tdotjag

First time driving in the snow tonight and the power isn't as easy to control as I thought. Running Pirelli sottozero series II's. Even the slightest throttle resulted in fish tailing. It was pretty icy out, but I thought she would handle better. Might have to upgrade to blizzaks.

Merc63

Or get a winter vehicle lol. 500hp RWD is not winter friendly.

Get studded tires and put some sand bags in the trunk.

Ontario uses so much salt on the roads.. poor car.

gthal

The Sottozero will be great in the dry but iffy in snow/ice. Having said that, even the best tires will have a hard time controlling the torque.

VaclavSV

Thats normal. With more snow its actually easier as the tires have something to bite into. Its the light dusting which is the hardest. Had some fun today remembering how to drive this car in the snow over here in Waterloo too. Getting off the line sucks but once youre going its great in the snow. Youll get used to it and have fun driving. Driving the C63 in the winter made me a much better (more cautious) driver! Have fun getting the feel for it!

tdotjag

Don't get me wrong, she was manageable, and pretty fun to feel my comfort level increase as I got going. I respect the fact how much torque she has, but I can't just let her sit in my garage. This car was made to be driven. I have a truck for bad winter days, but I plan on driving the c63 ALOT this winter.

tdotjag

It also didn't help having dinner (take out) sitting in my lap the whole way home. lol
Can't wait to see how she does when I can keep both hands on the wheel.

CoolBDPhenom03

Grocery hooks in the trunk?

DuaneC63

Get a winter beater.

Fung63

I am running blizzaks ws70. No issues so far

Even Money

Not in snow and ice it wasn't. It may be able to with the right tires, but why risk it? I did two winters in the NW and never again...I had vredestein wintrac extreme but the car simply has too much torque to modulate the throttle and not break the tires loose. Put some more miles on that truck and save 'em for the summer time for the 63.

Roswell

I agree on the winter beater, save yourself the salt/snow damage & save on insurance. But I know you mentioned you have a truck for snowy days, so you're ok.

BTW, why are you having your T/O dinner on your lap while driving? LOL

shades

I actually and surprisingly had no problems with the light dusting with my PA4's. I was very happy to see that these are much better than the PA3's.

gthal

Great to know because the PA3 were horrible. Glad that Michelin got it together with the PA4.

andrew c230k

I have always driven rear wheel drive benz's since I started driving... however the thing that surprises me the the most about the C63 is not the massive torque or horsepower in the winter its the brakes... you have this massive stopping power which is great for racing and in good conditions on slippery icy roads you have to be just as sensitive with the left pedal and the right. I went out yesterday to see what all the fuss was about... I had 100% confidence in the C63 and my abilities but it was nerve racking watching everything around to make sure someone didn't slide into my car...

rage2

Some of you guys are wimps. I bought my C63 a couple of years ago as my winter beater lol. Tons of fun.

noodleman

do you have an LSD? I'm running WS60s and the backend doesn't slide out unless i floor it.

callmiro

Best winter beater i've had....plus the seat heaters are magical

gthal

It's his tires... WS60 are WAY better than the Sottozeros in snow/ice.

tdotjag

I have to agree with you. It was more the brakes that surprised me (very sensitive) and it definitely was scary seeing people around me slide everywhere

tdotjag

$85k car as your winter beater??? lol. Must be nice. I drive an enclave in the bad days and to lug around the kids. I need to rethink my career and find out what you do for a living.
Do you take out the BS in the winter?

Jycke

We've had snow i helsinki now for 2 days. Came around 50cm in one day so we have a pretty nice snow cover. Anyway to the point, i have found that the only way to be able to drive the car reasonably well is to take the ESP off completely, if not that then at least drive in sport mode. Comfort just doesn't work. With ESP off a) you can have fun,and b) you actually get somewhere when applying throttle. This is the third winter now with a C63. First one with the 08 and now second with the 12 and it is a lot of fun. My new lowering may cause some problems however. Might be i'll have to temporarily raise the springs.
And if anyone's considering what tires to buy go with the studded continentals. Multiple test winner and absolutely amazing when it comes to drivability and grip. running 235 front and back with stock 18's

motoman

Road salt on that pretty underbelly . Get ready for an even bigger hit at resale.

shades

Naw, it'll be alright....undercoat and 2 touchless car washes a week and your good to go

shades

Off topic, hey callmiro, where did you get your fog lights? Are they ballist or LED?

rage2

Nope, that's my summer car.

Well said. ESP Sport is the minimum for winter driving in the C63. Too much intervention with ESP on. Winter tires are a must. Studded tires will feel like driving in the rain.

That's always been the myth. I swap cars on an average of once or twice a year, so I've had a lot of experience in the used market. Thing is, selling a car in ANY area with winter roads, salt, etc. and you'll have a lower resale value because it's assumed that it's winter driven. You can plaster your ads with never winter driven, and it won't make a difference, you're not going to get any more money selling a car that gets parked in the winter. If anything, you'll get more money selling a car with an extra set of winter wheels and tires.

Of course, if you don't maintain your car, it's going to look like crap. Wash your car weekly, detail it after winter, and it'll be no different than a car that's not winter driven.