Testing 4matic system - 1991 300E
 

I am going to look at a 1991 300E this weekend with 4matic. Is there any practical way (other than finding a gravel parking lot and having some fun) to test the 4matic system? Or am I being overly cautious and it's not something that breaks?

Also, can anyone comment on how well 4matic from this vintage works in the snow?

Make sure that the 4-matic MIL light on the cluster functions.

Find a wet road, gravel, or grass & see if all 4 lock up.

When you turn the key the 4matic light should light up with all the others, SRS, Check Engine etc, and then go out when the car is running. Find a gravel patch and put a few wheels in the gravel and accelerate, the triangle in the centre of the speedo should illuminate when the 4 matic becomes active. It may only stay on for a second or two. Do a tight slow speed turn to make sure there is no binding or shuddering - if there is forget about that car.
With a 4matic 124, the most expensive repairs in order of expense are:
Transfer Case
Transmission
Head Gasket

Unfortunately all three are inevitable... I know.

Fantastic! I drove mine through upwards of a foot of unplowed snow and had an absolute blast doing it; although, I did have studded snow tires on at the time. I never once got stuck - NEVER. The only problem I encountered was I needed to replace the front bumper because I smashed it up driving through too much hard snow (such as what the plows pushed off to the side of the road). There were times I was driving through snow so deep it was building up and pushing over the grill onto the hood. I just reversed and then went around it until I had to do it again.

I was the only one on my street able to drive through it for several days during the double whammy the Washington, D.C. area got a couple years ago.

http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/l...E/100_1033.jpg
http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/l...E/100_1032.jpg
http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/l...E/100_1019.jpg
http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/l...E/100_1031.jpg

When it works, it's great!