Driving in 7 inches SNOW
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Driving in 7 inches SNOW
Well, I've driven big heavy rear wheel drive cars in the '70's, and I've driven mostly front wheel drive cars since.
The 230K is no match to either in the snow. I had to drive on roads which were not plowed. The slightest incline ( up ) was a challenge for my MB. The first slight incline , I managed to drive up at 2 mph; I later got stuck when turning from a street with 1 in snow to a street with 7 inch snow.
I made it home safe, and I've learned the limits of my MB.
( original tires .. not snow tires )
The 230K is no match to either in the snow. I had to drive on roads which were not plowed. The slightest incline ( up ) was a challenge for my MB. The first slight incline , I managed to drive up at 2 mph; I later got stuck when turning from a street with 1 in snow to a street with 7 inch snow.
I made it home safe, and I've learned the limits of my MB.
( original tires .. not snow tires )
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Joined: Jul 2002
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From: Toronto
Yup, one day I found myself in a quasi-snowstorm after watching a movie and I couldn't get up any ramps in the mall parking lot, and ended up having to find a way to get out by only going downhill. Quite a challenge I tell you!
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From: NY/NJ
We had several inches here in mid NJ but i really didnt have a problem on inclines. I was pleasantly surprised given the comments i have read about RWD in the snow. Then again, this is the sedan and it might have a better distribution than the coupe.
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From: Illinois
2002 C230, 1996 Pontiac Trans Am WS6
Snow traction
Oh boy, I found out my Mercedes' limits too. On Christmas Eve, I was driving home from my parent's home in Central Illinois. The drive should have taken an hour, but due to a 5 1/2 inch snowfall, it took over two hours.
My C230 had a terrible time getting going at intersections and slid in several spots on the highway at low speeds. I too am used to heavy older RWDs, 4WDs, and front wheel drives in more recent years, so my little coupe was quite a handful! I almost felt as if my Trans Am would have had an easier time LOL!! On the up side, it seemed to stop at intersections very well.
The funniest part is, I got stuck in my own ( very short ) driveway last night when I was trying to back out. Talk about embarassing!
But it's worth it for the summer fun, now isn't it???
Michelle
My C230 had a terrible time getting going at intersections and slid in several spots on the highway at low speeds. I too am used to heavy older RWDs, 4WDs, and front wheel drives in more recent years, so my little coupe was quite a handful! I almost felt as if my Trans Am would have had an easier time LOL!! On the up side, it seemed to stop at intersections very well.
The funniest part is, I got stuck in my own ( very short ) driveway last night when I was trying to back out. Talk about embarassing!
But it's worth it for the summer fun, now isn't it???
Michelle
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From: Encino
2002 C230K
stick a cement bag in the trunk 
despite the coupe's nice weight distribution, it has no weight over the rear axle, so you're gonna get some slippage. heck, i got some slipping on some slightly wet roads (more like it rained enough to soak the roads, but no standing water) starting in 2nd gear, so these accounts aren't all that surprising. but yeah, a cement bag or two usually does the trick. or sandbags.
despite the coupe's nice weight distribution, it has no weight over the rear axle, so you're gonna get some slippage. heck, i got some slipping on some slightly wet roads (more like it rained enough to soak the roads, but no standing water) starting in 2nd gear, so these accounts aren't all that surprising. but yeah, a cement bag or two usually does the trick. or sandbags.
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Originally posted by dswildfire
stick a cement bag in the trunk despite the coupe's nice weight distribution, it has no weight over the rear axle, so you're gonna get some slippage. heck, i got some slipping on some slightly wet roads (more like it rained enough to soak the roads, but no standing water) starting in 2nd gear, so these accounts aren't all that surprising. but yeah, a cement bag or two usually does the trick. or sandbags.
stick a cement bag in the trunk
despite the coupe's nice weight distribution, it has no weight over the rear axle, so you're gonna get some slippage. heck, i got some slipping on some slightly wet roads (more like it rained enough to soak the roads, but no standing water) starting in 2nd gear, so these accounts aren't all that surprising. but yeah, a cement bag or two usually does the trick. or sandbags.
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From: Ohio
2010 C300 4matic
Originally posted by Jerry MB230K
Why do you say it has no weight over the rear axle ... is the weight of a hatchback and its contents much different than a sedan's trunk ?
Why do you say it has no weight over the rear axle ... is the weight of a hatchback and its contents much different than a sedan's trunk ?
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2002 c230 sport coupe six spd. C7
A Mercedes 230 Coupe without snow tires does not go in snow. I too have driven RWD vehicles for years, some with and some without limited slip differentials. I put snow tires on them too!
I have four snow tires on a 2002 C230 and it will go in snow and ice as well as any front wheel drive car. As a matter of fact I think it handles better. The C230 has nearly a 50/50 weight distribution. Most RWD cars/trucks do not. Most FWD cars have at least a 60/40 weight bias.
The ESP seems to enhance drivability in snow and ice with the snow tires. The stock tires on the C7 package are strictly summer tires and get hard as bricks at temps below 20 degrees or so. It's not the tread design but the rubber compound that makes the summer tires poor winter tires.
If you live in the snow belt, best get 4 snow tires.
2002 C230 six speed C7 C5 Bose paprika
I have four snow tires on a 2002 C230 and it will go in snow and ice as well as any front wheel drive car. As a matter of fact I think it handles better. The C230 has nearly a 50/50 weight distribution. Most RWD cars/trucks do not. Most FWD cars have at least a 60/40 weight bias.
The ESP seems to enhance drivability in snow and ice with the snow tires. The stock tires on the C7 package are strictly summer tires and get hard as bricks at temps below 20 degrees or so. It's not the tread design but the rubber compound that makes the summer tires poor winter tires.
If you live in the snow belt, best get 4 snow tires.
2002 C230 six speed C7 C5 Bose paprika
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Yes, the coupe handles well, after you get the momentum, and drive steadily through the snow. But try to get up the slightest incline ( after a full stop ) and you go no where.
I couldn't drive 20 feet up into a parking spot ( with 3 inches snow ) at a mall because parking was slightly up from where I was.
I step on the gas, and the car applies the brakes ( to keep me safe ).
I couldn't drive 20 feet up into a parking spot ( with 3 inches snow ) at a mall because parking was slightly up from where I was.
I step on the gas, and the car applies the brakes ( to keep me safe ).
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From: Hartford, CT.
C230/ B. Silver/Leather
A set ( all four wheels) of GOOD snow tires is a must. I bought a set last winter after the first little bit of snow told me the original tires would not be sufficient. So far this winter not a bit of a problem.
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From: The blue white rock, third out.
2002 C230 Coupe(M111)
Originally posted by Jerry MB230K
Yes, the coupe handles well, after you get the momentum, and drive steadily through the snow. But try to get up the slightest incline ( after a full stop ) and you go no where.
I couldn't drive 20 feet up into a parking spot ( with 3 inches snow ) at a mall because parking was slightly up from where I was.
I step on the gas, and the car applies the brakes ( to keep me safe ).
Yes, the coupe handles well, after you get the momentum, and drive steadily through the snow. But try to get up the slightest incline ( after a full stop ) and you go no where.
I couldn't drive 20 feet up into a parking spot ( with 3 inches snow ) at a mall because parking was slightly up from where I was.
I step on the gas, and the car applies the brakes ( to keep me safe ).
Get some good winter tires and then tell us how bad the car is in the snow. Winter driving is all about tires, and where the wieght is.
I used to own a Pontiac Fiero that would literally climb up snowbanks when I had the skiny winter tires on it. The combination of an amidships motor, good tires, and a smooth belly pan made that car a four wheeled snowmobile. However, if I left the summer only tires on it, in winter it became a fishtailling nightmare...it still would find traction, but sling itself all over the road.
Last edited by Outland; Dec 28, 2002 at 01:23 AM.
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From: Massachusetts
2007 BMW 328xi sedan
I have to agree with Mayday on this one. Get yourself 4 good snow tires and the C230 will be fine in snow until the snow gets so deep that it starts to suspend the chassis from the bottom. I put 17 inch snows on C7 rims using 215/45/Q17 Blizzak WS-50. I was a little nervous about 17 inch snows at first, but now that I have had the chance to test them out, I have complete confidence that I can go anywhere any FWD car can go. In the spring I will be getting a completely new set of staggered AMG rims with Michelins.
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From: MI
2003 C230K, 6 spd, Brilliant Silver, C-5, C-7, CD changer
Re: Driving in 7 inches SNOW
Originally posted by Jerry MB230K
Well, I've driven big heavy rear wheel drive cars in the '70's, and I've driven mostly front wheel drive cars since.
The 230K is no match to either in the snow. I had to drive on roads which were not plowed. The slightest incline ( up ) was a challenge for my MB. The first slight incline , I managed to drive up at 2 mph; I later got stuck when turning from a street with 1 in snow to a street with 7 inch snow.
I made it home safe, and I've learned the limits of my MB.
( original tires .. not snow tires )
Well, I've driven big heavy rear wheel drive cars in the '70's, and I've driven mostly front wheel drive cars since.
The 230K is no match to either in the snow. I had to drive on roads which were not plowed. The slightest incline ( up ) was a challenge for my MB. The first slight incline , I managed to drive up at 2 mph; I later got stuck when turning from a street with 1 in snow to a street with 7 inch snow.
I made it home safe, and I've learned the limits of my MB.
( original tires .. not snow tires )
I've driven anything from a 70 F150 w/bias ply tires (white knuckle baby!) to a FWD Honda for 10 years and I think the coupe is almost as good as the Honda.
Driving the coupe in the snow takes a different mind set though (compared to FWD) I let the clutch out at idle and go a few feet, shift into 2nd gear and then push the accelerater pedal until I see the ESP light star to flash, then I shift up again and repeat. If you try to accelerate to hard the car just slams on the brakes but if you use the flashing light to hold it on the edge and upshift very early, the car accelerates pretty darn good.
But hey, your a New Yawrker, you already know this stuff
I think MB should give us northerners loaners cars w/4matics for the winter, Yea, Yea, That's it! :p
Newbie
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 6
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From: MidWest
2002 c230 Coupe - fully optioned, 6 speed manual
I'd have to agree... thanx for the tip with the snow tires! Last winter, I slid through two major snowy intersections, nearly rear ended a few cars, and was beat off the line by little old ladies driving Buicks! The c230 Coupe with the c7 wheel option is truely a horrific winter vehicle!
Does anyone know which winter snow tire has better grip? Arctic Alpins or Blizzaks?
Does anyone know which winter snow tire has better grip? Arctic Alpins or Blizzaks?
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Joined: Oct 2002
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From: Ames, IA
C230 K
I don't agree with the comment that the coupe can't handle inclines. I have an 03 which has less tourque and made it up a maybe 25-30 degree (pretty steep) incline with the stock michelin all seasons but.... with the ESP off. You guys won't think that any car with ESP could incline in snow would you? The ESP would kill the throtle right away. Use that little switch on the console to kill the ESP and you'll get up any hill. Just don't get too excited and spin away.
The slips on corners are there by the way. It's a RWD with light back. What can you say.
The slips on corners are there by the way. It's a RWD with light back. What can you say.
