Mercedes W124 4 Matic - Technology explained

[@JCubed123]

Sun Valley Mercedes in Pacoima, CA will rebuild your transfer-case for a reasonable cost. Send it to them for rebuilding and they will send it back. Impressive 100% locking center and rear differentials are much more capable than later versions of 4Matic. The W-124 4Matics are special enough to keep working and on the road. That is why I had my transfer case rebuilt and you should consider it too!

[@heritagesteel1976]

would love to but i am based in Portugal, which makes shipping and import duties prohibitive

[@kewlbean]

I had a 91 300TE 4Matic. What an incredible car. Very capable when the system is working.

[@jesusgregoriopazoscruz5891]

Hello how are you?.. i have the opportunity to buy really cheap and in a really good condition one off those 4matic.. if the transfert its broken (worse case). How much could be the price of the reparations? ... Another question is.. the only complicated part to find its the transfert? Thanks in advance

[@quattroTorsen]

Just to add, i think the system is even more advanced than you explained. It also has the 50:50 lock in the center. I think the modes are as follows: Mode 0: RWD Mode 1: 35-65 Mode 2: 50:50 Mode 3: 50:50 + Rear is locked

[@martinsv9183]

Yes correct. And the 50:50 is with lock.

[@Bashi88]

Excellent video and description of the system! I am starting to appreciate these old mechanical setups more and more every year, even though I am an electrical engineer born in the 80's :D

[@pereriknordlien4549]

Absolutely perfect video!

[@emirmahmutoglu]

Tu, Marcus, és um verdadeiro mestre mecânico que sabe do que está a falar e que explica este assunto complexo e difícil numa linguagem que o espetador/ouvinte pode facilmente compreender! Muitos dos meus pensamentos sobre os w124s 4Matic mudaram consideravelmente depois deste vídeo extremamente educativo. Muito obrigado.

[@puchak97]

Hi, I’ve just recently purchased a 1993 300TE 4Matic with 76k miles. How screwed am I?

[@heritagesteel1976]

hi, is everything working as it should? If so enjoy the ride as it is a sweet one. If not you have to weigh in the costs of keeping a 4 matic on the road. If you can fix stuff yourself it is a huge bonus...

[@puchak97]

@@heritagesteel1976 The car is shipping in on Tuesday, I'll assess then. It's rust free, east coast kept... so fingers crossed.

[@puchak97]

@@hudsoninbury What do you mean revised Mercedes box? An updated transfer case? Where can I find it?

[@MrGuddimagg]

Just bought one my self :) crossing my finger 😅

[@shaazy]

​@@MrGuddimaggthe revised transfer box you mean?

[@piotrkawalec1749]

I own one of these wagons and converted it from m103 auto to om603 and 5 speed manual. I have tons of spare parts including multiple transfer cases. I'd like to help

[@heritagesteel1976]

Thank you for your kind offer, but i think he sold the station wagon by now

[@shaazy]

i have the '91 sedan m103 4matic but i got it with the front shafts removed and transmission changed to the rwd version. This is actually a good middle ground ive discovered, the rear end suspension side is swappable with the RWD sedan, so parts are available and cheap. However, front end is expensive, but then it is built much much stronger than the regular w124. The 4matic side stands disconnected because like you said, i discovered that everything i needed to convert it back to 4matic was simply too cost prohibitive with no warranty on reliability. The previous owner had changed the rear SLS out also, but id love to get it back, just dont know how. As of now, it works and drives rather reliably. Overall a very Mercedes feeling car.

[@heritagesteel1976]

the 4 matic is a fabulous system when it is working. Major failure of components is a financial ruin and parts are unobtainable unfortunately.

[@shaazy]

@@heritagesteel1976 yes indeed. Learnt it the hard way. Btw, do all 4matics have SLS in the rear?

[@marcusfrostenson9959]

The trasnfer case really isnt that expensive to fix. Its just that not many have done it. The hydraulic pistons that pressurize the clutch packs wear out the cylinder walls and then, the hydraulic fluid leaks past the pistons into the case. It mainly just requires sleeving the cylinders and replacing the pistons seals. Id be interested in buying your oil pan if you ever delete the 4matic system.

[@heritagesteel1976]

hi Marcus. Its not my car. Its from a friend of mine and he has had enough:) he is gonna sell it and buy a W124 coupe.

[@fredrikwikery2617]

My 1990 300TE 4-matic recently passed 500k km (310k miles). I dont know how, but the 4-matic still works 🤷‍♂️😅

[@heritagesteel1976]

keep it. a properly working 4 matica is a hell of a 4x4

[@shaazy]

Omg that is beyond crazy. Pls make a video of it! That's no less than a glitch in the matrix!

[@fredrikwikery2617]

@@shaazyI am not a good film maker but when the snow comes i will try to make a video 😄. Anything spesific you want to see?

[@adventurousairman]

Great job

[@heritagesteel1976]

thank you!

[@eladioredin2124]

Excelente vídeo. Yo tengo un w220 4matic que supongo utiliza una tecnología diferente al w124. Saludos desde España.

[@heritagesteel1976]

Everything after the W124 is just electronic wizardry. The W124 uses proper Hydraulic/mechanical lockers. The W210 4 matic e.g uses the ABS sensor to detect wheel spin and apllies braking force to the opposing wheel. No Diff lockers. As a general rule of thumb from 2000 onwards big quality drop across all brands, prices up for thiose fancy electronics and thats it. It's a shame

[@kozalak61]

Hello Do you have an parts for 4 Matic?

[@heritagesteel1976]

no, sorry. Parts are (almost)unobtainable. Personally i love those cars, but i would never buy one due to unavailablity of parts and the complexity of the system-.

[@aapoolen4861]

did the 603turbo 4 matic come with a manual gearbox?

[@heritagesteel1976]

no they are all automatics

[@adamposmyk9889]

Hi, I’m looking for complete front anti roll bar for S124 300TE 4Matic. Does anyone have something like this for sale or know where I can find it?

[@169hoi]

Do you know if standard w124 suspension etc is bolt on in the 4matic cars? Or are the bolthole places also different? Thinking about doing an engine swap and 4matic delete

[@heritagesteel1976]

why go through the hassle on an engine swap? The whole geometry of the front suspension is completly different. I dont believe you can bolt on a standard suspension and be done with it...it wont fit without heavy mods. If you know how to cut and weld properly maybe its doable. I would rather - like mentioned in my video, remove the front prop and drive in 2wd. The front drive shaft are necessary if you want to retain ABS. If not leave them out and be done with it. Easiest solution without major costs. Everything else is bloody expensive and labour intensive. But like i said if you have the time and skills go for it.

[@miguelpfragoso]

Olá ,Adorei o vídeo ,Tenho uma carrinha s124 4Matic de 1993. Gostava de tirar umas dúvidas consigo. Obrigado

[@heritagesteel1976]

boas Miguel. Diga, se puder ajudar ajudo. E sempre bom manter mais um W124 na estrada

[@miguelpfragoso]

@@heritagesteel1976 Obrigado pela resposta, têm outra via para o poder contactar? Obrigado Cumprimentos