Mercedes-Benz USA will provides its 4Matic all-wheel-drive system as standard equipment on its ’05 S430 and S500 luxury sedans.

The auto maker says it decided to make the AWD system standard as a result of strong demand for the option, which has garnered a 30% take rate across the S-Class range.

Base price for the ’05 S430 increases by $1,050 to $76,020, while the base price of the ’05 S500 jumps $1,200 to $84,620.

http://wardsauto.com/ar/auto_mercedes_makes_awd/index.htm

Lame.

RWD rules. Granted, it will be RWD-bias, but I like good ol' RWD.

Originally posted by wantAnewLex
Lame.

RWD rules. Granted, it will be RWD-bias, but I like good ol' RWD.
Yeah, they should have left it an option. But now they will use it as a strong selling point.

Man, is RWD dead?

Well, besides the prestige factor, one of the strongest points of the S-Class has always been safety. Standard AWD is a good fit to this theme IMO.:thumbup:

You have to realize that very few people besides utter enthusiasts buy the S-Class to take out for a wild spin and perform slides all over the tracks.

Good business and marketing decision for the targeted S-Class market.

There go the acceptable S-class 0-60 times.

There's nothing quite like getting toasted by a Jetta in your $80,000 touring sedan. :rolleyes:

:thumbdn: :thumbdn:

M.

Originally posted by whipimpin
There go the acceptable S-class 0-60 times.Again, I don't think the 0-60 times will be a problem for 99% of the people who buy an S-Class.

As long as they don't make AWD standard on S600 and S65/S55 I don't see any problem here.

I'm sure MB did a lot of consumer research before making this BIG move. I'd also rather have RWD but I think myself and others who have said the same are in the minority. :(

-Anthony

When my mom was shopping for a car, I suggested the 4 matic S500 to her and the only down side was the price. I like the concept of AWD on big cars, but it does need to stay as an option.

On another note, when are they gonna scrap that pitiful 4.3L engine?

James

Originally posted by jet864
when are they gonna scrap that pitiful 4.3L engine?Not until they scrape the S280 (hey that thing even moves!!) and S350 being sold outside the States I guess.;)

Originally posted by XeroK00L
Again, I don't think the 0-60 times will be a problem for 99% of the people who buy an S-Class.



Yeah, for the regular S, the 0-60 wasn't tooooo critical. It's more of the S55/65/600.
What sux more is they're dropping the free maintenance:thumbdn:

Originally posted by GS3Tek
Yeah, for the regular S, the 0-60 wasn't tooooo critical. It's more of the S55/65/600.
What sux more is they're dropping the free maintenance:thumbdn:

Are you SERIOUS?! LMAO!!!! They're making a more complex drivetrain standard and dropping free maintanence. Brilliant! BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!