Awd donuts in an e550
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 206
Likes: 51
2011 Mercedes-Benz E550 4Matic
Awd donuts in an e550
Hi everyone,
as the snow continues to fall here in New England the temptation to let it rip grows. I understand I could be applying extra wear to the center diff of 4m e550, but could anything else be extremely worn? I take care of her as if it’s my child, oil changes every 4k miles, just changed the rear diff oil at 67k miles, etc. any help would be appreciated!
as the snow continues to fall here in New England the temptation to let it rip grows. I understand I could be applying extra wear to the center diff of 4m e550, but could anything else be extremely worn? I take care of her as if it’s my child, oil changes every 4k miles, just changed the rear diff oil at 67k miles, etc. any help would be appreciated!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,359
Likes: 1,555
From: Pepper Pike Ohio
24 GLS580 '23 E450 4matic 12 E350 4Matic
Hi everyone,
as the snow continues to fall here in New England the temptation to let it rip grows. I understand I could be applying extra wear to the center diff of 4m e550, but could anything else be extremely worn? I take care of her as if it’s my child, oil changes every 4k miles, just changed the rear diff oil at 67k miles, etc. any help would be appreciated!
as the snow continues to fall here in New England the temptation to let it rip grows. I understand I could be applying extra wear to the center diff of 4m e550, but could anything else be extremely worn? I take care of her as if it’s my child, oil changes every 4k miles, just changed the rear diff oil at 67k miles, etc. any help would be appreciated!
Last edited by pierrejoliat; Feb 1, 2021 at 06:39 PM.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 206
Likes: 51
2011 Mercedes-Benz E550 4Matic
Member
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 169
Likes: 76
2013 E550 sedan
We don't get enough snow to "play" like that 
But with 4 people in ours from a stop doing a left turn in standing water and pouring rain. It was a yawn... Nothing but very fast acceleration - it might as well have been dry... ContiProContac tires.
Let's hear about the snow, and I wouldn't worry a bit on the center diff - snow isn't going to bother it. What I did, would work it much harder, not to mention those that take theirs to the drags and do power brake launches...
But with 4 people in ours from a stop doing a left turn in standing water and pouring rain. It was a yawn... Nothing but very fast acceleration - it might as well have been dry... ContiProContac tires.Let's hear about the snow, and I wouldn't worry a bit on the center diff - snow isn't going to bother it. What I did, would work it much harder, not to mention those that take theirs to the drags and do power brake launches...
Trending Topics
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,748
Likes: 880
From: In the Shadow of the Tetons
2013 ML350 Bluetec
So...
Given that the ESP will no doubt raise a fuss and turn down the throttle one is pushing while trying to do donuts, you'll have to turn ESP off (or at least turn it down). Easily done on a 211 via the button on the center console, fairly easily done on a 212 in the IC menu. On the 211 one can enter "Dyno Mode" where ALL the nanny stuff is turned off and the car will do exactly what you want it to until you start hitting telephone poles. Is there a Dyno mode on the 212? If so, how is it accessed?
Given that the ESP will no doubt raise a fuss and turn down the throttle one is pushing while trying to do donuts, you'll have to turn ESP off (or at least turn it down). Easily done on a 211 via the button on the center console, fairly easily done on a 212 in the IC menu. On the 211 one can enter "Dyno Mode" where ALL the nanny stuff is turned off and the car will do exactly what you want it to until you start hitting telephone poles. Is there a Dyno mode on the 212? If so, how is it accessed?
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Banned
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 4,957
Likes: 1,640
See post #4 in this thread. 4wd is split 45/55r in the 550. It’s 33/67 in the E63.
https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...2011-e550.html
https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...2011-e550.html
Last edited by RA72825; Feb 1, 2021 at 08:49 PM.
Member
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 91
Likes: 12
2014 e550 4matic
See post #4 in this thread. 4wd is split 45/55r in the 550. It’s 33/67 in the E63.
https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...2011-e550.html
https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...2011-e550.html
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 2,412
Likes: 1,482
From: 122W, 37N
2016 E350 4Matic wagon, 2019 Ford Expedition, 2019 Chevy Bolt EV
um, its in the transfer case, not the differentials. change one differential ratio and snap axles as your wheels want to spin at different speeds.
I dunno re donuts, I'd rather do my hooning in something a lot more disposable. I used to power slide around muddy lots in ratty old cars I didn't much care about. learned to control FWD torque steer with a 1984 VW Rabbit in the mud and snow...
I dunno re donuts, I'd rather do my hooning in something a lot more disposable. I used to power slide around muddy lots in ratty old cars I didn't much care about. learned to control FWD torque steer with a 1984 VW Rabbit in the mud and snow...
Member
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 91
Likes: 12
2014 e550 4matic
um, its in the transfer case, not the differentials. change one differential ratio and snap axles as your wheels want to spin at different speeds.
I dunno re donuts, I'd rather do my hooning in something a lot more disposable. I used to power slide around muddy lots in ratty old cars I didn't much care about. learned to control FWD torque steer with a 1984 VW Rabbit in the mud and snow...
I dunno re donuts, I'd rather do my hooning in something a lot more disposable. I used to power slide around muddy lots in ratty old cars I didn't much care about. learned to control FWD torque steer with a 1984 VW Rabbit in the mud and snow...
Installing a 63S LSD Rear diff would be a bad idea then?
i dont need lsd in the rear but i want it lol
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 2,412
Likes: 1,482
From: 122W, 37N
2016 E350 4Matic wagon, 2019 Ford Expedition, 2019 Chevy Bolt EV
both front and rear diffs need to be the same final drive ratio, unless you are running staggered tire sizes with different outer diameters, in which case the ratio of the ratios need to match the ratio of those outer diameters.
as far as LSD goes, ESP does the same thing via the wheel brakes, transparently... any wheel starts to spin excessively, ESP engages that wheel brake to slow that wheel down which naturally redirects the torque to the other wheels... this is much smoother than the traditional LSD which goes from full slip to full lock in a single clunk and typically will only engage at fairly low speeds (my 92 Volvo 740 turbo's Dana locking rear end would only engage at speeds below 35 MPH, causing a clunk you felt in the whole chassis if you were on a variable traction surface... thankfully you had to push it pretty hard to get there).
as far as LSD goes, ESP does the same thing via the wheel brakes, transparently... any wheel starts to spin excessively, ESP engages that wheel brake to slow that wheel down which naturally redirects the torque to the other wheels... this is much smoother than the traditional LSD which goes from full slip to full lock in a single clunk and typically will only engage at fairly low speeds (my 92 Volvo 740 turbo's Dana locking rear end would only engage at speeds below 35 MPH, causing a clunk you felt in the whole chassis if you were on a variable traction surface... thankfully you had to push it pretty hard to get there).
Member
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 91
Likes: 12
2014 e550 4matic
both front and rear diffs need to be the same final drive ratio, unless you are running staggered tire sizes with different outer diameters, in which case the ratio of the ratios need to match the ratio of those outer diameters.
as far as LSD goes, ESP does the same thing via the wheel brakes, transparently... any wheel starts to spin excessively, ESP engages that wheel brake to slow that wheel down which naturally redirects the torque to the other wheels... this is much smoother than the traditional LSD which goes from full slip to full lock in a single clunk and typically will only engage at fairly low speeds (my 92 Volvo 740 turbo's Dana locking rear end would only engage at speeds below 35 MPH, causing a clunk you felt in the whole chassis if you were on a variable traction surface... thankfully you had to push it pretty hard to get there).
as far as LSD goes, ESP does the same thing via the wheel brakes, transparently... any wheel starts to spin excessively, ESP engages that wheel brake to slow that wheel down which naturally redirects the torque to the other wheels... this is much smoother than the traditional LSD which goes from full slip to full lock in a single clunk and typically will only engage at fairly low speeds (my 92 Volvo 740 turbo's Dana locking rear end would only engage at speeds below 35 MPH, causing a clunk you felt in the whole chassis if you were on a variable traction surface... thankfully you had to push it pretty hard to get there).
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 2,412
Likes: 1,482
From: 122W, 37N
2016 E350 4Matic wagon, 2019 Ford Expedition, 2019 Chevy Bolt EV
Mercedes has been playing with traction control for awhile. I come from owning W124's, which were the E class from 1986-1995... I have a 1990 300E 2.6, 1993 300CE Cabriolet, and a 1994 E320 Wagon.
anyways... while none of mine have this, Mercedes tried two traction control systems out on W124 back in the late 80s/early 90s. the first one involved inboard brakes on each side of the rear differential, and a complex hydraulic system, this was called ASD. a later version, ASR, used the ABS brakes with a drive-by-wire throttle, and was pretty much a predecessor of what is in the W212 ESP system. There was a W124 4Matic too, but it was nightmare complicated, and many folks describe it as a 'beta test' for AWD. But the 124 4matic was stuck back in the first generation until the W210 fixed/enhanced the AWD system. and its been good ever since.
anyways... while none of mine have this, Mercedes tried two traction control systems out on W124 back in the late 80s/early 90s. the first one involved inboard brakes on each side of the rear differential, and a complex hydraulic system, this was called ASD. a later version, ASR, used the ABS brakes with a drive-by-wire throttle, and was pretty much a predecessor of what is in the W212 ESP system. There was a W124 4Matic too, but it was nightmare complicated, and many folks describe it as a 'beta test' for AWD. But the 124 4matic was stuck back in the first generation until the W210 fixed/enhanced the AWD system. and its been good ever since.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 206
Likes: 51
2011 Mercedes-Benz E550 4Matic
A buddy and I gave it a shot and well....... there was something definitely left to be desired. The snow tires were doing their job well so I found it difficult to break the rear loose. Now that I got it out of my system I won’t be doing this again but if I was, I’d put the car into dyno mode rather than disabling esp as that would turn everything off
Last edited by alan_e550; Feb 2, 2021 at 10:04 AM.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 973
Likes: 376
From: Austin, TX
2013 SL550 BiTurbo
yeah, dyno mode mostly disables all the nannies...mostly...definitely more than just turning ESP off. I have to disable ESP in the cluster just to get the car to keep moving under full acceleration from a stop. If I don't disable, the car will flat out fall on it's face in about 20-25 feet, due to all the tires spinning and ESP cutting EVERYTHING and slamming on the brakes...that is embarrassing. As long as I'm going straight, with the ESP turned off, It'll spin the fronts about 15-20 feet and the rears for about 40-45 feet, but doesn't cut anything, except AWESOME 60' times!!!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,359
Likes: 1,555
From: Pepper Pike Ohio
24 GLS580 '23 E450 4matic 12 E350 4Matic
A buddy and I give it a shot and well....... there was something definitely left to be desired. The snow tires were doing their job well so I found it difficult to break the rear loose. Now that I got it out of my system I won’t be doing this again but if I was, I’d put the car into dyno mode rather than disabling esc as that would turn everything off
Banned
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 4,957
Likes: 1,640
Damn straight! Love it! We had 10" over the weekend here and I love this time of year. My son and his family were skiing at Big Bear in CA a week ago and they had 3 feet! I love snow.
Member
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 151
Likes: 95
From: Connecticut
2013 E550 Sedan, 2005 E500 4matic Wagon
I found it pretty difficult to lose the rear even on gradual turns rolling into throttle. The system kept the car fairly straight....pretty impressive. Even on a large radius turn rolling In to it. Felt the rear start to walk out and the car just brought it back. Tapping the throttle in an open lot going into a turn....all bets off. Next introduction to throttle and it straightens out.
