4MATIC vs Non-4MATIC ride
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: Cary, NC
1999 E320 4MATIC
4MATIC vs Non-4MATIC ride
ok, I've asked questions before and have looked all over; however, I can't find the answer to this question:
What is the difference in the way a W210 (sedan) rides between a 4MATIC and non-4MATIC?
I have a 4MATIC and find that it has more roll and bounce than other non-4MATICS I have driven or ridden in. Is this normal? My car is currently getting some maintenance things done at my local shop and asked him for his opinion on the shocks. He thinks the re-coil, on the front, is not as quick as maybe they should; however, the car only has 32K miles on it (1999).
So, I'm looking for experiences from the group....
Stacey
What is the difference in the way a W210 (sedan) rides between a 4MATIC and non-4MATIC?
I have a 4MATIC and find that it has more roll and bounce than other non-4MATICS I have driven or ridden in. Is this normal? My car is currently getting some maintenance things done at my local shop and asked him for his opinion on the shocks. He thinks the re-coil, on the front, is not as quick as maybe they should; however, the car only has 32K miles on it (1999).
So, I'm looking for experiences from the group....
Stacey
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 320
Likes: 6
From: DFW
2 2001 E320s, 2005 E320 4Matic
Although the 4Matic is somewhat softer riding than the RWD models, and exhibit a little more roll in spirited driving, you should not be getting significant bounce. This is a classic worn shock symptom. Although your car has only 32,000 miles on it, time takes its toll. It is most likely time for new shocks and a thorough going over of all rubber bushings.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 5,939
Likes: 178
From: Seattle WA
99 E320
i have 99 E320 rwd and my brother has 00 E320 4matic. My 99 has lot more roll
than his 00 even though his odo shows more mileage. there are so many variables
that I don't think one can safely say that all 4matics have softer suspension
setups than rwd.
there are suspension variations between models, years, pre/facelift, etc
if you want more dampening just bite the bullet and have the shocks replaced
with beefier units if you can find them. most of the Bilstein and Koni listings i
see have the disqualifier "not for 4matic" or some such. but at least you can
find coilover designs which aren't available for rwd models. it'll cost you upwards
of $1500 or something
than his 00 even though his odo shows more mileage. there are so many variables
that I don't think one can safely say that all 4matics have softer suspension
setups than rwd.
there are suspension variations between models, years, pre/facelift, etc
if you want more dampening just bite the bullet and have the shocks replaced
with beefier units if you can find them. most of the Bilstein and Koni listings i
see have the disqualifier "not for 4matic" or some such. but at least you can
find coilover designs which aren't available for rwd models. it'll cost you upwards
of $1500 or something
