i am thinking about a e350 but i dont know if i should get the 4matic or just regular one. so, i am wondiering if anyone here ever drove their e320 in snow conditions before and how did it handle?

 

My E320 does okay in snow. It doesn't spin out as much but it doesn't handle well. It also depends on the conditions, meaning like how bad the roads are, etc. My neighborhood, they clean it up very well as well as the major road (route 1) but other like side streets, the E didn't handle well...

 

Without good snow tires ( I like Bridgestone Blizzaks, they are good and quiet) no rear wheel car will do well with the OEM tires. If you have real issues with snow get the 4 matic. With snow tires and 4 matic, you will be delivering coffee to the snow plow guy.

 

Even mine handles well in the snow - with seperate snow tires of course (Dunlop Winter Sports).

 

Got my 05 at the beginning of Feb. Had one substancial snow after delivery and it was just fine (4Matic). After 4 years with my W210 4Matic I will say that as long as I live in a snow area I will have a 4 Matic. Only limiting factor is snow depth and the ground clearance of the car. If its real deep snow I take my ML500. I also feel that the ride of the 4 Matic in dry conditions is much better than the std 2 wheel drive.

 

The car handles really well in the snow from my experience - I've never used anything but all-seasons, and even without the 4-matic I've had no problem navigating around the Boston area, regardless of the amount of snow. My commute is a mix of main streets and back roads, and the car has performed great! I don't break any speed records on snowy days, but I've never had a problem getting where I need to be, and I'm always one of the first in the office on snowy days!

 

If you put good snow tires on all 4 wheels it handles just fine

 

I have never needed snow tires since Oct 00 with either my W210 or W211. The oem tires work just fine even in 12 to 18 inches of snow.

 

omg were talking about snow already!!!!!!!!!!

btw i made it through the winter in NY with my stock michelin pilots... dont ask how (oh and not light driving i do about 40 miles a day)

 

Good set of snow tires and you are fine. I took my car out last winter with the new Dunlop Winter Sport M3's and it was rock solid. My car is a total beast and it reminded me of my old A4 Quattro!

 

Buy the 4-matic. From personal experience, the RWD, with snow tires, will do well for most of the winter. However, every year, there are 2-3 days when you will slip and slide, and rue the day you bought the car. With the 4-matic, you handle the snow as well as any SUV. If snow is an issue, go with the 4-matic; most people who say there's not much difference have not tried both, and do not realize how much better the 4-matic is in snow.

 

If the snow is that bad, garage the E and take out the 4X4

 

thanks for the inputs guys. i think i will go with the 4matic.