W124 E Class 1988 and 4MATIC

[anonymous-user]

My father is reaching the point of letting his W124 E Class 1988 go, as his years are advancing and the number of miles he does is decreasing. It has lots of 'character' e.g. rust in the usual places, but it has sentimental value for me as it was the car I grew up in.

The car is presently located some distance away, so I can't do a visual inspection or easily access VIN numbers and such like. However, I really need to establish if the car has 4MATIC or not; wikipedia and the like suggests it *could* in theory, based on the date that 4MATIC was introduced (being earlier than the production date for the car).

Did all W124 E Class of the 1988 era have 4MATIC by default, or was it an option that had to be selected?

Will obviously need to eyeball the car to make 100% sure but keen to understand the probability beforehand as it may influence other purchases.

Cheers all

[niva441]

4matic was an unusual option on W124 and I think only available with the 300 model. If it's fitted it should be obvious when the wheels are on lock as the driveshafts should be visible. As I recall one of their unique features was that the driveshaft went though the springs, with the pitch increased either side of the shaft for clearance.

[anonymous-user]

Thanks. I can’t physically eyeball the car at the moment, so having to go on probability alone, and possibly researching the VIN once obtained.

But based on what you have said, as a gambling man, it’s unlikely - is my interpretation.

[0a]

Try putting the number plate in for a quote on money supermarket. I googled a 4 matic and used the plate and this is what came up:

[W201_190e]

PM me the VIN I'll try to find out.

[anonymous-user]

0a said:

Try putting the number plate in for a quote on money supermarket. I googled a 4 matic and used the plate and this is what came up:

Thanks, good idea. I got this:
1988 MERCEDES-BENZ 300 E AUTO, 2962cc Petrol, 4DR, Automatic

So prognosis not good I’m guessing!

[tobinen]

I think it's better for not having 4 wheel drive. Some suspension parts are NLS and unique to it AIUI

[ClaphamGT3]

4matic was a rare and very expensive option (and not a great system).

It would be safer to assume the care *doesn't* have it

[r129sl]

It is highly unlikely to be a 4matic. Back in 1988, the 300 E 4matic was £6,000 more expensive than the 300 E. Very few were sold in the UK, low hundreds at most. Whereas thousands of 300 Es found a home. It is a great system in theory but in practise a lack of development and expertise means it is more of a hinderance than an advantage. Easiest way for a total numpty to tell if it is 4matic is to look at the driveshafts behind the front wheels or the gear selector: the latter is raised on 4wd cars, sunken on everything else.