GLE on snowy/muddy mountain roads?
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
2015 GLE
GLE on snowy/muddy mountain roads?
Hi all,
My wife and I are moving to Colorado sometime next year, and I've been thinking about ordering a GLE early next year. What are your experiences with the GLE in snowy or muddy unpaved mountain areas?
For a bit more background, the home we're building is elevated on a mountainside where the last 1/2 mile or so of road is an unpaved dirt road that we pay to have plowed with our neighbors. The elevation going up and down is fairly significant in some areas, with our driveway on a 12.5 degree descent at its worst and is currently unpaved. We may pave the driveway at some point, but our civil engineer thinks the dirt road will actually provide superior grip vs icy asphalt in the winter.
Whatever vehicle we purchase, we will have a set of snow tires on the car. I'm not at all interested in off-roading, so really I'm more curious about people's experiences with the GLE in these types of conditions.
Thanks for your time and thoughts!
Edit: video that shows our driveway in snowy conditions as an example:
My wife and I are moving to Colorado sometime next year, and I've been thinking about ordering a GLE early next year. What are your experiences with the GLE in snowy or muddy unpaved mountain areas?
For a bit more background, the home we're building is elevated on a mountainside where the last 1/2 mile or so of road is an unpaved dirt road that we pay to have plowed with our neighbors. The elevation going up and down is fairly significant in some areas, with our driveway on a 12.5 degree descent at its worst and is currently unpaved. We may pave the driveway at some point, but our civil engineer thinks the dirt road will actually provide superior grip vs icy asphalt in the winter.
Whatever vehicle we purchase, we will have a set of snow tires on the car. I'm not at all interested in off-roading, so really I'm more curious about people's experiences with the GLE in these types of conditions.
Thanks for your time and thoughts!
Edit: video that shows our driveway in snowy conditions as an example:
Last edited by fndrplayer13; Mar 1, 2023 at 11:45 AM. Reason: video link
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 60
Likes: 27
From: Portland, OR
2021 GLE450 / 2008 C300
We just returned from a road trip that took us from Portland back and forth through Northern Arizona (Hwys 95 & 375). We encountered packed snow over Mt. Hood, and off and on all the way to Tonapah, NV. My first trip with Scorpion winter tires, and was totally impressed and confident with them, no matter the road surface. Also gained confidence with my GLE 450 in these conditions. I watched my AWD (?) indicator and saw proof the car automatically went from rear-wheel only drive to 4WD when road surface went from bare to snow. Coming slowly down the 7,000 foot pass (6-8% grade) outside of Austin, NV. in packed snow, I touched the brakes and went into a slow fishtail, took my foot off the brake and touched the accelerator, and the car (with due credit to my tires) went straight back on the road much to relief of the driver and my passenger.
While I can't speak from any experience as to how the car performs in snowy/muddy conditions on a non-paved surface, IMO, I don't see why the road surface would make any difference when you're driving on packed snow as in your photo - and I would think a GLE and good winter tires would perform like a champ for you in all but the most extreme icy conditions. Also, I have airmatic suspension and when engaged in "off-road" mode it raises the chassis a few inches which could come in handy in deep snow.
While I can't speak from any experience as to how the car performs in snowy/muddy conditions on a non-paved surface, IMO, I don't see why the road surface would make any difference when you're driving on packed snow as in your photo - and I would think a GLE and good winter tires would perform like a champ for you in all but the most extreme icy conditions. Also, I have airmatic suspension and when engaged in "off-road" mode it raises the chassis a few inches which could come in handy in deep snow.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 7,018
Likes: 2,199
From: Colorado
'21 AMG53 wDPP & ARC, 19 GLC300 - Former-03 C240,2 ML BlueTecs,20 GLE450 E-ABC,15 Cayenne D,17 Macan
Looks like you're on the Front Range. Most of the unpaved roads here are decomposed granite, with good traction.
Decent winter tires should be all you need, unless you have black dirt that's as slippery in rain as it is in snow. Then you'll want some serious mud tires. Do the neighbors all wear mudders?
The car itself is very good off-road. Your tires are important. Ask the neighbors. (Unless they say you can't get home without a 1 Ton Diesel Dually. Ask a different neighbor if that's the response. The GLE is superior to a 4WD pickup.)
Decent winter tires should be all you need, unless you have black dirt that's as slippery in rain as it is in snow. Then you'll want some serious mud tires. Do the neighbors all wear mudders?
The car itself is very good off-road. Your tires are important. Ask the neighbors. (Unless they say you can't get home without a 1 Ton Diesel Dually. Ask a different neighbor if that's the response. The GLE is superior to a 4WD pickup.)
Member
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 82
Likes: 31
From: Calgary, AB
2021 GLE63S
My GLE63S has been great. I regularly drive in cold/snowy/windy conditions as we head out to ski.
- The weight/wheelbase keeps things stable.
- I would say I've gotten a season and a half out of my Pirelli Scorpion winters. GLE is pretty hard on rubber for sure.
- 22" are low profile tires at the rear, so best to keep close to the F41 R35 psi ratings. I run a little lower on the fronts, actually.
- Car warms up quickly (engine, seats, and steering wheel).
- Creaks haven't been too bad when it's cold.
- I wish the headlights had washers! But glad the windshield fluid reservoir is over a gallon.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 3,135
Likes: 1,205
GLE 580
Member
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 142
Likes: 29
From: Eastern Maryland
ES350 E300 GLE350 GMC3500 Duramax
Looks like you're on the Front Range. Most of the unpaved roads here are decomposed granite, with good traction.
Decent winter tires should be all you need, unless you have black dirt that's as slippery in rain as it is in snow. Then you'll want some serious mud tires. Do the neighbors all wear mudders?
The car itself is very good off-road. Your tires are important. Ask the neighbors. (Unless they say you can't get home without a 1 Ton Diesel Dually. Ask a different neighbor if that's the response. The GLE is superior to a 4WD pickup.)
Decent winter tires should be all you need, unless you have black dirt that's as slippery in rain as it is in snow. Then you'll want some serious mud tires. Do the neighbors all wear mudders?
The car itself is very good off-road. Your tires are important. Ask the neighbors. (Unless they say you can't get home without a 1 Ton Diesel Dually. Ask a different neighbor if that's the response. The GLE is superior to a 4WD pickup.)
Robert
Trending Topics
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 7,018
Likes: 2,199
From: Colorado
'21 AMG53 wDPP & ARC, 19 GLC300 - Former-03 C240,2 ML BlueTecs,20 GLE450 E-ABC,15 Cayenne D,17 Macan
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
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 703
Likes: 68
From: Boston Area
2021 Mojave Silver E450, 2024 Black on Black Jaguar F-pace P400, 2011 335d (RIP), 2010 E350 (sold)
