I am so torn between 2 models.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 472
Likes: 110
From: Mansfield, TX
Current :2018 E63S and a 2018 GLE 63S . Prior, CLA 250, C450, 2017 AMG C63S
Congrats on your purchase. I had the same dilemma. My choice came down to 1)it's my daily driver and 2) most importantly, the weather here in Chicago in the winter is not the best for a rear wheel drive car. I learned the hardway when I first moved here. I was repeatedly getting stuck in my rear wheel drive C230 sport, not to mention watching the all wheel drive cars drive past me while I was creeping a long in the slow lane wasn't fun. Since that vehicle, all my cars have been all wheel drive.
The C450/43 was a close as I could get in the C class to the C63.
If I was in a warmer climate, I would have probably made a different choice.
Congrats again!!!
The C450/43 was a close as I could get in the C class to the C63.
If I was in a warmer climate, I would have probably made a different choice.
Congrats again!!!
Member
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 75
Likes: 5
the weather here in Chicago in the winter is not the best for a rear wheel drive car. I learned the hardway when I first moved here. I was repeatedly getting stuck in my rear wheel drive C230 sport, not to mention watching the all wheel drive cars drive past me while I was creeping a long in the slow lane wasn't fun. Since that vehicle, all my cars have been all wheel drive.
I've tried most snows including the euro brands like Gislaved and my recommendation would be:
1 - not dunlop
2 - if you want max traction at the cost of dry performance then go with Nokian Hakkas. They're excellent and come with a 50K mile warranty. I drove an M3 convertible with nokians for years in snow and never got stuck once, but I passed a lot of stuck people!
3 - If you want max dry performance at the cost of some traction then go with Vredestein Wintracs. These are excellent - you won't get stuck, but you will have slip going up steep hills during a heavy snow storm. Overall these are usually my sport pick and they wear like iron. My last pair I drove for 3 seasons and then to California during the summer and then around for months!
If you're going to be driving in snow a lot (vs ice), the skinnier the better. AWD is not needed, just good snow tires.
Last edited by GrussGott; Jul 12, 2016 at 04:12 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,462
Likes: 54
FF. W212 E63 M156 non-pano 18" P2 ParkT NightV (gone but will be missed).
2 - if you want max traction at the cost of dry performance then go with Nokian Hakkas. They're excellent and come with a 50K mile warranty.
Member
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 75
Likes: 5
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 472
Likes: 110
From: Mansfield, TX
Current :2018 E63S and a 2018 GLE 63S . Prior, CLA 250, C450, 2017 AMG C63S
I've tried most snows including the euro brands like Gislaved and my recommendation would be:
1 - not dunlop
2 - if you want max traction at the cost of dry performance then go with Nokian Hakkas. They're excellent and come with a 50K mile warranty. I drove an M3 convertible with nokians for years in snow and never got stuck once, but I passed a lot of stuck people!
3 - If you want max dry performance at the cost of some traction then go with Vredestein Wintracs. These are excellent - you won't get stuck, but you will have slip going up steep hills during a heavy snow storm. Overall these are usually my sport pick and they wear like iron. My last pair I drove for 3 seasons and then to California during the summer and then around for months!
If you're going to be driving in snow a lot (vs ice), the skinnier the better. AWD is not needed, just good snow tires.[/QUOTE]
If I still had that car, I definitely would heed your advice. I am debating putting on winter tires on my factory C450/43 wheels this winter. I'll take your brand recommendation under advisement.
Thanks
1 - not dunlop
2 - if you want max traction at the cost of dry performance then go with Nokian Hakkas. They're excellent and come with a 50K mile warranty. I drove an M3 convertible with nokians for years in snow and never got stuck once, but I passed a lot of stuck people!
3 - If you want max dry performance at the cost of some traction then go with Vredestein Wintracs. These are excellent - you won't get stuck, but you will have slip going up steep hills during a heavy snow storm. Overall these are usually my sport pick and they wear like iron. My last pair I drove for 3 seasons and then to California during the summer and then around for months!
If you're going to be driving in snow a lot (vs ice), the skinnier the better. AWD is not needed, just good snow tires.[/QUOTE]
If I still had that car, I definitely would heed your advice. I am debating putting on winter tires on my factory C450/43 wheels this winter. I'll take your brand recommendation under advisement.
Thanks
Super Member
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 669
Likes: 82
From: Houston
19 E63s
FYI, that's almost purely snow tires - I've had RWD in Minnesota for decades and it's fine as long as you have good snows. I've had Audis too, and they're great for snow racing / ice/lake stuff etc, but if you can't get around with a RWD car with good snows then you shouldn't be out anyway. So the reason you were stuck was you were driving on all-season tires in the winter, which you should never do no matter which wheels are driving.
