Would anyone have any thoughts or advice on the new C320 Sport 4matic Sedan in Automatic. I will be ordering one next month. I have the brochure and have built one on MBUSA's website but would like to know if there is any additional info anyone might have.
Advice on Purchase of New C320 Sport with 4matic
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Re: What would you like to know?....
The salesman felt the combination of the sport package, with its speed rated tires, and the 4matic system might be at odds with each other. I figure, if MB is offering this combination, it must be fine.
I agree with the salesman, that the combination seems odd
I guess its fine during summer,but what happen on winter time? you will have to change your tire for at least to all season tire so you will have some grip on the road. I don't think the high rated tire will perform good even its a 4matic. just my .02 cents.
I guess its fine during summer,but what happen on winter time? you will have to change your tire for at least to all season tire so you will have some grip on the road. I don't think the high rated tire will perform good even its a 4matic. just my .02 cents.
Your salesguy is dreaming...
The combination is indeed fine, but keep in mind that you will have to go to at least all-season tires in the winter months. You might want to consider getting your dealer to swap the Michelin Pilot Sport tires to the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S (All-season) tires when the car arrives. That way, you have all-seasons at least.
It is more likely that your salesguy knows that this combination will be rarer and take longer to arrive, and he wishes to sell you a car that is already in stock or enroute, rather than get one built to your specifications. [8)]
I have never hear such a ridiculous statement. What does "at odds" mean? Ask him to explain the S500 4-matic with the Sport package, or the ML55AMG with permanent 4WD and sticky high performance Dunlop S9000 tires. They even offer the E55AMG 4matic in Europe.
The combination is indeed fine, but keep in mind that you will have to go to at least all-season tires in the winter months. You might want to consider getting your dealer to swap the Michelin Pilot Sport tires to the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S (All-season) tires when the car arrives. That way, you have all-seasons at least.
It is more likely that your salesguy knows that this combination will be rarer and take longer to arrive, and he wishes to sell you a car that is already in stock or enroute, rather than get one built to your specifications. [8)]
Re: Your salesguy is dreaming...
Thanks for your response. Your suggestion on the Pilot Sport A/S might be the way to go.However, wouldn't you think that MB would be smart enough to put the correct tires on this model? Am I assuming too much to think that MB in Germany would know that if it is a 4Matic, it is for snow and the idea of having to switch tires in the winter, defeats the purpose of buying the 4matic in the first place?
Not really...
4matic is not just for snow actually. Since it is a permanent AWD system, it helps in all conditions, dry, wet or snowy. For optimal handling in snow, especially what you might experience in your region, you may still want/need winter tires. In my case, we don't get very much snow, so I'm able to get away with it with 4matic and the all-season Michelins.
I think that what they're thinking along the lines of is that by choosing the sport package, you want the performance/handling that is associated by the name. The Pilot A/S tires are only meant for light snow, but that is better than the Pilot Sports which are not meant for any snow whatsoever.
4matic is not just for snow actually. Since it is a permanent AWD system, it helps in all conditions, dry, wet or snowy. For optimal handling in snow, especially what you might experience in your region, you may still want/need winter tires. In my case, we don't get very much snow, so I'm able to get away with it with 4matic and the all-season Michelins.
AWD offers more "utility" than FWD or RWD
There's some extra weight involved that increases the gas consumption but that is the only negative I can think of.
I think the AWD-equiped car may be a little bit higher off the ground, which would have some effect on handling, but I'd think greater security in handling wet and slippery surfaces would be more important to a 4Matic C-purchaser than race track performances.
There's some extra weight involved that increases the gas consumption but that is the only negative I can think of.
I think the AWD-equiped car may be a little bit higher off the ground, which would have some effect on handling, but I'd think greater security in handling wet and slippery surfaces would be more important to a 4Matic C-purchaser than race track performances.
There is surprisingly very little additional weight...
Specifically, only 100 lbs extra.
Yes, the 4matics have 10 mm more ground clearance than the RWD C-classes. The 4matic would do better on a track, particularly when wet, since the traction is distributed more evenly fore/aft and the tires are at lower tractive limits.
4-matic
Hello:
Reviews of the 4-matics here in Europe are not that enthusiastic. Most reviewers felt that the car looses power (which it also does on paper) and its "lightness" in handling (if you know what I mean). Plus there's an increase in fuel consumption.
Also, in comparison tests, they found the rear-wheel drive with snow tires (which you need anyway) and all the electronic gizmos fully adequate in winter, unless you live in the mountains.
I had to turn my rear-drive 240 (OK, that's a weaker car) around the other day in a cul-de-sac in the middle of nowhere on sheer ice (and on an incline), and managed without any problem, by just taking it easy.
Hello:
Reviews of the 4-matics here in Europe are not that enthusiastic. Most reviewers felt that the car looses power (which it also does on paper) and its "lightness" in handling (if you know what I mean). Plus there's an increase in fuel consumption.
Also, in comparison tests, they found the rear-wheel drive with snow tires (which you need anyway) and all the electronic gizmos fully adequate in winter, unless you live in the mountains.
I had to turn my rear-drive 240 (OK, that's a weaker car) around the other day in a cul-de-sac in the middle of nowhere on sheer ice (and on an incline), and managed without any problem, by just taking it easy.
Re: 4-matic
A hundred pounds and a few miles less per gallon don't concern me as much as how the car acts in the snow.We have had an unusually hard winter here in NJ. Among the many reasons for selling my '03 E500 Sport recently, was how poorly it was in the snow.I take deliverly on a ML350 in a few weeks so my wife will be set. I am leasing a C320 Sport sedan with 4matic for myself. I love the look-inside and out- of the sport package. My plan is to try the C next winter with the tires that come with it and if it does not perform well in the snow, I will have to get a set of snows. I spoke to the market manager for the C class at headquarters and he suggested this approach.
Thanks for your response.
A hundred pounds and a few miles less per gallon don't concern me as much as how the car acts in the snow.We have had an unusually hard winter here in NJ. Among the many reasons for selling my '03 E500 Sport recently, was how poorly it was in the snow.I take deliverly on a ML350 in a few weeks so my wife will be set. I am leasing a C320 Sport sedan with 4matic for myself. I love the look-inside and out- of the sport package. My plan is to try the C next winter with the tires that come with it and if it does not perform well in the snow, I will have to get a set of snows. I spoke to the market manager for the C class at headquarters and he suggested this approach.
It comes with the Michelin Pilot Sports...
Don't forget to post in the M-class forum as well [
]
I can save you the trouble right now because the Pilot Sports (the summer versions) are completely unsuitable for snow. While 4matic will allow you to get going, turning and stopping are significantly compromised due to the performance compound and tread design. That's why I urge you to swap to the Pilot Sport A/S's ahead of time, if your dealer has allowances for a trade-in (since the tires on the car would be brand new). Either that or you can get a set of 16" wheels with dedicated winter tires.
Don't forget to post in the M-class forum as well [
]I fully agree.
I fully agree with Drew.
The most important thing on snow or ice are proper tires (when it gets rough we use chains over here - I don't know whether they're customary in NA, and in any case they're not suitable for most "sports" types of wheels).
4WD will of course be very helpful - same as when you drive offroad - but if you have no grip on either set of wheels, it won't be of much use. I hear that highway police in most European countries don't make exceptions for 4WD cars on roads where winter equipment (tires or chains) is mandatory, because it just won't work.
The same applies to insurance companies (we're not covered if involved in an accident in snow without winter tires, or at least they cut the benefits). This is why I bought snow tires for winter although, on balance, they don't make much sense where I live as, thank G'd (or global warming?), we get little snow in most years.
I fully agree with Drew.
The most important thing on snow or ice are proper tires (when it gets rough we use chains over here - I don't know whether they're customary in NA, and in any case they're not suitable for most "sports" types of wheels).
4WD will of course be very helpful - same as when you drive offroad - but if you have no grip on either set of wheels, it won't be of much use. I hear that highway police in most European countries don't make exceptions for 4WD cars on roads where winter equipment (tires or chains) is mandatory, because it just won't work.
The same applies to insurance companies (we're not covered if involved in an accident in snow without winter tires, or at least they cut the benefits). This is why I bought snow tires for winter although, on balance, they don't make much sense where I live as, thank G'd (or global warming?), we get little snow in most years.
Re: It comes with the Michelin Pilot Sports...
We get the car thru corporate direct not thru a dealer and the market manager said we can't place the order with A/S tires. A set of snow tires sounds like the way to go.I can save you the trouble right now because the Pilot Sports (the summer versions) are completely unsuitable for snow. While 4matic will allow you to get going, turning and stopping are significantly compromised due to the performance compound and tread design. That's why I urge you to swap to the Pilot Sport A/S's ahead of time, if your dealer has allowances for a trade-in (since the tires on the car would be brand new). Either that or you can get a set of 16" wheels with dedicated winter tires.
Don't forget to post in the M-class forum as well [
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