lebreeze

We got our first snow fall today and was just wondering if adding some weight in the trunk would help. It handled fine in the snow today and the roads were pretty bad. Actually is super fun cause it so predicabl. The only problem I found at highway speeds the backend just feels a little loose. Was just wondering if adding a couple of sand bags in the trunk would help.

Thanks

gthal

I find it helps to have the extra weight for traction. However, the downside in my experience is that sometimes adding weight in the rear can make the car feel more prone to the rear end coming around in a corner. Almost like a pendulum effect. I find weight in the rear helps a RWD car with traction to get going but made the car feel less balanced in the corners. Personally, I like the weight as I can control the oversteer in corners easier than I can get moving with less rear traction.

lebreeze

Thanks gthal. I'm going to try it and see what happens.

coladin

Today was as bad as it gets, snowe all day, greasy, icy, unplowed sideroads and seriously, this car is a piece of cake. Just a little low. Easy on the throttle it takes off with the Blizzaks. I did have Mustangs in the winter and my g37s was a lot worse than this on pretty much the same tire.

FraKctured

I always put extra weight in the trunk in the winter, and I've got a 4Matic (W203) with Michelin All-Seasons. I've tried it with and without and it makes a noticeable difference with some extra weight in the trunk.

My only suggestion would be to not use sandbags--they're messy and hard to clean up when the inevitable leak happens. I use six edging bricks (30 pounds each). They're cheap, they're small, they're clean, and they store well (until they disappear when the wife works on her garden...)

lebreeze

Just wondering if the bricks will slide around. Or do you have to anchor them down.

coladin

I am not a fan of putting anything in the trunk, especially our cars. If you have ESP, Dynamic, whatever each company call yaw control, the devices that detect slides, plus traction control , etc...I don't feel it necessary. It will probably hury your gas mileage...I can understand in the days where cars did not have anyof those devices but these days, I wouldn't do it.

jerro

Well I've been doing this in my truck for years, and it works excellent. But like stated by coladin, I've never attempted to do the same with my AMG.

lebreeze

I'm going to try a couple sand bags and see what happens.

Thanks

FraKctured

No sliding at all--they don't move an inch all season. They're rough edged landscaping bricks, and they grip the trunk liner carpet like they're glued down because they're so heavy.