Does any one know any thing about the 4matics? reliability, economy, fun too drive factor, ect.?

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4matic=Problematic

No one has ever told me to get one because they are reliable.

I guess you should avoid the early ones like the plague. But the later ones are probably better. I would probably consider a 2000+ 4matic.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

I was looking for a wagon and my mechanic has informed me in no uncertain terms not to buy a 4matic. As in, if I buy one don't even bring it to him. Unfortunatly it seem like that's all they sold here in Denver. Being in GA I don't know why you would want/need one.

There are a couple of generations of 4-matics. The proble-matic ones are those mated to the 124 platform. They had typical failures due to the front axles, due to the transfer case and hydraulic issues. The chief problem is that given regular use, maintenance is about annual event. Maintenance is expensive. The greater issue is that the wear caused by the older 4-matic system would eventually chew its way through the entire front suspension, steering, bushings, tires. When developed, the older 4-matic was the most sophisticated awd system of its time. It works extremely well. But it is expensive to maintain. Vehicles used primarily in town for stop and go application had far more problems than those used primarily on the hiway.

The newer generation of 4-matic started in about model year ’98 and has shown itself to be very reliable. It is now found as an option on virtually every model of Mercedes sold in the USA. Starting in about MY 2000, the new 4-matic incorporates a feature called ESP. The ESP incarnation includes wheel slip detectors and yaw sensors. The system is very fast in response speed, and can provide wheel braking for any wheel which is not getting traction. Even with 3 tires getting 0 traction the system can automatically direct power to the tire that can get traction. With ESP it is almost impossible to cause a vehicle to loose control, unless you toss it into a corner in defiance of the laws of physics. And even then it will recover very quickly.

I put over 60K miles on the newer generation of 4-matic and found it to be the best performing AWD vehicle of the 4 I’ve owned and about 20 I’ve driven. I put over 40K miles on the older generation of 4-matic and found it to be the most troublesome of any vehicle I’ve owned, but still the 2nd best performer.

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...Tracy

'00 ML320 "Casper"
'92 400E "Stella"

No offense but you are in GA, 2in of snow is a big deal down their! The newer MB's with traction control are much better in the snow. A rwd W210 with snow tires shouldn't have much trouble. ESP helps a lot!

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

I just thought it might be fun and diffrent we have a lot of dirt roads here it is very rural (and also the place where they filmed the movie Delievence)
how about the audi quartro?

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