W124 Diesel 4MATIC - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

ShaggyDiesel · #1 01-07-2011, 09:20 AM

I've been kicking the idea around about buying a 94-95 W124 diesel wagon for my wife. The idea was to retrofit the 4MATIC system into it. I guess the big question would be could something like this be done?

punkinfair · #2 01-07-2011, 09:39 AM

anything is possible, but the easy answer is it can't be done. there is no '94-'95 diesel wagon for one thing, and for another the 4-matic system for the front wheel drivelines is attached to the bottom of the engine and is integral to it. it can't readily be 'swapped' to a different power unit.

layback40 · #3 01-07-2011, 10:17 AM

You would need a hole through the sump for the drive shaft & relocated oil pump. It just dont work!!

pawoSD · #4 01-07-2011, 11:25 AM

Yep, not happening....Its an integral part of the engine/sump. IMHO the M103 engine is not bad at all, if you truly want 4matic....just get a 300E 4-matic.....but the early systems are unreliable. Snow tires on RWD is just as good if not better. I'd take a normal 300E/300D over a 4matic one any day. Our 300E is RWD with normal tires and it does just fine in the snow. The 2nd gear start on the gassers helps a lot vs the torque/1st start of the diesels. My wife has no issues driving around in her 300E in the snow.

ShaggyDiesel · #5 01-07-2011, 01:24 PM

good to know, the idea was to sell our 05 Volvo V50 for a larger station (W124). more room, better fuel mileage, while costing less in insurance and taxes. IMO safety is about the same and the Benz looks and drives better.

although AWD with the diesel and no emissions testing in CT for the age, would have been a bonus.

pawoSD · #6 01-07-2011, 01:26 PM

I'd just get a 300TE or 300TD wagon if that is what you're looking for. Put snow tires on it for winter and it will do just fine.

ShaggyDiesel · #7 01-07-2011, 01:42 PM

exactly I have no problem driving in the snow, but I was more concerned about my wife with the kids, she's a bit spoiled with the AWD and electronic safeties. after all it's a Volvo.

babymog · #8 01-07-2011, 02:00 PM

I had a TE 4matic back when it was new, was a great car. Very hungry for maintenance, only had it for IIRC less than 120k miles.

If you truly want an AWD wagon, I'd strongly side with the quattro system as none of the 4matic systems are in my experience close to the performance and stability of the quattro AWD system (not including the TT quattro which is actually just a 4motion). When the weather got really bad, I'd leave the 4matic home and drive the quattro.

Otherwise, although I'm a diesel lover, I can say that the '94/'95 E320 wagon gets the same fuel mileage (as the diesel) and is the same car, has better creature comforts as the earlier versions, better lights, other upgrades, and almost an extra 100hp on tap. It is also available with ASR which I really liked in my '95 and I strongly prefer over the non-asr car (ASR is Mercedes' version of traction-control on their gasoline models). They are also not that expensive, even though they don't show up too often.

The '93 and older wagons are nice also, but I very much prefer the '94/'95 for many reasons. I've had several of each. I don't remember if ASR is available pre-'94 on the wagons, but I'd stay away from the 4matic.

auspumpen · #9 01-09-2011, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by babymog

If you truly want an AWD wagon, I'd strongly side with the quattro system as none of the 4matic systems are in my experience close to the performance and stability of the quattro AWD system (not including the TT quattro which is actually just a 4motion). When the weather got really bad, I'd leave the 4matic home and drive the quattro.

One of the maddening things about being an auto enthusiast and living here in the states, is that we can't access interesting vehicles like the 300TD 4Matic. I share your opinion about the Quattro, and have two C4 Avants as proof of that. Europeans had access to C4 Quattros with a 5 cyl 2.5L TDI putting out 138 bhp/214 ft·lbs. They can be chipped to produce 160bhp and 275 ft-lbs. Both my Q's have 2.8L V6 engines which are reliable and reasonably efficient, but the wagons would be so so much more enjoyable with that fiver rattling away up front.

W124 E300D · #10 01-07-2011, 03:21 PM

Agreed with all the above... you can convert TO a 4matic, but the parts list is simply huge, and the labour must run to 80 hours I would have thought, if you have a post lift...

then you have a car that is too complex and requires vast extra amounts of maintenance... and actually doesn't do anything better.

take a thousand bucks out of the conversion fund (spend the rest on a couple of decent 124 diesels) and spend it on some advanced skid pan driving lessons, it will be money far better spent imho

ForcedInduction · #11 01-08-2011, 07:07 AM

Import one from Canada. 2012 will be the magic 25th year and it will be DOT/EPA exempt.

ShaggyDiesel · #12 01-08-2011, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ForcedInduction

Import one from Canada. 2012 will be the magic 25th year and it will be DOT/EPA exempt.

thanks for the tip, dude.

punkinfair · #13 01-09-2011, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ForcedInduction

Import one from Canada. 2012 will be the magic 25th year and it will be DOT/EPA exempt.

surely that's a hoax. that car doesn't exist?

ForcedInduction · #14 01-09-2011, 10:11 AM

Yep, 100% factory mass produced.

babymog · #15 01-09-2011, 08:40 PM

Personally, I preferred the I-5 Audi engines over the V-6s, gas or diesel, just a better engine.

However, I still feel that the 4matic system is far inferior to the quattro system. The quattro system as you know is always engaged, and always providing drive to all wheels. The 4matic system (Gen I through current) is a reactive system, which had to slip and get squirrely before the system could lock things down, I really hate losing traction just to try and regain it again, sometimes it's too late. The quattro system is so much more sure-footed.