4 wheel drive performance
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Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 37
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From: New Jersey
C450 2016
4 wheel drive performance
I'm trying to decide between an C300 and an Audi A4. Is there any significant difference between the performance in snow of these 2 cars with 4Matic vs Quattro.
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 200
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From: San Diego, CA
2016 C450 AMG
No both cars should handle reasonably well in snowy conditions with the standard 4 wheel drive but most likely both cars will come with all season tires. And if you want even better traction in snow. Will need winter tires.
Personally I really don't think the 4 wheel drive systems is what is going to determine what car u go with.
Personally. I detest what Volkswagen did in the diesel scandal and will not purchase one of their vehicles.
Though I don't want to put my feelings in place of your own. I still don't think deciding which all wheel drive system might be better is going to determine which one you get. Both systems are fine.
I have personal experience with an w204 model c300 4matic in the dc area and is was awesome with out needing winter tires. I have no personal exp with audis system but friends have told me they liked it just fine.
Personally I really don't think the 4 wheel drive systems is what is going to determine what car u go with.
Personally. I detest what Volkswagen did in the diesel scandal and will not purchase one of their vehicles.
Though I don't want to put my feelings in place of your own. I still don't think deciding which all wheel drive system might be better is going to determine which one you get. Both systems are fine.
I have personal experience with an w204 model c300 4matic in the dc area and is was awesome with out needing winter tires. I have no personal exp with audis system but friends have told me they liked it just fine.
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Joined: Sep 2014
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From: Whitefield, NH
2015 C300 Sport: Palladium, Premium, Multimedia, Leather, BLIS
I have owned two Audi A4's with Quattro, and now have my C300 4Matic. I live in "ski country," so we do see lots of snow and frigid temperatures here. With good snow tires on both axles, the performance of all these cars has been excellent.
Technically, none of these cars are 4WD, which is a full-time drive system. They are AWD, which distributes power to the front and rear as needed. Unlike 4WD, it does not lock in both axles.
Technically, none of these cars are 4WD, which is a full-time drive system. They are AWD, which distributes power to the front and rear as needed. Unlike 4WD, it does not lock in both axles.
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Joined: Mar 2015
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From: Mass
2026 GLE 53 Coupe
It will be interesting how my C450 with a 33 front/67 rear bias does this Winter.
My old 2015 C300 4Matic with a 50/50 bias did supremely well in the snow...with just the stock 18" all-season tires.
My old 2015 C300 4Matic with a 50/50 bias did supremely well in the snow...with just the stock 18" all-season tires.
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Joined: Jul 2016
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C450 AMG
My car is EXACTLY the same as yours, with the exception of the wheels...I have the 18" all-seasons.
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Joined: Nov 2015
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From: WNY
2016 C450 AMG Sport
I can't speak for the Audi, but my C450 was pretty much awesome in the snow last winter. It came with the Continental 18" all-seasons, which I did use all winter. I noted that the Contis are not just regular all-seasons but they have the M + S rating ("Mud and Snow"). This indicates better performance under slippery conditions.
Unless we get a ton of snow this winter (which is entirely possible living in Western New York), I am not planning on putting winter tires on.
I did have a 2000 Audi TT with Quattro and with winter tires on, it was also pretty awesome in the snow.
Unless we get a ton of snow this winter (which is entirely possible living in Western New York), I am not planning on putting winter tires on.
I did have a 2000 Audi TT with Quattro and with winter tires on, it was also pretty awesome in the snow.
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Joined: Mar 2015
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From: Mass
2026 GLE 53 Coupe
My C450 came with the 18" AMG black wheels/all-season run-flat tires as well...I later bought a set of 19" C63 multispoke wheels/tires on ebay as my Summer wheels. C300/C400 19" front wheels do not fit the C450, but C63 front wheels do!
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Joined: Jul 2016
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C450 AMG
Good to know, thanks...I'm OK with the stock 18"s for now...but who knows, I might want to change it up after we get thru the next winter!
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Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2016
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2016 C300
my car was getting stuck in the winters here in NY.
on light snow any awd or even fwd car does fine.
i think the only good performers in heavy snow are SUV for their higher ground.
my car was getting stuck in 3 feet of snow (they don't clean my street very well, since it's a small drive not even a street)
on light snow any awd or even fwd car does fine.
i think the only good performers in heavy snow are SUV for their higher ground.
my car was getting stuck in 3 feet of snow (they don't clean my street very well, since it's a small drive not even a street)
Member
Joined: Aug 2008
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2013 BMW 328i
I had a Quattro b8 Audi. Can't compare with the c class since I've not owned one yet. But the c class is a fixed very light weight system supposedly. The Audi has a bunch of differentials and tech to move torque around so I'd just assume when it's really really bad it might be better. I know the Audi system weighs a lot more and they have a lot or experience with awd and are known for it so I would assume it's better. Whether you need it or not is another issue.
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Joined: Apr 2010
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From: Eastern Massachusetts
2021 E450, 2020 C43, 2015 C300, 2007 C280
AWD rules in New England.
In New England, almost all Mercedes (except AMG models) are sold with all-wheel drive. Many of the roads I drive on are narrow lanes. They are winding and have short, medium-steep hills. I have not slid at all. I have had no difficulties at all with my 17" Pirelli run-flats and all-wheel drive. I believe that the full-height side walls increase compliance and keep the tires in full contact with the road. They also protect the rims from being shattered by potholes, which cannot be seen when covered by snow. The car is well-balanced on curves, whether power-on or power-off. No front-end plowing or wagging the rear-end. The steering is accurate, but lacks any road feel. (Road feel is very useful in snow.) However, I have read that this lack of any road feel is almost universal, now that almost all cars have gone to electrical steering.
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Joined: Jan 2016
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Benz
In New England, almost all Mercedes (except AMG models) are sold with all-wheel drive. Many of the roads I drive on are narrow lanes. They are winding and have short, medium-steep hills. I have not slid at all. I have had no difficulties at all with my 17" Pirelli run-flats and all-wheel drive. I believe that the full-height side walls increase compliance and keep the tires in full contact with the road. They also protect the rims from being shattered by potholes, which cannot be seen when covered by snow. The car is well-balanced on curves, whether power-on or power-off. No front-end plowing or wagging the rear-end. The steering is accurate, but lacks any road feel. (Road feel is very useful in snow.) However, I have read that this lack of any road feel is almost universal, now that almost all cars have gone to electrical steering.
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 789
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From: Eastern Massachusetts
2021 E450, 2020 C43, 2015 C300, 2007 C280
Mercedes-Benz Original Extended Tires (MOExtended or MOE)
Yes, the stock "MOE" ("Mercedes Original Extended") tires. They do have the M + S rating ("Mud and Snow"). For more information on MOE tires, go to Mercedes-Benz Original Extended Tires (MOExtended or MOE) at TireRack.com. (If the shortcut doesn't work, you'll have to do a Google search.)
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Joined: Aug 2004
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If you want winter performance start with tires - and all winter tires are not made the same (e.g., Dunlops suck) - so you need to get good snow & ice tires. I grew up in Minnesota and my S4 with Nokians could out perform any vehicle in any storm on roads - off road, SUVs will win, but on-road is 80% tires, 20% drive system.
And, really, for winter driving the most important safety concern is stopping, not starting, which is what AWD is good for .. For this reason alone never drive in snow with all-seasons.
