rapanosd

Hi fellow M-Benz enthusiasts...

I am trying to get a feel for opinions on the 4Matic vs. RWD 2008 E350. It apears as though the money factor on the lease is lower for the 4Matic which would mean the monthly payment would be the same as a RWD.

The RWD has a 7-speed auto whereas the 4Matic has a 5 speed auto.

For the same money which car would be the more desirable?

I live in Florida and do not have to worry about snow or sleet, although we do get a lot of rain.

Any advice would be much appreciated...

Thanks

Davel

4matic is a good system and works fine, but does add more weight and complexity to the vehicle and slight decrease in mpg. I dont drive mine in snow/sleet so i didnt opt for it, IMHO in Florida you don't either

Barry45RPM

I live in NY and have a place in FL, & chose a RWD car. That being said, drive them both, paying attention to how the transmissions feel at 1-2 & 2-1 shifts. Get the one you like better. Try them early in the morning when they're "COLD".

AndrewAZ

RWD will get you better gas milage.. I would calculate the money saved by lease on the 4matic and see if that will pay for the cost difference when you factor in the price of gas.

mbnj

Great question regarding rain and AWD. I live in NJ and have awd on both MB's and it is a big difference in snow. I always wondered if there is any "science" around awd and rain/wet conditions??

Heejin

MB 4Matic works great in the snow condition. Last year we had a huge() snow storm in Seattle area and the 4Matic worked much better than any other SUVs. I have passed by many abandoned SUVs on the hill at that time

If you have snow in your area, 4Matic is no brainer I think.

Rainman15

Unless you are interested in beating normal cars off the line at a red light in a down pour you'll find 4matic to be completely useless in FL. I've lived in Cleveland, NYC, and Charleston SC over the last 12 years and owned AWD vehicles in all of those climates. Its only benefit in my years driving in charleston with AWD was getting the jump on the guys beside me leaving stop lights in the rain. Hardly worth the decrease in MPG IMHO.

yobroe

I may get crucified for this, but I chose rear wheel drive:
A) because I have a 4 wheel drive for bad northwest weather and,
B) because I couldn't do a nice burnout with 4matic. The torque really gets those tires spinning when you feel like being a kid again...it's hard to wipe the smile off my face afterward

gnma

Great suggestions from all. Barry45rpm suggested what I did when choosing bet. RWD and 4matic: Test drive 'em both!

I noted the 4matic launched like crazy.

Don't know about MB, but some AWD systems have a rear wheel bias, but obviously there's some FW dialed in too. I really like the performance "true" RWD offers.

MB RWD is about 1" lower than 4matic.

As mentioned, RWD is lighter and gets better MPG.

I chose the RWD cuz the AMG package makes the RWD E500 look so hot!

AND, I have the Maxima for winter. You're in FL, so for me, RWD all the way.

Don't know if you care, but somewhere here is a discussion of staggered wheels on a 4matic setup. You may also want to look into that if you intend to go with such a setup.

Good luck and keep us posted!

rapanosd

Thanks for all the valuable advice...

I really appreciate it. I think I will drive both the RWD and 4Matic and decide.

I am, however leaning towards the RWD. I have no snow or sleet to deal with and I will be very happy with the better gas mileage.

One more decision out of the way, it seems.

Rauch

I like the way the 4Matic system puts the power to the pavement, even in dry and level road conditions. It's a different experience than RWD, and I'm glad to have it in the E500 Wagon. The effect is probably more pronounced in the V8 cars. True, you can't spin the tires when the mood is upon you, and it adds weight and repair complexity. Drive both and I think you'll see that even in Florida the 4Matic traction is useful.

AsianML

I think MB 4Matic sedans have a 40/60 F/R bias.

yobroe

I wonder what he decided on...