Snow experience?
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Joined: Dec 2002
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From: Chicago suburbs
2003 E500
Snow experience?
Please forgive me if this topic has been discussed before, but I couldn't find many other threads on the subject.
I have ordered a new E500, pewter/charcoal. I am very impressed by the styling, features and engineering of the car. I live in the Chicago area, and currently drive an Audi A6 quattro, and being accustomed to the awd, considered waiting for the 4matic. I have, for the most part, convinced myself that it is not worth the wait, given the actual number of times per year that it would really be useful and the fact that, for a number of reasons, now is a very good time for me to buy the car.
I have not heard from any current E500 drivers regading their experience on snow-covered roads, however. Do you consider winter tires to be necessary? Has anyone regretted not waiting for 4matic? Any snow-covered horror stories?
Many thanks.
I have ordered a new E500, pewter/charcoal. I am very impressed by the styling, features and engineering of the car. I live in the Chicago area, and currently drive an Audi A6 quattro, and being accustomed to the awd, considered waiting for the 4matic. I have, for the most part, convinced myself that it is not worth the wait, given the actual number of times per year that it would really be useful and the fact that, for a number of reasons, now is a very good time for me to buy the car.
I have not heard from any current E500 drivers regading their experience on snow-covered roads, however. Do you consider winter tires to be necessary? Has anyone regretted not waiting for 4matic? Any snow-covered horror stories?
Many thanks.
Last edited by rtrider; Dec 24, 2002 at 11:21 PM.
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I have an E320 and we recently got 4-6 inches of snow in the DC area. I found traction control to be quite effective and never got stuck. Having said that a few times I was at the border of being stuck a few times so I think if conditions had been any worse the car would have not done well.
If you get more snow than the occasional snow fall, I'd highly recommend winter tires. That + traction control should be very effective.
If you get more snow than the occasional snow fall, I'd highly recommend winter tires. That + traction control should be very effective.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 280
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From: Fort Myers, FL
'23 EQE 350 4MATIC
I used to live in Chicago and experienced the winters of 1978 and 1979. I had a rear-wheel drive car at that time and always used winter tires during the season. I believed then and I still do that winter tires are a must for rear-wheel drive cars in places like Chicago.
Having said that, a 4-matic will certainly perform better with or without winter tires. I now live in Connecticut and do not own a 4-matic. The current E320 drivetrain works just fine for me. I have Michelin MXV4 M + S on the car right now.
Having said that, a 4-matic will certainly perform better with or without winter tires. I now live in Connecticut and do not own a 4-matic. The current E320 drivetrain works just fine for me. I have Michelin MXV4 M + S on the car right now.
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Toronto
SLK 350 '05
live in toronto and drive both E430 and E500.
the E500 handles much better in snow hands down. no sliding, ESP does a good job. the only problem i find it climbing icy hills
all in all, i'm very pleased.
the E500 handles much better in snow hands down. no sliding, ESP does a good job. the only problem i find it climbing icy hills
all in all, i'm very pleased.
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Joined: Sep 2002
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From: New Jersey, USA
W211 & Q7
4matic is the solution
but it should work for rear drive mb
1. switch your car to "w"inter mode
2. trun off esp when you are on a slippery road.
my experience is
all wheel drive > 4 wheel drive > front wheel drive > rear wheel drive in the snow roads. unfortunately, most of mb are rear wheel drive so drive slowly and carefully.
otto
1. switch your car to "w"inter mode
2. trun off esp when you are on a slippery road.
my experience is
all wheel drive > 4 wheel drive > front wheel drive > rear wheel drive in the snow roads. unfortunately, most of mb are rear wheel drive so drive slowly and carefully.
otto
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2002
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From: Fort Myers, FL
'23 EQE 350 4MATIC
Originally posted by jposhea3
STvir - were your MXV4s delivered with the car, or an add-on of your own later?
STvir - were your MXV4s delivered with the car, or an add-on of your own later?
Just an aside: I have the same tires on my Toyota Avalon FWD and they give me a good traction in the snow.
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From: Bal Harbour, FL
E500W '03, Porsche Cayman S '06
Was out today in the fresh Chicago snow in my new E500. I would definitely say that until the roads have been plowed, you'll need to be very careful at any speed with the RWD only. In W mode there is still a very good chance of the rear end getting loose on acceleration. Fortunately, in the Chicago area, the road crews are out frequently and usually the roads are in driveable condition for almost any car with tread on the tires. 4Matic would only be necessary if you want to beat the plows, and the employees, to any destination. My car was delivered with Conti M+S tires on 17x8.5J Non-sport wheels (split spoke) which I like more and more compared to the sport 5-spoke.
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From: New Jersey, USA
W211 & Q7
turn it off when you need the power to bring you car out form the snow or sand, etc.
JustinTRW,
yes, if you find your wheels is stunk into snow and you cannot move forward or backward then you should turn off ESP. ESP is a great feature but it tries to slow down the spin between wheels and makes your car in stable. but when you need the other wheel to provide power to the one stuck in the snow, you better not use it. that my experience.
Otto
yes, if you find your wheels is stunk into snow and you cannot move forward or backward then you should turn off ESP. ESP is a great feature but it tries to slow down the spin between wheels and makes your car in stable. but when you need the other wheel to provide power to the one stuck in the snow, you better not use it. that my experience.
Otto
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Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 215
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From: Seattle
2001 ML320
I'd say from experience that the traction control system does a decent job in snow but ONLY if driving on flat roads. In hilly conditions with regular tires you will get nowhere. The traction system will keep stopping the wheel and if you turn it off the tires will just spin. 4-matic is much better but somewhat tire dependent. An AWD SUV with their meatier tires will do MUCH better. I recall seeing many E320s (W210) with 4-matic stuck on my hill while my ML320 had no problems at all and I think that mainly has to do with the different wheel and tire size. I'm probably not going to risk experimenting with my new E320 this year if we get snow.
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From: New Jersey, USA
W211 & Q7
turn off ESP when you need
JustinTRW,
turn it off when you need the power from another wheel and turn it back on after you get off spin nowhere.
Barney had an experience
if this happens, it is the time to turn off esp but it seems Barney got a worse case -- both rear wheels spin nowhere then you have to use your driving skills to get your car out.
Otto
turn it off when you need the power from another wheel and turn it back on after you get off spin nowhere.
Barney had an experience
In hilly conditions with regular tires you will get nowhere. The traction system will keep stopping the wheel and if you turn it off the tires will just spin
Otto
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Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 182
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From: Washington, DC
2004 E 4matic StationWagon
Great in the Snow
I too live in the DC area and have now had two occasions to drive in snow/sleet/ice situations. Of course, this area is mostly flat with modest hills, but my E320 is great and very stable. I think the E320 is probably a little bit better suited for bad weather than the E500, because of the different weight distribution and the different amount of torque available at low speeds. I should add that I grew up in the north and learned as a kid to drive in the snow with a real wheel drive car.
Having said all that, I do miss the comfort of mind (at least) that I had with my 99 E320 4matic wagon.
Having said all that, I do miss the comfort of mind (at least) that I had with my 99 E320 4matic wagon.
