4Matic, Fantastic
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 439
Likes: 17
From: DC
2002 W210 M112 | 2021 X247 M270 | 2015 Audi SQ5 | 2015 VW Golf R
4Matic, Fantastic
This is more of a tire reivew and a review of how superb the 4Matic system is 
Overall, I am even more happier with the car after this weekend!
As most of you know, the mid-Atlantic has just experienced one of the biggest storm in the past century! I had the Conti ExtremeContact DWS slapped on the car right before the storm. I could feel the difference immediately right after the installation. The previous tires I had were Yoko AS 430 which was completely garbage---they are supposedly UHPAS tires too. Nonetheless, they had no ice traction; snow is a horrible---I couldn’t keep the car straight while I was braking gently. Wet was mediocre and they were only good in dry.
In contrast, the Conti ExtremeContact DWS tires were superior in every aspect. I tested them in both light and deep snow on the same day. When the snow accumulated with 2-3 inches on the ground, I went to the incline and they had no problem from moving upwards---I guess the 4Matic helped a lot in this case. I also tried to make the tires loose by stomping on the gas pedal but it was unsuccessful. Then, when the blizzard came, which was estimated at 3 to 4 inches per hour, I took the car out again for a spin. The DWS plow through the snow without triggering the ESP control. I could barely detect any slippage. The only time I had a trouble was when the snow have accumulated to about 8-10 inches, which the car did not have enough clearance (the car was already raised; I was thinking it would be nice if I have an ML
) However, I still managed to get out by rocking the car back and forth.
Lastly, on the way back, I was behind this Chevy Traverse. We were driving on this semi-plowed road. We had to stop at one point because there was a plow truck that felt into the ditch. As the Traverse was driving around this scene, it was stuck in the on the right side (shown in picture 3) and the driver was trying very hard but only managed to slide left and right. I couldn’t wait so I just drove right by it. I was very surprise an AWD car could pass a 4WD SUV that easily in the snow! J
Overall, the DWS is an amazing tire with an awesome price. It was quite easy to mount and balance--- unlike the GoodYear F1 I have on the 335i, 2 of them were out of round. I acutally wrote this review on TireRack but I am just too excited to share how awesome the W211 4Matic and the Conti tires!
Overall, I am even more happier with the car after this weekend! As most of you know, the mid-Atlantic has just experienced one of the biggest storm in the past century! I had the Conti ExtremeContact DWS slapped on the car right before the storm. I could feel the difference immediately right after the installation. The previous tires I had were Yoko AS 430 which was completely garbage---they are supposedly UHPAS tires too. Nonetheless, they had no ice traction; snow is a horrible---I couldn’t keep the car straight while I was braking gently. Wet was mediocre and they were only good in dry.
In contrast, the Conti ExtremeContact DWS tires were superior in every aspect. I tested them in both light and deep snow on the same day. When the snow accumulated with 2-3 inches on the ground, I went to the incline and they had no problem from moving upwards---I guess the 4Matic helped a lot in this case. I also tried to make the tires loose by stomping on the gas pedal but it was unsuccessful. Then, when the blizzard came, which was estimated at 3 to 4 inches per hour, I took the car out again for a spin. The DWS plow through the snow without triggering the ESP control. I could barely detect any slippage. The only time I had a trouble was when the snow have accumulated to about 8-10 inches, which the car did not have enough clearance (the car was already raised; I was thinking it would be nice if I have an ML
) However, I still managed to get out by rocking the car back and forth. Lastly, on the way back, I was behind this Chevy Traverse. We were driving on this semi-plowed road. We had to stop at one point because there was a plow truck that felt into the ditch. As the Traverse was driving around this scene, it was stuck in the on the right side (shown in picture 3) and the driver was trying very hard but only managed to slide left and right. I couldn’t wait so I just drove right by it. I was very surprise an AWD car could pass a 4WD SUV that easily in the snow! J
Overall, the DWS is an amazing tire with an awesome price. It was quite easy to mount and balance--- unlike the GoodYear F1 I have on the 335i, 2 of them were out of round. I acutally wrote this review on TireRack but I am just too excited to share how awesome the W211 4Matic and the Conti tires!
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 253
Likes: 0
From: DC Metro
W210 E55, W211 E3504M, E90 325i
My Dunlop Winter Sport 3D is working out great as well!
4Matic and proper winter wheels is such a dreamy setup, the only thing stopping me is clearance. Car refused to get stuck in the snow, slush, packed snow/ice etc., even on inclines. There are times when the ESP light was flashing and maybe a little squirm here and there but for the most part navigating DC area's snow aftermath was a drama-free affair.
Btw we're expecting another foot tuesday/wednesday on top of the mess we already have on the ground.
4Matic and proper winter wheels is such a dreamy setup, the only thing stopping me is clearance. Car refused to get stuck in the snow, slush, packed snow/ice etc., even on inclines. There are times when the ESP light was flashing and maybe a little squirm here and there but for the most part navigating DC area's snow aftermath was a drama-free affair.
Btw we're expecting another foot tuesday/wednesday on top of the mess we already have on the ground.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,182
Likes: 15
From: Northern VA
W211
i had no problem on sunday after plow cleared the 32 inches of snow on my street. I have 19rims on general exclaims too.
Took it out and some places had slush/soft packed snow of 8-10 inches or so...went through it with no problems. I actually passed several SUVs, subarus awds, midsize SUV (honda crvs/toy highlanders)...they were in awe that a 4dr sedan could go so smooth without slip/sliding.
main issue would be clearance. No way i could drive in over 12inches of snow....my brother had no problem in his c320 4matic either...
Took it out and some places had slush/soft packed snow of 8-10 inches or so...went through it with no problems. I actually passed several SUVs, subarus awds, midsize SUV (honda crvs/toy highlanders)...they were in awe that a 4dr sedan could go so smooth without slip/sliding.
main issue would be clearance. No way i could drive in over 12inches of snow....my brother had no problem in his c320 4matic either...
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 8,137
Likes: 26
From: Maryland
Eurocharged 2004 E500, Eurocharged ECU/TCU 2005 SL600, 2010 Caddy SwaggerWagon
I absolutely love the Conti DWS. I put a set on my E500, then immediately put a set on my SL600. They're fantastic, although for summer, I have the ContiSport3's for my SL. The R500 is next up. I have about 5K miles before they'll have a set.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 439
Likes: 17
From: DC
2002 W210 M112 | 2021 X247 M270 | 2015 Audi SQ5 | 2015 VW Golf R
My Dunlop Winter Sport 3D is working out great as well!
4Matic and proper winter wheels is such a dreamy setup, the only thing stopping me is clearance. Car refused to get stuck in the snow, slush, packed snow/ice etc., even on inclines. There are times when the ESP light was flashing and maybe a little squirm here and there but for the most part navigating DC area's snow aftermath was a drama-free affair.
Btw we're expecting another foot tuesday/wednesday on top of the mess we already have on the ground.
4Matic and proper winter wheels is such a dreamy setup, the only thing stopping me is clearance. Car refused to get stuck in the snow, slush, packed snow/ice etc., even on inclines. There are times when the ESP light was flashing and maybe a little squirm here and there but for the most part navigating DC area's snow aftermath was a drama-free affair.
Btw we're expecting another foot tuesday/wednesday on top of the mess we already have on the ground.
Donny!! How's going man? It's Jon at E90post.
How come you aren't an admin for this forum 
Anways, it's good to see that our fellow DMV 4Matics are having fun in the snow!
Ready for 2nd round? It's coming down now
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 439
Likes: 17
From: DC
2002 W210 M112 | 2021 X247 M270 | 2015 Audi SQ5 | 2015 VW Golf R
I would say about 20k, but I think they have been hockey pucks since new. My mother was driving in the neighborhood roundabout 2 years ago and the car just slided to the curb. $4K damage. Mind you she was only doing 5mph
IMO, Yoko really do suck! stay away
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)
Verdad Gallardo
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 253
Likes: 0
From: DC Metro
W210 E55, W211 E3504M, E90 325i
I always thought that was you spacegrey
Nice W210 btw, love to see it one of these days.
Lets have a 4matic snow meet
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,182
Likes: 15
From: Northern VA
W211
yes it was fun to drive with ease in all the snow we had...but i wasn't crazy enough to drive in it Saturday when the first storm hit or Wed after the 2nd one hit.. but rest of the time, had no trouble getting around (once the plows came thru my street to clear the snow blocking me in)
