PUZZ1

How is winter performance without 4Matic. I'm in Connecticut and although I've enjoyed Quattro for 4 years on my Audi's I sometimes wonder if 4 snow tires on a good car like the standard E-320 or E500 would be enough. Id appreciate and first hand experiences with both. Also, how much is acceleration handicapped with 4Matic?

Brother Benz

I'm in CT as well. I moved from Quatro to 4Matic. Both are great in the winter. A friend of mine just moved from a rear drive S-500 to E-500 4Matic. Both with all-season tires. He said the difference was remarkable. He regularly climbed a snow covered steep hill in Simsbury going sideways in the S. The 4-Matic E took the same hill straight as an arrow in this winter's storms. If you live in this part of the country 4Matic is a great investment.

PUZZ1

Thanks. That basically confirmed that 4Matic is the way to go. I'm actually in Canton and work in Hartford so we're in the same area.

Randy B

No problem with the 2WD version here. Really do not get to put the snow tire set to much use though.

nyca

I noticed at the NY auto show today, that the E320 4MATIC they had on display had very different wheels then the regular E320.

wem

I'm in CT too. I have an Audi TT Quattro that I'm going to turn in soon. I'm a firm believer in snow tires. The Audi goes through anything. We have a 2003 E320 with snow tires (the 4Matic wasn't available when we got the car). The snow tires help on the E320, but the all wheel drive is much, much better. In fact, I am taking a hit and trading in the E320 for a 2004 E320 4Matic scheduled for May delivery.

benzboy

Simply put four good snows on your rear wheel drive E and let ESP do the work. No problems this winter in CT with my E500. Stop the worrying and drive!

Brother Benz

Come on benzboy...tell him the truth. When the weather got bad you took out the ML!

skipper

This is my 2nd 4-Matic. Wouldn't dream of owing this car without the 4-Matic option. I once had a 1998 E-320 and after sliding a couple of years I went for a 2000 E-320 4-Matic.

grt62

I received my e500 4matic on 1/15/04, and had no problems through the winter with it. This was even with the Conti tires that came with it, even though many said to change to winter tires right away. I live in upstate NY, where we had a long, hard winter again. I waited until '04 model was available with 4matic; it was the best choice I could have made, given our long winter season. The car handles great on dry roads too.

onpaws

Please remember that the current 4Matic vehicles have neither the new nano-paint, nor the 7G-Tronic, and cannot be combined with the AMG sport package. Also, my 4matic has all of the new 2004.5 cost-cutting measures.

DWP

Does 4matic have any benefit in areas free of snow, ice and/or muddy roads? Audi seems to claim that its Quattro system improves control and handling for people who live in San Diego as much as for people who live in Minnesota.