4 Matic VS Normal
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Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 409
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From: Vancouver, Victoria, Hong Kong
BMW E90, W204 C350
4 Matic VS Normal
Is 4 matic that good ? Because the normal rear wheel have paddle shifters, I am thinking
is the 4matic so good to a point that I can give up the new handling package and paddle shifter ?
is the 4matic so good to a point that I can give up the new handling package and paddle shifter ?
Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 210
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From: Vancouver
2009 C300, 2009 B200
I am actually thinking whether 4-matic is that useful or not too since my W203 lease will be up in couple months and might grab a W204 if not a E90. I heard from a friend who drives a W203 4-matic says it is quite useful, but my uncle who drives a 4-matic S-class says it is not useful...so I am a bit confused. I live in Vancouver too and the snow yesterday was quite heavy. O_o
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2007
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From: Connecticut
I would say that the 4 Matic is very useful. This past winter was nice knowing how stable the 4 matic felt to me. I ever tried to get the car sideways and it could pull nice and straight. I would highly recommend the 4 matic for your weather conditions. I am located in Connecticut so we had quite a bit of snow this year. I have heard that the rear wheel drive is horrible even on wet roads.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: United States
2008 R350 & 2008 C300
As long as your getting 4matic for winter weather conditions and not getting it because you think its a sport/handling option, then you will enjoy it. Its not set up to be a handling/sport traction aid, its set up for snow/wet conditions and as long as you go into it knowing this you will be happy. 
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Joined: Feb 2008
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From: Melbourne, Australia
C220CDI
I have a personal preference for RWD, and that's why I like MB and BM as opposed to Audi.
I don't suppose you get snow that often in Vancouver. If you are happy to drive with RWD (carefully!) in the occasional snow, I would probably get that. Its lighter, more fuel efficient and probably handles better on dry roads. But if you go skiing a lot and need 4WD, I suppose you don't have much of a choice.
Perhaps get the RWD plus another 4WD car?
I don't suppose you get snow that often in Vancouver. If you are happy to drive with RWD (carefully!) in the occasional snow, I would probably get that. Its lighter, more fuel efficient and probably handles better on dry roads. But if you go skiing a lot and need 4WD, I suppose you don't have much of a choice.
Perhaps get the RWD plus another 4WD car?
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Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Toronto, ON, Canada
MY2001 C320
In Vancouver where winter temp is 0-5C then RWD is fine save for the odd days of snow. Here in Toronto where snow is a fixture, AWD is the preferred choice unless you have another AWD car.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2007
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From: Vancouver, BC
2008 Mercedes C300 4Matic
i love my 4matic and never regretted it. i didn't see any point in buying a whole set of new tires just for the winter and then having the hassle of changing the tires when its spring/summer when with 4matic you don't have to do anything.
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Joined: Aug 2007
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From: Toronto
2008 C300 Sport 4matic
my brother owned a 2002 3-series coupe which was replaced with a 2008 3-series convertible, and both of them were totally undrivable in snow (couldn't even get out of the driveway) even with snow tires -- this is in Toronto.
I live in the Rockies and often have to drive up to the mountains to go snowboarding, so traction is very important. My previous cars were front wheel drive cars and with a dedicated set of decent snow tires they drove extremely well with no issues. So 4matic is definately a must for me, or at least front wheel drive with a set of snow tires.
If you live in an area where snow is a rarity than 4matic is not necessary and you also save $3,000.
I live in the Rockies and often have to drive up to the mountains to go snowboarding, so traction is very important. My previous cars were front wheel drive cars and with a dedicated set of decent snow tires they drove extremely well with no issues. So 4matic is definately a must for me, or at least front wheel drive with a set of snow tires.
If you live in an area where snow is a rarity than 4matic is not necessary and you also save $3,000.
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From: Melbourne, Australia
C220CDI
Thread Starter
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 409
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From: Vancouver, Victoria, Hong Kong
BMW E90, W204 C350
i think you are right
we Vancouver people are blessed with great weather
lol
and we complain when there is a couple cm of snow lol
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 143
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From: vancouver
10 C350
I am actually thinking whether 4-matic is that useful or not too since my W203 lease will be up in couple months and might grab a W204 if not a E90. I heard from a friend who drives a W203 4-matic says it is quite useful, but my uncle who drives a 4-matic S-class says it is not useful...so I am a bit confused. I live in Vancouver too and the snow yesterday was quite heavy. O_o
Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 110
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From: Melbourne, Australia
C220CDI
Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 88
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From: Vancouver, BC
1997 E320
Go for the 4matic. I too live in Vancouver and the car has been amazing the past 2 months that I own it. I even did the SCCBC racing school with it for one day at Mission Raceway in the freezing rain and the car was flawless. I was surprised how friendly the car is on the limit, I actually enjoyed it so much that I was seriously thinking of finishing the racing school with the car on Sunday instead of bringing out my sports car. The all wheel drive makes a difference for sure in these conditions.
