4-matic opinions

[Idle]

I could have looked at online opinions, but I expect the opinions here to be more direct and honest. The opinions here will also be able to address any known issues and up-keep involved, something many owners are incapable of.

A police officer friend of mine asked if a Mercedes with 4-matic would make a good "throw-down car". He explained what a throw-down gun was and that it was somewhat of a joke among LEO's to refer to anything that is on the edge of being worn out as a throw-down. After looking at the price being asked for some 90's 4-matic's he may be correct in his assessment.

He is looking for an awd but hates driving SUV's, even small ones. I have no background with a 4-matic and don't know what to tell him.

Any opinions?

[TwitchKitty]

I looked into this years ago when I was driving Subarus in the snow. My conclusions were that some of the parts, tools and documentation are very expensive and not always easy to get. The learning curve for DIY is challenging. When a mechanic looks at one he is blinded by imagined dollar signs.

[P.C.]

Subaru.

[spdrun]

Get the 4-matic. Considering the interested party's occupation, the less reliable the better, and even better if it breaks down during a howling blizzard

[tjts1]

I would rather have snow tires than AWD. 4matic is more trouble than its worth. Or if you really must have AWD get a Lesbaru.

[duxthe1]

Don't listen to the haters, 124 4-Matics are absolutely AWESOME. With 3 levels of engagement (60/40, 50/50, locked diff) they have a ton of grip in either inclement or fair weather. I live in Denver and I have no problem plowing snow with the front bumper and have never even considered putting snow tires on it. Comparing a 124 4-M to a Subaru is a joke. The "expensive upkeep" on my high mile hard life 4-M has been a brake light switch and overload relay. Breaks the bank, I swear and I really am trying to strip the splines on my front driveshaft.

[TwitchKitty]

I have always thought it would be a great car if you have a need for it. Buy it cheap in good condition and sell it if it breaks.

[Hatterasguy]

I only know people with pretty new 4 matics but it seems to be a good and reliable system.

Pretty much every car up here on the dealers lots are AWD.

[SwampYankee]

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

I only know people with pretty new 4 matics but it seems to be a good and reliable system.

Pretty much every car up here on the dealers lots are AWD.

'Cuz we routinely see feet of snow fall here!

(Try finding a 2WD pickup on a lot sometime!)

[Hatterasguy]

Tell me about it.

Last summer I was at the BMW dealer in Bridgeport and asked about a 2wd 750I....you would have thought I asked about a two headed sea monster!

Southern NE is like Alaska it seems, 4wd/AWD for all!

If you want a 2wd truck you have to go down south to buy one.

[spdrun]

... or hold a flame to the dealer sales-manager-droid's ballsack till they agree to special-order one. If you're paying cash, you should be able to order whatever the **** you like.

[Idle]

I could use some AWD myself today. We received four inches of snow here in SE Oklahoma and it shut the entire road system down.

Larger counties did a good job of clearing the main highways but the two lane state highways are still snowbound.

The biggest problem seems to be truckers who don't think four inches of snow and ice is any problem, and it is not until they spin out and block the interstate.

Oh, thanks for the comments. They are very helpful.

[Hatterasguy]

Originally Posted by spdrun

... or hold a flame to the dealer sales-manager-droid's ballsack till they agree to special-order one. If you're paying cash, you should be able to order whatever the **** you like.

You don't get as good of a deal, unless you buy from inventory.

[SwampYankee]

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

Tell me about it.

Last summer I was at the BMW dealer in Bridgeport and asked about a 2wd 750I....you would have thought I asked about a two headed sea monster!

Southern NE is like Alaska it seems, 4wd/AWD for all!

If you want a 2wd truck you have to go down south to buy one.

Originally Posted by spdrun

... or hold a flame to the dealer sales-manager-droid's ballsack till they agree to special-order one. If you're paying cash, you should be able to order whatever the **** you like.

The '12 Silverado 2500 2WD I had to factory order. Yes, I did get it but I had to wait for it to be built and the dealer will move a lot more on a truck he's had sitting in his lot for 6 months.

The '13 Silverado 1500 2WD my dealer found in VA and had to do a 3-way trade with another dealer in order to get it here. That, too, took some time. This one was an "ugly duckling" of sorts in that it was a 6 cyl. low-level work truck with vinyl floor and an auto but did have the chrome appearance package, cloth, AC, PW/PL so it doesn't look like a work truck. It was factory ordered for a customer but the deal fell-through. It worked out well for me since it was for an entry level sales rep without any expectations. When they reach a million in sales, they get the truck built the way they want it (as long as it's 2WD). I hope he's out of that truck by the end of '14!

[spdrun]

If he found it in VA, couldn't you have just flown down there and bought it without going through him? Yeah, a bit sleazy, but he'd still be repairing/maintaining it, plus if you had pangs of conscience, you could have thrown them a small finder's fee.