Is 4MATIC worth it in the CLS?
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 75
Likes: 5
From: Portland, OR
2012 CLS550 4MATIC
Is 4MATIC worth it in the CLS?
I have seen this debated in other forums, but I just wanted to post here and see if anyone has any thoughts as to whether 4MATIC is worth adding to the C218 CLS550. I live in Portland, OR, and while we rarely see snow here, there roads are wet for most of the year. If I buy the CLS, it will be the non-FWD car I have owned, and so I am unfamiliar with what to expect with a RWD platform in the rain...
I know MBUSA has made the 4MATIC standard on the CL550 and the upcoming '12 E550, so it seems that there is a movement towards adding it to models equipped with the new twin turbo, torque-monster V8. Is the performance of the CLS550 at all traction limited? I imagine that if it was, the CLS63 would be even worse off. Any chance the straight-line performance of the CLS550 will actually be BETTER with the 4MATIC?
The 4MATIC is also an extra $2500 and according to my crude calculations, the 1 MPG penalty will cost an additional $750+ in added fuel costs if I keep the car for 60k miles. I don't mind paying the extra $3250 over the life of the car if it is a huge improvement in safety or performance, but I don't want to increase the unsprung weight of the car and potentially add complex, expensive-to-repair equipment to the car for minimal to no gain.
Thanks for any opinions.
I know MBUSA has made the 4MATIC standard on the CL550 and the upcoming '12 E550, so it seems that there is a movement towards adding it to models equipped with the new twin turbo, torque-monster V8. Is the performance of the CLS550 at all traction limited? I imagine that if it was, the CLS63 would be even worse off. Any chance the straight-line performance of the CLS550 will actually be BETTER with the 4MATIC?
The 4MATIC is also an extra $2500 and according to my crude calculations, the 1 MPG penalty will cost an additional $750+ in added fuel costs if I keep the car for 60k miles. I don't mind paying the extra $3250 over the life of the car if it is a huge improvement in safety or performance, but I don't want to increase the unsprung weight of the car and potentially add complex, expensive-to-repair equipment to the car for minimal to no gain.
Thanks for any opinions.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 404
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From: y u care???
Porsche Cayenne S, MB E430, & M3
i think you will be fine.
my rule of thumb. it snows stay home. even if you are best driver and safest driver - you are still prone to accident. It's the stupidity of others that you can't control.
my rule of thumb. it snows stay home. even if you are best driver and safest driver - you are still prone to accident. It's the stupidity of others that you can't control.
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Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Blasting off!
CLS63 Designo Edition, Hyundai Genesis 3.8 , Veloster Turbo, CLS500(Sold), E320 (SMOKED) R500 (Sold)
