Which would YOU buy?
 

I have a purchasing choice between two equally equipped 1999 E320s both in excellent condition and both with approximately 82K. The only significant difference between the two is one is a 4matic.

Would the 4matic be an advantage or a disadvantage?

disadvantage
 

only because they are horrendously expensive to fix.


my .02 cents...

John in San Antonio (who doesn't have to deal with snow)

In Denver?!

Get the 4-matic, hands down in your winters.

Asking Texans is pointless - we'll all tell you to get the one without.

If you need the car in the winter or expect to do any driving where traction will be worse than rain or dirt, then I would probably take the 4Matic. In snow its likely well worth it.

I agree with the 4Matic boys. I loved the AWD in my Subarus. You will be surprised at how well an AWD car handles even in dry conditions. My Subbie would track on corners like it was on rails.

You must buy a full set of four snow tires though, no monkeying around with all seasons in the winter (but you already knew that living where you do...)

I've been a Texan for over 30 years. Raised in Omaha. I know that some folks up in Nebraska and Colorado won't own a rear wheel drive car for good reason. The AWD is amazing on snow, it's the only way to go if given the choice.

I've always been in a rear wheel drive Mercedes and have found that if studded snow tires are used I can go almost anywhere in the winter. I may try the 4matic, just didn't know if the durability compared well to the traditional transmission.

I agree; we just have no use for it.

Same here, I have only driven rear-drive MB's in the winter (for the past 6 years), and haven't ever really had any real problems. Occasional "temporarily stuck" situations, but not very often. That is when you become rugged, get out, and shovel till you can get going again. :D I'm still of the opinion that having AWD for the 40 days a year out of 365 that the roads are "potentially real bad"....isn't worth it.

From my experience this past winter, the W124 gasser is a bit better in the snow than a W126 diesel....since its lighter, and starts in second gear, less torque to the wheels to cause wheel spin, and there's no turbo spooling, you can meter the power a little easier and prevent it from breaking loose....hard to do with a diesel on a hill in the winter.

Next winter I am probably going to put some serious snow tires on the rear of both cars, that should help massively too. :D

We were snowed in for three days here last December, (couldn't get out of the driveway). On the third day my brother drove in in his ML430, didn't even spin a tire. As soon as we could get around I went out and bought an ML320. Great vehicle for nasty conditions! Of course my 380SL isn't what you would call a snow car... When we did get out with it, I couldn't steer it out of the icy ruts on the highway, and it was dragging bottom everywhere.

Good choice.

I may consider a ML as a winter vehicle in the future....in a few more years I will probably have gotten sick of the W126's behavior in the winter. :D

I would get the 4Matic if you live in an area where it snows...it may sound trite, but it could mean the difference between life or death in certain situations.

obviously if you can grab a 4Matic for the same price and all other things equal go for it. No question...that's what I'd do.