mrmojom3

Hi all,

Going to pick up a E350 4 matic tonight that we're leasing. I was looking around but couldnt find any specs on performance, MPG, weight differences, etc between 2wd and 4matic. Any opinions?

Also: I read on the MB site the 4matic is full time? Is that true?

I'll be lurking here a bunch, great forum!

cyclerider

E350 - 19 mpg city, 26 mpg highway - 7 speed transmission
E350 4Matic - 18 mpg city, 24 mpg highway - 5 speed trans

4-Matic is a full time system.

sosh

The differences in the areas you asked about are insignificant. The benefits are well worth it. I have had 2 of the 4 matics, an 01 and now since Feb of 05 an 05. I feel also that it rides and tracks better and has a more substancial feel. Its a full time system that does what it needs to do if traction is lost on any wheel. You should love it also. In the winter with snow and ice is really when you will appreciate it and the ESP that is standard.

dannieboiz

I have an 04 320 4matic and havae yet to see it's benefit since I live in CA where it shines 80% of the time. But in the east caost I think it's definitely a plus.

I haven't driven a non-4matic b4 but driven an S-430 and an S-500 2wd and both are extremely smooth and fast compared to mine.

There's a bit of lag when u step on it.

ClayJ

No disadvantages that I can think of - and the 4-Matic is a great system.

mrmojom3

Perfect, thanks for the responses.

klenbore

None for me, but I live in snow country. I guess if I lived in the sun belt I'd go with the rwd.

Benz-E-r

I have both a 2003 RWD E500 sedan and 2004 4matic E500 wagon.

There is certainly a difference in the feel and dynamics. The 4matic feels heavier but not really in a bad way, it feels even more connected that the RWD. In the wet it is fantastic, squeeze the throttle and the car just goes. I find I have to be careful of making tight turns into side streets with if I have not driven the 4matic in a while, I would swear the steering ratio is ever so slightly different as I tend to go wider and feel like I need to turn the wheel farther than when driving the RWD. Probably just pilot error.

Find a nice winding road and you will have a grin that takes hours to wipe off. The Meritt Parkway in Connecticut is such a place. Relatively narrow 4 lane parkway (2 north bound lanes, 2 south bound) with no shoulders. Some 30MPH turns where the engineers paid attention to the grading during the last resurfacing. I love to let the guy that has been riding my tail slip me as we come up on one of those turns, see him brake so he does not upset his latte or something, and then carrying nearly twice his speed into the turn, sail by in a luxury station wagon and it feeling as though you are just walking along.

jangy

The suttle performance differences are not so subtle. A rear drive will always out track a 4x4 as long as there is sufficient traction. In sand, snow, etc. yes the all wheel drive excels. Actually, even in the fun to drive dept. But reality is the Rear drives dominate the ultra performance (not that our cars are). On the E , the steering rack is VERY different. the 4matic keeps the '03 steering rack, while the RWDs have been updated twice since '03. The AWD is not only heavier (~200lbs), but that weight is in the worst spot for transfer. it sits right in front of the car!!
By the way, 4matic + ESP = GREAT control in snow (Tahoe).

Benz-E-r

Thank You. I'm glad to hear I am not completely nuts about the steering difference.

Anyone heard if they are updating the rack for the '07 4matic?

SAguirre

I just had a 06 E320 CDI loaner while I was having my latest SBC campaign fixed and an oil change (between FSS recommendations).

The RWD models (non-airmatic) definitely steer and ride differently. Aside from all the great benefits of the 4-matic in low traction situations, the 4-matic definitely is tighter (as far as steering) and firmer (as far as suspension).

I know that the CDI has tons of torque, but the loss of power due to wheel spin while accelerating in corners was awful. I know that my gasoline E320 accelerates much faster than the CDI in two corners near my house that tend to have sand and gravel. The RWD system simply looses traction where the 4-matic does not even start to loose it. Under good traction situations the CDI is quicker than the E320 gasoline of course.

I also found that the suspension on the RWD (non-airmatic) Es is a lot looser (or floats). The 4-matic is significantly stiffer, if not sportier. I think that this might be a disadvantage for some people, but I personally like getting back into my 4-matic after driving a RWD. Especially when the RWD was a CDI that has way too much torque for just two wheels.

My Audi has tons of power, it is much quicker than the CDI, but since it is a Quattro wheel spin is hard to come by. Now, when they sell the CDI 4-Matic in the US, that is that car to have.

I drive at least 7,000 miles per winter in snow, the 4-matic is absolutely superb!

Steve