Tjhunts

I am going to get a certified 2015 w222. Going sport pkg, pref 19"s, distronic, package #1, nappa upgrade if possible. I live in California and would not drive this car to the house in the mountains, so how should I view 4matic? One more thing to go wrong? Better traction even on dry pavement, or a toss up?

Thanks for the help
TJ

Golden Lover

Living in the Northeast, 4Matic was a no-brainer for me. The benefit of magic body control is really something to think about in RWD models. The benefits and risk for damage,

MTrauman

If you ever drive in snow or ice with the S Class, you cannot beat 4matic. I have owned S Class and E Class 4matics and non 4matics. I would not live without 4matic where I live in PA but if you are in CA and you will not encounter snow or ice 4matic is just an extra $3000 you can spend on something else. But man I love 4matic for the PA winters.

hyperion667

I'd say skip that cost due to your location......then again, heavy rain could be a good opponent for 4M, have it on mine and don't even think about it

MAmendola

Both of my cars Ml350 and C300 sport have 4M. I live in upstate NY and it is essential to have. Maybe it is all in my mind but even on dry pavement I have a bit more confidence. If the money is a factor and you are not going to be driving in snow or rain then I would agree with the others to forgo the option. As far as "one moe thing to go wrong", I have not had any issues even on my previous 06 ML. If you opt for it, I do not think you will be sorry. It's like insurance. It's there if and when you need it.

jenz

I'd opt for magic body over 4m if you have the choice, but I see only 9 2015 CPO under 5k miles so I really don't think you'll have a lot of options

puzzled

I think 4m helps in the rain as well. I personally would not buy a MB without it.

ajm0623

e 4matic can climb trees. great in the rain; brill in the snow. i wouldn't own an s class without it.

ajm0623

^ sorry ^ "the" 4matic can climb trees ,,,

tusabes

4matic is completely useless in California

Phoeny

California and no mountains road in winter? You don't need the 4matic

Tjhunts

Based on all the feedback, I'll look for one w/o 4matic, but if everything else is a match, I won't hesitate to buy one with it. Very helpful.

TJ

wilassasin

+1

AppleFan1

+2

Mitch Alsup

Background:: I have driven my Ferrari on race tracks on slicks in pouring rain, so I know a ting or two about traction management. I also grew up where the roads were covered in snow and black ice when I was younger.

To me: 4-Matic is something that detracts from the driving experience. For people who have never figured out what traction management is, or how to feel the traction profile of the tire on the road surface, on propetially slipery surfaces, the 4-Matic is a good safety measure. To me it is an enjoyment detraction.

Plus it was not offered on my S600.

1guitar

Don't tell anybody else this but 4Matic is pretty much useless anywhere you live. The 4Matic people will argue that 4 wheel drive is better than 2 wheel, that might be true in a truck but all MB are lousy in the snow, that added to the fact there's a lot more to be beneficial than just having 4 wheel drive, firstly, there's ground clearance plus the fact that a MB car only has so much torque and that is the true ingredient that makes a vehicle either good or bad in the snow, whether the power goes to 2 or 4 wheels is of little difference.

MTrauman

You are very misinformed.


I have owned 4matics and non 4matic MBs. I currently own an S550 4matic and a Ford F150 4x4. I will give you credit on the ground clearance issue but otherwise you are not correct. I live in Pittsburgh where we not only have snow issues but deal with our share of ice in the winter. I remember the time it took me 1/2 hour to get up an icy hill in the winter with my non 4matic S Class. Now the same hill in my '14 S550 4matic I make it up in 2 minutes with the same icy conditions. Man are you misinformed.

Giants54

4matic is the only way to go if you live in an area with poor winter driving conditions. I owned a RWD only MB and could not even get it out of my driveway when there was any snow on the ground. I have since purchased four different MB's with 4matic and I have never had any difficulty with the snowy driving conditions we experience in the northeast

AppleFan1

I second that emotion Trauman and Giants 54. The difference between 4Matic and RWD is like the difference between light and darkness.

C280 Sport

Honestly I would get it. Why not? You never know when it comes in handy. Also, you are spending $100,000 on a stunning car so what is another couple thousand for some more security? I love my 4Matic's and would have a hard time not having it. Even in the rain it helps and also off road.

kalortpor

The number 1 determinate of how well your car does in snow are its tires....That's really all. The only thing standing between gripping the road and skidding to oblivion is a few square inches of contact area.

You can say "but my car is an SUV!" or "but I have 4 wheel drive!" to high heaven, but the fact remains whatever experience you are seeing in winter conditions is primarily from the tires. What tends to happen is that higher performance RWD cars and lower profile tires will have rubber compounds and tread patterns that are more suited for grip in warm dry/wet conditions, whether summer or all-season. Summer tires in general shouldn't be used under 40 degrees, snow or not. "All-season" is a vague term, some are one step removed from max performance summer rubber that turn to wooden blocks in freezing temps, others are more conservative and can manage a little snow. It's better to think of them as "no-season" with worse grip than summer tires in warm weather and much worse grip than winter tires in cold. That's the price of convenience. Cars like AWD sedans shipped to the Northeast will usually have higher profile and the more conservative all-season if there is more than one OEM offered.

All else equal, 4Matic is better than RWD, but put wheels from a S65 with Michelin Pilot Super Sports on a S550 4Matic, and I'd be impressed if you make it out of your driveway with a dusting. Put Nokians on that S65, and you'll be the one towing the overconfident Subarus out of the ditch. AWD *and* winter tires is certainly best, of course.

C280 Sport

Oh good Lord...

What magical creature told you this?

Germancar1

One of the sillier threads on this board. This guy clearly doesn't need 4Matic.

M

Germancar1

Bingo! Brilliantly stated.

M

Germancar1

WOW, this is why I would never pose a question on this board about how I would order my car. You get junk, ignorant responses like this. If he lived in a place where 4Matic was needed it would make a world of difference. All MB are lousy in the snow? What a DUMB comment.

M