Question About 4Matic
 

I ran across a '91 300E with 4Matic (yes, I know they're a PIA) for $1500, however I'm not sure if the AWD "works". Ad is unclear... The car has service records since 1998.

A friend of mine is wizard with Mercs and has access to hard to find parts, so could fix it at a fraction of an indy shop. I'd be willing to spend a grand to get it back on track.

If AWD is not working, and the culprit is the transfer case, prices I've heard all all north of $2k.

Many of us run our 4matics in test mode (RWD) during off months, in order to preserve the transfer case.

Thanks for the reply Bob. I'm awaiting an email clarification from the seller, but perhaps he's running it in rwd right now (?) Otherwise I'll probably stay away.

Seller responds, "It did last winter; haven't turned it on yet this year."

If you're advertising it as a winter car, wouldn't you want a potential buyer to know either way? What a scam.

I haven't turned mine on this season either. There is no snow yet (in Tahoe); yet my 4matic system worked perfectly last season. Of course I'll check the transfer case before winter.

Your seller may be perfectly truthful. A ppi (with a look at the transfer case) may be all that's needed.

True. Is there anyway to tell if it's functional on dry pavement? I'm familiar with the Audi, Subaru and Honda systems, not Mercedes. Maybe time for some research. If the car is indeed fully functional, would make a great winter car.

Just have them turn it back on and see before you buy it. I just turned mine on after the summer hiatus. You have to disconnect the battery to reset the 4Matic idiot light on the dash. I connected after 5-10 minutes, the light is out and everything is working fine. If the light stays on, you have other problems.

$1,500 is a good price for a solid W124 in good condition. Even without 4Matic.

Thanks for the info.

The car has some rust, but according the description everything works. Certainly a fair deal if it could be used as commuter for a few winters. The service records are a help too -- usually don't find that with cheaply priced Mercs.

How about the codes for 4matic? Any one have access to these?

4-matic codes
 

1 = OK, working properly
2 = 4matic control unit
3 = Stoplamp switch
4 = Front left speed sensor
5 = Front right speed sensor
6 = Rear axle speed sensor
7 = Speed sensor's or ABS control unit
8 = Overvoltage protection relay or front axle drive train valve or centre differential lock valve
9 = Overvoltage protection relay or centre differential lock valve, rear axle diff lock valve or stop lamp switch
10 = Overvoltage protection relay, rear axle diff lock valve or stop lamp switch
11 = Overvoltage protection relay or steering angle sensor