snow performance w/ASR
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Joined: Jun 2007
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snow performance w/ASR
I am interested in a 94/95 E320 with ASR (I live in upstate NY) Currently, I drive a 96 Volvo 850 and run Nokian tires in the winter. It's a great combination, and I have never gotten stuck or found myself in a ditch. I am interested in hearing from people who run dedicated snow tires on their W124s with ASR. I have driven older, rear wheel drive Volvos in the snow, but none of them had any form of traction control. Basically, how well does ASR work? Will I still need to load the trunk with bags of sand? Will I be sliding all over the road? Any stories/anecdotes/haikus are appreciated.
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 550
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From: Virginia
Range Rover Classic
ASR helps. I drove last winter without Winter Tires hitting mostly light snow, four to six inches, shortly after it had fallen. I still got stuck in parking lots but It provided some confidence when I was driving.
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 717
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From: Manassas, VA, USA
2011 VW cc, 2004 ML350
I, like Eliot, have a V8 W124 with ASR. I drove in the same winter here in Northern VA. I had only one problem, and that was getting stuck in my own parking space because the snow froze hard after it fell and we had to bust it up with sledge hammers and put a bunch of sand down so I could get in and out of my spot. Other than that I had no problems commuting from Manassas to Annandale, about twenty miles, throughout the weather we had.
Hey Eliot, does your 420 start in first? Everybody always talks about second gear starts and how to get around it, but my 400E starts in 1st all the time, every time. And with the ASR off, it's a tire shredding MONSTER!!
Hey Eliot, does your 420 start in first? Everybody always talks about second gear starts and how to get around it, but my 400E starts in 1st all the time, every time. And with the ASR off, it's a tire shredding MONSTER!!
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 550
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From: Virginia
Range Rover Classic
Someone leaving at the same time managed to help me out. He had some metal traction plates to slip under the rear wheels.
Hey Eliot, does your 420 start in first? Everybody always talks about second gear starts and how to get around it, but my 400E starts in 1st all the time, every time. And with the ASR off, it's a tire shredding MONSTER!!
Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 243
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From: Toronto/Barrie
1988 300E
I have a 1988 300E with NO ASR, sucks to be me eh...I know !! I live in Snow Country...Canada...on top of that, I got to school in a Snow Belt Region....so yeah...double sucks for me. Can I get ASR installed....or what's your say for me?
Coz last year...WOW, i had like white knuckles everyday. Not fun and I dont feel safe. I ran some cheap winter tires which my buddy got for free....i really dont want to suffer this winter !!
Coz last year...WOW, i had like white knuckles everyday. Not fun and I dont feel safe. I ran some cheap winter tires which my buddy got for free....i really dont want to suffer this winter !!
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 550
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From: Virginia
Range Rover Classic
I've never driven with studded tires but you might want to think about it. As for ASR, it would be cheaper to buy a new car altogether. ASR eliminates a direct throttle, instead the computer intercepts the signal from the throttle and modulates it according to the signals it receives from the rear wheels.
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 717
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From: Manassas, VA, USA
2011 VW cc, 2004 ML350
I made a little jumper that goes between pins 1 and 6 in the diagnostic port. I found that as instructions as to how to dyno the car, and it works very well. I'm going to make a switch setup when I take the dash out to replace my evaporator. Probably going to put it where the factory fader is since I've bypassed the amp. Where in VA are you? We'll have to get together and share M119/W124 experiences and pointers. I'm in Manassas right now, but we'll be moving to Fredericksburg soon.
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Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 243
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From: Toronto/Barrie
1988 300E
I've never driven with studded tires but you might want to think about it. As for ASR, it would be cheaper to buy a new car altogether. ASR eliminates a direct throttle, instead the computer intercepts the signal from the throttle and modulates it according to the signals it receives from the rear wheels.
Yeah I wish I could use studded tires, but they aren't legal in Ontario !! I guess more sliding for me then !!
