Snow tires w/ 4matic??
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.
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.
(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.)
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.



