- Mercedes-Benz’s first all-wheel drive wagon, the 300TE is the great-grandfather of right now’s E-class All-Terrain.
- With seven seats, a hydraulic self-leveling rear suspension, and computer-controlled all-wheel drive, the 300TE 4Matic was the final word early-’90s luxurious longroof.
- This wagon’s mileage and situation make it one of many nicest examples extant, so it is prone to fetch a excessive value.
In a way, it is becoming that this Mercedes-Benz 300TE 4Matic hails from Vail, Colorado. When it was new, these luxurious longroofs might be discovered hauling well-heeled households to ski slopes from Killington to Whistler, and positively to Vail. With electronically-controlled all-wheel drive, a hydraulic self-leveling rear suspension, heated seats, and lodging for seven, it was as succesful because it was posh, although its towering value made it a distinct segment merchandise. The idea was well-liked sufficient, nevertheless, to nonetheless be with us right now because the E-class All Terrain.
This specific 300TE 4Matic, up for public sale on Carry a Trailer (which, like Automobile and Driver, is a part of Hearst Autos) has escaped the salt-induced decay of ski responsibility. As an alternative, like Ötzi the iceman, it appears to have been artificially preserved by spare use and Colorado’s chilly, dry mountain air.
With simply 28,000 miles on the odometer and few indicators of damage, is likely to be the nicest such wagon that is not in a museum, and these 4Matics aren’t widespread to start with. Though there at all times appear to be some on the market amongst Mercedes aficionados, solely 12,094 300TE 4Matics had been comprised of 1987 to 1995, of which lower than a 3rd had been U.S. fashions.
The corporate’s first trendy all-wheel-drive automobiles, the 300TE 4Matic and its 300E sedan sibling first got here stateside in November of 1989, however the 4Matic story actually begins on the 1985 Frankfurt IAA present. Responding to the success of the Audi Quattro, the present was a German battle of the all-wheel-drive bands, together with the debuts of the BMW 325i “Allrad” (aka 325iX) and Porsche 959. Although not production-ready, Mercedes-Benz introduced the 4Matic all-wheel drive idea on a W124-series sedan.
Like Porsche’s PSK system on the 959, 4Matic was computer-controlled. It labored in tandem with Mercedes’ then-new anti-lock brake, acceleration skid management, and automated differential lock tech to maximise traction. Such techniques are widespread right now, however they had been bleeding-edge production-car stuff again then.
Not but referred to as the E-class, the W124 was just a few months previous on the time however already often known as a high-tech aerodynamic rolling financial institution vault constructed for thousands and thousands of autobahn miles. It was an important automobile, however adapting the rear-drive design for all-wheel drive required some uncommon options.
As an alternative of designing a pricey, fully new entrance suspension, Stuttgart’s engineers created bizarre, spindly springs with a piece that bent round the entrance axle shafts. Greater than half a dozen sensors and many hydraulic traces linked the digital mind and three differentials, together with locking middle and rear models. The system defaulted to rear-wheel drive, however energy might be break up 35/65 or 50/50 relying on the mode chosen. As if this weren’t sufficient, wagons additionally had a normal hydropneumatic load-leveling rear suspension.
The outcome was an unobtrusive system in that the 4Matics drove very similar to the common six-cylinder W124 and the S124 wagon solely with higher traction. It did not have a lot further floor clearance, however it may undergo something you threw at it, snow, mud, or mush, and cruise fortunately all day in quiet consolation with all of the Benz luxuries. Headlight washers? Heated powered seats? It feels very similar to a contemporary automobile.
Within the U.S., 4Matic was solely out there on the 177-hp, straight-six-powered 300E and 300TE, however the system’s complexity meant the wagon began at a whopping $57,900 in 1991 ($133,490 right now), which meant sluggish gross sales. When the “300” turned the E-class in 1994, 4Matic vanished from the U.S. till a redesigned system appeared in 1998.
These wagons are long-lived with correct upkeep however, as unique house owners found, infamous for needing costly repairs if uncared for or used onerous. Components are expensive too, which typically wards off even skilled collectors. Keep in mind these bizarre springs? No one reproduces them.
This specific wagon, nevertheless, is exceptionally good. There are a few scratches right here and there, however it appears to be like virtually showroom-fresh from its 15-inch Gullideckel wheels as much as its roof rack. It has been a Colorado automobile all of its life and appears completely unique, even the seat leather-based appears to be like virtually unused. With such low mileage, you would possibly even really feel responsible really driving it.
It is supplied with no reserve, however undoubtedly this time capsule automobile will fetch huge bucks. In spite of everything, you are unlikely to seek out one other nicer instance, and it would nonetheless value lower than attempting to revive a worn-out one. The public sale ends March 27.
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