4matic interior pictures.

[grober]

We dont get any 4matic saloon/estates here in the U.K. The reason given is that its difficult to re-engineer the car for RHD. I was also told that the transfer gearbox and drive shaft to the front differential results in a large bulge in the transmission tunnel which intrudes on leg room. This would be on the passenger side of American models but on the drivers side in RHD models. This would compromise the drivers comfort. Could anyone confirm this. A couple of pictures of this transmission "bulge " would settle the arguement, so anyone out there's got a recent C or E CLASS 4matic and a digital camera??? cheers

[SRHARVEY]

I don't have my '93 300TE 4Matic here at the moment so can't give you any pictures but I can qualify that the only "bulge" I can think of is more at the floor level on the driver side in our LHD model. I don't believe there is any significant difference in the passenger side. We also own a 240D and a 380SL and I doubt there is very little difference between the three cars regarding leg room clearance. Certainly there isn't enough difference to be a hindrance to normal riding/driving.

I have no idea of what the difference underneath might be but I can't see any problem in the cabin itself. Please response if you would like any pix, it might be a week or so before the car is back in town and I could take some digitals.

srharvey

'82 380SL
'83 240D
'93 300TE 4Matic

[grober]

Thanks for the offer of photos of your 93 4matic but they wouldnt be of much help. The older 4matic models like yours have the transmission transfer gearbox and shaft on the left hand side of the car looking towards the front. this is indeed the the "drivers side" in USA models hence the small bulge on the floor. this layout is favourable to the RHD driver. Ironically the "REVISED " 4-matic models based on ETS TECHNOLOGY re-introduced later have the transfer casing and forward drive shaft on the right hand side of the car looking to the front. THEY SWOPPED SIDES! thus the newer models have that bulge on the other side corresponding to the "drivers side"in the UK . What I really need is a picture of the 4MATIC transmission tunnel on the latest C or E models. Your comments are helpful however and I appreciate you taking the time to reply to my request
Best wishes.
G.