RE: Driven: Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG 4Matic
Discussion
Great piece of machinery and 4WD makes a lot of sense when dealing with so much power........ BUT does it still have the small and inadequate fuel tank that means your range between fill ups is about 250/300 miles? Would be a great Euro-express if you weren't constantly on the lookout for the next filling station.
I still want one!
I still want one!
Alucidnation said:
benzpassion said:
Alucidnation said:
Under 4S?
Ill believe it when i see it.
Believe it:Ill believe it when i see it.
http://www.germancarforum.com/community/threads/au...
0-100 km/h(0-62.1 mph) 3.6s.
As i said, i will when i SEE it.
I like the thought of this very much indeed and, I'm in the market for something to replace my steed, so maybe a test drive will be the order of the day.
Except.... no LHD so not available in the UK, and im not convinced of the complex set up of the 4WD system, especially with a drive shaft through the sump pan?!?!
As has been stated, Audi have cornered the market in fast 4wd machines for many years, and i think the AMG is too little too late.
Oh well...
I really hope im proved wrong!
Also shows 0 - 100mph in a pants on fire 7.6secs!
ukmike2000 said:
Great piece of machinery and 4WD makes a lot of sense when dealing with so much power........ BUT does it still have the small and inadequate fuel tank that means your range between fill ups is about 250/300 miles? Would be a great Euro-express if you weren't constantly on the lookout for the next filling station.
I still want one!
I think a range of 250/300 miles is about right - provides adequate breaks for the little ones/wife to be sick !!!!I still want one!
People comparing 4wd availability with Audis seem to be overlooking the fundamental mechanical difference. Audi make cars with the entire engine clear ahead of the front axle. This makes it relatively easy to take drive to all four wheels, because the engine isn't in the way.
Mercedes, BMW and Jaguar make cars with the engine sat between the front wheels. This works well for RWD, because it brings the engine weight backwards, but makes 4wd much more complex to organise, because the engine sump is where the front diff wants to go. Incidentally, AFAIK Skyline GTRs have the front axle go through the sump in the same way that's described, it's not that unusual.
Mercedes, BMW and Jaguar make cars with the engine sat between the front wheels. This works well for RWD, because it brings the engine weight backwards, but makes 4wd much more complex to organise, because the engine sump is where the front diff wants to go. Incidentally, AFAIK Skyline GTRs have the front axle go through the sump in the same way that's described, it's not that unusual.
Mercedes-Benz exports 4matic cars to other RHD markets such as Japan. My Japanese is not good enough to ascertain whether or not the steering wheel is on the left or the right. In the picture on the website, it is on the right. So far as I know, the front differential on 4matic models is located on the right side of the engine and would conflict with RHD steering gear.
Here in the UK, MBUK only makes available a very narrow slice of the full range. So here we get no Elegance, no Avantgarde, no 300 V6 petrol, no 350 V6 petrol, no E400 V6 petrol (must be a bi turbo, surely?) and, of course, no 500 V8 bi turbo petrol. They also limit the optional equipment. Even the full range of colours and upholsteries is not offered in the UK: no dolomite brown metallic (odd, because it is the brochure colour and about the nicest colour available) and on AMG cars at least, no chestnut leather. Of course, no 4matic, which in other markets is offered pretty much across the range. In most markets, the E-Class even comes with a traditional grille.
The E400 looks like a very interesting car that I didn't know even existed.
It's almost like they want the E-Class to become a sales rep special. All black or grey, inside and out; all with super-aggressive styling; all on rock hard suspension; all with tinfoil trim; all with 4cyl diesels.
There are extraordinary lease deals available on E63s.
Here in the UK, MBUK only makes available a very narrow slice of the full range. So here we get no Elegance, no Avantgarde, no 300 V6 petrol, no 350 V6 petrol, no E400 V6 petrol (must be a bi turbo, surely?) and, of course, no 500 V8 bi turbo petrol. They also limit the optional equipment. Even the full range of colours and upholsteries is not offered in the UK: no dolomite brown metallic (odd, because it is the brochure colour and about the nicest colour available) and on AMG cars at least, no chestnut leather. Of course, no 4matic, which in other markets is offered pretty much across the range. In most markets, the E-Class even comes with a traditional grille.
The E400 looks like a very interesting car that I didn't know even existed.
It's almost like they want the E-Class to become a sales rep special. All black or grey, inside and out; all with super-aggressive styling; all on rock hard suspension; all with tinfoil trim; all with 4cyl diesels.
There are extraordinary lease deals available on E63s.
r129sl said:
It's almost like they want the E-Class to become a sales rep special. All black or grey, inside and out; all with super-aggressive styling; all on rock hard suspension; all with tinfoil trim; all with 4cyl diesels
It's unfortunate, but they know what people want (as do Audi and BMW). The massive choice of options on older Mercedes was great but your average lease customer probably doesn't want two-tone horns, an auxiliary heater and a sump guard - I mean, how are the neighbours going to notice them?
NomduJour said:
It's unfortunate, but they know what people want (as do Audi and BMW).
The massive choice of options on older Mercedes was great but your average lease customer probably doesn't want two-tone horns, an auxiliary heater and a sump guard - I mean, how are the neighbours going to notice them?
The massive choice of options on older Mercedes was great but your average lease customer probably doesn't want two-tone horns, an auxiliary heater and a sump guard - I mean, how are the neighbours going to notice them?
' The E63 4Matic S does 0-62mph in a claimed 3.6 seconds. That is bonkers for a 1,940kg saloon car. '
Wow, that is impressing and must be unbelievably stressful for the gearbox.
I really look forward to seeing whether someone has finally made a 4WD gearbox that can handle this much power and weight, but I suspect not. Given how Audi's 4WD gearboxes disintegrates, and Audi marketing their Quattro so much (they should therefore be the best at making 4WD reliably, but they can't do it), then I think customers are going to be dissatisfied in a couple of years for having chosen a 4WD E63 instead of 2WD. I suspect 4WD will be the cheapest ones on the used market because of repair costs.
Wow, that is impressing and must be unbelievably stressful for the gearbox.
I really look forward to seeing whether someone has finally made a 4WD gearbox that can handle this much power and weight, but I suspect not. Given how Audi's 4WD gearboxes disintegrates, and Audi marketing their Quattro so much (they should therefore be the best at making 4WD reliably, but they can't do it), then I think customers are going to be dissatisfied in a couple of years for having chosen a 4WD E63 instead of 2WD. I suspect 4WD will be the cheapest ones on the used market because of repair costs.
Alucidnation said:
Believe what?
As i said, i will when i SEE it.
I like the thought of this very much indeed and, I'm in the market for something to replace my steed, so maybe a test drive will be the order of the day.
Except.... no LHD so not available in the UK, and im not convinced of the complex set up of the 4WD system, especially with a drive shaft through the sump pan?!?!
As has been stated, Audi have cornered the market in fast 4wd machines for many years, and i think the AMG is too little too late.
Oh well...
I really hope im proved wrong!
With 300bhp/tonne, 4wd and launch control I don't see anything fanciful about that 3.6sec to 62 time. As i said, i will when i SEE it.
I like the thought of this very much indeed and, I'm in the market for something to replace my steed, so maybe a test drive will be the order of the day.
Except.... no LHD so not available in the UK, and im not convinced of the complex set up of the 4WD system, especially with a drive shaft through the sump pan?!?!
As has been stated, Audi have cornered the market in fast 4wd machines for many years, and i think the AMG is too little too late.
Oh well...
I really hope im proved wrong!
samoht said:
People comparing 4wd availability with Audis seem to be overlooking the fundamental mechanical difference. Audi make cars with the entire engine clear ahead of the front axle. This makes it relatively easy to take drive to all four wheels, because the engine isn't in the way.
Mercedes, BMW and Jaguar make cars with the engine sat between the front wheels. This works well for RWD, because it brings the engine weight backwards, but makes 4wd much more complex to organise, because the engine sump is where the front diff wants to go. Incidentally, AFAIK Skyline GTRs have the front axle go through the sump in the same way that's described, it's not that unusual.
Interesting info...thanks.Mercedes, BMW and Jaguar make cars with the engine sat between the front wheels. This works well for RWD, because it brings the engine weight backwards, but makes 4wd much more complex to organise, because the engine sump is where the front diff wants to go. Incidentally, AFAIK Skyline GTRs have the front axle go through the sump in the same way that's described, it's not that unusual.
So, bearing that in mind, i dont recall seeing an Audi 4wd system failure so have Mercedes got it right enough to match?
After all, out of warranty, it could be one hell of a cost to fix, and MB have not been known for their 4WD 'cars'.
Alucidnation said:
samoht said:
People comparing 4wd availability with Audis seem to be overlooking the fundamental mechanical difference. Audi make cars with the entire engine clear ahead of the front axle. This makes it relatively easy to take drive to all four wheels, because the engine isn't in the way.
Mercedes, BMW and Jaguar make cars with the engine sat between the front wheels. This works well for RWD, because it brings the engine weight backwards, but makes 4wd much more complex to organise, because the engine sump is where the front diff wants to go. Incidentally, AFAIK Skyline GTRs have the front axle go through the sump in the same way that's described, it's not that unusual.
Interesting info...thanks.Mercedes, BMW and Jaguar make cars with the engine sat between the front wheels. This works well for RWD, because it brings the engine weight backwards, but makes 4wd much more complex to organise, because the engine sump is where the front diff wants to go. Incidentally, AFAIK Skyline GTRs have the front axle go through the sump in the same way that's described, it's not that unusual.
So, bearing that in mind, i dont recall seeing an Audi 4wd system failure so have Mercedes got it right enough to match?
After all, out of warranty, it could be one hell of a cost to fix, and MB have not been known for their 4WD 'cars'.
See BMW iXs, Mercedes-Benz 4Matics, any number of 80s/90s saloons (BX, 405, Sierra, Cavalier* etc.).
For some reason though Audi and Japanese marques (Subaru, Mitsubishi) seem to escape this curse.
Or could it be that most 4WD systems, adequately cared for, are pretty much as reliable as the rest of the car they are bolted to?
* OK, OK, the Cavalier 4WD system is an acknowledged chocolatey dog!
Mercedes has been manufacturing 4wd cars since 1987, when it first offered 4matic as an option on 124 saloons and estates. It is worth noting that Mercedes' expertise in the design and manufacture of transmissions (4wd being a fancy transmission system) is probably superior to that of any other vehicle manufacturer, most of whom buy them in.
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