E-Class (W210) 1995-2002: E 200, E 220D, E 240, E 290TD, E 300TD, E 200, E 240, E 280, E 320, E 420, E 430 (Wagon, Touring, 4Matic)

Snow tires w/ 4matic??

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Old Nov 28, 2001 | 06:54 PM
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Chuck's Avatar
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From: Massachusetts
Mercedes-Benz 2006 ML350 , '04 VW R32
Snow tires w/ 4matic??

I live in the Boston area and am in the market to replace my '97 C280. I've never gotten "stuck" with snow tiers on the rear of the c280 and its ASR works well to control slippage.

The 4Matic option on the E-class is appealing if I can avoid the snow tires and run all season radials all year round. Otherwise , is it really worth the $ and additional weight (resulting in lower mpg and 0-60 itmes)?

For those of you who live in snow areas, do you put snow tires on your 4Matic equipped E class? I'd appreciate hearing your comments.
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Old Nov 28, 2001 | 11:41 PM
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From: Philadelphia area
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Had my 01 E320 4 matic thru last winter. Never needed snow tires in the least. Tires that came with the car were fine and we have similar weather to Boston. Sure was a lot better than the BMW it replaced. Even with traction control we left it home when it snowed.
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Old Nov 29, 2001 | 01:13 AM
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If you've never gotten stuck in a rear-wheel-drive C280 with snow tires and ASR, why would you want 4MATIC instead? Try a regular E320 or E430 with snow tires, it should work just as well as your C-class, if not better because the ESP is more advanced than ASR was.
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Old Nov 29, 2001 | 06:08 AM
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Originally posted by mbtech208
If you've never gotten stuck in a rear-wheel-drive C280 with snow tires and ASR, why would you want 4MATIC instead? Try a regular E320 or E430 with snow tires, it should work just as well as your C-class, if not better because the ESP is more advanced than ASR was.
If you've gone through the twice a year hassle of swapping tires, you'd appreciate the appeal of avoiding that seasonal ritual. Hence the appeal of 4Matic with all season tires all year 'round. (
(I know from experience despite what the tire manufacturers may claim that all season tires don't cut it on a rear wheel drive only car.)
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Old Nov 29, 2001 | 10:30 PM
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mischief

I have a 2000 E430 4Matic. I had no choice but to buy winter tires as mine came with Z rated performance tires. I purchased a set of michelin pilot alpins. I'm very happy with my investment and have had absolutely no problems in the snow and ice here in Calgary. Buy an extra set of rims for your snow tires and it is really easy to swap them. Takes only half an hour or so.
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Old Dec 21, 2001 | 01:27 AM
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From: Bucks Co., PA
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Sorry, getting in a little late here (just joined the forums a day or two ago).

I used to drive a 1990 300E 4MATIC, and currently drive a 2000 VW Passat 4MOTION. In both cases, I had/have all-season tires on them, and they handled great in snow. Granted, it wasn't like I had to get through two feet of unplowed snow (NYC is pretty good about plowing streets), but I could definitely get through about a foot or so of the white stuff. I'd advise against using just all-season tires if where you live doesn't plow regularly or well.

The summer performance tires on my mom's car is so new (only about 4,500 miles, and that's since July) that I plan on just leaving them on for this winter, and then possibly replacing them next year with all-season tires. Not the best compromise, but we have no storage space in NYC apartments...

EDIT: just re-read your original post -- Boston should be fine (I went to college there), they're also pretty good about plowing roads.

Last edited by AJChenMPH; Dec 21, 2001 at 01:29 AM.
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