Winter vs. CLK
 

So, we've had a pretty rough winter in New England this year and my CLK has been taking an absolute beating.

In the last two weeks alone:
- 4" scratch on rear decklid, from snow removal
- 1" rash on passenger rear wheel, hit a curb on a narrow turn (because of snow)
- 1/2" rash + nicks on passenger front wheel, pothole
- fairly good windshield chip right in my line of vision, highway driving
- backed up into gutter in front of my house, scratches on rear bumper
- every time I park my car near a snow bank, I always open my door and hit the snow...no realized damage yet
- not to mention all of the damage the road salt does to our paint

Anyone else experiencing a terrible winter?

yeah tell me about it. In NJ had my car stuck 3 times so far had to call some friends to help me out. I've hit the back of the car in some snow it was like a whip lash motion from giving some gas on a slab of ice road. I bought AutoSocks for the rear wheels and it helped me control the car more. Havnt gotten the car stuck since i put them on. Worth the $70

Sorry to hear that. This winter has been brutal. The potholes around here are enormous. Luckily I have another car and could keep the CLk in the garage. I have barely driven it this winter. Even with my jeep, it has been a PITA.

Same here man. This winter has been terrible on my car as well.
I am doing a full wax glaze and all that good stuff in spring or whenever the snow melts down. The sun hit my paint once and i saw so many swirls marks that it make me say OUCH out loud.
I am seriously thinking to buy a beater this summer i feel so bad driving the CLK on slush and salt.

NEW ENGLAND SUX period

i heard great stuff about them but never pulled the trigger to buy them...
Where did you purchase them for that price?

Also you only out them on when you actually get stuck or you keep them while driving the whole time?

Sorry to hear that Kev. I really like your car! The winter in Sweden has been the worst in 20-30 years. Now that the snow is gone the roads are f**ked up. Big pot holes everywhere that will f**k your suspensions and tires.

I don't drive the CLK in the winter because of the likelihood of experience same problem as you but mostely because of the salt and all cold starts.

It's been harsh here in Dallas last few days, the worst ice/snow storm here in 15 yrs.
Luckily, I have and old dd A4 with quattro drive, yeah me, been out and about with no problem at all. AND, my CLK has been under the cover in the garage all warm and cozy.

I feel you your guys who have to drive the CLK in the winter. At least we have spring to look forward to clean up and details.

The autosock is good. I got 2 for $70 at amazon.com new. I'll send u the link when I get home. And I keep them on only when theirs a layer of ice or snow. Never on clean roads. Because it's pretty much a huge sock literally lol so it can rip. I see this thing lasting for 2 winters

I have a Rx350 awd that **** piles through everything lol. But when my mother goes to work I give it to her I don't want her driving her van so I end up with Clk lol

My CLK has been hanging out in the garage since late November. I have a GMC Yukon and its been needed here in central Ohio. The bad thing is this house does not have a heated garage like my old house so its too damn cold to mod the car during the winter. Got my LED tail lights, but they are sitting in the box in the foyer. I would never drive the CLK in snow as the traction control makes it too hard to control in my opinion. Plus it ruins the paint...

Omg,i fell sorry to hears about it!with the MB,they re really suck in the winter!if snow is more than 5 inch,forget to drive them,because they spin like hell!!

Chicago also got slammed with snow, blizzards, ice, you name it. I usually daily drive the CLK but it's been sitting in the garage now for almost 1.5-2 weeks.

Winshield replaced a few weeks ago after a rock cracked it on the highway. Various nicks and scraps on all four wheels. I'm guessing I'll have some bent wheel problems from potholes, by the time spring rolls around. And last but not least, had a large deer run out and bounce off my passenger door last week, while commuting to work. Luckily, there was no damage. I wonder if I'd be saying that had I been driving the wife's Honda???

A deer hit you and caused no damage, you are one lucky guy!

Found another scratch, about 4-5" long on my rear lip spoiler, ice removal again FTL.

my car is under 2 much salt for me to see any scratches hahaha we will see when it gets warm and i give my baby a fresh detail .

Damn, that sucks.

I did a quick detail this morning with some Finish Kare #425. Car shines like nobody's business.

thx for inviting me to your NEW GARAGE! a hole :rolf:

#425 is great indeed! Thanks to Rash for recommending it.
Do you use the "sex" method too like he does Dyno?

Nah dyno used RAPE method =D

lol, I will soon. I have a huge hot water pipe running overhead that keeps the garage semi-warm.


I did on one of the fenders, but didn't have too much time to do the whole car.

I just looked up that 425 stuff, looks pretty slick. Something like that would be fantastic in Dubai with all the sand and dust, I'll have to do some hunting around for it when I get back this weekend.

It's definitely worth it. This was after using it this morning.

http://i852.photobucket.com/albums/a...5/IMAG0117.jpg

Yummm look at that shine! How are you with swirl marks! From the pic looks like u just got an intense detail

Well, paid $6 today for the worst touchless car wash of my life. I kept looking around nervously because the machine looked so old that it looked like it was going to break off and hit my car. To make matters worse, the pipes for the shampoo must have been frozen because I sat there for like 45 seconds watching the machine go round and round and not spraying anything...and there was no drying mechanism at all, so I had to drive upwards of 100+ mph to try and get all the water off before it froze in the 20 degree weather.

Needless to say, the car was still filthy when all was said and done, but at least some of the salt washed off...I suppose.