I've checked other threads for info on this and the info is old or not very relevent, but since winer is rapidly approaching, I was wondering if any other E550 coupe owners plan to drive in the winter? Everyone I know has approached me with "your not going to drive that in the winter are you?". I thought about getting a winter car. Then I thought about how much I would have to spend for something decent and then dealing with another vehicle in my driveway in the winter. I mean...the car was built in Germany and they have their fair share of snow too right? My thinking is as long as I put on a set of snow tires, keep it clean from road salt, I should be good right? I knew getting a RWD card was going to be trouble in the winter, but does anyone have experience with it in the winter time? Are the snow tires worth the investment? Any insight into this would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

 

I would not drive that car in the winter. Our 550 Cab is not going to see a flake of snow as it will sit in the garage if the roads are snowy. Having said that, if you are/need to drive it in the winter I would highly suggest a set of good snow tires which might also mean a different size/set of wheels to go with the tires depending on if snow tires are offered for the wheel size you currently have. With a good set of snow tires you should be fine provided there isn't a foot of snow on the roads. Some driving skills with oversteer would be good too.

 

Sure, why not driving it in the wintertime.
Most cabs in Germany are Mercedes E class, I even drove mine to the Alps to go skiing.

Now I live in MD, drive a '13 SL and will for sure get a set of winter tires.
Even if I don't plan on driving in snow or ice.

The rubber on those winter tires are much softer and work great in temperatures below 40°F.
Makes driving in the cold much saver.

 

I drive my e550 in the winter and have lots of snow where I live without any issues. I went with Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2s. Always had Nokians with RWD cars. Keep traction control on and a good set of winters and this car is a champ in the snow. Drive slower and don't gun it around corners and you won't have any problems.

 

MB Friends, have been driving in rural ski mountain Quebec Canada for years. When I started out mostly RWD cars where available and we used bias plied knobby winter tires and used to get around ok,then the Jimmy, Cherokees Bronco style 4wd got popular and many where driving these, front wheel drive became popular and where deemed better in the snow. Now 40 years ago before budget cuts, roads MAY have been better cleaned in winter than now??
This being said!Have been driving FWD Volvo C 70 cabs for past 8 years and with best snow tires getting along just fine. This last car is due to go back lease finishing up.
Volvo dealer owner also owns Mercedes Benz dealership and wants to keep my business.
A) I will not settle on anything other than a Cabriolet
B) Volvo quit C70 with no replacement model in view
C) Mercedes do not offer 4matic in any of their Cabs
D) no FWD offered either
E) Hard top cabs Offered are 2seaters unpractical for me
F) only choice are E Series Cab
Being offered a E 350 cab , dealer says that with Nokian or similar 1st class
Studded Tire e350 will get me everywhere being 50/50 balanced car.
G) getting a extra winter beater car is out of the question, money, space ,storage upkeep insurance etc.
Europeans living around here are telling me that MBs are made in Germany and they have winter there and seem to have no problems with appropriate tires.
In the olden days had no problems driving RWD in winter, BUT HAVE BEEN DRIVING AWD or FWD vehicles for past 20years, MAY BE RUSTY DRIVING RWD again???
With advance traction control etc on MB, do you think
That I will not regret buying this?
Loads of Audis around but service and garage over one hour away and MB dealer 8 Minutes away ???
Any opinions? Experiences in driving RWD E Series in ice winter snow hills etc.

 

 

This will be the 2nd winter for my 2014 coupe and I have not driven it in Minnesota snow. I've been considering selling or trading it for something more year roundable, but the E550 coupe performance wise is a bargain when you compare it to AMG's and M's. I don't think I can do it.

 

As you are in Minnesota, definitely should get snow tires. I'm in Virginia and my all-season tires on E550 Coupe work fine with our fairly mild winters, even in light snow.

 

Added pics

 

Sorry, wrong I posted in wrong thread.

 

Get a cheap beater car for the winter. Keep the E550 Coupe as you said the performance is a bargain. Pay cash. Put it on the road for 6 months out of the year. If that is not a feasible option then get snow tires. Drive it carefully in C mode. Keep weight in the trunk.

 

I drive my E350 Cab year around. And it does go in Skiing trips in the alps every year. But with RWD it really needs winter tires (and chains in the trunk which I fortunately never needed so far).

 

Realize, older thread. Still...drove E350 and SL500 for a few years during the winter in Germany.. seen many SL's and E class, S class, taxis...just need snow tires... not All Seasons.