If you plan to not drive in winter conditions, does 4MATIC have any advantages?

 

It does not make any sense to have 4Matic in Florida or CA. In fact - 4matic drives much worse than RWD model.

 

thanks, my thinking too. I drove a AWD Lexus LS and could not stand the feel of the front end...

 

No, it makes the car heavier and less fuel efficient. As far as driving, the 4Matic drives very well but I would not be surprised if the RWD is superior. We have no choice in the land of the great white north, 4Matic is standard equipment.

 

I test drove LS couple weeks ago...it was RWD model..
May be it's a nice car, but I can't drive this boat after 12 years of any kind of German cars. It feels so different. The closest description of this car is a Boat...big...heavy boat ))
I don't look at Lexus dealership after that anymore ))

Good luck..

 

You'd feel much confident when it rains. I had my DSP button light up in the rain when taking a corner at above normal speeds. If you drive normally you don't really need it. 4matic cars have worse fuel consumption then RWD cars.

 

+1. Ain't that the truth

 

Actually I find the 4 Matic E's drive better. they feel more solid and handle like they are on rails. I need it up here but if I used the car in places like FL I most likely would not have it.

 

How can you guys think that 4matic is not superior in the snow compared to rwd? One of the reasons for buying mb was the awd. Fuel consumption is stil 22+ mpg which is better than my previous g35. Also, I could swear 4matic corners better than rwd. Living in northeast, awd is a must for me - if you get no more than 2 inches of snow rwd is fine. Personally I rather have the added safety

 

Even in the rain, I don't feel confident driving rwd.

 

I live in NYC and used to have 4matic. Now I got RWD and don't want 4matic anymore. I feel confident in RWD when it's rainy. If you don't know how to drive - you better stay home even when it's sunny outside ).
4matic needed only in snowy days, but we have couple of them in NYC and I can get car service and go wherever I want, sitting in the back and watching crazy people who drive in this blizzard...Next day after this mess street cleaned and there are no probs to drive. If you live in suburb - sure you need 4Matic here...

 

What a immature excuse not having 4matic currently....

Everyone thinks himself/herself is the best driver and others are not....

Who said "4matic needed only in snowy days"? That only your thought.

Don't generalize your thought.


There are so many childish A-holes in the net.....

 

I consider myself as a person who knows how to drive a car . I drove more than 1,5 million miles during my life. yes..it's not a misprint..million...
So..you may think whatever you want, but i keep thinking my way and drive RWD )

Peace..

 

After owning both W212 E550 rwd and 4matic I have to admit that they are two different cars. Normal every day driving I can say that the difference is subtle, I just went over the 1000mile recommended break in period and I just started driving the car like I normally drive and the difference is huge. This will be the one and only all wheel car that I will own.

So far for me the gas mileage has been about the same but the car handles, launches and acceleration is so different. I am not saying it necessarily worse but it does feel subdued.