Why don't we get 4Matic?

[Riverside Red]

RWD will always be better to drive than AWD and I hope Mercedes hold off for as long as possible with this blind “AWD is safer” schtick.

Like the man says - the throttle goes both ways...

Big +1

 

[Deleted member 37751]

It's not about safer. It's about being more effective. Take the case of my E63. What's the point of 612hp if you can only put 400-500 to the ground effectively? It's such a waste. 4wd is a gamechanger in putting the power down. So much so that the E63S is actually the fastest accelerating Mercedes to 60, you can buy right now. That includes the AMG GT-R. It even beats out an SLS Black Series to 60. That's just silly for a 2-tonne luxury executive sedan.

Did you not do this research before you bought the S63 because it sounds like you’re more interested in 0-60’s and stomping on the accelerator and the car “just going”.


For me, powerful RWD will always be what I want and I have learnt over the years how to achieve optimum potential and part of that is not expecting a 500+ bhp RWD to be able to streak away at the lights in the wet.

 

[Aamir]

I'll take a wager with you now that a Lotus Exige 430 Club with nearly 200hp less than the E63S would muller it on a racing track. In 4wd or stupid 2wd drift mode..........

Apples and Oranges. Two completely different cars. It's ridiculous you're even comparing them. A Lotus, a lightweight sports car that's designed around lightweight performance and handling, with a track-focus and barely any creature comforts, against a 2-tonne luxury saloon with nappa leather, massage seats, a perfume dispenser, ambient lighting, etc etc etc. I could go on forever. It's a completely pointless comparison because they're two cars that are meant to do two very distinct things. It's abundantly obvious a Lotus will hammer an E63S around the track, but I know damn well what I'd rather drive every single day.

Did you not do this research before you bought the S63 because it sounds like you’re more interested in 0-60’s and stomping on the accelerator and the car “just going”.


For me, powerful RWD will always be what I want and I have learnt over the years how to achieve optimum potential and part of that is not expecting a 500+ bhp RWD to be able to streak away at the lights in the wet.

1) I bought the E63S

2) I know exactly what I bought and why I bought it. I wanted an all-weather performance car with 4 comfortable seats and a Jekyll and Hyde personality. The E63S fit the bill perfectly. Comfortable and relatively serene when I wanted it to be, and mind-bendingly quick when I wanted it to be. An intercontinental ballistic missile. I'm under no illusions it's a lotus, nor do I care for it to handle as such. The handling is PLENTY good enough for me. 99% of us won't be able to extract all of it's performance anyway. I'm looking at getting into a proper supercar in the distant future, i.e 720S or maybe the AMG GT Black Series if I can get my hands on one. I just wanted a hilariously quick daily. I got one.

 

[Deleted member 37751]

I got one.

I got you and the OP mixed up.

My views on AWD and RWD stay the same though, horses for courses as they say.

 

[Aamir]

My views on AWD and RWD stay the same though, horses for courses as they say.

100%. I wouldn't like AWD for a Lotus or a track car either. It's the reason the Porsche 911 Turbo S and the GT3RS can exist on the same model line up. I feel like AWD, i.e Turbo S is better for putting ridiculous power down on the street, and RWD, i.e GT3RS is better for track performance. The E63S is very much a street car. As is the S63. These cars have no detriment should they have AWD. I recommend you get your hands on the new 4matic+ system to give it a whirl. It's truly fantastic. I'd be surprised if you had complaints about it on the street.

 

[Riverside Red]

As long as we have choice I don't care, but I don't want or need a C63 with 4matic, I enjoy driving a powerful rear wheel drive car on the road in all conditions including the current snow we've had as I have winter tyres fitted. I've tried AWD with a sports diff with an Audi S5 and didn't like it.

I'd agree that an E63S with 612hp probably needs 4WD, but in my estimation 612hp is too much to ever try and put down on any public road in the UK 4WD or not.

RR

 

[Aamir]

I've tried AWD with a sports diff with an Audi S5 and didn't like it.

Not really an Apples to Apples comparison if I'm honest. Merc's system, imo, is way better calibrated.

I'd agree that an E63S with 612hp probably needs 4WD, but in my estimation 612hp is too much to ever try and put down on any public road in the UK 4WD or not.

Absolutely too much. Therein lies a little of the charm, for me, anyway. Absolute luxury is to have and not need, no?

 

[ChrisCLS55]

My next car will probably be (well hopefully), an E63 estate 4Matic as it would probably represent the ultimate every day type car for ME and my family. More importantly me . 5 seats, hige boot, huge power when needed and AWD for all weather.

The wife has an X-Trail with auto AWD, 2WD option and lockable AWD and its very good in all conditions, although recently in the snow it didn't behave all too great (she was driving...), but I put a lot of that down to the lacklustre 1.6 engine cough cough. It handled far better than my E63 did, however.

Anyway for me its not about AWD as such, its about being able to plant that power down safely and enjoying the max a car can give and a 4Matic Merc, especially AMG variants, makes a lot of sense so I'm all for it. Although I'd like the option to disable it if possible.

Given the way tech is headed it won't be long until we get a car that is impossible to lose the back end in or slide all over and while from a driver's point of view that may make things a tad boring, it will allow the driver to maximise full use of a car's potential.

I had a Saab 9-3 estate and it handled superb in any weather, very little under or over steer or sliding about in ice and snow and I loved how I could drive that car hard regardless of the weather or speed. It stuck to the road, cornered great and made me feel very safe and assured as a driver that I could test the limits, or more limits.

 

[Aamir]

Given the way tech is headed it won't be long until we get a car that is impossible to lose the back end in or slide all over and while from a driver's point of view that may make things a tad boring, it will allow the driver to maximise full use of a car's potential.

I kinda disagree here. I think manufacturers have caught on to the fact that people like to drive their cars like absolute yobbos sometimes, hence the addition of "Drift Mode" in the E63S and a 2wd mode in the new M5. I reckon we'll always be given the option of turning things off in enthusiast level cars.

 

[ChrisCLS55]

I kinda disagree here. I think manufacturers have caught on to the fact that people like to drive their cars like absolute yobbos sometimes, hence the addition of "Drift Mode" in the E63S and a 2wd mode in the new M5. I reckon we'll always be given the option of turning things off in enthusiast level cars.

I think those type of additions are for the enthusiasts only now who will always cling onto the brand if you like so long as it suits their needs. I know several people who own an M5 for example and they bought it because its an M5, not because they know what it is, its heritage and what it can do. These are the type of people who wouldn't know the difference between a top spec diesel 5 series or an M5 if it weren't for the badge, indeed they buy it because of the badge. Lets face it, the manufacturers are more concerned about making their product more appealing to a wider range and safety and tech sells. Me, as long as they give you the option of disabling whatever feature they have in place to make the car as sterile as possible, I'm in. For the majority though, I'm not sure they care enough to suddenly disown a certain brand of car sadly.

I think in the future for example, we will get stripped down track car versions at ridiculous prices, i.e. a track car c63 with no bells and whistles very much like the M3 CSL, with the rest of the 'normal' C63s going to your average joe who can afford one. We can't complain, because a car is for anyone and as long as they enjoy it and appreciate it... salut!

 

[abar121]

Lets face it, driving ability hasn't got any better in the last twenty years or so and it's only the electronics that keep an awful lot of owners of powerful RWD cars on the road.

Sure tyres a better now, but it's still a massive step up to a 500-600bhp RWD car, from a FWD hatch / VAG product. I personally wouldn't have bought the C63 if it had been 4wd, as it was bought precisely for that leary hot rod feel. Having to manage that rear grip always is a nice feeling and familiar to those that also ride bikes. In cold weather though and when not in the mood, 4wd would be a blessing.

As this arms race continues, I personally think the F10 M5 with a real 600bhp is just about the limit to what is fun to control. A friend who loves leary cars has sold his, finding it just too compromised in most situations.

BMW and Merc have called it right with the new E63 and M5s being switchable 4wd. What's not to like