kleenex1234567

I was just wondering if MB's 4Matic system is as good or better than Audi's Quattro syatem?

angeloxnet

i heard that audi's quattro is amazing in snow - audi driver
i heard that mb's 4matic is amazing in snow - mb driver

so........i guess "all-wheel" drive is just amazing in snow

lx Raven xl

Hahahahahahah..


Both cars are ok.

iolithblue

actually, there is some differences. get an informed opinion.

angeloxnet

who wrote that article?
"Product Information for the Mercedes Benz Sales organization"

That is MB literature! don't get me wrong, i love MB but that article is a bit biased as it was prepared for MB

drevil2k2

My previous A4 1.8T was very solid in snow, fun to take corners and never got stuck on roads. Putting on snows of course further improved the grip and handling.

Summer time - a little boring and heavy.

Mind you, my quattro system was the older 50/50 and not the newer 60/40 power split.

Like all quattro and 4M owners, can't wait for it to snow

GDawgC220

The major difference between the two is that Quattro is mechanically controlled and 4Matic is electronically controlled.

4Matic uses computers (4ETS) to detect wheel spin and apply the brakes to the appropriate wheel(s) when traction is lost which in turn directs power to the wheel(s) with grip to pull the car forward. If I remember right, it uses 4ETS traction system to act as a center diff then apply/remove power as needed depending on the axle that has spinning wheel(s). The new 4Matic system is 45/55 (F/R) power split.

Quattro relies on the mechanical diff to sense slippage (TorSen differential, torque sensing). It is a open differential so when power is equal to all 4 wheels so the gears aren't binded together. Once a wheel starts losing grip/traction, the gears bind together and send power to the other wheels. So it can sense when one or more wheels are losing torque/traction and divert power before the driver even knows or slippage is felt. There are no clutches or electronics that control the TorSen diff, purely mechanical. The 5th generation of Quattro is 40/60 (F/R) power split.

epiphone3

The bigger question is which car attached to the AWD system is better? I'd have to kick my own *** if I ever bought an Audi so who cares what their AWD system is like.

GDawgC220

And what does this have to do with his question...

451/443=EW

I owned a Saab 92X Aero, which is the same car as WRX. Me and a six Audi owners went to the mall and kicked it. All the cars were awsome and had no problem at all. My Saab-aru put on the funnest show but I dont really think it had anything to do with the car. Anyways all this being said, MB has its newest 4th gen 4Matic and for now I would have to say its gona be the MB. Honestly that is not really anything you should base a buying decision on because both cars will kick butt in the snow. But the MB in my opinion is better. Iv ordered the 4Matic and plan on doin some winter driving and my good buddy has a Audi Allroad so come winter i'll report back the two car proformances

kevink2

Not Quite Right.

The best awd's use a center differential. That includes some Audis and the new MB 4matic, as the posted pdf's describe.

You are correct about audi's that don't have a transverse engine. The A4's, A6's etc, with fore-aft engine now use a revised torsen center diff with new internal gearing to give the 40/60 full time torque split, with lsd action as you described. The transvere engine Audis have a center clutch/coupling, that brings in rwd as needed. Audi now also calls these quattros too.

Early MB 4matics (pre ~2000) were electonic center couplings as you described. But the new ones have a mechanical center differential that provides full time awd with about 40/60 torque split (by way of planetary gears).

This link describes old and new, with a pic of the new set-up:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/4MATIC

One of the best surprises in our new C300 4matic is the 7 speed atx. With normal driving, in auto or manual mode, the slushy torque converter is locked up in every gear. It's just like a manual gearbox with electronic shifting. I think this was new for 08.

GDawgC220

Yes, you're correct. There are two versions of Quattro, Haldex and TorSen. Since the OP posted in the w204 section, TorSen is used in the A4 platform so I didn't mention the Haldex Quattro. Haldex is only used in the A3 and TT (traverse mounted engines as you mentioned), all other models use TorSen. Other manufacturers also use Haldex. Volvo and VW comes to mind. The new generation of Quattro, now in it's 5th iteration, is 40/60 split (began on the 2007 S4s and now across the line). The 4th generation (my A4 for example) is 50/50 split.

emerged

I have a benz and Audi, personally driving my audi in canyons with awd tends to be better than my buddies 4 matic....

I tend to feel that audis awd is great, but I am no pro!

451/443=EW

Keep in mind that Audi in general is a sportier car. So that may not have anything to do with the awd.

DanteMBofLB

Look inside of an Audi owners manual. Quattro is 4MATIC. They disclaim it right in the books.