C300 in Snow?
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Joined: Jan 2009
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From: Southwest USA
Another round of ICE
With a winter swap to Bllizzak WS70.....outstanding, and that is for rear wheel drive.
If you won't swap for winter tires, you may do OK with Continental DWS in light to moderate snow as an all seasons tire, but I would not suggest trying it unless you absolutely refuse to have winter tires.
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Joined: Jan 2009
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From: Southwest USA
Another round of ICE
The issue is not the car...it's the tires. RWD, with ESP, has performed very well in heavy snow, assuming the proper tires are fitted.
Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 126
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From: Toronto
2019 C43 Coupe
I have the 2011 C300 rear wheel and I found it was fine in the 1 snow storm we've had since I got the car. It handled better than my Maxima. My vehicle came from the factory with the Michelin Pilot MXM4's which IMO are great all season tires. I've heard nothing but bad things about the Conti's in the snow.
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Joined: Apr 2010
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2009 C300 4Matic
I've got a C300 4Matic with the stock wheels and it's handled amazing! I've driven in 7 or 8 minnesota winters and now a couple winters in nebraska, so i've seen some of the worst winter driving out there and i must say, the 4matic is outstanding. I'm sure if i got actual winter tires it would be even better, but at this point i haven't had enough issues to warrant me purchasing them. I agree, though, that tires do make a big difference so if you drive a RWD you would pretty much HAVE to get them for the winters, if you have a 4Matic you could manage without if you've got enough experience with winter driving. Although if you're a wild driver even on wintery roads, then you better get the winter tires even if you have a 4Matic 
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2011 C300
the problem is the rear wheel drive, also the tires but mostly the REAR wheel drive.
I got stuck in the snow so many times with my old 2006 C230 which i sold already(i have a 2011 c300 4matic) , i just parked the damn C230 and went to the supermarket and came out and the thing didnt pull out from the curb, i had to shovel for 20 minutes to get it out with the help of 8 men.
Not only that, when driving in snow when u press the gas most of the time u see the triangle sign come on which means no traction. rear wheel is horrible in snow guys. sure better tires might help but when u only have 2 tires pushing in heavy snow u are in trouble.
4matic with conti has been amazing in the snow storms we had this year here in NY.
I got stuck in the snow so many times with my old 2006 C230 which i sold already(i have a 2011 c300 4matic) , i just parked the damn C230 and went to the supermarket and came out and the thing didnt pull out from the curb, i had to shovel for 20 minutes to get it out with the help of 8 men.
Not only that, when driving in snow when u press the gas most of the time u see the triangle sign come on which means no traction. rear wheel is horrible in snow guys. sure better tires might help but when u only have 2 tires pushing in heavy snow u are in trouble.
4matic with conti has been amazing in the snow storms we had this year here in NY.
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Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 126
Likes: 3
From: Toronto
2019 C43 Coupe
the problem is the rear wheel drive, also the tires but mostly the REAR wheel drive.
I got stuck in the snow so many times with my old 2006 C230 which i sold already(i have a 2011 c300 4matic) , i just parked the damn C230 and went to the supermarket and came out and the thing didnt pull out from the curb, i had to shovel for 20 minutes to get it out with the help of 8 men.
Not only that, when driving in snow when u press the gas most of the time u see the triangle sign come on which means no traction. rear wheel is horrible in snow guys. sure better tires might help but when u only have 2 tires pushing in heavy snow u are in trouble.
4matic with conti has been amazing in the snow storms we had this year here in NY.
I got stuck in the snow so many times with my old 2006 C230 which i sold already(i have a 2011 c300 4matic) , i just parked the damn C230 and went to the supermarket and came out and the thing didnt pull out from the curb, i had to shovel for 20 minutes to get it out with the help of 8 men.
Not only that, when driving in snow when u press the gas most of the time u see the triangle sign come on which means no traction. rear wheel is horrible in snow guys. sure better tires might help but when u only have 2 tires pushing in heavy snow u are in trouble.
4matic with conti has been amazing in the snow storms we had this year here in NY.
Agree to disagree. I've owned a couple rear wheel drive cars and while I do agree that AWD or FWD are easier to manage in snow, when it comes to RWD there's 2 things that matter - 1. Tires 2. Driver
If you have good tires and a good driver in a RWD car, you'll be fine.
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Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 473
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From: PA
2012 E350 4-matic SPORT
i got a 2010 C300 4Matic and i can tell you that it handles so damn amazing. i never got stuck. i even tried to loose control a whole lot of times but the damn smart computer new exactly what to do. I LOVE THE WAY MY BENZO DRIVES IN THE SNOW. It drives like a truck. I can't explain it enough. I live in PA we had a real good amount of show this year and my car was just amazing.
Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 247
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2011 C300
in deep snow? no way a good driver and good winter tires can get u out when you are stuck in snow. i saw benzes, bmws, lexus stuck in the snow storms like crappy cars and some of these cars were 4 wheel drive cars(this is where the good driver part comes in) , a 2 wheel drive car would drown in that snow and have the tires spinning in place and not moving.
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 473
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From: PA
2012 E350 4-matic SPORT
I have the stock conti tires.
Then again I am also a damn good driver too. I had to take a vehicle driving/pursuit, skid course for my job.
Yes the triangle sign would go on alot but i knew what to do to counter act the issues or what not. The only time i got stuck was when after a real bad snow storm the damn plowers burried my car in the snow. i didnt have a shovel available so it took me a few minutes to get out, eventually i got out.
Then again I am also a damn good driver too. I had to take a vehicle driving/pursuit, skid course for my job.
Yes the triangle sign would go on alot but i knew what to do to counter act the issues or what not. The only time i got stuck was when after a real bad snow storm the damn plowers burried my car in the snow. i didnt have a shovel available so it took me a few minutes to get out, eventually i got out.
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From: Gulf Coast but not Florida
GLK350, SL63 AMG
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,113
Likes: 57
From: Southwest USA
Another round of ICE
in deep snow? no way a good driver and good winter tires can get u out when you are stuck in snow. i saw benzes, bmws, lexus stuck in the snow storms like crappy cars and some of these cars were 4 wheel drive cars(this is where the good driver part comes in) , a 2 wheel drive car would drown in that snow and have the tires spinning in place and not moving.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,113
Likes: 57
From: Southwest USA
Another round of ICE
It's really not...they are mounted on their own low cost winter wheels...it's a quick lift and 20 lug nuts. About 15 minutes needed before/after winter. The difference more than makes up for that short time investment.
But, Lamonsas is right that rwd on original equipment Contis should not go out in the snow. Heck, I disliked those tires so much, I didn't want to take them out in the dry!
But, Lamonsas is right that rwd on original equipment Contis should not go out in the snow. Heck, I disliked those tires so much, I didn't want to take them out in the dry!
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Joined: Apr 2010
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2009 c300 sport 4 matic
Well I had Michelin MX4`s on until I hit a pot hole and blew out 2 passenger tires...I bought 4 new...
I thought the Michelins were OK in snow and they handled fine otherwise but they rode like crap....rough ride and a bit loud....So when I replaced I went to Tire Rack and read the tests for Ultra High Performance tires and the Continental Extreme Contact was far superior in breaking and acceleration on snow compared to the other tires so I purchased them....They have transformed the ride of the c300 sport 4Matic Much much smother and quieter and better traction....What a great tire..Oh they were cheaper than the Michelin MX4 also...WIN WIN DEAL FOR ME if I can call it that since I had to buy 4 new tires LOL....Jim
I thought the Michelins were OK in snow and they handled fine otherwise but they rode like crap....rough ride and a bit loud....So when I replaced I went to Tire Rack and read the tests for Ultra High Performance tires and the Continental Extreme Contact was far superior in breaking and acceleration on snow compared to the other tires so I purchased them....They have transformed the ride of the c300 sport 4Matic Much much smother and quieter and better traction....What a great tire..Oh they were cheaper than the Michelin MX4 also...WIN WIN DEAL FOR ME if I can call it that since I had to buy 4 new tires LOL....Jim
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Joined: Aug 2004
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From: MA
'24 Porsche Macan
My '09 4Matic did quite well with the stock Conti's in several light snow storms. However, I will opt for a better all-season tire when it comes time to replace them.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 262
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From: Farm Country/SoCal
w204 - 350 N other white cars
u will be good with good snow tires as sportstick mention. remember to avoid any small highway if there is alot snow. i drive my car in the harshest of winters and notice the C to handle well with adquate snow tires on a RWD, just stay on the main highway if u go anywhere during the snow.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2009
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From: Southwest USA
Another round of ICE
The optimal solution is 215/50-17 with Michelin X-Ice xi3 or Blizzak WS70 (depending on size availability). For winter, narrow as possible is the technically superior approach.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 336
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From: Jersey City NJ
C300
Coming from Audi A4 Quattro in Jersey with all the snow, at first I was skeptical about it because "some say that Quattro is the best in snow". Guess what, I loved it. Never got stuck and when others were staying indoors because of the snow and the parking situation (I have street parking) never let me down. In fact, my front lower bumper took a beating because I was parking anywhere and everywhere without problems. Quattro in the snow feels like a tank, C300 4Matic feels smooth and lovely.
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Joined: Jul 2014
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c300 sport
Just got the car a week ago and it's a lease so I don't really want to purchase 17s so will the 18s with perelli p zero nero be ok? Should I try to get the dealer to put different tires on?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,113
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From: Southwest USA
Another round of ICE
That name is used by Pirelli on both Summer and All-Season. If these were OE tires, I presume they are the all-season variety. However, none of these are capable in the winter. If you live where there is more than an occasional light snow dusting, you will need winter tires. AWD just turns all the tires, but it's the tire which is gaining the traction with the ground (or not). For this reason, even some of us who live in the northern states stick with rwd, but use winter tires. There are no so-called "all season" tires which are truly winter capable....Continental DWS come closest, but even they only claim for "light snow". Therefore, your dealer has nothing to swap for, although he or others will be glad to sell you winter tires.
