4matic models in the UK poll

[grober]

Jaguar X-type

I,m still looking for a diagram of the Jaguar 4wd system to post.

And you all thought this thread was dead. Anyway paid a brief visit to my local Jaguar dealer the other day to have a look at their X-type. Must say I was impressed with their customer relations. None of that cold clinical feel and looking down your nose snooty attitude evinced by many MB dealers. Maybe I was lucky but the head sales guy or possibly the dealer principal came out of his office to assist me with my request for literature before handing me on to a junior member of staff. That sort of thing makes a good impression.No wonder they do well in the JD power survey. On thing I did notice about the Xtype while looking under the bonnet was the brakemaster cylinder and servo were located on the nearside bulkhead i.e. where you would normally find them in a LHD car. I assume they linked to the RHD pedals via rod linkages. Perhaps demonstrates that Jaguar intended most of its X types to go the states?? I thought the X-TYPE estate was a good looking car and is probably proving to be a better seller than the saloon. Heres a cutaway of their 4 wheel drive system.

 

[glojo]

where you would normally find them in a LHD car. I assume they linked to the RHD pedals via rod linkages. Perhaps demonstrates that Jaguar intended most of its X types to go the states?? I thought the X-TYPE estate was a good looking car and is probably proving to be a better seller than the saloon. Heres a cutaway of their 4 wheel drive system.

More likely cost cutting, I remember the days of British Leyland. Cars were fitted with windscreen wipers that favoured the front seat passenger instead of the driver

John

 

[grober]

4matic redesign?

Here it is. Mercedes new "smaller" ?? re-designed 4matic system for the S CLASS and possibly later other models. http://www.emercedesbenz.com/Sep06/11_The_Technology_Behind_Mercedes_New_4MATIC_System.html
Is this a final farewell to the transmission bump?? John are you reading this. Wonder if they will ever make a RHD version?

 

[glojo]

Here it is. Mercedes new "smaller" ?? re-designed 4matic system for the S CLASS and possibly later other models. http://www.emercedesbenz.com/Sep06/11_The_Technology_Behind_Mercedes_New_4MATIC_System.html
Is this a final farewell to the transmission bump?? John are you reading this. Wonder if they will ever make a RHD version?

I was just off to bed!!!

Nice link, I'll read it in the morning.

Goodnight,
Kind regards,
John

 

[glojo]

Here it is. Mercedes new "smaller" ?? re-designed 4matic system for the S CLASS and possibly later other models.

Hi grober,
Nice link and the statement: ""Together, all these design measures allow identical floor as-semblies to be used as for vehicles with rear-wheel drive. As a consequence, cus-tomers who choose the new S-Class 4MATIC no longer have to compromise on space.""could not be more clear. Fingers crossed that we will eventually see a 4Matic E-class estate. I wonder what will come first, the 4Matic estate, or the S-class estate

Regards,
John

 

[grober]

Fingers crossed that we will eventually see a 4Matic E-class estate. I wonder what will come first, the 4Matic estate, or the S-class estate [/COLOR]

Regards,
John

I'm not holding my breath for an S-class estate John, but hoping this might mean some RHD saloons/estates in the future, since at least some of the engineering constraints must have been eliminated with this development.

 

[glojo]

I'm not holding my breath for an S-class estate John, but hoping this might mean some RHD saloons/estates in the future, since at least some of the engineering constraints must have been eliminated with this development.

don't spoil the dream Having read your link I cannot see a reason why this option cannot be offered to any of the larger vehicles! C-class upwards??

Regards,
John

 

[BTB 500]

Someone I know has a 4WD Sprinter (very strange looking thing, seriously raised suspension). He bought it new a few years ago, RHD ... was this officially an option in the UK??

 

[glojo]

Someone I know has a 4WD Sprinter (very strange looking thing, seriously raised suspension). He bought it new a few years ago, RHD ... was this officially an option in the UK??

Hi Bill, I get most of their advertising literature and I have never seen this option. The different traction options on the more powerful Sprinters are spectacular. We have been on numerous slippery surfaces and watched 4 x 4's with road tyres slide all over the place whilst 'she that must be obeyed' has simply driven off the field in our Sprinter without any problem.

John

 

[andyb]

Someone I know has a 4WD Sprinter (very strange looking thing, seriously raised suspension). He bought it new a few years ago, RHD ... was this officially an option in the UK??

Dont the electricity companies use 4 wheel drive sprinters with the hoists at the back . Im sure they are 4 wheel drive with raised suspension . Ill see if i can find a pic .


Andy B

 

[BTB 500]

Dont the electricity companies use 4 wheel drive sprinters with the hoists at the back . Im sure they are 4 wheel drive with raised suspension . Ill see if i can find a pic .


Andy B

That sounds like the sort of thing. The one I see is silver with windows in the middle, but may well have been a special order based on the Electricity Board spec.

 

[glojo]

Dont the electricity companies use 4 wheel drive sprinters with the hoists at the back . Im sure they are 4 wheel drive with raised suspension . Ill see if i can find a pic .


Andy B

Hi Andy,
Spot on, I tyhink we have all seen them and I wonder if they are after market conversions. I'll see what I can find.

John

Edit first attempt

Edit:
It looks like it is a Sprinter option, but I am still searching

This is the updated Sprinter homepage. It does not mention a 4x4 option hence my first post. I have the DVD, along with the latest catologue and this new van is simply a whole new generation of van. Automatic opening\closing sliding doors, parktronic fitted into the exterior rear view mirrors.

I had always thought the 4x4 set-up was a 'Massey-Ferguson' type option, but reading the links I supplied it now looks like there specialist vehicle department does the coversion?

Regards,
John

 

[BTB 500]

Hi Bill, I get most of their advertising literature and I have never seen this option. The different traction options on the more powerful Sprinters are spectacular. We have been on numerous slippery surfaces and watched 4 x 4's with road tyres slide all over the place whilst 'she that must be obeyed' has simply driven off the field in our Sprinter without any problem.

John

Sounds good.

Fundamentally though, a RWD van with little or no payload on board has very little weight over the driven wheels ... which must restrict traction to some extent. Vitos are common amongst my dog training friends, but they do seem to get stuck more often than the (front wheel drive) VW Transporters which are the other popular choice. Tyres obviously play a big part though.

Here's my current 4WD Sharan:

 

[grober]

Specialist conversion

Maybe a specialist conversion as has been said. Heres a German Company that does them. http://www.iglhaut-allrad.de/htm/e_home.html or maybe these guys who normally do 4x4 ford transit conversions http://www.mjallen.co.uk/news.php?type=cms_content&id=132

 

[glojo]

Sounds good.

Fundamentally though, a RWD van with little or no payload on board has very little weight over the driven wheels ...

Tyres obviously play a big part though.

Here's my current 4WD Sharan:

Totally agree,
I have posted a couple of links on my previous post concerning 4x4 Sprinters. It now looks like their Specialist Vehicle Department actually does the conversion?

I hope you take your boots off before getting into your very nice vehicle. As you quite rightly say tyres, tyres and tyres play a huge role in off road expeditions.

Regards,
John

 

[andyb]

John ,
The Sprinter 4 wheel drive are available as a chasis cab only to be converted . Heres an axample of one use http://www.gov.je/NR/rdonlyres/2D476045-A925-4FDF-AB0B-CC6B88BD3E93/0/fire8_web_pdf.pdf

.
ill see if theyre are anymore about


Andy

 

[glojo]

John ,
The Sprinter 4 wheel drive are available as a chasis cab only to be converted .

Thanks Andy,
Did you see the links I added to my previous post. They also give some idea of costs.

Regards,
John

 

[robtt]

Hi,having moved this spring from a 4wd Audi TT into a C class I am awaiting with interest to see how things go this winter.4wd is brill in my part of the world in rural north yorkshire.I would definately have had it as an option if available.Even in the wet it gives you an edge over rwd especially coming onto roundabouts or out of T junctions.

 

[grober]

4matic model review technology and history

Mercedes have released a review of their latest 4matic models with a history of the technology. http://www.emercedesbenz.com/Jan07/...ive_Model_Range_Technology_And_History_1.html
No mention of RHD models of course.

 

[Rory]

Mercedes have released a review of their latest 4matic models with a history of the technology. http://www.emercedesbenz.com/Jan07/...ive_Model_Range_Technology_And_History_1.html
No mention of RHD models of course.

I've seen reports suggesting that the forthcoming GLK (smaller X3 size SUV, based on the new C-Class) will use 4Matic. I wonder if it will be available in RHD?