Jeffy

Just got my new 2014 E350 4Matic lease car and am going to share my impressions versus the 2013 E350 RWD it replaces.

First off, I have always avoided AWD cars because I enjoy the feel and performance of RWD cars and simply never needed AWD because I have always had some sort of 4WD truck also (to get me up to the snow). Well, finally found myself between 4WD trucks so I went with my first 4Matic.

Power/Acceleration:
The 4Matic E350 feels like a slug compared to the RWD E350. Full throttle from 3-5krpm doesn't pull near as hard. The feel of the power and acceleration is definitely a let-down from the RWD car.

Steering/Handling:
The 2014 4Matic turns into corners faster and easier - Not sure if that is all 4Matic's doing or there is some different steering tuning in place as well. Where there was some delay on the 2013 RWD the 2014 4Matic is more accurate and responsive. Also, I can get back on the throttle earlier and harder exiting a corner with the 4Matic.

Transmission:
The 2014 refuses to stay in manual mode where the 2013 would stay in manual mode as long as I wanted. I drive a lot of hilly and curvey roads and like to stay in 3rd or 4th gear. After a few minutes, the 2014 trans reverts back to auto mode.

Styling:
At first I thought the 2014 styling was a bit too aggressive (mostly lower front end) but it has grown on me and I now prefer it over the 2013. And I get to see both everyday as I have a 2013 E550 in the garage as well.

I have not had the occassion to need the 4Matic yet but will be using it alot this winter on ski road trips and will report back. I look forward to blowing by many Subaru's and 4WD trucks in the snow with the Benz sedan.

K-A

Interesting stuff on the RWD VS 4WD Power/Acceleration bit. Whenever I drive an AWD of a car with an RWD counterpart, it tends to feel more sluggish and just "heavier" to me. I'm an RWD fan due to those things, not to mention the fun factor of getting the rear loose if the car is powered sufficiently enough to do so.

As for steering/handling yeah that probably has a lot more to do with RWD/AWD as I've found the pre-facelifts and '14's I've driven to feel nearly identically in that regard.

MDMercedesGuy

Did the 2013 have electromechanical power steering or traditional hydraulic steering? I thought the switch to electromechanical came with 2014. It's got a rather different feel over hydraulic - perhaps that is the difference?

mbuster25

Where I live and my driving skills, you wouldn't want me in RWD car. I'd be too much of a public danger.

The 4matic adds about two hundred pounds , which doesn't help the car feel as fast in a car w/same engine?

Jeffy

For sure the extra weight plays a role, also there are probably more loses with the 4Matic versus straight RWD. I am just surprised how much slower the 4Matic seems.

ImInPA

The front suspension pieces are different between the AWD and RWD. This probably accounts for most of the difference.