lousy handling of 4matic
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From: Bay Shore, NY
2009 C300 4Matic Sport P2/MM/Steel Gray
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GLK 250
mine handles fairly well in the snow with the stock all season tires. In a straight line i've had no issues, definitely gotta slow down on turns though. I've drivin 70mph on snowy highways without any real issues.
Now I can't say I would recommend doing 70mph on the snowy highways ;P
If my car slips, its almost always intentional.
Now I can't say I would recommend doing 70mph on the snowy highways ;P
If my car slips, its almost always intentional.
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2008 C300 Sport 4matic
I have the original Michelin Pilots with 33,000 miles and the car is like a snowmobile! Like others have said, the only time I am sliding is when I try.
Last edited by SCHUTZEE; Jan 20, 2011 at 07:53 AM. Reason: correct tire brand
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From: Delaware
2004 Mazda6, 1993 RX7
These are from a vw 4 matic, but same concept. Pic is front bottom suspension, shows 2 shafts that drive the 2 front wheels.
Real bad alignment can cause snow issues too.
.
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From: Delaware
2004 Mazda6, 1993 RX7
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C300 Sport/Palladium Silver on Black/P2
Do you have your window sticker? It would obviously say 4 MATIC towards the top somewhere, plus be a charge on the list.
Furthermore, if in the summer (dry) you ever put the pedal down quickly from a stop, you should be able to feel if you had the rear tires pushing you, or if it was just a smooth, uneventful getaway from all 4 tires pulling.
I recently drove a 4MATIC GLK that felt very much like my C RWD, EXCEPT, putting the power down away from a stop, there was not that quick punch from the rear wheels, but just the smoothest getaway. Not my thing, but obviously right in the correct situations.
As everyone else says though, different tires in the winter like you have, is the safe thing to do.
Furthermore, if in the summer (dry) you ever put the pedal down quickly from a stop, you should be able to feel if you had the rear tires pushing you, or if it was just a smooth, uneventful getaway from all 4 tires pulling.
I recently drove a 4MATIC GLK that felt very much like my C RWD, EXCEPT, putting the power down away from a stop, there was not that quick punch from the rear wheels, but just the smoothest getaway. Not my thing, but obviously right in the correct situations.
As everyone else says though, different tires in the winter like you have, is the safe thing to do.
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Joined: Oct 2009
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From: Detroit Area
2008 C350 Sport
I have to agree with Sportstick on this one...I have a 2008 C350 and was running 18" with the Mich. Pilot Sports...undriveable with any ammount of snow on the road...1/4" and I was slipping all over the place. Drives home were a white-knuckle, sphincter-tightening experience...I got myself some Blizzaks WS70s from Luke @ tirerack (shameless sponser plug) and it is a night and day difference...The car drives close to my full-time FWD SUV.....Cheap, good looking rims, 17" snow tires, and TMPS...$1300 shipped to my door....40 Mins to put on and off I go.
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From: North Jerzeee
Lexus IS 350 F Sport
In reading and learning a lot about tires and a car's 4matic / awd system I promised myself the next time I look into buying a new car I'll stick with a RWD ride and simply switch out each winter season with snow tires 
I had a Lexus IS 250 AWD and now the W204 4matic but knowing a rwd car with snows is not only comparable but better than I'll go for the larger engines and rwd
I had a Lexus IS 250 AWD and now the W204 4matic but knowing a rwd car with snows is not only comparable but better than I'll go for the larger engines and rwd
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From: Southwest USA
Another round of ICE
In reading and learning a lot about tires and a car's 4matic / awd system I promised myself the next time I look into buying a new car I'll stick with a RWD ride and simply switch out each winter season with snow tires
I had a Lexus IS 250 AWD and now the W204 4matic but knowing a rwd car with snows is not only comparable but better than I'll go for the larger engines and rwd
I had a Lexus IS 250 AWD and now the W204 4matic but knowing a rwd car with snows is not only comparable but better than I'll go for the larger engines and rwd
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From: MA
'24 Porsche Macan
Very impressed with handling in about 4-6" of snow and partially plowed roads today. Going from Andover, MA up 495 and on some back roads, the car remained firmly planted and controllable. I had to goose it a bit (on deserted back road) to get traction control to come on. That's with the stock Conti All-Seasons and it surprised the heck out of me.
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From: CT
2013 BMW 528Xi; 2010 C300 SportW4 - sold; 1964 230SL
Very impressed with handling in about 4-6" of snow and partially plowed roads today. Going from Andover, MA up 495 and on some back roads, the car remained firmly planted and controllable. I had to goose it a bit (on deserted back road) to get traction control to come on. That's with the stock Conti All-Seasons and it surprised the heck out of me.
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From: Toronto
2011 C300 4MATIC
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From: MA
'24 Porsche Macan
Well, I'm not saying I have the optimal setup and I wouldn't want to go up against a properly outfitted C300 with snows (although a RWD with snows would be an interesting competition to me),... but for what I do have and the foul weather we had today, I have to say I felt completely safe. That could be partially due to the fact that I drove like a grandma today and probably kept a football field or so of distance to cars in front.
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From: Montreal
2013 E350 4M, 997 Turbo, MK3 GTI
In over 20 years of driving in the North East and New England I have never owned snow tires. I never saw the point, and continue not to see the point. Wife went to college in VT and drove a 3 series there (without snow tires) - no accidents. There are, as you point out, a number of variables to explain our success...to say your success is directly attributable to you owning snow tires begs the question - would you not be successful without them? I am not trying to argue one point over the other here, I recognize that you may drive your car in harsher weather than us...we typically leave it in the garage when the weather gets nasty and the wife takes the train.
you are much safer in a RWD with winter tires than an AWD with all seasons.
to the OP. You car is a 4 matic and the tires are the problem.
On a second note...my 2011 C300 came from the factory with blutec badges on the fender.
Last edited by Mtl20v; Feb 1, 2011 at 04:35 PM.
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From: Southwest USA
Another round of ICE
Anyone celebrating the ability of OE all season tires to make it through some winter scenarios is still missing the objective point. Harder all season compounds have lower traction on low mu surfaces than softer winter tire compounds. Winter tread patterns have better traction than compromised all season tread patterns. The fact that an OE all season tire can make it through some winter conditions (how wet/dry and deep was the snow, how packed, how level the road, etc?) means it can at least somewhat live up to its billing. The only part of the case which is closed is that physics shows that, even if all season tires can succeed sometimes, winter tires unquestionably are superior. It then becomes a matter of in what conditions does one drive and how prepared does one wish to be. Certiorari denied!
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From: Montreal
2013 E350 4M, 997 Turbo, MK3 GTI
Tires hold you to the road. When its cold, sport/all season tires get hard and act like hockey pucks. They also do not have the correct pattern for grip on snow. Snow tires are the most important thing for your car in the winter. I dont care what others think. Its is being cheap and ignorant and NOT putting safety first. very irresponsible if you live in a snowy area.
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From: MA
'24 Porsche Macan
I would love to put some winter tires on your car so you can see the difference. I sell tires for a living in a province that has mandatory winter tires between dec 15-march 15. The difference is HUGE. You don't know what you missing and sad to say that the only way you will find out may end in tragedy. All the best....
you are much safer in a RWD with winter tires than an AWD with all seasons.
to the OP. You car is a 4 matic and the tires are the problem. It is not a diesel.
On a second note...my 2011 C300 came from the factory with blutec badges on the fender.
you are much safer in a RWD with winter tires than an AWD with all seasons.
to the OP. You car is a 4 matic and the tires are the problem. It is not a diesel.
On a second note...my 2011 C300 came from the factory with blutec badges on the fender.
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From: MA
'24 Porsche Macan
Tires hold you to the road. When its cold, sport/all season tires get hard and act like hockey pucks. They also do not have the correct pattern for grip on snow. Snow tires are the most important thing for your car in the winter. I dont care what others think. Its is being cheap and ignorant and NOT putting safety first. very irresponsible if you live in a snowy area.
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From: Montreal
2013 E350 4M, 997 Turbo, MK3 GTI
I have had Winter tires on several cars I have owned. I know what I am missing and I know the compromises. I trust my ability as a driver with 4Matic and all-season more than some other drivers with snows on their vehicles. It's not all about the tire,... there are other variables. Would my car handle better with snows? No question. Can I operate it safely with all-seasons? Also no question.
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From: MA
'24 Porsche Macan
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From: Montreal
2013 E350 4M, 997 Turbo, MK3 GTI
Do you put the absolute best snow tire money can buy on your car in the Winter? Do you do the same in the Summer with the best high performance tire? If the answer is no, are you very irresponsible or just making some compromises? If the answer is yes, would you mind sharing what rubber you run?
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From: Montreal
2013 E350 4M, 997 Turbo, MK3 GTI
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From: MA
'24 Porsche Macan
OK, so admittedly, you made some compromises. Perhaps it's true that the "tire" handles well, but there's also a matter of how the human behind your wheel performs.
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From: Montreal
2013 E350 4M, 997 Turbo, MK3 GTI
Yes. "Can I operate it safely with all-seasons? Also no question."
Absolutely. but having 2 parts of the equation is greater than just one. Safety first. I'm sure you can afford winter tires. Why not run on them in the winter months?
Absolutely. but having 2 parts of the equation is greater than just one. Safety first. I'm sure you can afford winter tires. Why not run on them in the winter months?
Last edited by Mtl20v; Feb 1, 2011 at 04:53 PM.
