Good morning E-class owners.
I went shopping yesterday & test drove a 350 & 550, both with 4matic. Very pleasing rides to say the least. I did not get a chance to drive a RWD, as rush hour was coming on strong.
I have read some very high praise of the new 7 speed auto, and leaning toward this setup in a 550.

Excluding driving in snow, is 4matic truly a lot more sure footed than non?
My current pleasure vehicle is 2003 X5 4.4, which I like, but want to sell while still within the 4 year service package. I'm big & tall, and the E series seems to fit me very comfortably. I love the power of the 550, and their are several available on local lots that match my desires. The advertised swift shifting and smoothness of the 7 speed is appealing, but I wonder if the RWD gets squirrely on wet roads.
Any comments greatly appreciated.
David in MD

 

The RWD E550 with 7spd will not quiver in wet roads, for the snow, I would get some Winter wheels/tires as to not damage the stock rims. You will be fine with RWD, however, if you want the 5spd in the 4matic is just as silky smooth and is even more sure footed.

 

Thanks for the reply MB.
How long have you had your E63? Any issues?

Re winter driving. I'm in MD, and we seldom get much snow. I drive a 4x4 GMC 2500HD P/U for daily commute to office, and will not be using the 550 at all when it snows or ices.

 

If you are not going to use the new E in snow or ice get the RWD. The 4Matic is excellent in snow/ice. RWD is fine in wet conditions. The 7 speed is great but I would sacrifice it for 4Matic if I was to drive in snow/ice.

 

I just purchased my first 4matic in my new E550 and I'm loving it. I have owned several other MB vechiles without it, and for my very aggressive driving style the 4matic adds that little bit more to acceleration / cornering, etc..

I'll never buy another MB without it..

 

...flip side to that...after having an Audi quattro, I'd never buy another AWD car, 4-matic or not. Added weight, more fricitonal losses, and power going to the wheels that should be steering the car...no thanks, not on dry roads.

 

with all the hills in my area. Maybe in the midwest, where things are flat, but where I am we have nothing but hills. I've had mulitple BMWs and even with dedicated snows they SUCK in the snow.

 

Snow? What's that? I live in Los Angeles.

 

Thats that white stuff you get when

A) you get up into higher elevations during certain times of the year
B) the fallout from smog in lower elevations during certain times of the year

 

Why then did you purchase a 4WD vehicle to begin with?? I am on my second E Class 4 Matic. Both have been excellent. Friction included with them I get 26 to 27 MPG on the road, better handling on dry surfaces, handles like its on rails and a lot of problems are eliminated in our winter weather. With the Audi I can understand why you feel the way you do. Had one in the 80's for a very short period of time and it was one of the worst car experiences I have ever had except for a Cadillac Seville STS in the 90's. MB's with the current 4 matic system are excellent and the system is trouble free.