I've been looking at a late model (2006) C280. A majority are 4 Matics. I have no need for a 4WD in extreme Eastern NC. Are there inherent problems with these models? I've been looking at E320s but the C280 seems to be more in my price range. Of course this is like comparing apples to oranges with these two models.

tarheel75

In this uncertain world, at least there is one thing you can rely on.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfwqfXge0d8

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01 Ford Excursion Powerstroke
99 E300 Turbodiesel
91 Vette with 383 motor
05 Polaris Sportsman 800 EFI
06 Polaris Sportsman 500 EFI
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Red
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Yellow
04 Tailgator 21 ft Toy Hauler
11 Harley Davidson 883 SuperLow

Great ad!

I'd have to say if you don't need 4Matic, why get 4Matic?

None of our older MB's have it, and we do fine here in the Siberian Tundra! A quality set of tires is much more important, as well as proper driving skills.

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-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

Overkill won't hurt as much as underkill.

__________________
01 Ford Excursion Powerstroke
99 E300 Turbodiesel
91 Vette with 383 motor
05 Polaris Sportsman 800 EFI
06 Polaris Sportsman 500 EFI
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Red
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Yellow
04 Tailgator 21 ft Toy Hauler
11 Harley Davidson 883 SuperLow

Its still just more to maintain and more to go wrong, and it cuts off a bit of mileage for no reason too.

The RWD vehicles with traction control and stability control are plenty good.

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-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

Coming from Aklim I didn't even need to click on the link to know which 4Matic ad he was posting


The later 4matics are pretty trouble free. Its the early 4matics (From the early 90s) that are very complicated and require huge amounts of $$$$ when they break.

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1982 300GD Carmine Red (DB3535) Cabriolet Parting Out
1990 300SEL Smoke Silver (Parting out)
1991 350SDL Blackberry Metallic (481)

"The thing is Bob, its not that I'm lazy...its that I just don't care."

The only real downside is the mileage hit. If you don't mind that it's fine. It does provide superior traction/stability in the wet as well as snow. In the snow it works amazing well and my other car is an Audi quattro.

And Aklim thanks alot. My GF was looking over my shoulder. Now I better get my butt home no matter what the weather.

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MBlovr
'59 180 Dad's original
'59 180 Dad's 2nd one
'67 250SE Dad's last one
'59 220 SE My first one
'62 220SE Coupe second one
'89 190E 2.6 5spd third one
'06 E350 4matic (sold)
'10 E350 4matic

How much mileage does it really cut off that is significant? Not challenging you on that but curious.

Yes they are but even with snow tires, I still feel that if it were better, I'd be ok with that.

__________________
01 Ford Excursion Powerstroke
99 E300 Turbodiesel
91 Vette with 383 motor
05 Polaris Sportsman 800 EFI
06 Polaris Sportsman 500 EFI
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Red
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Yellow
04 Tailgator 21 ft Toy Hauler
11 Harley Davidson 883 SuperLow

The only real downside is you lose a bit of mileage and can't get the tail as happy. Other than that its a good system.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

How much mileage in the real world?

__________________
01 Ford Excursion Powerstroke
99 E300 Turbodiesel
91 Vette with 383 motor
05 Polaris Sportsman 800 EFI
06 Polaris Sportsman 500 EFI
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Red
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Yellow
04 Tailgator 21 ft Toy Hauler
11 Harley Davidson 883 SuperLow

My dad has a 2001 320 4-Matic sedan. He gets about 25 - 29 mpg on average. And I can back that up as an eye witness.

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1987 300SDL (324000)

1986 Porsche 951 (944 Turbo) (166000)

1978 Porsche 924 (99000)

1996 Nissan Pathfinder R50 (201000)

My uncle gets probably about 5mpg less in his E350 because of the AWD.

Figure high teens around town, and mid to low 20's on the highway.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

My 07 ML350 had a "4-Matic" badge...no real surprise for an SUV.

Ironically when I acquired the 09 ML350, no such badge!

Did MB decide to stop badging them because they ALL are 4matics now?

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2009 ML350 (106K) - Family vehicle
2001 CLK430 Cabriolet (80K) - Wife's car
2005 BMW 645CI (138K) - My daily driver
2016 Mustang (32K) - Daughter's car

Good question...my 07 GL450 has the 4-matic badge...

As to how it performs, it's my first Benz with awd. I can attest that my E430 can be a tad too much 'fun' in the snow (even with dedicated winter tires). The rear can lose traction at times and can fishtail. You really have to watch your driving. For this reason, I rarely let anyone else drive it in the winter. The ESP and 'W' transmission mode help but I would wager the 4-matic is a welcome addition in areas where there is a lot of snow.

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Chris
2007 E550 4Matic - 61,000 Km - Iridium Silver, black leather, Sport package, Premium 2 package
2007 GL450 4Matic - 62,000 Km - Obsidian Black Metallic, black leather, all options
1998 E430 - sold
1989 300E - 333,000 Km - sold
1977 280E - sold
1971 250 - retired

"And a frign hat. They gave me a hat at the annual benefits meeting. I said. how does this benefit me. I dont have anything from the company.. So they gave me a hat." - TheDon