Where I grew up, it basically snowed everyday all winter. Cleveland gets its fair share of Lake Effect snow and after a while it all just becomes routine. Eventually, you figure out how to drive in bad weather. We would get two feet of snow and no one would care, it would just be a bit of a hassle. Being in New York City for the past twelve years has meant that my hard-earned Northeast Ohio winter driving skills have languished in a world with mass transit and very little snow. It’s disappointing because I actually came to enjoy driving in bad weather.
Then one day Mercedes-Benz called and said that they wanted me to go out to Wyoming and test out 4MATIC, their all-wheel drive system on a really nice CLS550. Really? Me? Umm yeah, oaky, I can help you guys out.
Part of me wondered if they knew I grew up in a place where driving around in crappy weather was one of the only fun things to do? Maybe that is why they needed my help? No, none of this was true, it was just a media thing. Not a problem though, I can head out to Jackson Hole thereby taking driving around in inclement weather to new heights. Then it hit me, I had become a person that flies across the country to drive expensive cars in the snow. Life had become very odd, and also very awesome.
Upon arrival in snowy Wyoming I learned very quickly that Mercedes-Benz’s four wheel drive system is that it is unlike anything I grew up driving. There’s actually no need for winter driving skills with 4MATIC. It was sort of a disappointing realization until I came to the conclusion that Mercs are a helluva lot of fun to regardless, especially in Wyoming. Though the overwhelming skill of 4MATIC was still defeating in a way because there’s virtually nothing you can do (within reason) to get this car to lose control. That’s not to say it can’t lose control, you still have to be careful because it can certainly happen, but the Mercedes 4Matic system is by far the most advanced all wheel drive system I have ever piloted. It was difficult assignment, but someone had to do it. Pictures from the adventure below.
While I don’t have a 4MATIC to drive everyday, I still need those winter driving skills. Though one day, maybe I will hang them up in exchange for one of these fine German automobiles.
Below, the Amangani resort. That place is not terrible. To repeat, it is not at all terrible. Unlike any hotel I have ever been to in fact.
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Now you are killing me. Love Wyoming, LOVE the Amangani. Odd and awesome for sure. You need to return for a summer test drive.
I have an A4 quattro and live in the southwest, so it doesn’t get tested too much.. kinda envious. :)
Audi Quattro>>>>>>4Matic by far.
I have been reading your blog for a while and it seems like this is one of the better offers you have gotten thrown your way.
First time I drove in snow in Denmark I crashed. Better get me one of these. Oh that’s right I don’t have any money. Nice pics.
Winter tires are far more important than anything the car does. $1000 for Blizzaks are a much better value then whatever Mercedes is charging.
I just got the C300 with 4matic, the baby brother to the CLS550. It’s my first Mercedes but not my first AWD/4WD car (Volvo, Audi, Jeep GC, Explorer). And I’ve been blown away by the performance of the 4matic in snow and ice, unlike anything else I have driven.
Good ol’ Wyoming. My ex-father-inlaw drove a 2005 CLS 55 for a few years. Beautiful car, it just always seemed to have gremlins running amuck. He only drove it on weekends and was only able to drive it a couple times a month, if that… always in the damn shop. It would visit so often, they ended up loaning him their c32’s and c55’s towards the end- free of charge, of course!
did you get the huckleberry shake at the emporium? i imagine the MB team wouldn’t let you bring it back into the car.
Did you stop at Grand Teton Brewing just outside the south side of Victor? Any way stop in next time we make some awesome beer.
Until everyone dies who remembers Ford’s mid-level line of automobiles, “Merc” remains short for Mercury. In the meantime you can use “Merce” if you want……
Nice pictures, nice car, nice house-
Was a bank examiner with the state of Wyoming who had family living in Jackson. Was called out in all kinds of weather to “do” the bank there. Drove a BMW Alpina that I brought back from Germany. Not at all like the MB described here! Would have been fun going over Togwotee pass at midnight in that car. Wouldn’t have needed some drunk jr. chamber of commerce guys to push me out of a snowdrift!
Something odd to me. Who took the pictures? Why is there not one photo of you in this story?
I took the pictures, which is why I am not pictured.