How many people here drive there W210 in the winter time?
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MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: NY & FL
MB’s of all kinds.
How many people here drive there W210 in the winter time?
I just put mine away for the winter and broke out the good ole GMC SUV. How does the W210 handle in the snow? Just wondering. Anyone here have any rust issues?
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Joined: Apr 2006
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From: Long Island, NY
01 E320
Your GMC SUV is definitely a better option. It largely depends on the tires that you have and if you have a 4matic. Snow tires or good all season tire help a lot. In the snow, the rear wheel drive W210 with performance tires is not the worst thing you can drive, but pretty close. The traction control and ABS do the best that they can, but if leaving the W210 in the garage during a storm is an option, do it.
There are discussions of rust issues with w210s. I have a 2001 thats been on Long Island near the ocean it's entire life and has seen winters. No rust.
There are discussions of rust issues with w210s. I have a 2001 thats been on Long Island near the ocean it's entire life and has seen winters. No rust.
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Joined: Sep 2008
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From: Chicago
2002 E430 4MATIC
Daily drivers rain or shine.
Our '97 E420 was horrid in the snow...even with Blizaaks. Down right scary in any kind of snow or slush. It was like driving one of those metal saucers. Rust put it out to pasture...sold it for $3,000 18 months ago.
Our '02 E430 4Matic is a snow eating machine with just the Conti Extreem Contact A/S tires.
We use the X5 if it gets really nasty but the 4Matic handles 90% of what the midwest can dish out.
Our '02 E430 4Matic is a snow eating machine with just the Conti Extreem Contact A/S tires.
We use the X5 if it gets really nasty but the 4Matic handles 90% of what the midwest can dish out.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 273
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From: Lincoln, NE
2002 Mercedes Benz E320
I was just at the gym earlier tonight. The car did pretty good in the snow, to my surprise. I weighed the back down with some weights from my home gym. The front has Blizzak's and the back has some Bridgestone all-seasons. Should I switch those two around?
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 293
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From: Chicago
2002 E430 4MATIC
I would. Better yet.... buy two more Biszzaks.
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300E a couple 1994 w124wagon E320 Wagon/,1971MGB Track/Rally, MG Midget Autocross ,2000 E320 wagon.
Goodrich
winter slaloms on both wagons and my youngest girls 300E.
They stay soft in cold weather and it is dropping into the teens tonight north of Seattle and that is rare.Why have a Mercedes if you don't drive it
They stay soft in cold weather and it is dropping into the teens tonight north of Seattle and that is rare.Why have a Mercedes if you don't drive it
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MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Blasting off!
CLS63 Designo Edition, Hyundai Genesis 3.8 , Veloster Turbo, CLS500(Sold), E320 (SMOKED) R500 (Sold)
I drive my E320 all year around. I have Michelin Exalto A/S on her, and GA does not get "harsh" wiinters, but hey...
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Joined: Aug 2009
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From: Canton, OH
2014 Audi Q7 SUV
It's My Work Truck
On my '02 E320 4-Matic wagon I annually switch out the wheels/tires to Blizzaks and head through nasty slush and snow to the local ski resorts. Had an '04 Caddy SRX AWD I dumped (lousy workmanship/quality/cheap design issues throughout) for the used E320 that does great in snow and pulls a utility trailer for rental property maintenance/renovation chores nearly every week the rest of the year. It spends much time in the lot at Home Depot and does the job hauling stuff like concrete, pipe and 8 ft studs. Yes, I did some paint work this year - had my refinshing shop repaint the rusty window trims, and the undersides of the front fenders that were starting to show rust at the edges of the lips and connecting points. I do watch the rust issue carefully as I plan to get another 100K out of the car. I own a dozen M-B's from 1958 and later and am looking forward to a newer one with galvanized steel body parts ('04 and newer). But I need to finish the restoration of the classic ones first . . .
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Joined: Jun 2008
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From: COSTA MESA
99' E320 4MATIC ESTATE / 92' 190E 2.6
Just drove my 4matic wagon into big bear today. I think the car handled great. I saw 4wd jeeps and lifted 2wd trucks all over the roads. I would stop behind them on steep inclines as even the 4x4 vehicles would just spin all four tires. In "w" mode I would just roll out and around the other vehicles. It was great. 
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Joined: Dec 2006
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From: NY
2005 CL55 AMG, 2004 S430 4matic, 1988 560SL, PRIOR: 2000 E430 4matic, 1994 E320 Coupe, 1999 C43 AMG
I have a 2000 E320 4matic and 2000 E430 4matic. No problems in snow with either one of them. I run Michelin all seasons on the E320 and since I'm on the road a lot I go to performance snows on the E430. Personally I love the Vredestein Wintrac Xtremes, they eat snow up.
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Joined: Jul 2009
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From: Cupertino, CA
2003 e320 wagon (210 chassis NOT a 211))
Only in the teens?
I drive my e320 year round... but here in Los Angeles we don't get snow!
Given the big dump o' snow up at Big Bear Monday and more coming this weekend, I'm a little bummed I didn't end up finding a decent 4matic. We're planning on taking the kids up to play in the white stuff, and we'll probably have to drive the Landcruiser (1995) which I hate (mostly because I'm uncomfortable in it, but also because it handles about as well as ... hmmm... need a snappy metaphor for "really crappy handling vehicle".
Maybe I'll suck it up and buy some cable/chains for the e320 wagon... hmm... I hate putting on chains though.
Edit: oh, I'm running brand-new Michelin Primacy mxv4's all around.
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From: Atlanta
2002 G500, 2007 CLS 550, 2018 GLC 300
I drove my 97 e420 in heavy snow and ice every winter when I lived in Wisconsin. Every fall the AMG monoblocks came off, replaced with a set of blizzaks mounted on the standard 16" alloys. I drove it for 4 winters and never had any problem with stability or traction. I could out-accelerate my wife on glare ice from a stop in her large all-wheel-drive SUV fitted with dedicated snow tires. I don't know how many Hummers and Jeep Cherokees I have passed on snow covered roads, only to look back and see them fishtailing, trying to catch up. I also drove my 91 SL500 in the winter on Michelin Artic Alpins with the hardtop fitted. The SL was even better in snow and ice than the e, the lower center of gravity and higher curb weight made it a tank. When I moved to Georgia a few years ago, it was great fun to sell all of the winter sets of wheels for good.
Last edited by foreyes; Dec 13, 2009 at 03:11 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 293
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From: Chicago
2002 E430 4MATIC
I drove my 97 e420 in heavy snow and ice every winter when I lived in Wisconsin.............. I could out-accelerate my wife on glare ice from a stop in her Land Rover LR3 fitted with dedicated snow tires. I don't know how many Hummers and Jeep Cherokees I have passed on snow covered roads, only to look back and see them fishtailing, trying to catch up. .............The SL was even better in snow and ice than the e............When I moved to Georgia a few years ago, it was great fun to sell all of the winter sets of wheels for good.
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 115
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German
With snow my 97 wasn't so bad, but the black ice got me on a sunny morning last year. I turned into a shadowed turn lane and fishtailed into a gaurd rail trying to avoid hitting the van on the other side of me. Still having on my summer tires didnt help. This winter its back to stock wheels with siped all seasons for winter on the 210 and studless snow tires on the 126.
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Joined: Jun 2009
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From: Stratford, CT
2001 E320 4matic sedan
First snow
the other day, and still snowing when I took the 4matic for a pre-dawn spin 
. With four new Michelin Primacy MXV4 all-season tires there was no apparent slipping while going through three inches of newly fallen snow on our hill. On the more heavily traveled main road I could feel some squirminess where the tracks in the snow had partially frozen into lumpy ridges. The traction-control light flickered on a few times. Upon testing the brakes, the ABS kicked in, not entirely unobtrusively. I wonder how the car will behave in a foot of new snow, something our Subaru Outback wagon handles with aplomb. Of course, the tires are not right for the job. The prospect of hitting ice has me wondering if I should have bought Michelin X-Ice Xi2 tires. Anyway, when the snow cleared, it was off to the car wash to get the undercarriage sprayed.
. With four new Michelin Primacy MXV4 all-season tires there was no apparent slipping while going through three inches of newly fallen snow on our hill. On the more heavily traveled main road I could feel some squirminess where the tracks in the snow had partially frozen into lumpy ridges. The traction-control light flickered on a few times. Upon testing the brakes, the ABS kicked in, not entirely unobtrusively. I wonder how the car will behave in a foot of new snow, something our Subaru Outback wagon handles with aplomb. Of course, the tires are not right for the job. The prospect of hitting ice has me wondering if I should have bought Michelin X-Ice Xi2 tires. Anyway, when the snow cleared, it was off to the car wash to get the undercarriage sprayed.
Last edited by anabase; Dec 16, 2009 at 04:29 PM.
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: Bay Area California
'94 BMW 325is
With snow my 97 wasn't so bad, but the black ice got me on a sunny morning last year. I turned into a shadowed turn lane and fishtailed into a gaurd rail trying to avoid hitting the van on the other side of me. Still having on my summer tires didnt help. This winter its back to stock wheels with siped all seasons for winter on the 210 and studless snow tires on the 126.
We bought our 210 in winter
. The tires are beyond ****ed tho, so we need to replace them ASAP. The car handles nicely in the rain 
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 379
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From: middle o' ma
15 AMG S63 4-matic coupe
I ran the michelin alpin pa-2's for a couple of winters on the W210 and it was just stellar in the white stuff.
I've got the PS-2's on right now and, eh not so good. The 4-matic gives it plenty-o-go but braking is just not there.
Time to mount up another set of rims.
I've got the PS-2's on right now and, eh not so good. The 4-matic gives it plenty-o-go but braking is just not there.
Time to mount up another set of rims.
Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 193
Likes: 11
From: Bedford, MA
2013 S350, 2021 GLS450, 2003 SLK32
I'm using our W210 DT all year round and for the winter I mount a set of Michelin Pilot Alpin PA3 snow tires. No problems so far in the snow. Seems to handle better than my Golf with Nokian R's
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,219
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From: MD
w210 AMG or S213
I have a steep driveway so the benz stays in the garage when it snows and I just drive my 93 altima.
When I have driven the benz in snow it did very well. Only saw the yellow triangle a few times driving on un-plowed roads.
When I have driven the benz in snow it did very well. Only saw the yellow triangle a few times driving on un-plowed roads.
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Joined: Dec 2009
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Mercedes Benz E230
Oooops
Had 2 accidents in 3 days with my w210 E230
The first time I slided off the road, lots of ice on the road(First picture).
The second time it was snow, managed to slide into the safty fence.
Have disassemble the destroyed parts, fixed the dent. The front fender will be temporarily fixed until the spring comes.
The first time I slided off the road, lots of ice on the road(First picture).
The second time it was snow, managed to slide into the safty fence.
Have disassemble the destroyed parts, fixed the dent. The front fender will be temporarily fixed until the spring comes.
