Is 4Matic a must?
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Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 40
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Owned an Infiniti M35x, Drives an 08 S550 4matic
Is 4Matic a must?
I know i'm not as knowledgable as some of the S550 owners on this forum, but I wanted to know if it makes sense to buy a 4matic if you live in DC or Maryland
.
And are there any other tradeoffs in buying a 4matic besides the extra weight? I say this because its so tempting to skip on a 4matic for a similarly equipped car which costs way less.
. And are there any other tradeoffs in buying a 4matic besides the extra weight? I say this because its so tempting to skip on a 4matic for a similarly equipped car which costs way less.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 4,260
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From: Philadelphia area
2010 ML550, 2010 E350 4M, 1966 Corvette Convt C2
Nothing is a must. However if you do drive in the snow and ice its a great thing to have from both a convienience and a safety standpoint.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2009
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From: NoVa
2004 S55 (SOLD, miss it every day), 2009 GL550
I drove my 2004 S55 through the past winter as my daily driver. If that car can handle the winter we just had, surely a non-4matic S550 can. Just get good all-season tires. I have Continental ExtremeContact DWS, and they were so great people here are probably sick if seeing me say how great they are. 
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,433
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From: Behind the wheel
The best or nothing
It is not a must.. get ABC instead if you don't go to mountains often or you don't have really harsh and long winters. However, it is nice to have traction at all times 
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 972
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From: DFW
BMW M850i Gran Coupe
I know i'm not as knowledgable as some of the S550 owners on this forum, but I wanted to know if it makes sense to buy a 4matic if you live in DC or Maryland.
And are there any other tradeoffs in buying a 4matic besides the extra weight? I say this because its so tempting to skip on a 4matic for a similarly equipped car which costs way less.
. And are there any other tradeoffs in buying a 4matic besides the extra weight? I say this because its so tempting to skip on a 4matic for a similarly equipped car which costs way less.
To more answer your question, the 4matic in the S550 is quite unobtrusive and most drivers would not notice any driveabilty issues. The additional weight is relatively minimal when compared to traditional mechanical all wheel drive setups. I am sure there are days when you wish you had 4matic but I am not sure it's a needed option.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 330
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2007 S 600 / '06 911 Porsche C4S cab
Last yr. DC had more snow than places in Canada. 4 wheel drive with 4 snows is the best way to go. Plus in the rain the 4 wheel is also an added measure of safety. I just wished they had the S 600 in a 4wd.
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