want fun get a motorbike and if you want proper
motorsport watch Moto GP, where you'll see real skill.

Cars keep improving and each new model is usually better than its
predecessor. Porsche, Ferrari and the Honda S2000 don't have 4WS now,
so I think it's reasonable to conclude that, apart from the odd Limo
or Renault, most companies (American Fire Engines excluded!) have
found they do better without.

LJKS was a brilliant writer and a friend of Dr Adam Kimberley who
writes for my websites and nursed him towards the end. The styles are
similar but Adam is more amusing IMO. He wasn't very technical and he
was often inaccurate, so I think it's better to assume that he liked
revvy motorcars that he could throw around, though where he did that
I'm not sure, round here we're lucky to get over the statutory 37 mph
dictated by today's sanctimonious motorist who is at the front of most
queues.

Yours without 4WS and preferring a softer ride.

Ash

[Blenheim Boy]

Originally Posted by Ashley James

Blenheim Boy

I think you're taking this all rather seriously, cars are cars are
cars and even Formula One, which has to be the dullest and most self
important sport on the planet, shows that they are sabotaged by
traffic jams. If you want fun get a motorbike and if you want proper
motorsport watch Moto GP, where you'll see real skill.

Cars keep improving and each new model is usually better than its
predecessor. Porsche, Ferrari and the Honda S2000 don't have 4WS now,
so I think it's reasonable to conclude that, apart from the odd Limo
or Renault, most companies (American Fire Engines excluded!) have
found they do better without.

LJKS was a brilliant writer and a friend of Dr Adam Kimberley who
writes for my websites and nursed him towards the end. The styles are
similar but Adam is more amusing IMO. He wasn't very technical and he
was often inaccurate, so I think it's better to assume that he liked
revvy motorcars that he could throw around, though where he did that
I'm not sure, round here we're lucky to get over the statutory 37 mph
dictated by today's sanctimonious motorist who is at the front of most
queues.

Yours without 4WS and preferring a softer ride.

Ash

Ash,

Well, if you think I'm taking it all too seriously, then I will concede that 4WS was not a commercial success... but that does not diminish its brilliance.

By and large, manufacturers are satisfied with passive rear wheel steering and, most significantly, so are their customers.

I posted a link to an LJKS article on 4WS and in your initial and subsequent replies, you have questioned its integrity. I am compelled to reply, in good faith, with the wish of raising awareness of the qualities of 4WS.

If you don't care for 4WS, OK. Personally, I don't care for motorbikes. Now, you are welcome to write a reply telling me how I'm missing out, how I'm ignorant to the joys of bikes, etc. And I will read your message, take your comments on board and perhaps reconsider my views.

However, imagine I was to write a message saying; "Hey, how about those motorbikes? Bit impractical, eh? Rather dangerous, bikers must be mad! They never caught on like cars did they? Where does the shopping go?". It's likely you would be tempted to reply and point out that all of those comments are very, very ill-considered!

So when an individual makes vague, inaccurate comments like 'cars corner better without 4WS', without presenting any kind of evidence, let alone a single reason as to why and how, then I am compelled to reply with my objection.

I'm assuming that you own, or have owned, a Bristol. And perhaps, in your time as an owner, you have had to take issue with some ignorant - probably a young motoring journalist - who has questioned the integrity of a Bristol, simply because it employs a live axle or a separate chassis and because their beloved bloody Ferrari uses neither, the Bristol must be nonsense.

Please take my replies in good faith. My hope is that if anyone else actually cares, they may learn something new about 4WS and cars in general.

Thank you for bringing Dr Adam Kimberly to my attention.

I find the 'sanctimonious motorist who is at the front of most
queues' is usually employing a Vauxhall Corsa and they continue to do 37mph when they traverse a '30' zone. Lane discipline, use of mirrors and indicators is also beyond their abilities. Their obliviousness is infuriating.

BB