C63S - Suitable for Winters in the North? Honest Opinions
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Newbie
Joined: Apr 2016
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F30 335i xDrive
C63S - Suitable for Winters in the North? Honest Opinions
Hi Guys...
Currently have a f30 xdrive looking to upgrade to (in order of preference) c63s / m3 / rs5...as a daily driver.
Assuming I have a set of dedicated winters, how bad is it with 2-3 inches of accumulation? Is a RWD that much worse compared to an AWD? I've never driven a pure RWD in snow so any honest views / opinions on this preferably through experience would be much appreciated...
I'd hate to decide on the RS5 only to find out that the c63s is just as manageable...
Currently have a f30 xdrive looking to upgrade to (in order of preference) c63s / m3 / rs5...as a daily driver.
Assuming I have a set of dedicated winters, how bad is it with 2-3 inches of accumulation? Is a RWD that much worse compared to an AWD? I've never driven a pure RWD in snow so any honest views / opinions on this preferably through experience would be much appreciated...
I'd hate to decide on the RS5 only to find out that the c63s is just as manageable...
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 537
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From: North NJ
2016 C63S
I actually had the same delemma when I fell in love with this car. I actually started looking at c450 since they are 4matic. I have driven awd all my life(ford,Subaru,jeep,Audi). So getting into a high HP car in the winter was a little nerve racking.
I live in NJ, had a few days of snow right after picking up the car. I put a set of winter tires on and has no issues at all. I had an s4 for 4.5 years with a winter setup and there was really nothing that could stop that car. So depending how north you are an Rs5 may be a more sensible option. Although both cars being so low clearance may be an issue if you are talking blizzards.
I live in NJ, had a few days of snow right after picking up the car. I put a set of winter tires on and has no issues at all. I had an s4 for 4.5 years with a winter setup and there was really nothing that could stop that car. So depending how north you are an Rs5 may be a more sensible option. Although both cars being so low clearance may be an issue if you are talking blizzards.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2013
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'15 T&C & '14 SL63
Where exactly in "the north".
I find the problem with dedicated winter tires is.... wait for it... spring! And fall!
60F one day, 30F and icy the next. So I'd be stuck on crappy *** wallowy winter tires 6 maybe 7 solid months of the year. I'd rather have a winter car, not necessarily a beater, but not a RWD performance car either. That way I can drive the AMG on good tires anytime the roads are dry. Which is about half the time spring and fall.
I find the problem with dedicated winter tires is.... wait for it... spring! And fall!
60F one day, 30F and icy the next. So I'd be stuck on crappy *** wallowy winter tires 6 maybe 7 solid months of the year. I'd rather have a winter car, not necessarily a beater, but not a RWD performance car either. That way I can drive the AMG on good tires anytime the roads are dry. Which is about half the time spring and fall.
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Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 306
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AMG C63S
I live in NY/CT Northeast and there isn't a chance in hell I would drive it in the snow. As it is if I am too aggressive on the gas I can get the tires to spin and the back to slide out. If you make that error in the snow the car is done. I will wait for the snow to be plowed and then drive it. You probably will have 10-15 days in the entire winter that you just can't drive it. When there is actual snow on the roadways. After 1 day that snow is gone and driving isn't an issue.\\
My 2 cents
My 2 cents
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 405
Likes: 72
From: NV
,
Canadian here. I put a set of winter performance tires and drove all winter (even on black ice one time) and had no real difficulty. Winter performance tires even sacrifice some snow capability for improved dry performance, so if you went all out with studded winters, you'd do even better.
Only thing to keep in mind is take it easy on the acceleration, leave plenty of distance with the car ahead, and avoid aggressive turns and lane changing.
Only thing to keep in mind is take it easy on the acceleration, leave plenty of distance with the car ahead, and avoid aggressive turns and lane changing.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 746
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None
Dedicated winter tires are the key. A RWD car isn't going to accelerate as quickly as an AWD car in conditions with poor traction, and you may need to take turns a little more slowly, but otherwise handling would be similar.
For me, I'd never drive anything but AWD in the winter, but it is surely a convenience, not a necessity. With stability control a RWD car will be sufficient.
For me, I'd never drive anything but AWD in the winter, but it is surely a convenience, not a necessity. With stability control a RWD car will be sufficient.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,635
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From: NJ
17 C63 S Coupe
I live down the jersey shore and I mounted a square set up with snows. I did not have any issues this winter. I think the electronic diff helped a lot with sliding around in the snow.
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 616
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From: Canada
2019 911 GTS / 2016 X3 / 2015 E63s / 1993 RX-7
If I didn't have a finished garage floor I would rock the Hakka 8 studded as well.
Driving with winter tires in Edmonton was not an issue at all.
For days with deep snow, have other vehicles to choose from the but the C63 was on the roads 99% of the time this winter.
