Lauded by many critics as “the best car in the world,” the Mercedes-Benz S-Class enters the 2005 model year with a confidence of continued excellence. This year the innovative all-wheel-drive system, 4MATIC, is offered in the US at no additional cost on the S430 and S500 luxury sedans. Could this also be one of the highly anticipated changes and/or upgrades for the 06 E-Class?

http://www.germancarfans.com/news.cf...ercedes/1.html

 

Makes sense to me (of course, I have it on my E500). The only downside of all-wheel drive (4MATIC in Mercedes-speak) is some additional weight--which is only a downside if you're a performance freak. And if the Porsche Carrera turbo has all-wheel drive as standard equipment (which it does), then why not?

 

i dont know if that will happen, its a steal if you need 4matic, but with it, you will lose whp, and the E will be a lot slower from a roll, one of its best traits...imo i personally drive an awd car, though i love the handling, i hate the power from a roll.

 

i'm not sure if there will be any performance loss with 4Matic vs Non-4Matic. They did a test with a RWD S500 and a 4Matic S500....the S500 with 4Matic actually outperformed the RWD version in acceleration albeit not a lot, but still quicker to 60. I hear the system is only about 250lbs more heavier?

But it'd definitely be nice to have it @ no cost option for those who live in snowy climates during certain seasons

 

Not to belabor the point, GDawg, but I think the type of thinking that 4MATIC is "good for people in snowy climates", while true, is only a small part of the story. 4MATIC is safer in ALL conditions--dry, wet, snow. It handles better, and is arguably faster in the straights (as your data suggests) and definitely in the curves.

Again, the 911 Turbo Carrera--one of the fastest production cars on the planet--has all-wheel drive standard. I promise you, it ain't there for snowy weather! It's because it's better.

One additional downside I forgot to mention--mileage may not be as good due to power being applied to all four wheels. But who knows, this may be offset due to the fact that not as much is being applied to the rear. Anyone have facts/theories on this point?

 

Don't forget the additional weight causes stopping distances to go up, which although could only be a few inches or a few feet, can mean the difference in a collision.

-s-

 

Excellent point about the weight and stopping distance, Scorchie. But I'd assume (I know what happens when one assumes ) that there are other factors that could improve braking and offset the additional weight, like fatter rubber, bigger discs, etc.

 

tru tru hence my purchase of the A4 with Quattro, hehe

 

like the poster said, it will be faster to 60, because the AWD will stay planted, i havent seen that test, but if they did a 5-60 test, test, the RWD would be faster.

its all about preferane, and it is true, AWD is probably better, i like it better than RWD, much better, but i do miss the freeway speed. i am not sure what tires MB puts on AWD cars, but if you like performance, better hope they dont put all season. GL

 

In Canada they do not post the Performance times of the AWD as they are not as good as the RWD times. From everything I heard from Merc the times are off by about a second.. Also, the AWD does not come with a 7 Speed only 5 speed.

I personally would take the RWD only and the 4WD if I was going to drive it in the winters.

I think the cost difference to Merc between the 7 speed and AWD is the same so, this is why it is being offered for free.

Also, from what I have read ALL AWD are built in Austraila (without nano paint) and I personally would rather have a Mercedes built at the main plant.

 

quattro > 4matic > rwd

 

5-60 is 6.4s for the 4Matic (S500)

My bad, the 0-60 was identical to the RWD. Here's the article:

Mercedes-Benz S500 4MATIC

A four-seasons Benz for the Four Seasons crowd.
BY RON KIINO
PHOTOGRAPHY PHOTOGRAPHY BY AARON KILEY
May 2003

When the current Range Rover debuted almost a year ago, the folks at Land Rover were confident that prospective buyers of its luxury behemoth would be the same people considering the Mercedes-Benz S-class.

“Oh, really?” we retorted.

Although Land Rover PR people were comparing apples with oranges, they had a point. The Range Rover offers a surprisingly carlike ride and one of the poshest interiors ever and thus is quite ideal for everyday transport. Plus, it comes standard with four-wheel drive, making it an attractive alternative to big rear-wheel-drive sedans, especially for upper-crustees living with snow.

Now, with the introduction of the all-wheel-drive S-class 4MATIC sedans, it's Mercedes-Benz's turn to proclaim that prospective Rover buyers will be cross-shopping S-classes. After all, few, if any, Range Rover owners actually drive off-road; to them, all- or four-wheel drive simply means, “I can drive it in the snow!”

Although 4MATIC is not new to us—it's been around off and on since 1990 in E-class sedans and wagons—2003 marks the first year Mercedes is offering all-wheel drive in its flagship S-class, in both the S430 and the S500. At a cost of $2900, 4MATIC raises the base price of our Pewter Silver S500 to $85,920. With a few options—our tester had a CD changer ($400), a heated steering wheel ($400), Distronic cruise control ($2950), and special-order chestnut wood trim ($1150)—the price ballooned to $90,820. Yikes!

Besides a chrome “4MATIC” badge on the decklid, that $2900 gets you a sophisticated all-wheel-drive system that uses a mechanical center differential to split torque 40/60 front to rear under any condition. When grip is lost, 4MATIC calls on a four-wheel traction-control system to vary torque distribution to individual wheels using the brakes and the front and rear open differentials. So if three wheels lose traction, 4MATIC can still deliver power to one wheel to keep the car in motion.

The S500 came to Hogback Road for testing in February, but there wasn't much white icing on the landscape. Nevertheless, the 4MATIC performed as advertised, finding traction at will. Head man Csere even pointed out that ascending the steep snow-covered driveway leading to his rural castle was no sweat, requiring zero intervention from the traction-control system. Impressive, considering the car came with all-season 225/55R-17 Michelin Energy MXV4 Plus tires. We reckon an S500 4MATIC fitted with snow tires would be unstoppable.

On clear roads, the big Benz drove like any other rear-drive S-class we have experienced in the past. The 4MATIC system was so seamless and transparent that differentiating it from a rear-drive setup was nearly impossible—a good trait, indeed, particularly if you enjoy apexing esses on the way to the ski chalet.

Like its rear-drive brethren, the S500 4MATIC is more successful as a highway cruiser than a back-road burner. Its straight-line stability and tracking are first-rate, complemented by low-effort steering that is progressive and linear if a bit numb on-center. The standard Airmatic DC suspension with its adaptive damping delivers a soft, plush ride in comfort mode that's perfect for fully enjoying the 14-way power-adjustable front seats and 10-speaker Bose sound system. It's the kind of car that actually makes a long road trip fun. For those sportier moments, tap the dash-mounted damper-adjustment button once, and the ride firms up nicely; tap it twice, and it becomes downright stiff, suitable for only the curviest roads you dare throw its way.

Although Mercedes claims 4MATIC weighs less than 200 pounds, our 4429-pound tester weighed 352 more pounds than the last rear-drive S500 we tested (May 1999), which makes us wonder what besides the Distronic cruise control is contributing to the extra bulk. But after seeing the performance numbers, we're not so sure we care. Powered by the same 302-hp, 5.0-liter V-8, the S500 4MATIC needed 6.1 seconds to go from 0 to 60 mph and 14.6 seconds over the quarter-mile—identical numbers to the lighter, rear-drive S500. Braking was even more impressive: decelerating from 70 to 0 mph required 172 feet, 10 fewer than the rear-driver. The skidpad number of 0.77 g was marginally better than the rear-driver's 0.75 g, but better is, well, better. If there's one noticeable downside, it's fuel economy. Over our 1000-mile stint, we managed only 15 mpg, which is significantly less than the 19 mpg squeezed out of the rear-driver.

Fuel economy aside, the S500 4MATIC remains a classy, comfortable, capable car for any season. As far as all-weather luxury yachts go, this one's tough to beat. At least until we can compare it with Audi's all-new long-wheelbase A8 with Quattro.

Mercedes-Benz S500 4MATIC
Vehicle type: front-engine, 4-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan
Price as tested: $90,820 (base price: $85,920)
Engine type: SOHC 24-valve V-8, aluminum block and heads, Bosch Motronic ME2.8 engine-control system with port fuel injection
Displacement 303 cu in, 4966cc
Power (SAE net) 302 bhp @ 5600 rpm
Torque (SAE net) 339 lb-ft @ 2700 rpm
Transmission 5-speed automatic with lockup torque converter
Wheelbase 121.5 in
Length 203.1 in
Curb weight 4429 lb
Zero to 60 mph 6.1 sec
Zero to 100 mph 15.5 sec
Zero to 130 mph 29.4 sec
Street start, 5-60 mph 6.4 sec
Standing 1/4-mile 14.6 sec @ 97 mph
Top speed (governor limited) 132 mph
Braking, 70-0 mph 172 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad 0.77 g
EPA fuel economy, city driving 16 mpg
C/D-observed fuel economy 15 mpg





http://caranddriver.com/article.asp?...&page_number=1

 

It would be a really nice feature for those in Snowy Climates, and it would handle better in SoCal climates, but I think the current E is a good value, and making it much more expensive by adding AWD, might persuade people to go for the C-Class, not only due to the higher MSRP, but also fuel consumption. Also, will they ever add 4Matic to the AMG's or the 600's? I would, personally, love it if they did!

 

Wow an S500 4Matic gets 15mpg to the gallon??

We get around 13mpg, any body see better or worse?

 

onpaws,

We have the same ride. On a recent trip from NYC to MIA and back, I averaged 22.5 on the highway. For city, it's around 18. Sticker said 16 city / 20 hwy, so I'm doing better than that.

 

the way it was put to me by our mb rep was that the 4matic will be a no cost option, and in warm climates or by not taking the 4matic you will get an appearence type package to equate to the cost of the 4matic, he did not think the e-class would follow as of yet

 

A moment of clarity, curious what does your mb rep have to say about upcoming changes to the 06 e-class?

 

Funny scorchie mentions the brake issue. Both my C320 4matic and the E500/S430/500 4 matics all have different brakes than their RWD brothers. My front brakes look bigger than regular C-class brakes and the caliper is positioned toward the front of the vehicle. I noticed that E500 and S-class lose the 4 piston brembo calipers when you select the 4matic option, you get 2 piston calipers up front instead. I know with the E-class 4matic you get a double wishbone suspension upfront instead of the macpherson setup it usually has....

 

funny or not how about the 350 at the end of the year for 05 e class cars, thats why the de-contenting took place, so as not to raise the cost of the car to much when the 3.7 litre is introduced in the e

 

Misunderstanding, didn’t mean it as funny but more so a clarification. 350 Any other tidbits?

 

konigstiger, was not directing that at you or was not trying to be a smart***
that response was more for it`s funny how benz does things for a reason, and how consumers want to get on the wagon to bash them, (de-contenting)
but no one ever knows what they are thinking until the end, the future of the e-class looks very good, some great new things are coming, also look for a minor face lift, i have also been told that the 3.7 going into the e-class will have more horsepower and get better gas mileage, then the current 3.7 engine currently in the ml

 

Actually - Austria, not Australia. Anyway there is a slight mileage difference in terms of the EPA numbers posted at least between the E's with and without 4Matic. Will be interesting to learn if the 2006 new body style S Class will have both the 7 speed tranny and the 4Matic.