BLUETEC E-Class
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,146
Likes: 9
From: Vancouver, BC
2015 E250 BT 4M
E320 Bluetec 4Matic ?
The current E Class 4Matics have a 5 spd transmission and they will not get the 7 spd until MY2010, when this newer transmission will be combined with the 4Matic option for both Bluetec and gas models.
Quite frankly, I feel that the "benefits" of AWD are oversold. I prefer a RWD Mercedes with proper snow tires over any AWD with all seasons. Tires are much more critical for the winter than having AWD. With the 4Matic option, you would suffer from having extra weight aboard, additional mechanical complexity, compromised front/rear weight distribution, increased fuel consumption and compromised handling dynamics.
These year-long handicaps, for me at least, outweigh any potential short term winter benefit for AWD.
Last edited by DerekACS; Jun 11, 2007 at 08:42 PM.
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Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 47
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From: Texas
'06 E350, appearance/entertainment/ sunroof/DVD NAV/brilliant silver (C744)/Ash leather
4 matic advantage?
Interesting comment on AWD by DerekACS. I would agree that a set of winter tires is more important. I have read once that a RWD and 4-matic Mercedes drives equally well in snow conditions, as the trade off between 4 matic additional capability is counter balanced by the extra weight compared to the standard RWD models having excellent control and traction through ABS and ESP already. I guess this goes back to the physical limits of the four tires and the foot prints on the road. Same for both cars.
Now there are maybe a couple of sceanrios I can see where the 4-matic is better of:
- "faster" cornering due to the ability of the front wheels to pull the car through the corner. I guess you would be more in rally driving mode at that point which would be pretty insane under slippery road conditions
- uphil ultimate traction. 4-matic may still just be able to get you uphil and standard RWD not. I would be scared though to go uphill under those extreme conditions as at some point you have to drive down again being able to steer and brake...
The downside of 4-matic is the extra technology (all technology can fail), weight (read fuel consumption), no 7 speed autobox (again fuel consumption and driving comfort) and upfront cost.
So bottomline for me is that I would have to be really convinced by a test drive in slippery/snowy conditions and really feel the difference with a normal version (both cars on same type tires) before I would purchase one. And obviously be living up North...
Success with your choice. Either car is obviously beautiful.
Cheers, Bode
Now there are maybe a couple of sceanrios I can see where the 4-matic is better of:
- "faster" cornering due to the ability of the front wheels to pull the car through the corner. I guess you would be more in rally driving mode at that point which would be pretty insane under slippery road conditions
- uphil ultimate traction. 4-matic may still just be able to get you uphil and standard RWD not. I would be scared though to go uphill under those extreme conditions as at some point you have to drive down again being able to steer and brake...
The downside of 4-matic is the extra technology (all technology can fail), weight (read fuel consumption), no 7 speed autobox (again fuel consumption and driving comfort) and upfront cost.
So bottomline for me is that I would have to be really convinced by a test drive in slippery/snowy conditions and really feel the difference with a normal version (both cars on same type tires) before I would purchase one. And obviously be living up North...
Success with your choice. Either car is obviously beautiful.
Cheers, Bode
Last edited by Bode; Jun 12, 2007 at 12:41 AM.
