Anybody tried rwd in snow?
Thread Starter
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Joined: Apr 2012
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From: Southern California, Orange County
2012 E350
Anybody tried rwd in snow?
Hey guys,
I usually don't have to drive this car when i go on ski trips up to big bear, but I am wondering how does this car (rwd) do in snow? I have 19s right now on conti dws.
I haven't driven in snow since moving down from Canada few years back so if someone can give me some info/ experience on this that will be great!
Thanks!
I usually don't have to drive this car when i go on ski trips up to big bear, but I am wondering how does this car (rwd) do in snow? I have 19s right now on conti dws.
I haven't driven in snow since moving down from Canada few years back so if someone can give me some info/ experience on this that will be great!
Thanks!
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From: Canada
E350 4Matic 2011
I assume that you only drove FWD or AWD in Canada. RWD is rather poor in the winter even with winter tires. I drove RWD for many years in the snow and managed but I would not drive into any mountains with it.
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From: Southern California, Orange County
2012 E350
Yes I only drove awd/fwd in canada.
Laws here sometimes, depending on the snow conditions, say that I need snow chains mandatory. They have check points that will actually turn me away. If I use snow chains on the dws would that help? Or would I be better off getting some blizzaks WITH snow chains?
I do not know how snow chains work with winter/all season tires as I never used them.
Laws here sometimes, depending on the snow conditions, say that I need snow chains mandatory. They have check points that will actually turn me away. If I use snow chains on the dws would that help? Or would I be better off getting some blizzaks WITH snow chains?
I do not know how snow chains work with winter/all season tires as I never used them.
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From: Chicago, IL
2011 E550 4Matic, 2002 M3 Vert
Did it for years in a C55 and E550 in the Chicago area. Blizzaks make a tremendous difference which I used on the C55. My E550 had all-seasons which is more than fine as well. Although, if you're going to be in the mountains ALL bets are off. I wouldn't even try it without snow tires and smaller rims.
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From: Portland, OR
2014 CLS550 4Matic
With the stock tires you will have a hard time even getting up a slight incline. With RWD you will need good snow tires all the way around. And according to local laws, you may need to also carry/use chains.
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It depends on the driver and vehicle and road conditions.
I used to do 50k miles a year in new england. A good deal of that in winter snowy weather in a RWD BMW with snow tires. I had no trouble doing my 100+ mile one way daily commute while other 4x4/awd vehicles were stuck in a ditch.
Key is to drive smart. Don't think having 4x4 or AWD makes you immune to the laws of physics.
A smart driver in a RWD vehicle with proper snow tires can do better than a not so smart driver in a 4x4/awd vehicle.
I used to do 50k miles a year in new england. A good deal of that in winter snowy weather in a RWD BMW with snow tires. I had no trouble doing my 100+ mile one way daily commute while other 4x4/awd vehicles were stuck in a ditch.
Key is to drive smart. Don't think having 4x4 or AWD makes you immune to the laws of physics.
A smart driver in a RWD vehicle with proper snow tires can do better than a not so smart driver in a 4x4/awd vehicle.
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Thread Starter
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From: Southern California, Orange County
2012 E350
So from what I am seeing, I should use my stock 18 rims and put on some blizzaks or some good snow tires into those?
Would I still need to carry snow chains if I have these snowtires?
If I put chains will it make the snow tires less effective? I am not familiar with these snow stuff. Sorry for all the questions. Just don't want to be stupid and get into an accident.
Would I still need to carry snow chains if I have these snowtires?
If I put chains will it make the snow tires less effective? I am not familiar with these snow stuff. Sorry for all the questions. Just don't want to be stupid and get into an accident.
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2011 E550, 2008 SL55 AMG
Yes - and for a very long time in many different cars. Had Michelin Pilot-Sport Alpin's on my 2004 E500, and Haakapelittas on my 1995 E320 with no problems driving on snowy/snow-packed roads.
Good winter tires and a set of radial tire chains should get you anywhere you need to go. If you're in an area where there's lots of packed snow/ice, get tires that accept studs (but watch local laws as many places restrict or outright ban the use of studded tires).
I'm not a big fan of Blizzaks (or any Bridgestone for that matter). There are other options out there (and TireRack's selection for your car is fairly weak) Michelin Pilot Sport PA3 would be my choice - a good set of Haakapelittas would be even better.
If RWD was so bad in the snow, no one would have survived winter driving in the '20s, '30s, '40s, '50s.... You just need to pay attention and drive carefully.
Good winter tires and a set of radial tire chains should get you anywhere you need to go. If you're in an area where there's lots of packed snow/ice, get tires that accept studs (but watch local laws as many places restrict or outright ban the use of studded tires).
I'm not a big fan of Blizzaks (or any Bridgestone for that matter). There are other options out there (and TireRack's selection for your car is fairly weak) Michelin Pilot Sport PA3 would be my choice - a good set of Haakapelittas would be even better.
If RWD was so bad in the snow, no one would have survived winter driving in the '20s, '30s, '40s, '50s.... You just need to pay attention and drive carefully.
Last edited by pdjv; Oct 30, 2013 at 03:47 PM.
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'11 E350BTC P2 Leather
I live in New England, and pretty soon will switch to my winter tires, which are 17" rims with Blizzaks, all four wheels.
Note I said 17", not 18, 19 or 20. You want lots of rubber between the pothole and the rim. Winter road conditions are not the time for low profile, "don't I look cool" wheels and tires.
Let me say this simply:
All wheel drive is all wheel GO, not all wheel STOP.
Sure there may be times when you are on ice and only one wheel could grip and drive while the others spin, but in 35+ years of winter driving, that is really rare.
Put on great snow tires and chains if they tell you to, and follow the logical rules of snow driving:
Start gently
Stop gently
Leave a LOT of room between you and the cars around you
Learn the basics of skid control such as steering into the slide
Go slow. Really slow.
Don't be stupid
With that in mind, you'll be fine.
Now that having been said, you seem to be talking about some very possibly hazardous conditions. Why not hire a driver?
Note I said 17", not 18, 19 or 20. You want lots of rubber between the pothole and the rim. Winter road conditions are not the time for low profile, "don't I look cool" wheels and tires.
Let me say this simply:
All wheel drive is all wheel GO, not all wheel STOP.
Sure there may be times when you are on ice and only one wheel could grip and drive while the others spin, but in 35+ years of winter driving, that is really rare.
Put on great snow tires and chains if they tell you to, and follow the logical rules of snow driving:
Start gently
Stop gently
Leave a LOT of room between you and the cars around you
Learn the basics of skid control such as steering into the slide
Go slow. Really slow.
Don't be stupid
With that in mind, you'll be fine.
Now that having been said, you seem to be talking about some very possibly hazardous conditions. Why not hire a driver?
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2022 E450 Prior:2021 S580 2012 E350BT, 2013 GL350BT, 2009 ML320BT, 2006 E320CDI, 1987 260E
All good advice and I agree rwd properly prepared with snow tires and sensible driving should be fine. I am not in a snowy region but when we do get snow people seem to not be sensible and wipe out alot. Most of the times it seems over confident drivers trying to push their AWD/4WDs. Never stayed overseas extensively but noticed in Germany hardly ever see 4matics and people seem to still get around in the snow...
Thread Starter
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From: Southern California, Orange County
2012 E350
Thanks for all the advice guys. I just want to point out that this is just for casual ski trip days. It is not for anything intense!!! Most likely the main roads to the ski resorts would be well maintained, but I just wanted to make sure because you cannot be too safe on snow.
I think I will get a set of alpines, if they make it in 245/40/18s and 265/35/18s. If not, the blizzak LM60s are very cheap now since they are going to be discontinued. I will also carry a cheaper set of chains (not thule ksummits) just in case. How does this sound?
I think I will get a set of alpines, if they make it in 245/40/18s and 265/35/18s. If not, the blizzak LM60s are very cheap now since they are going to be discontinued. I will also carry a cheaper set of chains (not thule ksummits) just in case. How does this sound?
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Your post reminded me one of the latest TOP GEAR USA episode , throwing some bags into the trunk of Ford F350 to moniker one of the program hosts when testing how far can you go with a full tank Back to to the topic, I have also read at the forums that if you drive sanely in your RWD car you can have a chance of not being stranded otherwise 4x4 ,AWD cars are not immune to what snow is brewing up for them
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2014 E-350W4
I wouldn't try scaling a mountain with a RWD MB. I do own one and have had it since 2010. Drove in snow(up to about 5" with ice) just fine as long as you take it easy and don't do anything stupid.
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It depends on the driver and vehicle and road conditions.
I used to do 50k miles a year in new england. A good deal of that in winter snowy weather in a RWD BMW with snow tires. I had no trouble doing my 100+ mile one way daily commute while other 4x4/awd vehicles were stuck in a ditch.
Key is to drive smart. Don't think having 4x4 or AWD makes you immune to the laws of physics.
A smart driver in a RWD vehicle with proper snow tires can do better than a not so smart driver in a 4x4/awd vehicle.
I used to do 50k miles a year in new england. A good deal of that in winter snowy weather in a RWD BMW with snow tires. I had no trouble doing my 100+ mile one way daily commute while other 4x4/awd vehicles were stuck in a ditch.
Key is to drive smart. Don't think having 4x4 or AWD makes you immune to the laws of physics.
A smart driver in a RWD vehicle with proper snow tires can do better than a not so smart driver in a 4x4/awd vehicle.
Thread Starter
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From: Southern California, Orange County
2012 E350
Anybody have winter tires for the 245/40/18 and 265/35/18? The only ones I can find is blizzack LM60s that are retty much discontinued. Michelin PAs dont run in those sizes for four tires... any suggestions?
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I've run just about everything over the years in Northern Il and southern Wisc., the best are probably the Nokian Hakepelittas R........
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From: Canada
E350 4Matic 2011
http://www.nokiantyres.com/tyre?id=3...+R2&group=1.01
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2013 Audi S4 Stasis, 2013 Audi TTS, 1996 C3500 Dually, 1967 442, 2005 CL65-Sold, 2006 E320 CDI-Sold
Bridgestone Blizzaks on all my cars since they came out and they just flat out work. I've run the LM22's and the WS-60/70 on a variety of vehicles (RWD/FWD/AWD) and they all have worked incredibly well. For those of us that live in climates that get snow, and more importantly ice, my take on it is this...You have to drive on tires all year long, you may as well drive on the right ones at the right time of year...
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I had an E350 Bluetec RWD. It had 17" wheels. I put a set of Michelin X-Ice and had no issues at all getting around in the white stuff.
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For the tire brand you want to get Nokian tires and to make RWD car grip as well as FWD car in the snow throw 150 lbs weight in your trunk for the snow months.
