Skidding
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
From: Naples, FL
2020 MB E350
Yes, I have been getting horrible traction with my c300 sport since new but mostly just when it rains and going around turns when accelerating in the rain. I don't even kick on it and I spin out with my pirelli cinturato tires. Its crazy!
It doesn't rain down here much though and it might just be the roads having lots of oil on them for that reason but I didn't notice it in any of my other cars when I drove them down here.
It doesn't rain down here much though and it might just be the roads having lots of oil on them for that reason but I didn't notice it in any of my other cars when I drove them down here.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
C Class Coupe C205
I'm talking of loss of traction when I merely step on the gas, and in good weather (hot in fact), plus the power on a c300 is much more than that from the c220d. Traction control kicks in and corrects the car, but it doesn't give confidence to drive or corner.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 337
Likes: 7
From: North San Diego, CA
2015 C300
well the c220d has 20 more tq than the c300. and with the 9sp in the c220d, i bet the first gear is very short in comparison to the 7sp. so maybe the combination of those tires(which im assuming are 225mm wide), the gearing and the torque youd get some spinning tires. or maybe the tires themselves are a bad batch and are way too stiff and you lose a good amount of grip.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 505
Likes: 58
From: Gold Coast, Oz.
C300 S205 AMG, GLA 45 AMG
All these engines are deisgned to make peak torque from the lowest rpm possible.. means a sharp ramp up in torque to reach the target values..
Compared to a normally aspirated engine for example its noticeable.. None of this is new though.. but can be having come from a NA smaller displacement car.. (big V8's of course not so much)..
Combined with tyres which may (worth checking) be over inflated and roads having been dry for some time then wet are a great recipe for some fun..
I also find it easy to chirp the tyres in the wet (more so since the ECU mod) low profile 19 inch runflats and hard AMG suspension also gives lees grip in the wet.. In the dry though its very planted and can be loaded up considerably..
Compared to a normally aspirated engine for example its noticeable.. None of this is new though.. but can be having come from a NA smaller displacement car.. (big V8's of course not so much)..
Combined with tyres which may (worth checking) be over inflated and roads having been dry for some time then wet are a great recipe for some fun..
I also find it easy to chirp the tyres in the wet (more so since the ECU mod) low profile 19 inch runflats and hard AMG suspension also gives lees grip in the wet.. In the dry though its very planted and can be loaded up considerably..
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 789
Likes: 47
From: Eastern Massachusetts
2021 E450, 2020 C43, 2015 C300, 2007 C280
Well-balanced, no skidding
In New England, almost all Mercedes (except AMG models) are sold with all-wheel drive. I have had no difficulties at all with my Pirelli run-flats and all-wheel drive. Yes, I do floor my C300 occasionally. Many of the roads I drive on are narrow lanes. They are winding and have many short, medium-steep hills. I have not slid at all. (One reason for this, I believe is that the car is well-balanced on curves, whether power-on or power-off. No front-end plowing or wagging the rear-end.)
Member
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 165
Likes: 18
From: Melbourne, VIC, Australia
X253 GLC 43 (AU), X294 EQE 500 SUV (MY)
I'm on Continental ContiSportContacts on my C300 in Malaysia (with the 19" AMG multispoke wheels), and so far I haven't experienced any wheelspins or traction loss yet, but that's probably because I haven't pushed the tacho past the 4000 rpm mark (due to the first 1500km break-in period).
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It takes a couple miles to wear in tires past their initial coating and to the grippy rubber.
I would imagine, depending on miles on those tires, that grip will increase when you get some more wear on them.
I would imagine, depending on miles on those tires, that grip will increase when you get some more wear on them.
Last edited by alexasa; Jun 30, 2016 at 08:09 AM.
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Super Member
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 505
Likes: 58
From: Gold Coast, Oz.
C300 S205 AMG, GLA 45 AMG
Once again, it sounds as if at least some of you are paying a high price for the sporty appearance of oversize wheels and low-profile tires. Shadwell, you have a ton of AMG power and two-wheel drive, so I'm not surprised you have some traction problems. But at least you are getting true sports car performance. You others may be discovering that run-flat low-profile tires give lower cornering and traction performance than tires with full-height sidewalls. I had not expected this. I thought you people at least got higher performance for your harder ride. Perhaps the stiff sidewalls of runflats need that additional height to be flexible enough to follow the road. Also, it is not clear which of you have all-wheel drive.
In New England, almost all Mercedes (except AMG models) are sold with all-wheel drive. I have had no difficulties at all with my Pirelli run-flats and all-wheel drive. Yes, I do floor my C300 occasionally. Many of the roads I drive on are narrow lanes. They are winding and have many short, medium-steep hills. I have not slid at all. (One reason for this, I believe is that the car is well-balanced on curves, whether power-on or power-off. No front-end plowing or wagging the rear-end.)
In New England, almost all Mercedes (except AMG models) are sold with all-wheel drive. I have had no difficulties at all with my Pirelli run-flats and all-wheel drive. Yes, I do floor my C300 occasionally. Many of the roads I drive on are narrow lanes. They are winding and have many short, medium-steep hills. I have not slid at all. (One reason for this, I believe is that the car is well-balanced on curves, whether power-on or power-off. No front-end plowing or wagging the rear-end.)
I don't have a lack of traction PROBLEM... I have the choice to maintain traction or not... It's great.... It's called driving and it's why I chose Rear wheel drive over all wheel drive.... A nicer driving experience IMO...
Nor do I have an issue with my 19's or my sports suspension.. That's why I specced them and bought them... Now if I smack one into a pot hole then I'll have a problem 😂... Just need to pay attention...
I want to be able to adjust the car on the throttle when the road and situation is right..
Keep in mind I live in the Gold Coast in Australia and it's permanently summer here so all wheel drive benefits are hard to realise... If I lived in Wales (gods own country) I'd likely have an all wheel drive AMG instead... Cos rallying is the best fun...
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 789
Likes: 47
From: Eastern Massachusetts
2021 E450, 2020 C43, 2015 C300, 2007 C280
Tire break-in
This factor alone may explain some of the complaints here.
Yeah, I had initially had it written in as ~500.
But, did not want to portray the information as fact, as I am not as experienced with the subject matter as I'd like to be.
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 789
Likes: 47
From: Eastern Massachusetts
2021 E450, 2020 C43, 2015 C300, 2007 C280
Cool your jets!
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 20
Likes: 2
2016 c300
I traded in my 2014 c250 for a 2016 c300, both sport package, and I'm glad I'm not the only one that noticed the lack of traction. I've had the 300 for literally 4 days now and on the second day it completely spun out.. I really want to know what the issue is, considering that the 300 has pirelli's and is only 10mm thinner in the rear.
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 789
Likes: 47
From: Eastern Massachusetts
2021 E450, 2020 C43, 2015 C300, 2007 C280
Initial poor tire performance
I, too, originally wrote "as much as 500 miles." I made it less specific for the same reasons you did. For the information of others, I am sure that I read "up to 500 miles." (It may vary from one brand to another.) So all you boy racers who can't wait to try out your new luxury hot rod on your favorite canyon road, cool your jets! You're going to have to wait.
However, the possibility remains that you are right, that low-profile, MOE (Mercedes-Benz Original Extended Tires) are designed for sporty appearance, not sporty performance. So far, no one has reported that he had problems initially, but after a few hundred miles, performance improved.
P.S. GSB313's comment is exactly kind of the report which I had noted the absence of. I did not see his comment before I posted my comment. vbmenu_register("postmenu_6848748", true);
Last edited by gfmohn; Jul 2, 2016 at 11:45 AM. Reason: Respond to additional comment
