girlwithaspirin

Last month, I bought some snow tires/rims from Tire Rack and had them sent to an installer. But I've been procrastinating on going over there. We haven't had much of a winter here in Chicago, and my coupe's done just fine in the "snow" so far.

Well, we got a foot of it over the last two days, and my car has become an embarrassment. This morning, I got stuck twice on roads other cars -- including my husband's Mini Cooper -- were flying over. Both times, it took two guys at least 15 minutes to get me going. And once I finally did, I had no choice but to float through every last stop sign before the x-way. I tried with and without ESP, and without definitely seemed better for getting unstuck.

Suffice it to say, I'll be getting those snow tires this afternoon. I may also put a few hundred cinder blocks in the back for extra weight. What else can I get for the next time this happens?

girlwithaspirin

Heh. Perhaps I should've titled this "I got overconfident about the snow."

JohnCL

I feel your pain!! I do want to know how you are going to put a "Few hundred cinder blocks" in your car. J/K....Good luck with the new tires. You must be getting the weather that we just had in KC.

hobie

"Both times, it took two guys at least 15 minutes to get me going."


I guess the cold can be a little numbing. Try schnaaps, to chase the aspirin.

tommy

You could try putting your snow tires on before the snow hits.

Really, that should be enough.

SilverSL500

I got a '93 Ford Explorer

Good post. Thanks for the chuckle

IL230K

Yep I know how you feel, I went through the same thing when Chicago got it's first snow fall week of Thanksgiving. It took me about an hour to drive 5 miles to the house. Shortly after that, I made it a point to pick up a set of winter tires. I actually didn't get them installed until the temps hit below 40 degrees, didn't want to prematurely wear them down. I ended up getting a staggered set of Yokohama Ice Guards put onto my stock rims. I figure I'm going to get a set up 19" in the spring, might as well use the rims I have now. I kept the summer tires just in case.

For anyone in the snow regions of the U.S., snow tires make a "HUGE" difference, it's like night and day. My previous car to the C230K was a Nissan Pathfinder so I took it for granted the MB wouldn't be as bad, guess I forgot how a sports car (sedan) drives in the winter.

FYI, believe it or not, I also own a Hummer H2 that will actually sit in the garage this winter. Call it crazy but with the number of miles I drive to work, it's not a good daily driver. I figure at the best 11 miles per gallon, avg about 9 miles per gallon. I'd never get rid of it, it's my family vacation vehicle.

Good luck in your winter driving.

dmatre

Stay away from cinder blocks in the trunk. In a serious accident, they can do some real damage.

It would be better to carry two 50-lb bags of sand or Ice-Melt. They will weigh down the back of the car, they are softer (less hazardous in an accident), and if you need to, you can spread some sand/Ice Melt on the road in front of your car if you get stuck in an icy situation.

(PS: The snow tires do help trememdously. The summer tires are really worthless in more than 1/4" of the white stuff)

x-tian-230k

snow tires are night and day to the slicks you have on your coupe. Have them installed and you will not worry about snow!

nukblazi

That'll ne more than enough. Last winter I was passing stuck 4x4s on hills using my blizzak LM22s

girlwithaspirin

Hobie, I'll keep some peppermint schnapps in my glovebox.

Well, I'm back with my new winter tires, Dunlop WinterSport M3s. You guys are right... what a HUGE difference. I got back all the confidence I lost today. Seriously, after I got stuck yet again -- this time in my parking lot at work -- I was thinking, "I'm going to have to sell this car. It's completely undriveable!" I had no idea tires could make such a difference. I only wish I hadn't gotten such ugly 16" rims. I ordered through Tire Rack, and I hastily chose some Borbets. They're pretty heinous.

After my C7s are dead, I'll probably trade those out for some high-performance all-seasons. I'd hate to be caught by a surprise snow in the future.

ML55CLA45

my c sucks *** in the snow/ice.... that w/s crap really doesnt help that much either IMO.... my e320 w124 is going to be my winter driver.. alot less technology and ive somewhat kinda fallen back in love with it.... probably because i put remote start and keyless last week .... so its my old/new toy!!! remote start is freaking awesome!!!

but anyway... as stated before- non 4 matic c class in snow/ice.... suuuckks!!

vadim

Put winter tires on. My RWD coupe has no problem going around in winter - I can't imagine a 4-matic being any worse.

tyro

[QUOTE=hobie]"Both times, it took two guys at least 15 minutes to get me going."
You must have quite an appetite for men. Give me a call!

girlwithaspirin

Okay, tyro... next time I'm stuck and feeling frigid, I'll give you a call.

amdeutsch

Pics or Vid would be great!





































Of an MB stuck in snow that is.

Outland

You didn't listen to us the first time. Tsk! Tsk!

Thought we were kidding, did ya now...The problem is the original TIRES. They are high performance tires that have NO siping, no self cleaning treadblocks, and compound that gets very slippery in the cold.

I'm just north of you...we got over 8inches here. No, I'm not making a pun regarding your misadventures in posting. I came home in the Coupe last night- no problems, but this morning I took my Jeep- I love not caring what happens to it, or what I drive through!

Haha! Get those tires on now!

girlwithaspirin

They're on, and I couldn't be happier. I'm actually glad I procrastinated. Now I know just how bad the originals are... otherwise, I might've questioned if it's worth changing 'em twice a year.

As for pics or a video, now why would you wanna see my car stuck in the snow?

millswfu

I'm stuck in St. Charles IL right now. Corporate training at the Q center. Anyways, a few of us are heading into chicago tomorrow and don't know where to go. Any suggestions for steak houses and places to visit would be appreciated. We are taking the train into North western station at the intersection of washington and canal st tom around 3. Thanks.

Outland

The observation deck on the John Han**** tower is pretty impressive. Ive got a son now, and another on the way, so we don't get into the city much the last couple of years.

millswfu

I went to the lounge in the han**** tower tonight and the view was incredible. We toured the art institute and ate dinner at the palm. Chicago is an awesome city but the ice falling off the roofs is a little scary. Outside of the palm was a g500 an s55 and a new clk 55. Today was a good day.