neurodave

Yesterday I got my first chance of driving in some pretty good snow, and it was interesting....to say the least. The car drove "OK" for the most part, but once I slowed down or stopped and tried to get going, things got a little sideways. With some light gas pedal fluttering and low speeds I made it home perfectly fine. I parked in an indoor lot, just so I won't have issues driving out today.

With that being said, how does everyone else do with their car? I'm sure mine handles iffy because of the shot suspension and old tires, but interested to see how maybe a 4Matic model does, as opposed to us RWD guys.

TDC311X

I've got a manual 230K SS and i was worried about driving in the snow in my first RWD car, but honestly handling wise it is the best car I have driven in the snow. Now when it comes to traction events, that is where things get a little wiley without snow tires. I found I really have to ride the clutch and barely give any gas to gain traction in deep spots.

Surprisingly the traction control and stability control work really well and actually save my *** regularly in the snow without putting me in danger of losing all control of my car. I have been pleasantly surprised by that. I have found the intended use of the ESP Off button to be handy when leaving un-plowed parking lots. I found when I really can't get traction that I need to turn ESP off to be able to spin the tires and get into gear and find traction.

Lgraz5

I consider myself of above average skill in driving in snow due to many years residence in an extreme northern area of the country and I have learned that understanding conditions and having a reasonable understanding of one's vehicle and its limitations is the key to safe driving, especially in winter. What terrifies me are drivers who think having an SUV or all wheel drive car empowers then to drive without regard to conditions. The vehicle has relatively little to do with drivability.

Alswag

The W203 is notoriously good in the snow. ESP is the best.

tommy

I think my car is truly awful in the snow. And yes, I have dedicated good snow tires too. Maybe it's my lead foot, I have no idea.

cvx

W203 is rubbish in the winter.

The winter here is nearly 6 months long with temperatures down to -30c and 1+m of snow so I have lots of experience driving in the arctic conditions.

I have new studded tyres. It is ridiculously easy to get stuck even on the slightest uphills. ESP is constantly limiting and interfering especially when in the city with traffic lights etc. It is quite fun car to drift tho when turning ESP off.

Also the thermostats are designed poorly. It is common to have both of them (CDI's got 2) changed every single winter. The car takes forever to warm up even I have it equipped with a block heater.

C280 Sport

I have 4Matic with all season tires. I drive in any kind of weather with ease.

wvadam

Aren't diesels in general notorious for not heating up quickly? VW even puts electric cabin heaters in their HVAC system to supplement cabin heat during cold temp

cvx

No. My old w202 diesel warmed very fast. Same for W210 and w211 e classes. Burning hot air to cabin within minutes even in -30c temps

W203 also has electric 1,8kW heater booster (not webasto/eber type) fitted to all CDIs but they are guaranteed to fail within 2 years. Mine is broken and can't be bothered to spend another 500 to fix it again. Yet another item poorly designed

dougo01

Living in Canada I get to drive in lots of snow and ice. I find the ESP limits my ability to leave stop signs and lights. It just takes forever to go. So I simply turn off the ESP. Car behaves much more normally without the power cutting out.
Hope this helps.

samaritrey

My C320 did decently well with snow tires and i almost always had probably 50 pounds of junk in the trunk. That said my dads c350 4matic coupe is so much better.

pa-hawk

I have a 4-matic and it is extremely competent on bad road conditions. For the amount of snow we have in central Pennsylvania I use all season tires year round. If I lived where there was major amounts of snow to contend with regularly, I would have four winter tires. That said, even with all season tires, the 4-matic is the most stable and capable car I have ever driven on bad roads. Other four wheel drive vehicles I have owned seemed to want to switch ends rather quickly when you would break traction. I do switch off the ESP when I want to have a little fun though. When you want to go sideways you certainly don't want the car trying to straighten itself out.

alexstaar

I've only driven on bad roads once with my RWD W203 and I was impressed at how well it performed. The road was packed (slightly melted and refrozen) snow/ice. I found ESP to be helpful in keeping traction and moving where I steered the car to go. I did find that the winter "W" driving mode was helpful as well. It certainly made a difference. I got stuck in a parking lot and was able to get out with Winter mode on and ESP off.

I will also admit that the car was a blast to drift on an icy abandoned parking lot

Crna Mechka

I can co-sign this statement with confidence.


4Matic
All season tires
SMART driving


Safe and sound.