E 320 vs E350 4matic in inclement weather
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MBWorld Fanatic!
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1953 300 Adenauer, 1971 300 SEL 6.3, 1975 600, 1978 450 6.9
E 320 vs E350 4matic in inclement weather
Yep - I searched before I posted.
I'm in the market for either a 350 4matic or a 320. The 320 intrigues me because the possibilities of stellar (for this size car) "gas" mileage.
That said, my last cars all have been AWD (R32, RL, Audi S6) and with the proper winter tires have been like mountain goats - virtually unstoppable.
My last MB (a 450 SEL) was very bad in the snow (although tire technology has gotten much better since then too) but I figure that the new electronic wizardry, combined with proper tires should make the 320 pretty decent in all but the worst of weather.
Unfortunately, in theory (although it has never happened,) my job may require me to get on the roads (DC metro, NoVA, MD 'burbs) before the first snowplow has hit the roads. A few years ago I had a GTI as a daily driver and had no issues - except that I vowed never to buy a FWD car again.
Should I get the 320 or will the 4matic give me vastly improved traction? This will be my year round daily driver.
Discuss....
I'm in the market for either a 350 4matic or a 320. The 320 intrigues me because the possibilities of stellar (for this size car) "gas" mileage.
That said, my last cars all have been AWD (R32, RL, Audi S6) and with the proper winter tires have been like mountain goats - virtually unstoppable.
My last MB (a 450 SEL) was very bad in the snow (although tire technology has gotten much better since then too) but I figure that the new electronic wizardry, combined with proper tires should make the 320 pretty decent in all but the worst of weather.
Unfortunately, in theory (although it has never happened,) my job may require me to get on the roads (DC metro, NoVA, MD 'burbs) before the first snowplow has hit the roads. A few years ago I had a GTI as a daily driver and had no issues - except that I vowed never to buy a FWD car again.
Should I get the 320 or will the 4matic give me vastly improved traction? This will be my year round daily driver.
Discuss....
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 978
Likes: 3
From: Essex County, NJ
2011 E350 Sport 4Matic - P2 & Drivers Assist / 2010 C300 Sport 4Matic - P2 / 2013 Porsche Cayenne S
Yep - I searched before I posted.
I'm in the market for either a 350 4matic or a 320. The 320 intrigues me because the possibilities of stellar (for this size car) "gas" mileage.
That said, my last cars all have been AWD (R32, RL, Audi S6) and with the proper winter tires have been like mountain goats - virtually unstoppable.
My last MB (a 450 SEL) was very bad in the snow (although tire technology has gotten much better since then too) but I figure that the new electronic wizardry, combined with proper tires should make the 320 pretty decent in all but the worst of weather.
Unfortunately, in theory (although it has never happened,) my job may require me to get on the roads (DC metro, NoVA, MD 'burbs) before the first snowplow has hit the roads. A few years ago I had a GTI as a daily driver and had no issues - except that I vowed never to buy a FWD car again.
Should I get the 320 or will the 4matic give me vastly improved traction? This will be my year round daily driver.
Discuss....
I'm in the market for either a 350 4matic or a 320. The 320 intrigues me because the possibilities of stellar (for this size car) "gas" mileage.
That said, my last cars all have been AWD (R32, RL, Audi S6) and with the proper winter tires have been like mountain goats - virtually unstoppable.
My last MB (a 450 SEL) was very bad in the snow (although tire technology has gotten much better since then too) but I figure that the new electronic wizardry, combined with proper tires should make the 320 pretty decent in all but the worst of weather.
Unfortunately, in theory (although it has never happened,) my job may require me to get on the roads (DC metro, NoVA, MD 'burbs) before the first snowplow has hit the roads. A few years ago I had a GTI as a daily driver and had no issues - except that I vowed never to buy a FWD car again.
Should I get the 320 or will the 4matic give me vastly improved traction? This will be my year round daily driver.
Discuss....
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 295
Likes: 1
From: Long Island
2018 GLC 300 4Matic
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Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
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1953 300 Adenauer, 1971 300 SEL 6.3, 1975 600, 1978 450 6.9
AWD is certainly good for lots of times aside from snow...
Can we get back on topic?
How well (or how badly) does the current model RWD E class behave in poor weather - assuming that you appropriate tires to the season (ie Winter tires in the winter and performance summer in the summer?)
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,182
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From: Northern VA
W211
this past winter when the area got hit with 4inches of snow, i took the E500 4matic to work. It worked like a charm and worked great on snow packed roads. Couldn't believe the grip on the road, even w/the michelins that came with the benz.
I was debating on taking my civic out, but knew i would be slip/sliding a bit to get to/from work.
I was debating on taking my civic out, but knew i would be slip/sliding a bit to get to/from work.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
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1953 300 Adenauer, 1971 300 SEL 6.3, 1975 600, 1978 450 6.9
Ahhh....
this past winter when the area got hit with 4inches of snow, i took the E500 4matic to work. It worked like a charm and worked great on snow packed roads. Couldn't believe the grip on the road, even w/the michelins that came with the benz.
I was debating on taking my civic out, but knew i would be slip/sliding a bit to get to/from work.
I was debating on taking my civic out, but knew i would be slip/sliding a bit to get to/from work.
...then I guess it'll be the 4matic - but I will be getting proper winter tires...
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From: Wyckoff, New Jersey & Alphabet City NYC
86 190E 2.3-16v, 92 500E, 03 CL55 AMG, 08 E3504M Brabus
Proper tires for winter driving are important regardless of the fact that its a 4Matic. Conti makes a good sport winter driving tire I can't remember the name but I'm sure you can find it. Good luck.
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 978
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From: Essex County, NJ
2011 E350 Sport 4Matic - P2 & Drivers Assist / 2010 C300 Sport 4Matic - P2 / 2013 Porsche Cayenne S
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 528
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From: Chicago IL
X166 gls450 2017
e350 4matic is definitely unstoppable ... E320 is sluggish, go to the stealer and take them out for a spin - the difference is very evident ..... regarding mpg, i get around 17 city, max 27 hway .... 320 cdi would give you around 40+, u're gonna hate to merge highways though!!
Super Member
Joined: May 2009
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From: Vancouver British Columbia
09 E320 Bluetec
e350 4matic is definitely unstoppable ... E320 is sluggish, go to the stealer and take them out for a spin - the difference is very evident ..... regarding mpg, i get around 17 city, max 27 hway .... 320 cdi would give you around 40+, u're gonna hate to merge highways though!!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2009
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From: Northern VA
W211
hate to say it, but the past winter i did see mostly bimmers in the ditch and a few Eclass without 4matics as well. First reaction i had was WTF and notice no 4matic badging on the ones in the ditch.
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 253
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From: DC Metro
W210 E55, W211 E3504M, E90 325i
OP, I live in DMV metro area as well and last winter I took the plunge to buy a proper winter set up from tire rack. 17" AMG 5 spoke style wheels shod with Dunlop Wintersport 3Ds (about $1k). Combined with 4matic, the car was practically unstoppable in those few snow days that we had and very assuring in those frequent cold and wet winter days-money well spent.
Yes, I think it maybe a little overkill for our mostly mild mid-atlantic winter conditions but its comforting to know your car sitting on the driveway is ready to go anywhere, anytime should the need arise. Its your call eitherway but don't discount the value of a proper winter setup.
Yes, I think it maybe a little overkill for our mostly mild mid-atlantic winter conditions but its comforting to know your car sitting on the driveway is ready to go anywhere, anytime should the need arise. Its your call eitherway but don't discount the value of a proper winter setup.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
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1953 300 Adenauer, 1971 300 SEL 6.3, 1975 600, 1978 450 6.9
OP, I live in DMV metro area as well and last winter I took the plunge to buy a proper winter set up from tire rack. 17" AMG 5 spoke style wheels shod with Dunlop Wintersport 3Ds (about $1k). Combined with 4matic, the car was practically unstoppable in those few snow days that we had and very assuring in those frequent cold and wet winter days-money well spent.
Yes, I think it maybe a little overkill for our mostly mild mid-atlantic winter conditions but its comforting to know your car sitting on the driveway is ready to go anywhere, anytime should the need arise. Its your call eitherway but don't discount the value of a proper winter setup.
Yes, I think it maybe a little overkill for our mostly mild mid-atlantic winter conditions but its comforting to know your car sitting on the driveway is ready to go anywhere, anytime should the need arise. Its your call eitherway but don't discount the value of a proper winter setup.
I still am a interested in people's thoughts about the RWD 350 with proper winter tires when things go bad.
I had driven AWD (Typhoon, Yukon, A6, S6) since the early '90s and swear by AWD, but with all the electronic nannies the RWD should be pretty decent as well and the 40+ MPG of the 320 is pretty enticing.
While the DC area is generally pretty mild as far as snow is concerned, the added grip of proper tires might also allow you to get out of the way of that 1980 tercel on racing slicks...
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2008
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From: DC Metro
W210 E55, W211 E3504M, E90 325i
CEB, my E90 325i also gets Blizzaks in the winter period and I must say for the most part it performs well but I must admit its noticeably more 'wiggly' at times (when the white stuff is heavy on the ground) than the winter tires shod 4matic W211, even with DSC, DTC and ASC-T.
Thread Starter
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1953 300 Adenauer, 1971 300 SEL 6.3, 1975 600, 1978 450 6.9
Just what I wanted to hear.....
CEB, my E90 325i also gets Blizzaks in the winter period and I must say for the most part it performs well but I must admit its noticeably more 'wiggly' at times (when the white stuff is heavy on the ground) than the winter tires shod 4matic W211, even with DSC, DTC and ASC-T.
Does anyone have any real world experiences with the RWD E series?
Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 198
Likes: 1
I have an RWD E500 and it SUCKS in the winter. Even with winter tires. I was on the verge of getting stuck so many times that I'm probably switching it in for an ML (or other SUV) later this year (need extra space for child seats along with AWD). A few times I almost didn't make it up a gradual slope while sunfires were zooming by. I also find that it's better with ESP off, although the car will tend to fishtail.
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Joined: May 2007
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From: Blaine, WA
07 E320 Bluetec
I don't drive my E320 Bluetec in the snow but it is amazingly stable in heavy rain. Several weeks ago while returning home to NJ from Long Island NY it was raining really hard and there I was driving next to the barrier at 70mph through deep puddles and passing SUVs on the Belt Parkway. The rain got heavier when I got on the NJ Turnpike. Other cars had their emergency lights on and were driving at 30-40mph and there I was flying through at 70mph on a waterlogged highway with two lanes at my disposal. That day was the first day I put my Benz through a sever test and it came through with flying colors. Hats off to MB. I drive my SUV when it snows.
Super Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 519
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From: Vancouver British Columbia
09 E320 Bluetec
I don't drive my E320 Bluetec in the snow but it is amazingly stable in heavy rain. Several weeks ago while returning home to NJ from Long Island NY it was raining really hard and there I was driving next to the barrier at 70mph through deep puddles and passing SUVs on the Belt Parkway. The rain got heavier when I got on the NJ Turnpike. Other cars had their emergency lights on and were driving at 30-40mph and there I was flying through at 70mph on a waterlogged highway with two lanes at my disposal. That day was the first day I put my Benz through a sever test and it came through with flying colors. Hats off to MB. I drive my SUV when it snows.
