How do you all like your C230's? How about in snow?
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Joined: Jun 2004
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From: New England
2022 E53 AMG Sedan
How do you all like your C230's? How about in snow?
I purchased an 06 Lexus GS300AWD in August 05, and circumstances force me to sell my car, as it is too expensive (car was $52K, I paid $47.5K).
I was considering an 05 C230 Kompressor and test drove one a year and a half ago, and really loved it - had the manual transmission.
Just wondering how you all like you C230's, have there been any major problems and how the car was in the snow. I live in Mass, and I purchased my Lexus because it had AWD. I have an SUV (wife drives) if really needed, but may be caught at work (40 mile commute each way) when it snows on occasion. With snow tires, was it okay??
I was considering an 05 C230 Kompressor and test drove one a year and a half ago, and really loved it - had the manual transmission.
Just wondering how you all like you C230's, have there been any major problems and how the car was in the snow. I live in Mass, and I purchased my Lexus because it had AWD. I have an SUV (wife drives) if really needed, but may be caught at work (40 mile commute each way) when it snows on occasion. With snow tires, was it okay??
Last edited by Ecole; Mar 25, 2006 at 05:40 PM.
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From: Vancouver, B.C. Canada
05 C55
it rarely snows here but when it does it only lasts about 2 days max, a month ago it snowed, had about 2 inches or so and i couldnt even pull out of my alley on a small little hill, car wouldnt even budge at all! thank god the snow all melted away the following day. other than that. i love the car! 
Last edited by 14cue; Mar 26, 2006 at 04:25 AM.
Super Member
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From: Twin Cities
Too many to list
don't get it if you're planning on driving in the snow. the stock wheels will do you no good in light snow at all. even worst, in 2"+ snow, forget about it. just leave it in the garage until the snow melts. i can't even go up my driveway most of the times. also, i've got stuck so many times in the snow...even with dedicated all-season tires. next winter, i'm planning on buying snow tires for sure.
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From: NYC
BLACK 05 C230SS
You would be wasting your money if this is your primary transportation in snow. You definitely need Blizzak snow tires if you plan on using this car in light snow. You also have to take into account the lower stance that our cars have unless you by a C-class with AWD.
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From: Charlotte, NC
Had: 1987 300TD, Had: 2004 C230 Sport Sedan, Have: 2014 E350 Sport, Have: 2019 S450
My '03 (not as low as the '05s, 06s) with Dunlop WinterSport M2s goes through 2-4" of snow with no problems at all. You can't drive like a moron, but it goes well enough that taking a 'snow day' is out of the question.
With a lower stance, you may get to the point where you're snow-plowing with the nose, meaning that you're not going to be going anywhere that day.
With a lower stance, you may get to the point where you're snow-plowing with the nose, meaning that you're not going to be going anywhere that day.
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From: New Jersey
SLS AMG | S65 AMG | GL550
I honestly think the auto's have an easier time. With a stick, when it snows you need to turn traction control off to get moving...when you do, only one rear tire spins. If you don't, you start to slip, the rpms drop (trac control) and you stall. It's a lose-lose situation. For auto drivers, just keep your foot on the gas, you don't have to worry about stalling.
Erik
Erik
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From: Rhode Island
Debadged 6-Speed '05 C320 Sports Coupe
Prior to reading the responses, I was prepared to add my voice to the chorus of praise for the winter snow performance.
So, as the lone voice of dissention, I am very satisfied with the snow performance. I have LM-25 Blizzaks on ASA ST-4 wheels.
Unlike the LM-22 Blizzaks, I find these to provide very good response on dry performance.
No problem with stable and predictable snow / ice performance. With the lower clearance, it is not possible to plow through snow banks.
Do NOT accept the compromise of all-season tires. Go with summer-only and winter-only mounted sets.
So, as the lone voice of dissention, I am very satisfied with the snow performance. I have LM-25 Blizzaks on ASA ST-4 wheels.
Unlike the LM-22 Blizzaks, I find these to provide very good response on dry performance.
No problem with stable and predictable snow / ice performance. With the lower clearance, it is not possible to plow through snow banks.
Do NOT accept the compromise of all-season tires. Go with summer-only and winter-only mounted sets.
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From: The blue white rock, third out.
2002 C230 Coupe(M111)
Originally Posted by tifosiv122
I honestly think the auto's have an easier time. With a stick, when it snows you need to turn traction control off to get moving...when you do, only one rear tire spins.
Erik
Erik
What do think happens in the snow? ESP off only silencs the torque reduction program, the simulated posi still works. I thankfully have a winter vehicle, but I also have a set of 16's and snows I put on in the winter, and the car is just fine with this setup in the snow.
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From: New Jersey
SLS AMG | S65 AMG | GL550
Originally Posted by Outland
Uh, Erik, you do know that when you do a burnout, the car leaves two black streaks on the pavement, don't you?
What do think happens in the snow? ESP off only silencs the torque reduction program, the simulated posi still works. I thankfully have a winter vehicle, but I also have a set of 16's and snows I put on in the winter, and the car is just fine with this setup in the snow.
What do think happens in the snow? ESP off only silencs the torque reduction program, the simulated posi still works. I thankfully have a winter vehicle, but I also have a set of 16's and snows I put on in the winter, and the car is just fine with this setup in the snow.
Erik
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From: Jersey
2004.5 C 230
Originally Posted by wingless
Prior to reading the responses, I was prepared to add my voice to the chorus of praise for the winter snow performance.
So, as the lone voice of dissention, I am very satisfied with the snow performance. I have LM-25 Blizzaks on ASA ST-4 wheels.
So, as the lone voice of dissention, I am very satisfied with the snow performance. I have LM-25 Blizzaks on ASA ST-4 wheels.
Good Luck,
Jkw
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From: The blue white rock, third out.
2002 C230 Coupe(M111)
Originally Posted by tifosiv122
I agree but for whatever reason I would only get one wheel to spin and I would slide side-ways...
Erik
Erik
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From: Illinois, Indiana
2005 C230 Sedan 6spd
I usually turn off ESP when I am driving in snowy weathers (w/ Blizzaks LM-22), otherwise ESP is distracting me from driving too much. It's impossible to go up a hill with ESP on. I really wish "ESP OFF" is really "ESP OFF". 
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From: The blue white rock, third out.
2002 C230 Coupe(M111)
Originally Posted by BabyBenz6spd
I usually turn off ESP when I am driving in snowy weathers (w/ Blizzaks LM-22), otherwise ESP is distracting me from driving too much. It's impossible to go up a hill with ESP on. I really wish "ESP OFF" is really "ESP OFF".
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From: New Jersey
SLS AMG | S65 AMG | GL550
Originally Posted by Outland
No you don't. If you turn it all off, you drop to one wheel drive, and you have a whole lot more "oh ****" moments in turns when its slippery. Frankly, youre doing yourself a disservice by turning it off all the time in snow. Once the vehicle has moved off the blocks, there's no reason to keep it off.
Erik
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From: Avon, CT
07 G35 Sport 6MT, 2005 C230K SS (sold), 1998 Jeep GC 4x4 (da-heep!)
I'm in Connecticut too. I still have the Michelin Z rated tires that came with the car, which are definitely no good in the snow. Basically if you don’t want the car to leave you stranded you’ve gotta leave where ever you are at the first sign of snow.
I have a dedicated beater, but there have been a few occasions where I did drive the C230 to work and it did start to snow. I kept an 80 lb. bag of dry concrete in the back ($30 from Home Depot) which really does help. At the very least it would put enough weight over the rear where I could get the car moving in about 2’’ of snow and work from home the rest of the day.
I have a dedicated beater, but there have been a few occasions where I did drive the C230 to work and it did start to snow. I kept an 80 lb. bag of dry concrete in the back ($30 from Home Depot) which really does help. At the very least it would put enough weight over the rear where I could get the car moving in about 2’’ of snow and work from home the rest of the day.
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From: Montreal, Canada
2006 C280 4Matic
I live in Montreal Canada, if you live in Boston you know that montreal has bad winters. I drove the c230K for three winters..I don't think I will EVER buy a rear weel drive car again.....I now drive a 2006 C280 4 matic.
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Chicago. 2004.5 C230SS. 6 speed.
Change to my winter wheels/tires on November 1st and take 'em off on April 1st. Dunlop Winter Sport M2's. (No staggered setup for winter...running 16's all around.) FABULOUS traction in any snow depth, and after 2 winter seasons, the tires look brand new with absoutely no perceptible signs of tread wear.
Change to my winter wheels/tires on November 1st and take 'em off on April 1st. Dunlop Winter Sport M2's. (No staggered setup for winter...running 16's all around.) FABULOUS traction in any snow depth, and after 2 winter seasons, the tires look brand new with absoutely no perceptible signs of tread wear.
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From: Rhode Island
Debadged 6-Speed '05 C320 Sports Coupe
Originally Posted by MattB
One of my friends has a W202 C280 and she just leaves it at home when it snows.
For others, a set of summer-only and winter-only tires, combined with using the vehicle regardless of conditions, is the appropriate solution.
