View Poll Results: What should I do?
Don’t drive in snow- buy AWD
4
26.67%
Snow tires and you’re good
11
73.33%
You’re good now- just be careful
0
0%
Voters: 15. You may not vote on this poll
Driving in winter without 4matic
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Gle 350
Driving in winter without 4matic
Hello all,
Looking for some advice. My wife drives a 2020 GLE 350 (NOT 4matic). We bought it in Houston and most cars there aren’t sold with AWD as there’s no snow. Well now we moved to NY and while I’d love to trade it in for a 4 matic, now’s not the best time for us to buy a new car. My question is, when winter approaches here in the northeast should she avoid driving the car altogether (suck it up and buy a 4matic), get some snow tires and go for it, or don’t do anything and just drive carefully
Thanks in advance!
Looking for some advice. My wife drives a 2020 GLE 350 (NOT 4matic). We bought it in Houston and most cars there aren’t sold with AWD as there’s no snow. Well now we moved to NY and while I’d love to trade it in for a 4 matic, now’s not the best time for us to buy a new car. My question is, when winter approaches here in the northeast should she avoid driving the car altogether (suck it up and buy a 4matic), get some snow tires and go for it, or don’t do anything and just drive carefully
Thanks in advance!
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 645
Likes: 204
From: Central Indiana
2021 GLC 300 4Matic
I was in a similar situation years ago. Was living in California and moved to Ohio and our C300 wasn't 4matic. We just put snow tires on it and drove carefully and according to the road conditions.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 7,073
Likes: 2,222
From: Colorado
'21 AMG53 wDPP & ARC, 19 GLC300 - Former-03 C240,2 ML BlueTecs,20 GLE450 E-ABC,15 Cayenne D,17 Macan
If you are not accustomed to Winter driving, get the most effective winter tires you can find. "Three peaks mountain snowflake" certified.
Until you spend a whole season of winter weather, you will find yourself in the variety of embarrassing or dangerous situations.
Four really good snow tires are a whole lot better than an AWD with all season tires.
Steering and braking are priorities, and AWD only helps a little bit.
Of course a new 4matic with good winter tires would be wonderful, but as you say it's probably not a good time to buy a car.
Edit: if you're going to get new tires, pay attention to availability. It was really lousy last year.
Until you spend a whole season of winter weather, you will find yourself in the variety of embarrassing or dangerous situations.
Four really good snow tires are a whole lot better than an AWD with all season tires.
Steering and braking are priorities, and AWD only helps a little bit.
Of course a new 4matic with good winter tires would be wonderful, but as you say it's probably not a good time to buy a car.
Edit: if you're going to get new tires, pay attention to availability. It was really lousy last year.
Last edited by mikapen; May 25, 2022 at 05:27 PM.
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2021
Posts: 22
Likes: 17
2022 GLE450
Hello all,
Looking for some advice. My wife drives a 2020 GLE 350 (NOT 4matic). We bought it in Houston and most cars there aren’t sold with AWD as there’s no snow. Well now we moved to NY and while I’d love to trade it in for a 4 matic, now’s not the best time for us to buy a new car. My question is, when winter approaches here in the northeast should she avoid driving the car altogether (suck it up and buy a 4matic), get some snow tires and go for it, or don’t do anything and just drive carefully
Thanks in advance!
Looking for some advice. My wife drives a 2020 GLE 350 (NOT 4matic). We bought it in Houston and most cars there aren’t sold with AWD as there’s no snow. Well now we moved to NY and while I’d love to trade it in for a 4 matic, now’s not the best time for us to buy a new car. My question is, when winter approaches here in the northeast should she avoid driving the car altogether (suck it up and buy a 4matic), get some snow tires and go for it, or don’t do anything and just drive carefully
Thanks in advance!
Member
Joined: Nov 2021
Posts: 168
Likes: 39
From: Jersey
2019 E53 Cabrio, Lunar Blue. 2020 GLC 300
Snow tires make a HUGE difference. It is more about stopping and turning than about going . Think about all the years ago before all wheel drive. People did fine with winter tires. I happen to have 4Matic but my Vredstein Wintrac pros are awesome snow tires.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 490
Likes: 176
2021 Glb35 AMG (2013 GLK 350)
Cities clear the snow quickly unless you stuck when it is snowing... Most of the time freeze thaw cycles are more dangerous than the snow esp with coastal flooding in NYC... That is why they salt the roads heavily... Winter tires should be fine. I have Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 UHP last winter after 25 years of A/S, great tires for winter and also for dry/wet conditions:
https://www.tyrereviews.com/Tyre/Mic...ot-Alpin-5.htm
https://www.tyrereviews.com/Tyre/Mic...ot-Alpin-5.htm
Last edited by Serhan; May 28, 2022 at 02:46 PM.
