viren.89

Just wondering,

Rear wheel drive is winter is fun but let's just say I'd prefer a AWD car.

How's the ​​​E63S in in winter? I understand Audi is better due to Quattro but would you say the continuous power of 33-67 makes it better than 4 matic in winter?

The new​​​​ one will be software controlled instead of 33-67% ratio I believe since it allows full power to go to rear.

So ​​​​​experiences?
BTW ​​​​I'm from Canada Toronto area. So yes, snow. Lol

Wickdwagon

I have not had any problems snow at all...you are limited to ground clearance basically. We stayed with the OEM size fitment for dedicated snow and you just got remember that you got a really wide tide on the back end.

Its also plenty of fun when you turn off all the electronic nannies and want to go to into "hooligan" mode. We had a RS5 cab with the same winter setup and I am not sure that you could tell the difference as both are limited by ground clearance.

MTV10

Toronto hardly gets hit with snow in winter. You will benefit from AWD maybe 4-5 times throughout the season....

viren.89

Bro, I travel and from Montreal to Toronto and back and forth and now it'lll be North Bay as well sometimes and seriously -I have to drive so cautiously in my E55.

I have full winter setup and still even a cyclist would pass me in winter conditions.

Especially when changing lanes, I have to pre plan weeks ahead when my turn is coming lol.

Amg63-

We get lots of snow and ice here in Toronto, definitely better to have AWD in the winter.

I have my e63s on a square 255 all around winter tire setup and it's absolutely flawless in the snow. This beast never gets stuck or let me down even on the worst snow days.

iownedu

Mine does great in North Dakota and I only have 20" Nitto Neo Gen "All-season" tires. They aren't designed for snow, just for rain.

I turn my traction control off always, if you dont it will be going off quite a bit as well as helping you get stuck in the snow. If you are well seasoned in driving on ice you will be just fine doing this.

Abunde

In Connecticut and have not had any issues with mine in winter. Daily driver running Continental all-season on 19 inch wheels, and before that ran Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric all-season.

24Hours

I typically jump in one of the Rovers for winter ski trips, but 2 weeks ago I felt dangerous and took the wagon (with OEM tires) to lower MA for ski day with daughter... it was the day after a light dusting and there was some slippage of course and generally cautious driving, but I could tell when the car was making amends for physical challenges.

benyl

works good:

PeterUbers

Just fine on all seasons stock rims 19"

my e550 4-Matic was better though likely due to true all season awd and smaller rims and tires

viren.89

So I'm assuming that mechanical AWD still beats software controlled AWD.

Thought technology would catch up by now lol

noodleman

i put on some alpin 4s on my wagon and I've had no problem driving it in the winter. In the Toronto area as well. it slipped a little once on black ice after that freezing rain storm, but it's ice so it's not the car's fault.

Tylbran

I have not had any problems with my 2016 wagon and slippery conditions. I installed Michelin Alpin PA4's and have never had any issues with traction in snowy conditions. Toronto does not get a great deal of snow but travel into 'cottage' country brings lots of snow. You need to be careful with ground clearance but the 4Matic works flawlessly. We also have an 2014 SLK that is driven in winter (winter tires installed) and it does well also without 4Matic.

viren.89

Apparently the new E63s would allow the car to even send 100% of the power to the rear wheels which the older gen didn't and had 33-67 split.

I wonder how that would change things.

10speed

I think it's AWD by default in the 2018, you can choose to set it to rwd ( drift mode ) if you choose to with a touch of a button.

otakki

For 2018, it will be fully variable and divert to RWD as much as possible even during normal driving. Yup, it should have been that way instead of that inefficient fixed 33-67 split.

Amg63-

The 33-67 I wouldn't say is ineffcient. It's very efficient and more so than most AWD systems out there.

That said, of course the new setup is even more efficient.

Ralcbah

Flawless in snow with winter tires. Even in lots of snow, MTN type snow. Always felt comfortable and actually enjoyed driving it in tough winter conditions. I had other cars at the time....One 2wd crossover on summer tires (sucked) and a large awd SUV on all seasons (worked well). By far e63 was best....yes, only one on winters, so ymmv.

viren.89

Why do you feel it's inefficient?

Slower drag times or handling?

I thought it's better to have fixed power split because it induces confidence and a person can manipulate accordingly knowing where power will be going and how much.

Amg63-

its not inefficient. Take a look at both dynos (which always shows power to the wheels) and trap speeds of RWD e63 and compare them to the 4matic e63. Both are nearly identical across the board. At the same time, it's got the added benefit of better traction.

at most maybe the RWD gets a 1mph trap speed advantage if that while 4matic is a solid .5+ faster in the 1/4 mile on street tires fitted to both.

otakki

Less efficient is a better description. Fixed torque split obviously uses more gas than variable split. Driver confidence should not be a problem as long as the system can automatically re-direct power quickly. If fixed torque split is better, it is unlikely MB has changed it to fully variable on the W213 E63.

JaredP

first winter with the car. starts nice and strong even 2-3 weeks ago when it was -47C here in saskatchewan. great car in heavy snow.

Amg63-

im sure driver confidence shouldn't be a problem, but at the same time you need to rely on computer software to give you that confidence. The one time it makes the wrong choice or trips up could end up being pretty scary.

Sometimes the more simple approach which doesn't rely on software is more confidence inspiring.

V8Avant

Halfway through my first winter with the car here in Toronto and the car handles the snow fine. I went from Audi's Quattro with a 6sp manual to the E63S and haven't had to rely on the electronic nannies for traction. Just be smart and put snows on it. While the snow in Toronto has been easy this winter, up in Haliburton there has been plenty and the 4matic handles it just fine (using snow tires).

looney100

The biggest downside of driving the E63 in the winter is the mess that gets on and in your car. It's bringing a tear to my eye to see it in the state it's been in lately.