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 live in Jersey where we have our fair share of snow and I've also owned two 4matic E350s an a 4matic C240. All of those cars ROCK in the snow. I never had a problem with any one of them no matter how much snow we got (all of them had Michelins that came with the car). I also get pretty good gas mileage from the E350 (for a 4matic). I can easily go 400 miles with a tank of gas and I'm sure I could go 450 ~ 475 given I was driving only on highway all the time. If these fuel figures seem good to you definitely get the 350 4matic.

 

is the e320 diesel?

 

...it is.

Too bad we don't get the diesel 4matics here in the states...

 

in canada all cars besides amg and diesel are 4matic. imo that is the fu**ed up thing ever, even the CL's are 4matic

 

the base cl over here is 4matic only, rwd isnt even an option on the 09+ cl550

 

so it comes rwd standard?

 

no the cl550 is only avail as a 4matic. the cl63, cl600 and cl65 are all rwd only

 

if mb keeps making models 4matic w/o giving the buyer a choise i doubt ill buy a mb again. who wants a awd car when it snows 5 out of 365 days

 

...like whenever there is limited grip - but you knew that already.

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?)

 

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.

 

...then I guess it'll be the 4matic - but I will be getting proper winter tires...

 

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.

 

4matic + proper winter tires = a car on rails

 

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!!

 

the E320 bluetec has a faster 0-60 time compared to the e300 & e350

 

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.

 

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.

 

I've always been a strong believer in proper tires as they are what connects you to the road. The $1k that one spends on tires is easily made up in savings at the body shop.

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...

 

Nova gets nice rainfall too.

 

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.

 

Thanks.

Does anyone have any real world experiences with the RWD E series?

 

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.

 

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.

 

on stock 16's?