DavidM

Hello all,

I am going to buy C280 (aka C300 in us) and I am thinking about 4Matic. I live in central Europe and we have all 4 seasons here with snow in winter.

What do you guys think, is it worth extra money above normal C280 automatic?

How does normal C handles on snow? Is it easy to get unwanted skid?

Thanks for your opinions in advance.

D.

yxc145

If where you live doesn't snow, you don't need it.
If you plan on getting aftermarket wheels with sports tires, you don't need it.
If you have a SUV and plan on driving that instead during winter, you don't need it.

otherwise, get it.

acr2001

Everyone around here seems to have a thing against 4matic. It is VERY efficient, even more so on the W204. The weight is minimal, and the acceleration loss is almost nothing. Fuel economy loss is also minimal.

It is GREAT in the snow. Also great in the rain because you can gun it without having to worry about wheel spin. I'm so used to it now that I have to change my driving style when in a 2 wheel drive car on a wet road.

ShoremNJ

I have 4 Matic and love the way it handles on dry and in curves. In ice and snow it is wonderful. My C300 made it up a steep driveway in vermont last week when a land Rover and Saab SUV could not.

451/443=EW

Obviously your concered about winter driving. If so get the 4Matic. I have it and I have been testing it quite a bit. Do a search for (My C350 in the snow).
I posted some pics of my car climbing a dyke in the snow, and my car is on summer tires.

Sanjuro Makabe

if your area snows in winter, definitely get 4matic...

pmb600

I've had 2 MBs with 4Matic and never had a problem in any level of snow. I have been in snow storms flying by other cars and SUVs with perfect traction and that is with all season tires.

(By the way, flying by is all relative, obviously you need to exercise caution because if you hit certain patches of ice, it doesn't matter how many wheels are turning, you could still crash.)

yxc145

nothing against 4matic. It's good to have. But if you really don't need it, you don't need it. like I said, if you live in southern CA, Florida, any of the southern state, I wouldn't waste money on it.

SebringSilver

I'm confused. Why would you not need it just because you're getting aftermarket wheels and sports tires? Can't you just have an extra set of wheels/snow tires for the winter when the weather changes and you do need all-wheel-drive?

Rick Hunter

Not only was the C300 my first MB, it was my first AWD car too. I haven't looked back, and would do it again if I had the opportunity. The only thing that annoys me is that the C350 4MATIC is not available in the USA.

DavidM

Thanks a lot for replies. This is will be my first MB and I never had car with RWD, so Im thinking more about AWD now.

We got a law here (Czech rep.), that forces us to wear snow tires during winter, so I got to change them anyway. Weather here could be compared to north US or south Canada - never been there, just assuming from latitude and movies

SebringSilver

In that case, all the more reason to go with an AWD vehicle.

Good luck!

yxc145

come on, I am sure you know what i mean. I am just saying 4 matic doesn't do much good when you get sports tires. AND IF you don't get another set of wheels with snow tires.

yxc145

Oh yeah. if you get snow tires and are required to have them. Definitely get it.

Krytech

I live in Minnesota (northern US) which gets a lot of snow, ice and really cold temps in the winter. -15F/-26C here today... I was *very* hesitant buying a RWD car with our brutal winters. BUT, I must say that I am very impressed with how well the car handles with good snow tires (I use Blizzak LM-25). The traction control kicks in a lot but it gets me going and keeps me going. The only hesitation I would have would be if I had to contend with anything other than moderate hills. Not sure what the Czech geography is like, but MN is fairly flat, just hills - no mountains!

All that said, if MBUSA liked us enough to offer the 4-matic on our C350 I would of bought it...

416to212

I own the C300 4matic. It's a reassuring driving experience and the traction is incredible even on the all seasons Michelins. However, the RWD version is just more nimble in high speed corners and when exiting a corner with power it's just more fun. I love the interactive steering in the RWD. I love the safety with the 4Matic, it feels solid and masculine (I don't know how else to describe it). All I know is that I like the 4matic system even more than the Xi system on BMWs on the street, the 4Matic is much more transparent.

My wife drives the Merc and we use it to go skiing so we opted for 4Matic.

ismeto

Why MB do not SELL C 350 4 MATIC in USA

MondayQB

4 Matic in the snow .... Priceless.

MB_AMG

Hey SS this is ABT B7 on the other forum . I have all my cars in AWD and I love them here in Edmonton, where winter last 6 months long! It is definitely worth it!

whiteongrey

No need for Czech unless mountain roads in the area are brutal.

I've been in Prague several times over a few winters and RWD is fine. My friend in Munich never has problems with RWD (BMW & MB) - now does not even put winters on any more.

I'd put the Dunlop 3Ds on though.

drpasteur

definitely worth paying extraf or 4Matic

451/443=EW

Have a look at the thread titled... Search, ( MY C350 in the snow )
Those are 18 AMG with the standard summers on the white car. Yes winters or even all season would be better. But my car didnt have any issues with the summers.

DavidM

Thanks all for help, I ordered 4Matic few days ago

As for Prague, it is a bit different there. Im living in small town in mountain area and I use to drive at hills 400-600 meters high, sometimes even to 1000 meters. We use to have more snow here and it last longer than in Prague.

Anyway, thans again for answers, now I just need to wait 2-3 months - still waiting for delivery date.

drpasteur

darn...2-3 months? why so long?

DavidM

From what i heard, 2-3 months is normal if ordering new car with custom configuration.

I hoped, that it will be faster, couse they now make less cars due to crisis. But they told me at dealership, that production is cutting shifts these days, so it will take them longer aka like normaly to produce it. They agreed, that is not that cool for customers, but is probably a must couse of economy.