vdubpower

what would they be if any

im asking in case we decide on an e550 instead of cls

we dont live in a snowy or rainy environment
the car will not be modified. we just need a nice comfortable ride

WEBSRFR

From a stand-still, when you need maximum acceleration, you can't make an idiot of yourself by needlessly embarrassing yourself with spinning rear wheels and noise when you want the car to just fly away with no drama

Seriously, the E550 V8 works superbly with 4MATIC. It is great for surefooted acceleration and handling. Even if I lived some place that only gets occasional rain and no snow, I would still get it.

tjkaz

Fundamentally, more moving powertrain parts hence lower reliability as compared with the same vehicle with RWD. Time will tell if that reliability reduction yields noticeable differences between the RWD and AWD. There's probably a slight weight increase, but I would guess it's small relative to the total weight of the vehicle. Likewise, probably a small MPG hit due to additional powertrain components in-the-loop. Sorry, when you're dealing with physics, nothing's for free.
As an engineer, I just can't get past having AWD (all the time) living in OC. As such, I'll wait to see what MB does in the future with the E-Class before I get my next one (I'm on my second).
If you really like the car and you like the way it drives, then go for it and I'm sure you'll love it. If you're worried about the reliability then purchase an extended warrantee that will cover the time you anticipate owning it.

K-A

More things to go wrong, no staggered wheels, less MPG, heavier car, not as "fun" (if you care about exploiting "fun" virtues of a RWD car on the likes of an E-Class Benz), maybe noisier drivetrain?, maybe less smooth to operate, less HP going to the wheels therefore less actual HP which mainly shows up in the higher speeds, etc. Also, TJdeya I think it was had an RWD E550 and had to pick up a 4WD for some reason after, and said that it felt a lot less refined, more rough and crude in the drive department, for what it's worth.

Many of those are very minor factors in comparison with RWD, but they're there.

petee1997

Obviously,KA you have never owned one. It actually drives better and feels glued to the road no matter what the road conditions are. Reliability is equal to RWD. I have owned both and would never go back to RWD. My wife's 2013 E Coupe 4Matic will be our 19th MB. This is based on real experience and not from a guy who knew a guy that said....

K-A

Notice I didn't give my subjective opinions. Those things are all usually more or less factual when it comes to AWD traits VS RWD traits.

Obviously AWD has many of its own benefits. I for one prefer RWD due to my geographical location not "needing" AWD, but am not opposed to AWD.

Then again, as a safety>all type of person, I would embrace the added safety benefits of AWD over RWD as well. I guess I'll take whatever's closest.

vdubpower

odd why mercs didnt make the 550 in just rwd this time around.
anyone know if its different for next year

mnje350

In climes with snow, I would not be without AWD. Had it in an Audi once. It was great. In the south, I don't miss it a bit.

hyperion667

no burnouts!! haha...
but lots of traction....
that's why I wanted it....
NC gets gnarly ice in the winters, and rain too....
sometimes snow......
just wanted some estra assurance you know?

vdubpower

right but in my situation, no snow, barely any rain, so i dont care for it, but if my dad decides he likes the E better than CLS then we are stuck with it....

vdubpower

and what the hey is the deal with the whole staggered set up issue with 4wd, why cant u do it, porsche does it

_brent

you can do it. in fact, MB does do it. the CLS550 4matic has staggered wheels - 255 & 285.

anyway, 4matic only adds about 100lbs to the weight and has no effect on ride hieight (unlike some other luxury cars where the AWD version is noticeably higher). the disavantages are really negligible, and unless you're a RWD fanatic who just won't be happy if you can't do donuts and go sideways at stop lights (been there...), there's no reason to hold it against the car.

-brent

vdubpower

ok cool, like i said, this car will remain stock, we just want a simple nice smooth ride

mnje350

Not so much in Wilmington. I stayed home when it snowed a year or so ago.

aeggroup

I have owned AWD and RWD MB E Class's and prefer RWD model. It feels more sporty and dynamic compared to AWD. For me AWD drives like SUV.
I think you need to go to your nearest dealer and try both cars. It is all the matter of personal preference.

mikemargolis

I was born and still live in New England, and so have driven in snow my whole life.

We own a 4WD Ford truck, and also a Honda Odyssey (front wheel drive) and the E350 bluetec, so rear wheel drive. I guess we have one of each.

To me, I can boil down driving in snow to a few simple bullet points:

1. Keep great tires on the car with plenty of tread. I do switch the Honda to Blizzaks in the winter.

2. Slow down A LOT.

3. Four wheel DRIVE is not four wheel STOP. Even with ABS, it will take a LOT longer to stop than if you're on dry pavement. I see a lot of SUV's in ditches on the highway because they are foolish enough to think they can go fast and stop fast.

When I bought the E350, the salesman told me that 95% of what they sell is 4MATIC, which I believe. For the $1000 extra, if you live in snow country, you might as well have four wheels driving instead of two.

For me, buying the Bluetec, which forced me to 2WD, was not a deal killer. The huge gas mileage difference was worth the very tiny downside of having 2WD instead of 4WD, but then I have grown up driving in snow, and know how to be smart and safe when the road is white or wet.

Arrie

No snow, no rain - You do not even need to think about a 4 - wheel drive or an AWD. And, when it comes to MB with it I would not have it if I did not need it, period.

For some reason MB makes the worst AWD drive system of all car makers based on what can be read in the internet. If I lived in a winter snow area and needed an AWD car I would not be driving a MB made vehicle until the other maker's patents run out and they can make one good one too.

vdubpower

whats your issue with MB;s system


problem i have is the e550 is only 4wd, my dad doesnt like the cls, even tho im pushing for that

wonder if 2013 will get no awd. ...

W210

I guess it depends on how you drive as well. As I'm quite heavy footed, I much enjoy the traction of AWD paired with large engines with lots of low end torque. Having owned several AMG RWD cars, I actually prefer the E550 4matic for street driving, I'm just sick of the traction control lights flashing away when I drive aggressively.

Karl901

Ok, I tuned my e550 4 matic to 530hp 606tq, put Amg 255/285 wheels on it.
Took it to the strip ran a 12.5 qtr mi, 111.5mph. Runs with no drama, just launches quietly, stealth speed! Looks great. Anyother questions?

K-A

Those are great dyno numbers, especially for that little car, but that 1/4 mile seems dismal compared to what you'd expect from such staggering power levels? Isn't that close to what a stock E550 Coupe would run? With 530 HP to the wheels, I'd expect trap speeds above the 120 MPH mark easily.

Karl901

Yeah I know, I am not a drag racer, e 63 na only does it iin 12.4 sec.

Arrie

4Matic cars cannot use staggered wheel setup. Why is that? Answer is that they cannot allow speed difference between front and rear axles.

Reason for this is that they use a very cheap differential locking system between the axles. I understand it is just like a multi disk brake/coupling arrangement, which will wear out and over heat with too much speed difference between axles.

I don't think, for example, Audi has this problem.

Karl901

Arrie,
What speed difference? The front and rear are the same diameter.
The CLS 550 comes with 265/285 tread widths.

threeMBs

False. 4matic cars can use staggered wheel/tire setups, provided front and rear tire diameters are the same or close (ideally within 1/10"). OEM sizes for E350/E550 sport - 245/40-18 (25.7") and 265/35-18 (25.3") - can not be used on 4matics, but if one changes rear tires to 275/35-18 (almost 25.6") or both front to 255/40-18 (26.0") and rear to 285/35-18 (almost 25.9") - this is CSL550 4matic OEM setup - then 4matics will be perfectly happy with those.

BTW Audis, except Lambo based R8, all use non-staggered OEM setups.