MB 4Matic vs BMW xDrive vs Audi Quatro
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 103
Likes: 1
From: Canton, MI
'11 E350 4MATIC
MB 4Matic vs BMW xDrive vs Audi Quatro
Hi Guys,
Do we have a non bias comparison (or technical fact) between these two? I owned X5 before and they used more AWD propaganda than MB and Audi. I was invited couple time to their driving events to see the car in incline roller vs. lexus... to demonstrate the superior BMW xDrive system. But they did not put the MB because they said it will work too...
I love BMW Xdrive system and my current W212 4MAtic. In BMW, you can feel it when the system is working... it vibrates like hell... The MB just very smooth and probabaly a blink of Yellow triangle..
So, any thought, video clips, good review? Please make sure we compare to our latest generation 4Matic system.
Do we have a non bias comparison (or technical fact) between these two? I owned X5 before and they used more AWD propaganda than MB and Audi. I was invited couple time to their driving events to see the car in incline roller vs. lexus... to demonstrate the superior BMW xDrive system. But they did not put the MB because they said it will work too...
I love BMW Xdrive system and my current W212 4MAtic. In BMW, you can feel it when the system is working... it vibrates like hell... The MB just very smooth and probabaly a blink of Yellow triangle..
So, any thought, video clips, good review? Please make sure we compare to our latest generation 4Matic system.
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 978
Likes: 3
From: Essex County, NJ
2011 E350 Sport 4Matic - P2 & Drivers Assist / 2010 C300 Sport 4Matic - P2 / 2013 Porsche Cayenne S
I prefer MB's 4matic to BMW's X-Drive. It just seems to work more "seamlessly" and without you realizing that it kicked in. Audi practically invented 4WD with Quattro but I've never owned an Audi so I can't really comment on it. I did find this video for you. Its kinda old but still fun to watch:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ii_fXvg98w4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ii_fXvg98w4
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 640
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2015 GL450
My thought is maybe that you are referring to the traction control/ESP. In that, I do have experience with the BMW. Yes, it vibrates like hell. The Highlander and the WRX did not have traction control/ESP. I loved that! (Had the wife screaming when I did a 180 on a snowy road in the WRX when we discovered we turned right when we should've turned left.) I once thought the Carrera 4 was the gold standard for ESP until I met the MB ESP. Smoooth.... I know the Carrera 4 gave some "play" room, allowing some slippage as long as you are making good decisions. I think the MB ESP does too, which helps with smoothness.
The yellow triangle is connected to ESP, not AWD.
But maybe I'm missing something.
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 640
Likes: 6
2015 GL450
As I recall, the Porsche version of ESP allowed 7% slippage if the system recognized that the steering/throttle/brake inputs by the driver were consistent with the action of the car. This is consistent with racing theory that there is actually more traction with slippage than without. Around 2003, I was buddies with a BMW executive, who told me that the BMW version of ESP allowed 0% slippage, which gave it a certain amount of choppiness when the system kicked in. He also stated that BMW would change the system to allow some slippage, but I have not spoken to him since. My experience with BMW ESP is that it is too aggressive, both in terms of when it is applied and the degree to which it is applied. I remember too well passing about 3 stuck 5-series in a snowstorm -- they would've likely done better turning off their ESPs.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 103
Likes: 1
From: Canton, MI
'11 E350 4MATIC
In BMW X5, I did sharp cornenring in sliperry condition. The whole car body vibrates and I felt like driving inside the rail. The cornering was some how precise but the independent automatic wheel braking was kinda scary.. I did tried the making sharp cornering in empty parking lot covered with snow with the new E. I could feel the self correcting but it is very smooth.
Now with the BMW Xdrive, I onced drove in complete black ice condition near Pensylvinia. All cars were stucked in icy highway, in the middle of road. Luckily, I was able to navigate slowly and keep it going. I then made a quick stop and could not believe how slippery the road condition was. No crazy noise.
Did the same thing with the E class 2-weeks ago. I did not know that the higway was closed due to icy condition. I had no issues at the ramp.
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
2011 E350 4Matic T-Modell
Here is a nice video about 4 Matic:
http://mediacenter.dw-world.de/engli...ercedes_4Matic
http://mediacenter.dw-world.de/engli...ercedes_4Matic
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Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 103
Likes: 1
From: Canton, MI
'11 E350 4MATIC
I found a good review from popular Mechanics about the 4Matic system in W212. The W212 has the latest 4th generation system.
http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars...drives/4340322
And from an old article prepared by MB Sales Organization. See attachment.
http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars...drives/4340322
And from an old article prepared by MB Sales Organization. See attachment.
Last edited by hanjaya1; Mar 11, 2011 at 01:31 PM.
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Newbie
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
C250 cdi 4matic
4matic against quattro
We own C (W204) 4matic and Audi A6 (C6) quattro and I had the opportunity to drive both of them with similar winter tires (MB slightly newer). My personal opinion is that MB is better balanced and when it starts to slide it does so in a more controllable manner (actually I never noticed ESP light), Audi seems to be more "nervous" of the two. Traction control in Audi when it kicks in is definitely too aggressive (same conclusion as most magazines). However, I believe that newer Audis behave better due to better weight distribution (C6 is notoriously front heavy), new Audi A6 (C7) with sport differential and crown gear center diff. handles probably better than 4matic in winter- however let us not forget that the most important thing in snow are winter tires (full stop)!
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 466
Likes: 1
E350
Honestly they all seem very comparable in winter traction and I never had an issue with any version in New England weather and ski trips. Any winter traction variables were probably more related to the types of tires versus the mechanical aspects.
In regards to driving dynamics and handling, I think I would give a slight edge to the Quattro. Audi develops their cars with Quattro as a central aspect of the cars ride and handling, while 4Matic and XDrive are options on basically rear wheel drive designed drivetrains.
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
C250 cdi 4matic
It should also be pointed out also that while BMW and MB AWD systems are fairly similar across each makers model range (exception being some MB SUVs especially with optional off road packages (maybe not available in US))) quattro is marketing name given to completely different awd technologies across the range: Haldex clutch in A3, TT;Torsen diff in most Audis (like my C6) (even here two diff. Torsens are used in depending on year- 50:50 or 40:60 split, and different TBRs depending on model)), and crown gear differential in new A6, A7 and RS5. Furthermore, new Audis can be optioned with sport diff. (torque vectoring rear diff. ) that does amazing things for car handling especially in adverse conditions (BMW also has a similar system).
Audis with Torsen centre differential fail to move when one axle has no grip (see rollers test on you tube)- this is one drawback with most previous generation Audis (4matic and xDrive pass this test). However, somethink like this is fairly unlikely to occur in road conditions.
As I said before, winter tyres are THE most important thing that will make your car safe to drive.
Audis with Torsen centre differential fail to move when one axle has no grip (see rollers test on you tube)- this is one drawback with most previous generation Audis (4matic and xDrive pass this test). However, somethink like this is fairly unlikely to occur in road conditions.
As I said before, winter tyres are THE most important thing that will make your car safe to drive.
