Really Impressed with 4Matic
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From: Cincinnati
2010 E350 4Matic
Really Impressed with 4Matic
I am impressed with how sure footed and stable my E350 4matic has been the last couple of days. I've driven an A4 quattro for close to 10 years and thought that the 4matic would be inferior in some way, but it has done the job in a most unobtrussive manner. I actually started to spin out the A4 yesterday but that is because I was overconfident in it. Fortuately the Quattro saved my butt.
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From: Idaho
1992 300E
4matic seems to have gotten a lot better throughout the years. It still can't shake a fist at quattro, but nothing can.
Merc has done a good job with improving 4matic, and I'm sure they could challenge quattro if they had a similar torsen differential.
Merc has done a good job with improving 4matic, and I'm sure they could challenge quattro if they had a similar torsen differential.
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From: DC Metro
W210 E55, W211 E3504M, E90 325i
This is my first winter with my W211. The car feels great in our relatively light mid-atlantic winter conditions. I have the additional benefit of dedicated winter tires (Dunlop Wintersport 3Ds). The car takes off from a stop like its dry and cornering grip and braking is confident. The car will wag its tail some, however, if you go looking for it. I'm quite surprised the car feels like a RWD in those 1-2 millisecond before the ESP, 4-matic, 4-ETS etc kicks in.
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From: Wyckoff, New Jersey & Alphabet City NYC
86 190E 2.3-16v, 92 500E, 03 CL55 AMG, 08 E3504M Brabus
What type of tires are we running this winter my fellow 4matics? I'm still riding my summer tires and 4Matic isn't saving me from sht but thats really my own fault. Just curious to know if you are riding on your stock tires of if you've switched to a winter set up like blizzack or something similar? BTW if you've been following my 4Matic lowering thread the springs should be in very shortly so stay tuned height change and ride specs and of course pictures!
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Joined: Sep 2008
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From: Haslett, Mi
2011 E350 4matic
if i ever move somewhere with winter weather i would get a 4matic for sure. although moving from sunny 80 degrees in January back to snow and ice would be a tough sell at this point...
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From: Northern Kentucky
2011 E350 4 Matic,1994 C220,1965 Mustang, 2005 Kawasaki Vulcan 1600
I am impressed with how sure footed and stable my E350 4matic has been the last couple of days. I've driven an A4 quattro for close to 10 years and thought that the 4matic would be inferior in some way, but it has done the job in a most unobtrussive manner. I actually started to spin out the A4 yesterday but that is because I was overconfident in it. Fortuately the Quattro saved my butt.
My drive from northern Kentucky up to West Chester was a true joy.
No slippin' or slidin' and a warm backside thanks to the heated seats.
Last edited by KYBENZ; Jan 30, 2009 at 01:37 PM. Reason: typo
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Joined: Jan 2007
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From: Colorado
05 E500 4matic, 08 ML320CDI
I compromised and went with Bridgestone Potenza RE960 AS's on my E500 4M... I say compromise because I didn't want to run a summer set and a dedicated winter set ( got too many sets of tires in the basement as it is with 4 vehicles). The AS's do just fine in winter but aren't as good as dedicated snows obviously... I can also run them in summer with no issues. Your biggest issue with running summer tires in winter is due to the rubber compound not being designed to be run in temps lower than 45 degrees and the tires are very hard at cold temps... Also the tread most likely doesn't have many biting edges but rather large rubber blocks that don't do much for grip in snow or ice...
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2006 E350 4Matic
I have the continentals that came on the car and haven't had any issue with those. I live in New England and we have had a lot of snow this winter so I have had plenty of chances to go 4matickin 
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From: Long Island, New York
2018 E400 4matic Wagon
I have factory Michelin all seasons. Acceleration in snow is great, enough so that you forget how slippery the road is -- until you try to brake or turn. You definitely have to keep reminding yourself that despite the great acceleration, it's slippery underneath. I guess this is why you see so many overturned SUVs whenever it snows -- they get a false sense of confidence, which with their high center of gravity, gets them in trouble.
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From: Wyckoff, New Jersey & Alphabet City NYC
86 190E 2.3-16v, 92 500E, 03 CL55 AMG, 08 E3504M Brabus
Those are the conti pro contacts 245/40 right? Its interesting to hear how they do in weather as I didn't think they would stand up to our east coast winters. Maybe I should throw those back on there. Hmmm...
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From: Cincinnati
2010 E350 4Matic
Running Fairly new Michilen MXM"S We had a pretty good snow here the secondary streets are still not clear. The snow plow created a hump before the driveway which I could have blasted through but I am gentle with this car so it took a couple of gos. No need for winter tires as far as I can see.
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Joined: Jan 2009
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From: US
W204 C63
What type of tires are we running this winter my fellow 4matics? I'm still riding my summer tires and 4Matic isn't saving me from sht but thats really my own fault. Just curious to know if you are riding on your stock tires of if you've switched to a winter set up like blizzack or something similar? BTW if you've been following my 4Matic lowering thread the springs should be in very shortly so stay tuned height change and ride specs and of course pictures!
It doesn't matter if the road is covered in snow, VERY deep snow, ice, black ice, etc. the car just keeps going like a tank.
The car feels sooo much better than my previous BMW 335xi it's not even funny. I am officially in love with my Mercedes
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Joined: Nov 2008
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From: DC Metro
W210 E55, W211 E3504M, E90 325i
I looked at the LM25s and the Sottozeros 240s too but went with the Wintersport 3D based on tirerack reviews. It seems more well rounded in its winter driving abilities.
I also mirror the 'drives like a tank' sentiments
I also mirror the 'drives like a tank' sentiments
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Joined: Jan 2009
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2006 E350 4Matic
I recently went up a driveway that was all ice about 2 inches thick, and had little problem going up. Ofcourse being on ice I did slide around a little bit but was never out of control.
I will have to see how many miles these tires will last. So far I have been happy with them, but not sure if I will buy these again or go with some Toyo's.
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2000 W210 E55->2003 R230 SL500->2004 W211 E55->2007 997TT+2007 E63->2010 GLK350->2012 E550 4matic
Debating whether to get the GLK350 or a E300 4Matic (smaller engine only available in Canada).
How far have you all taken the 4Matic in deep snow?
How far have you all taken the 4Matic in deep snow?
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Joined: Apr 2006
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From: Toronto
2006 E320 CDi, 2008 3/4 Ton Suburban, 2007 "rice rickshaw" Accord 5 speed
Bigger engine. More powerful.
GLK is new. The E300 W 211 body will be replaced under a year.
As a result depreciation will be bigger for the E300.
If you live anywhere outside British Columbia the small SUV is definitely better for snow and ice.
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2000 W210 E55->2003 R230 SL500->2004 W211 E55->2007 997TT+2007 E63->2010 GLK350->2012 E550 4matic
I quite agree with you, it's just that the E does have a bit more rear leg room.
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From: Longmont, CO
04 E320 4 Matic, 95 Audi S6, 99 Carrera 4 Cabrio, 12 Fiat 500 Sport, 00 BMW R1200C 10, BMW R1200R
My family has had Quattros since they were available in Colorado. There was no better car for the winter. The first generation 4-Matic on the W124 was OK, but expensive to keep working. This 4-Matic on my W211 is significantly better than my S 6’s Quattro. The S 6 is a great car, but the 4-matic makes tight turns and climbs up the hills perfectly. The Audi still slips a little when I take it up the driveway/street in Vail. My Audi has Michellin Pilot Alpines and my Benz has Blizzaks. I think that the Benz turn better because the 4-Matic system knows the difference in the turning speed and allows the tires to turn a corner while the surface is slippery. The Audi is a lot more RWD biased and like to loose the tail a bit too soon! Also, I like the SBC on the snow, it works incredibly!
Steve
Steve
