How do you remove the 4Matic?
 

Found a 92 300TE that I'm talking w/the 3rd owner about buying. The car is approx 2 hours away and I haven't had chance to look at it yet. However the owner mentioned "car started life out as a 4 matic but it's now 2wd". Tells me that work was not done while he owned it.

From my searches for a 4Matic of this era the horror stories and potential repair costs made that search stop quickly.

So how do you remove the 4Matic?

The 4 matic removal could be anything from disconnecting the transfer case actuator to replacing the trans / drive shaft with a 2 wd unit.

The front drive is part of the oil pan so have a look there as well.

A physical inspection is the only sure answer.

The 4-matic is the best part about these cars, and unfairly gets a bad rap. Most people just don't understand how the system works or what's required to keep it in good order. If somebody has removed the 4-matic then they've ruined the best thing about the car, pass on it.

I may go see the car if I'm in the neighborhood just to check on the 4matic removal. But otherwise I'm passing on this one.

Thanks for the feedback.

If the car turns out to just have a fuse removed, would you still pass?

There isn't enough info to reject this car yet. Sometimes real gems come out of dire descriptions.

Yes I'd pass. My 91 is a gem now but it was far from that when I bought it. Tractor trailers blew their horns at me on the highway as they passed me with their 4 way flashers on. It was fun, I learned a lot and now it's my daily driver. So I know the work that's needed but this car just isn't the one for me.


Seller tells me got it from his brother who runs a car lot / garage. However when I asked for service records none exist. Even for the new shocks and other parts the owner claims were installed in the last 6 months. Oh did I mention he wants $3700 for it. There are just too many unknowns with this one for me to gamble on.