Does the 2012 Mercedes-Benz E300L have four-wheel drive?

[DiMarcus]

The 2012 Mercedes-Benz E300L does not have four-wheel drive; it adopts a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout. Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive means the engine is positioned at the front and the rear wheels are driven. The advantage of this drivetrain layout is that it provides superior traction performance when starting, accelerating, or climbing on well-paved roads, as the load on the driven wheels increases. The 2012 Mercedes-Benz E300L is a mid-to-large-sized sedan launched by Mercedes-Benz. In terms of power, it is equipped with a 2.0T turbocharged engine, delivering a maximum power of 190 kW and a maximum torque of 370 Nm. The transmission is matched with a 9-speed automatic manual transmission. The dimensions of the 2012 Mercedes-Benz E300L are 5065 mm in length, 1860 mm in width, and 1484 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 3079 mm.

[BarrettMarie]

Remember the 2012 Mercedes-Benz E300L? I’ve seen several versions, some were rear-wheel drive, but the higher-end models did offer the 4MATIC all-wheel-drive option. It depends on the specific vehicle configuration and the sales region—for example, in the Chinese market, some models could be equipped with it, but many standard versions defaulted to rear-wheel drive. All-wheel drive helps in snowy or slippery conditions, though it increases fuel consumption and maintenance is a bit more complex. I recommend checking the vehicle’s VIN or the original manual for confirmation. If you’re looking at a used car, it’s best to ask the previous owner what options were selected. Overall, it’s a great car to drive with flexible configurations, but all-wheel drive wasn’t standard.

[McMila]

From a technical perspective, the 2012 Mercedes-Benz E300L may not come standard with a four-wheel drive system, but the 4MATIC drive is available as an optional configuration. Mercedes' 4MATIC is a full-time four-wheel drive technology that automatically distributes power to improve stability, making it suitable for rainy or mountainous road conditions. Compared to other E-Class models, the long-wheelbase version of the E300L is somewhat conservative in terms of drive options, but it becomes safer to drive after installation. Verification should refer to the original vehicle promotional materials. In daily driving, most people do not need four-wheel drive, but occasional slipping may occur in urban rainy conditions. Simply put, it's a good car, but four-wheel drive comes at an additional cost.

[StJulian]

Most 2012 Mercedes-Benz E300L models are rear-wheel drive, not full-time four-wheel drive. I've driven a Mercedes from a similar year and felt the power was adequate. If you care about four-wheel drive, you'll need to look for specific models or the optional 4MATIC package. It's perfectly fine for daily city and highway driving, but rear-wheel drive can be prone to fishtailing on icy winter roads. I recommend checking the official website for old specifications or contacting dealers directly about used inventory. Keeping it simple and hassle-free is key.