kenfried

Does anyone have experience driving E500 with and without 4matic? Differences in acceleration, comfort and handling feel? My E500 test drives without 4matic produced a lot of electronic/computer intervention when accelerating quickly out of slow turns - car didn't feel as good as my 528 in those circumstances. I'm thinking that 4matic would improve this.

bmw2mb

did your 528 have 4matic?

DWP

I'm a former driver of a 528i also. My '03 E500 has many fine qualities, but I suspect that it would take a lot more than 4matic - say, for instance, a soul transplant - to make it feel and handle like a BMW 5-series.

E500-4Matic

I had the 2003 RWD and now have a 2004 4-Matic (also had a 2000 E 4-Matic as well). Really like the 4-Matic - it's pretty much transparent in terms of driving feel, but the advantage is that even in pouring rain you can floor it from a standstill and the car just takes off - no fishtailing or electronic/computer intervention.

The only downsides I see are slightly poorer fuel economy and acceleration, slightly less front passenger foot room due to added transmission bulge.

Good luck!

jmpsmash

my fiancee has a '03 530. i have been enjoying driving her car.

i recently test drove a E320 4Matic wagon, i noticed the difference in handling. the E320 is slow on the acceleration and slightly more mushy on the handling. in general, the car feel heavier, even my fiancee noticed it. the light steering isolates the driver from the road.

however, despite that, i still ordered the E320 4matic wagon. for the reason that we don't want two similar cars in the family, and there are other factors that the 530 doesn't offer, the look is different, arguably the best looking mid-size wagon in the market, the level of luxury, etc...

surely, the E500 will make up for some of those slacks, but the price is too much out of our budget.

but i digressed...

westsidewagon

Too bad we don't get the E500 Estate with rwd in the USA.

glojo

I would be very grateful if someone could actually photograph the 'bulge' in the 4-Matic passenger footwell. This is the reason why I beleve the car is not imported into any country that has RHD vehicles.

Incidentally the E55AMG Estate is allegedly available in the UK from Autumn 2003.

Regards,
John

Fastbuck

I saw a black one at my local dealer yesterday. It looked really amazing. The rear tyres looked as if they'd been taken straight off of Coultard's car!

glojo

They show the black vehicle on the Mercedes-Benz showroom page and I agree with you it looks a 'meaty' vehicle. They only have the one small picture, but the front spoiler looks very impressive.

Not long for your delivery

Regards,
John