Re: Audi Quattro vs BMW 325 IX vs Mercedes 4-trac

[Psycho Bob <honge@creighton.edu>]

>MB 4-matic all-wheel drive only operates in 1st gear.

Not only that, it only engages when it detects wheel slip. Of course, when
you begin to slip, say at 45mph, there's nothing to help you. To this
date, all the articles in the U.S. mag I read about MB 4-Matic did not
mention above. They always said "Wow, what a car -- you don't even notice
the 4WD kicks into motion in the twisties!" Well, pal, it DOESN'T -- if
you read the manual carefully.

The 4-Matic is heavy as hell, and expensive as hell, too. But it certainly
ain't no driver's car -- with recirculating ball steering, the straight
line is somewhat numb with the car going in every direction. But it fits
perfectly into U.S. consumers' expectations, who thinks full-time 4WD
(AWD) is waste on fuel and tires (e.g. Audi). I think the fact was true
for the '40s GP (ur, jeep?), but certainly not true on today's AWD...

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