Early 4-matic performance in the snow???

[thorsen]

I am looking at a 1991 300E and I am wondering if anyone has any experience with how they handle in the snow.
My current winter car is a 1991 Audi 90 20-valve quattro. Quattro is a full-time AWD system and this particular car has a Torsen center diff and a manually locking rear diff.

My understanding of the 4matic system from this period is that the car is normally in 2wd (100% to the rear) until wheel spin is detected then either a 35/65 or 50/50 torque split is ordered. When it switches to 35/65 or 50/50 how does the car behave? Is the engagement seamless? My primary concern is the car becoming unstable in the middle of a corner if the transfer case suddenly engages the front wheels.

Also, does anyone have any experience with how reliable and/or durable the early 4-matic system is? I have had several cars with the later system but nothing with the earlier system and I am interested in hearing other's view points.

I would keep the quattro but the 90 chassis feels a bit small - I'd like the extra cargo room that the 300E would offer.