Winter is upon us
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Super Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 661
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2007 c230
Winter is upon us
Alrite guys I have a 2007 C230. With All Seasonal Continentals. I have never driven a RWD car in the snow my entire life. I from long island and we get hit with snow barely but when we get hit we relaly get hit. Should i purchase dedicated snow tires? I read a lot of reviews from EDMUNDS etc etc about the C230 and they said that it does not like snow at all. Maybe they didn't have all season tires? I'll never know. But what is eevryone's experience with the snow with all seasonal tires with this vehcle?
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 350
Likes: 38
From: North East
07 TL, 05 350z, 08 MDX
Good question. I'm in a similar boat as you. I'm from NJ and I have a 2006 c230 sport with all seasons on as well. I'll prob get a set of blizakks. In a snow storm last year I saw a bunch of bmw's and mb's sliding all over the place in not so much snow so I'll prob not risk it.
Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 211
Likes: 0
From: Massachusetts
05 c230 kompressor SS 6MT & 07 BMW 335i
It would be recommended to get snow tires, but I have used my modified c230 SS in MA winters for 3 years without snow tires and have gotten around pretty well (2 years with stock 17"s and continental sportcontact 2s and last year with my 19" Brabus wheels and Michelin PS2s). it was tricky with the wide Brabus wheels, compared to the stockers, but i could get around if i needed to. As long as the tires have tread and you drive cautiously you could be fine. the c does not like snow, but if you know how to drive and have tires with decent treadlife, you can definitely get around. However, having snow tires is very advantageous and takes some stress off driving in the snow or during a storm. I would not recommend driving in the snow with summer tires on, but if you don't want to spend the money or have some nerve behind the wheel, it can be safely managed. cheers!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,489
Likes: 110
From: WNY
2005 w203 C230
Be safe to you, your family and friends and those of us that share the road - your operator's manual also states to switch over when the season changes to a constant less than 40 degrees...it is not only snow and ice to worry about but the ability for a tire to do its job, M+S tires are designed for this reason.
The w203 has no trouble in Buffalo snow storms with snow tires and NO 4MATIC...
Here is a simple thing I share with family and friends to convince them to get a dedicated set of tires on a set of rims...
To dismount / mount and balance on a common rim…
Have to ask about mounting and balance if purchased from local shop – might have free rotation – or rotation at a discount with purchase.
Approximates-
$15 to mount and balance per tire at local business
4 tires
$60 total
get 3 years out of the tires
$180
2 driving seasons per year
$360
plus time
High Miles-
40,000 – miles for life of tires
16,000 – miles per year???
8,000 – miles per season
40k (life of tire) / 8k (1/2 year on 16,000 miles per year) = 5 changes
$60 x 5 = $300 x 2 = $600
plus time
The w203 has no trouble in Buffalo snow storms with snow tires and NO 4MATIC...
Here is a simple thing I share with family and friends to convince them to get a dedicated set of tires on a set of rims...
To dismount / mount and balance on a common rim…
Have to ask about mounting and balance if purchased from local shop – might have free rotation – or rotation at a discount with purchase.
Approximates-
$15 to mount and balance per tire at local business
4 tires
$60 total
get 3 years out of the tires
$180
2 driving seasons per year
$360
plus time
High Miles-
40,000 – miles for life of tires
16,000 – miles per year???
8,000 – miles per season
40k (life of tire) / 8k (1/2 year on 16,000 miles per year) = 5 changes
$60 x 5 = $300 x 2 = $600
plus time
Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 219
Likes: 1
From: Kansas City, MO
'05 C230K SS
Snow tires are a must as far as I'm concerned (2005 C230 in Midwestern winters). I ran some Pirelli PZeroNero all seasons for a couple years, couldn't get moving if the car was stopped on any sort of incline, and fished around all over the place even when I did get going. Bought some Dunlop Winter Sport 3D's (awesome snow tires IMO) and haven't worried about snow or ice for one minute since. I'd also recommend throwing a sandbag or two in the trunk (or a couple old dumbells you might have laying around).
However, if you're in an area/situation where you can take advantage of public transportation/taxis for the 5-7 days a year where snow/ice is a real issue, then I'd say it might be worth it to just roll with all-seasons. Especially if you're planning on buying a new set of wheels for your winter tires.
However, if you're in an area/situation where you can take advantage of public transportation/taxis for the 5-7 days a year where snow/ice is a real issue, then I'd say it might be worth it to just roll with all-seasons. Especially if you're planning on buying a new set of wheels for your winter tires.
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Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 350
Likes: 38
From: North East
07 TL, 05 350z, 08 MDX
You know, since you brought it up I decided to do some research on the Continental ContiExtremeContact tires that came on my 06 and from all the reviews it seems they actually handle pretty well in the snow. Not sure if your car has the same tires or not. I think I'll see how it does in the first snow storm and then decided if i'll buy snows. Good luck and keep us posted whichever route you decide to go.
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Super Moderator
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,295
Likes: 22
From: VA
THE C350
It would be recommended to get snow tires, but I have used my modified c230 SS in MA winters for 3 years without snow tires and have gotten around pretty well (2 years with stock 17"s and continental sportcontact 2s and last year with my 19" Brabus wheels and Michelin PS2s). it was tricky with the wide Brabus wheels, compared to the stockers, but i could get around if i needed to. As long as the tires have tread and you drive cautiously you could be fine. the c does not like snow, but if you know how to drive and have tires with decent treadlife, you can definitely get around. However, having snow tires is very advantageous and takes some stress off driving in the snow or during a storm. I would not recommend driving in the snow with summer tires on, but if you don't want to spend the money or have some nerve behind the wheel, it can be safely managed. cheers!
Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 167
Likes: 1
From: Denver, CO
2K5 C230K SS 6MT -BLK/BLK
SNOW TIRES are a must. Granted I live in Colorado, but when I attempted to drive my car last winter for the first time on icy roads... it was hell. I was going 35mph on the free way and was feeling my **** end slip out every time I feathered the throttle. This car LOVES to go sideways every chance it gets and for that reason, during my lunch break, the first day of driving on icy roads, I bought dedicated snows. I got some kick **** Nitto studless snows for about $600 and they were champs... night and day difference. If you are going to encounter snow and/or icy roads, get snows, end of story. Just so you can prove it yourself... try driving on frozen roads on your normal tires, when you find it ridiculously scary and ultimately stupid... go buy yourself a set of snows.
One exception to this rule is the 4Matic... that car is a trooper on all-seasons.
One exception to this rule is the 4Matic... that car is a trooper on all-seasons.
