4Matic Owners -- What's the Deepest Unplowed Snow...
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 803
Likes: 74
From: Staten Island, NY
2010 MB S550, 2017 MB SLC 300
Once the snow becomes higher then then the bumper you aren't going to get very far.
All seasons are fine. The car handles very good in bad weather. It's excellent in snow. It feels very solid.
All seasons are fine. The car handles very good in bad weather. It's excellent in snow. It feels very solid.
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 467
Likes: 1
From: Long Island, NY
A few toys & 07' E350 4matic w/AMG sport packg.
I've had mine in snow a little higher than the bottom of the bumper, then again mine is 1" lower than regular w211s, all season tires suck though....all season = no season.
The loaner c300s I've had are worse in snow, once some snow gets up under the body, it could lift the car up and not get enough traction. Weight does matter sometimes.
The loaner c300s I've had are worse in snow, once some snow gets up under the body, it could lift the car up and not get enough traction. Weight does matter sometimes.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 12,516
Likes: 628
From: Charlotte NC area
2019 WS222 S450 4-Matic / 2007 W211 E350 4Matic (Sold) / 2008 X164 GL320 CDI
Depends on the snow. (Light, Wet)
Depends on what is under the snow (Ice, packed snow, dry road, smooth/rough)
Depends on the tires and condition.
Depends on the driver.
Depends on what you call "easily".
Depends on what you consider "through" (Just the crap at the end of the driveway, or 5 miles down an unplowed road.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 967
Likes: 77
From: Long Island, New York
2018 E400 4matic Wagon
Depends on the snow. (Light, Wet)
Depends on what is under the snow (Ice, packed snow, dry road, smooth/rough)
Depends on the tires and condition.
Depends on the driver.
Depends on what you call "easily".
Depends on what you consider "through" (Just the crap at the end of the driveway, or 5 miles down an unplowed road.
Depends on what is under the snow (Ice, packed snow, dry road, smooth/rough)
Depends on the tires and condition.
Depends on the driver.
Depends on what you call "easily".
Depends on what you consider "through" (Just the crap at the end of the driveway, or 5 miles down an unplowed road.
Or just tell us what your experience has been and the various conditions. Just trying to get an idea.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 12,516
Likes: 628
From: Charlotte NC area
2019 WS222 S450 4-Matic / 2007 W211 E350 4Matic (Sold) / 2008 X164 GL320 CDI
Once in NYC, it is all mass transit.
As for snow; the light fluffy stuff has never stopped me, but about 12 inches or so is all I have tried driving through (only because it is rare that it stays light and fluffy)
Normal stuff is usually OK until it starts piling up underneath. The real trick is maintain forward movement without spinning a wheel and thereby making a snow wheel chock.
The heavy stuff can stop you in 4 to 6 inches, especially if it turns to ice or has packed snow ice under.
There are just too many variables.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 3,184
Likes: 16
From: Highlands Ranch, Colorado
2014 BMW M235i
I live here in Colorado and I concur that with light fluffy snow that usually gets compacted down quite well it can snow 7-10 inches and I can still clear it since you never really get that much build up on the road in comparison, even if you do a little plowing action it's fine and that's the most snow I've driven in while I have all season shoes on... I do so in my steep driveway a lot and it's no problem.
If it snows several inches of the wet stuff and you get about 4 inches or more of heavy graupel or snow then you will definitely have some issues especially if it's frozen underneath. The one big thing is the road temperature and conditions, if it's been cold for several days and the concrete and asphalt is cold as well, you can get freezing and ice and even with only a little bit of snow on top traction will be hard to come by. No car works in the ice.
As for the overall performance of the 4-Matic system, I find it to be excellent even with all seasons in the snow. As long as you don't give it too much gas and break all 4 tires loose you'll be fine and probably do better than most other cars in the snow - just modulate power output carefully. If you want to have some fun, turn ESP off and you can hang out the back end very easily and go snow drifting if you want to, I feel like one of those Subaru winter rally cars when the streets are icy and no one is out, makes for a fun time
If it snows several inches of the wet stuff and you get about 4 inches or more of heavy graupel or snow then you will definitely have some issues especially if it's frozen underneath. The one big thing is the road temperature and conditions, if it's been cold for several days and the concrete and asphalt is cold as well, you can get freezing and ice and even with only a little bit of snow on top traction will be hard to come by. No car works in the ice.
As for the overall performance of the 4-Matic system, I find it to be excellent even with all seasons in the snow. As long as you don't give it too much gas and break all 4 tires loose you'll be fine and probably do better than most other cars in the snow - just modulate power output carefully. If you want to have some fun, turn ESP off and you can hang out the back end very easily and go snow drifting if you want to, I feel like one of those Subaru winter rally cars when the streets are icy and no one is out, makes for a fun time
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Out Of Control!!
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 12,516
Likes: 628
From: Charlotte NC area
2019 WS222 S450 4-Matic / 2007 W211 E350 4Matic (Sold) / 2008 X164 GL320 CDI
I too have been impressed with the W211 4matic system.
For some reason the X164 is not as surefooted.
The description of the system is the same, so I am guessing it a combination of the diesel torque/engine braking and added weigh/length of the GL.
(and bad tires on the rear).(Shhh)
For some reason the X164 is not as surefooted.
The description of the system is the same, so I am guessing it a combination of the diesel torque/engine braking and added weigh/length of the GL.
(and bad tires on the rear).(Shhh)
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 3,184
Likes: 16
From: Highlands Ranch, Colorado
2014 BMW M235i
I would think the lack of a surefooted feeling also comes from the higher center of gravity on the GL as well as the less responsive steering than something like an E350 since you have larger sidewalls. Mismatched or bad tires would do that too lol 
It's probably mostly up to tires in reality, I should really be running a dedicated set of winter tires and a dedicated set of summer tires but I'm an 18 year old student with a smaller budget for tires than most people here. Plus with Colorado weather being crazy as it is, you can have a week of freezing cold icy conditions then a couple days later have decently warm temperatures then your Blizzaks feel like they're ice cream that has been left out too long.
It's probably mostly up to tires in reality, I should really be running a dedicated set of winter tires and a dedicated set of summer tires but I'm an 18 year old student with a smaller budget for tires than most people here. Plus with Colorado weather being crazy as it is, you can have a week of freezing cold icy conditions then a couple days later have decently warm temperatures then your Blizzaks feel like they're ice cream that has been left out too long.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 12,516
Likes: 628
From: Charlotte NC area
2019 WS222 S450 4-Matic / 2007 W211 E350 4Matic (Sold) / 2008 X164 GL320 CDI
I would think the lack of a surefooted feeling also comes from the higher center of gravity on the GL as well as the less responsive steering than something like an E350 since you have larger sidewalls. Mismatched or bad tires would do that too lol It's probably mostly up to tires in reality, I should really be running a dedicated set of winter tires and a dedicated set of summer tires but I'm an 18 year old student with a smaller budget for tires than most people here. Plus with Colorado weather being crazy as it is, you can have a week of freezing cold icy conditions then a couple days later have decently warm temperatures then your Blizzaks feel like they're ice cream that has been left out too long.
It's probably mostly up to tires in reality, I should really be running a dedicated set of winter tires and a dedicated set of summer tires but I'm an 18 year old student with a smaller budget for tires than most people here. Plus with Colorado weather being crazy as it is, you can have a week of freezing cold icy conditions then a couple days later have decently warm temperatures then your Blizzaks feel like they're ice cream that has been left out too long.Tires rarely compensate for driving,
Driving can usually compensate for tires.
Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 115
Likes: 2
From: Laporte, Indiana
2006 SL55 AMG
I have a 09 4matic sport. I have dunlop gaspics on all 4 corners and I have driven through over 30'' of drifted snow with no issues. The car with all seasons was almost dangerous to drive.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2011
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From: Highlands Ranch, Colorado
2014 BMW M235i
The editorializing and exaggeration in this made me laugh, "almost dangerous to drive."
Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 115
Likes: 2
From: Laporte, Indiana
2006 SL55 AMG
I live in the snow/ice belt. A dedicated full snow tire is like going from bald all seasons to new all seasons in the summer. That is how big the difference is driving. No " editorializing or exaggerating " ( LOL ) there.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 12,516
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From: Charlotte NC area
2019 WS222 S450 4-Matic / 2007 W211 E350 4Matic (Sold) / 2008 X164 GL320 CDI
You really don't have to even brake in most 4WD to spin out.
Once you get the backend a little loose and if it scares you to popping your foot off the gas, it will continue around. (Trailing throttle oversteer on steroids)
The E seems a little more forgiving than most.
Once you get the backend a little loose and if it scares you to popping your foot off the gas, it will continue around. (Trailing throttle oversteer on steroids)
The E seems a little more forgiving than most.
Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 115
Likes: 2
From: Laporte, Indiana
2006 SL55 AMG
That is a very true statement. Thats why you tend to see a lot more " locked in '' 4 wheel drive trucks in the ditch on the highway. A lot of the spin out issues also depend on how much split the AWD system has in it. The E class is definitely forgiving.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 3,184
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From: Highlands Ranch, Colorado
2014 BMW M235i
I would say the oversteer tendency from the 40/60 split makes it a lot more manageable than most 4WD cars with locked differentials. I guess popping your foot off the gas too quickly will achieve the same spin out as braking, but you really shouldn't be too far into the gas anyway if it's that slick out while going around a corner.
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 8
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From: Prince Edward Island Canada
S55 AMG 260E Various Volvos and a SAABS
Deep snow
Depends on how fast I was driving.
In my country lane, about 18 inches of really fluffy loose snow, a patch about 40 feet long. No problem.
In real situations on the road about 6 to 7 inches deep, I hear it scraping on the underside of the car and because the snow is not the same depth on the whole road when it gets deeper the car starts to slow down thats when you have to be carefull not to get hung up, don't back off.
Been through lots of deep drifts probably about 12++ inches deep, they slow you down quickly.
Michelin Snows Pilot Alpin PA4's
In my country lane, about 18 inches of really fluffy loose snow, a patch about 40 feet long. No problem.
In real situations on the road about 6 to 7 inches deep, I hear it scraping on the underside of the car and because the snow is not the same depth on the whole road when it gets deeper the car starts to slow down thats when you have to be carefull not to get hung up, don't back off.
Been through lots of deep drifts probably about 12++ inches deep, they slow you down quickly.
Michelin Snows Pilot Alpin PA4's
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E 350
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 3,184
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From: Highlands Ranch, Colorado
2014 BMW M235i
Not really when you consider he's just flooring it in deep snow and aimlessly turning the wheel. I think it answers a lot about why I've never seen Ukrainians (or Russians for that matter) use a car correctly lol
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Joined: Aug 2013
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2006 E320 CDI 2014 C63 507 Coupe 2012 E550 4M 2016 E63s Wagon
These cars are quite capable in the snow; they are heavy enough, yet well balanced and predictable. I push my RWD E320 thru snow deeper than the unplowed in that video all the time 8-10"; even uphill. I run non-studded General ArticMax in the winter which are on their 3rd season, and before that I had some Blizzaks. Tires do make a world of difference; I drove on factory all-seasons my first winter and after that I knew I needed real winter tires. The only time I've gotten into trouble is when I run out of clearance in heavy snow.
Experience is as big of a factor as equiptment. ESP is not my friend in winter, and sometimes a little controlled spin or slide are necessary to effectively navigate. The guy playing around in the video (I think it is a RWD) is actually gaining some experience...should he choose to apply it.
Just for fun I drove my C63 507 on 19" performance summer tires around the block on snow equivalent to the packed powder in the video. Turns and slight inclines were real challenges. I only made one lap. Spring can't get here soon enough.
Experience is as big of a factor as equiptment. ESP is not my friend in winter, and sometimes a little controlled spin or slide are necessary to effectively navigate. The guy playing around in the video (I think it is a RWD) is actually gaining some experience...should he choose to apply it.
Just for fun I drove my C63 507 on 19" performance summer tires around the block on snow equivalent to the packed powder in the video. Turns and slight inclines were real challenges. I only made one lap. Spring can't get here soon enough.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 3,184
Likes: 16
From: Highlands Ranch, Colorado
2014 BMW M235i
Man that's a good looking C63, yeah summer tires with a really sticky compound on a rear wheel drive car can be pretty bad, I've seen the local Michelin Pilot Super Sport fan club 
spin in about an inch of icy wet snow - magnified by wide rear tires that tend to float and not cut. However ESP is pretty good I have to say when turning and maneuvering in bad conditions, but wheel spin becomes advantageous in deep snow and conditions where if you get bogged down you could get stuck.
spin in about an inch of icy wet snow - magnified by wide rear tires that tend to float and not cut. However ESP is pretty good I have to say when turning and maneuvering in bad conditions, but wheel spin becomes advantageous in deep snow and conditions where if you get bogged down you could get stuck.
Last edited by AMGAffalterbach; Mar 4, 2014 at 08:32 PM.
