Snow Tires?
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Newbie
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: New Jersey
2009 C63 AMG Black/Black
Snow Tires?
I know it is July but I love to plan ahead. I purchased a 2007 E350 4Matic in May. How is the car with OEM Contis in the snow? Are winter tires needed in the Northeast?
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,779
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From: Long Island, NY
2004 E320
What Barry fails to mention is that he stays home when it snows 
4Matics are not a problem w/the OEM tires but any rwd on a snowy road is going to be a problem IMO.
My neighbors '05 E500 was always spinng out and or getting stuck somewhere. (we're North Shore and always seem to get that band of unpredicted heavier snow-Ed knows exactly what I mean)
4Matics are not a problem w/the OEM tires but any rwd on a snowy road is going to be a problem IMO.
My neighbors '05 E500 was always spinng out and or getting stuck somewhere. (we're North Shore and always seem to get that band of unpredicted heavier snow-Ed knows exactly what I mean)
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Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Manhattan, Illinois 60442
2008 SLK, 2006 Cadillac SRX, 1994 Cutlass Supreme Convertible
No need for snow tires on a 4Matic unless yuo're planning on taking it off-roading which I don't think most Benz owners are doing, but if you want maximum traction under all conditions then Blizzaks are the way to go.
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From: New Jersey
2009 C63 AMG Black/Black
I used to drive an E430 (1999) RWD. It was like being on ice skates with just the least amount of snow. I'm looking forward to the 4Matic but I am still considering seperate rims with winter tires.
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Florida & New Jersey
2017 E300 4matic Sport
I would agree that our experience with our E350 4matic is that the standard all season tires work just fine. However, if you want the extra safety margin of grip on ice and hard packed snow that Blizzaks offer, going with dedicated snows can make sense. 4matics on all seasons will get you going. Blizzaks allow you to stop and turn.
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Joined: Apr 2003
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From: Washington, DC
2003 E500
I live in Washington, DC, and drive an 2003 E500 without 4WD (wasn't available when I got the car). It snows here probably as often as in NJ, but I can only hope that your snow removal is better, because it is terrible here and every winter involves a certain amount of driving in bad conditions. My car handles tremendously better with Dunlop M3s, which I have on separate rims and keep on the car during the winter. This also permits me to use summer tires rather than all-weather during the warmer months, and I use Goodyear Eagle F1s then.
Your 4WD should provide you with better traction than my car when you accelerate, but when you are braking, the cars are the same, and it's the tires which stop you. I have always thought that an additional margin of safety justifies the inconvenience of swapping the tires each season.
Your 4WD should provide you with better traction than my car when you accelerate, but when you are braking, the cars are the same, and it's the tires which stop you. I have always thought that an additional margin of safety justifies the inconvenience of swapping the tires each season.
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Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 301
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From: Norway
2015 S205 AMG
I am suprised than there ain`t now law that tells you to wear winter tires in the snowy states in US.
Here in Norway it is, we have to wear winter tires from october to march, depending on the weather condition.
I visited Detroit, Michigan in february and i dit see lots of bad tires that i woulden`t dare to use here in Norway, i also saw lots of accidents on a trip from detroit to chicago.
My experience is use winter tires!!!
Here in Norway it is, we have to wear winter tires from october to march, depending on the weather condition.
I visited Detroit, Michigan in february and i dit see lots of bad tires that i woulden`t dare to use here in Norway, i also saw lots of accidents on a trip from detroit to chicago.
My experience is use winter tires!!!
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I live a northern NJ and last winter we got about 6" of snow when no one expected it, so the roads were not cleared until the end of the day. I went to work in my 2006 E350 4matic with my conti tires and the car drove awesome through the snow. Sure the traction light kept going on, but the car stayed straight and turned perfectly when I made turns.
I had a 94 E420 and I would have just called out sick even with snow tires.
I had a 94 E420 and I would have just called out sick even with snow tires.
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Joined: Jul 2007
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winter tires are the way to go , even with 4matic. the big issueis the designed operating temperature of the rubber in the tire. All seasons, like the Conti's,are designed to operate in conditions where the AVERAGE temp is around 65F, whne the temp falls below approx. 45F they become hard as a rock and loose thier "stickinest". they won't grip! that means stopping too and road holding.
Snow tires, as they are called now "winter tires", are designed to operate in colder temperatures approx. 39F. I run snows on all my daily drivers in the winter and it makes a huge difference. I have run Blizzaks and Michelin Arctic Apline pilots, both work, although the Blizzaks were better in deeper snow.
Snow tires, as they are called now "winter tires", are designed to operate in colder temperatures approx. 39F. I run snows on all my daily drivers in the winter and it makes a huge difference. I have run Blizzaks and Michelin Arctic Apline pilots, both work, although the Blizzaks were better in deeper snow.
