GLK 350 4 Matic in the snow
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 296
Likes: 23
From: Central coast California
2024 GLC300, 2014 BMW M235i
GLK 350 4 Matic in the snow
Looks like we'll be faced with some snow covered highways during our holiday travels. This will be the first time we've had our trusty GLK 350 in the snow.
Just looking for some actual snow driving experiences from those with the 4 Matic version.
Thanks.
Just looking for some actual snow driving experiences from those with the 4 Matic version.
Thanks.
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Wyoming USA
2015 GLK250
It's amazing in the snow. This is my first season with the GLK (250) and I'm truly blown away by how good it is. We get a lot of snow here in Wyoming, and I've driven in it for years in various vehicles. The GLK has proven to be one of the best! I planned to buy a set of snow tires/wheels for it... but so far it hasn't been necessary!
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 932
Likes: 38
From: North of Boston
It's amazing in the snow. This is my first season with the GLK (250) and I'm truly blown away by how good it is. We get a lot of snow here in Wyoming, and I've driven in it for years in various vehicles. The GLK has proven to be one of the best! I planned to buy a set of snow tires/wheels for it... but so far it hasn't been necessary!
Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 96
Likes: 25
From: Calgary, AB, Canada
2015 GLK 250 BlueTec with AMG Sport package.
Can attest to all the replies here! So far we had only one 
"serious" snow dump in Calgary but even with all-season tires, GLK 250 has been unbelievably stable 
So far it is scary how mild this winter is so not much of the testing I can do 
"serious" snow dump in Calgary but even with all-season tires, GLK 250 has been unbelievably stable So far it is scary how mild this winter is so not much of the testing I can do
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 296
Likes: 23
From: Central coast California
2024 GLC300, 2014 BMW M235i
Well, the forecast snow storm didn't materialize down to the level we were driving. Still, it was very reassuring to hear from all of you that our car can handle the snow very well. I wasn't at all worried.
We drove a round trip total of 750 miles and as usual, our trusty GLK proved to be an excellent traveling machine. Over 400 miles of the trip was on the interstate freeway and cruising at 75 to 80+ with the traffic was effortless.
We also encountered a lot of 2-lane secondary highways where we occasionally were faced with passing big-rig trucks, plus a surprising number of motor homes and pickup trucks pulling huge travel trailers. This is where I really appreciate the power of the GLK 350. There is no doubt that it will perform when needed. Zoom!
We drove a round trip total of 750 miles and as usual, our trusty GLK proved to be an excellent traveling machine. Over 400 miles of the trip was on the interstate freeway and cruising at 75 to 80+ with the traffic was effortless.
We also encountered a lot of 2-lane secondary highways where we occasionally were faced with passing big-rig trucks, plus a surprising number of motor homes and pickup trucks pulling huge travel trailers. This is where I really appreciate the power of the GLK 350. There is no doubt that it will perform when needed. Zoom!
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Member
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 79
Likes: 2
From: Quebec
2011 Mercedes GLK350 4Matic in White
My former Kia Sportage was a nice ride for a Kia with what I thought was good AWD performance until the tail end kicked out on an icy hill last year and the ASR/ABS failed to assist me. I almost did not make it up the steep mountainside to my home. 4 months later and I replaced it with a 3 yr old used, MB 350 4Matic plow. This week we finally got hit with 18" of the white stuff mixed with icy rain. It was literally a plow going uphill and as soon as the backend started to slip even briefly, the software kicks in and cut throttle, applying the opposing brake to bring the vehicle back in line. Simply amazing. Even being cautious in snow (unlike so many that forget we are driving on a sheet of ice/water never actually touching the tarmac), it's still easy to lose control of a 2 tonne vehicle on slippery surface. The software is areal boon to safety when we over-estimate our personal driving skills. Last year I was riding on the used 20" pirellis and although I could feel some slip the AWD traction was amazing. This year full snow/winter/ice tires for velcro like grip. best decision ever.
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Super Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 861
Likes: 38
From: Philly area
350 GLK, C280
Compared to my old Land Rover Defender and the Range Rovers, the GLK is pretty good. Drove last years ice storm, and the year before 16 inch snow from NYC to Philly on highway and back roads and never got stuck.
Of course the Defender is a V8 off road, 4X4 with Goodrich Mud and Snow and locking diff's. Very hard to find something that will stop it. The M&S wee hard rubber with big lugs but did not like ice.
Put the correct tires on the GLK and you should not have problems. Remember, ice needs studs , which we can't have down here in PA,or hydrophobic tire so drive defensively.
Of course the Defender is a V8 off road, 4X4 with Goodrich Mud and Snow and locking diff's. Very hard to find something that will stop it. The M&S wee hard rubber with big lugs but did not like ice.
Put the correct tires on the GLK and you should not have problems. Remember, ice needs studs , which we can't have down here in PA,or hydrophobic tire so drive defensively.
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Kentucky
2014 GLK350
Just bought a 2014 GLK 350. As a owner of a Lexus RX350, and very disappointed with its snow characteristics, I am wondering if the best snow traction on the GLK might be achieved by turning off any axle lock switch?
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 4
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From: Kentucky
2014 GLK350
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 5
Likes: 1
From: Denver
2014 GLK350
Living in Denver, I know all about driving in the snow LOL. the 350 does really well. When at a stoplight facing uphill, a lot of folks had trouble getting going. The 350 had no issues whatsoever.
Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 137
Likes: 3
From: Denver, CO
2013 GLK 350 4Matic
Agreed... I live in Denver and have all season tires and don't feel like dedicated snow tires are worth it. I was forced to drive a FWD Chrysler 200 as a rental for 5 days. It had snow tires (half tread, but still), and it was terrible in snow compared to my GLK.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,118
Likes: 271
'13 GLK350 4matic,'10 C207,'15 GLA250,'07 Honda Odyssey, '18 GLE 43, '24 EQS 580
Drove my previous 2011 glk with the stock Dunlop tires that has a snowflake symbol on the sidewall going up to Whistler BC on a snow storm and it won't even slide at all on snow/slush packed road. Even on off-road with fresh snow on the ground it handled really well. After 2 years I decided to purchase dedicated 18" wheels with WS70 blizzacks and the GLK drove like a tank on snow. With the winter tires on I went up again on Whistler and there were few high-end suvs in front of me who spun because of the snow (I assumed they have all season tires) but the GLK never even lost it's foot on the road even if the ABS sensors kicked in to correct the slip on the wheels.
I just wish I can repurchase the exact tire that came from Germany as those tires have the snowflake symbol on them while the replacement OEM tires you can purchase on the dealership won't have it even though they are the same brand of tires. I guess the tires from Germany are rated differently than the local US made tire replacement but the German tires works really well on snow. If your tires have the snowflake symbol on it the highway patrol will let you go and not have you use a snow chain on roads that are notorious with snow during winter.
I just wish I can repurchase the exact tire that came from Germany as those tires have the snowflake symbol on them while the replacement OEM tires you can purchase on the dealership won't have it even though they are the same brand of tires. I guess the tires from Germany are rated differently than the local US made tire replacement but the German tires works really well on snow. If your tires have the snowflake symbol on it the highway patrol will let you go and not have you use a snow chain on roads that are notorious with snow during winter.
Last edited by shotgun_banjo; Jan 29, 2016 at 01:44 AM.
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Joined: Sep 2015
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2013 glk 350
The tires the glk comes with are nearly at the bottom of the barrel when compared to the best Michelin or pirelli , look at comparisons at a place like Tire Rack, I bought the Michelin and everything is better about them
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Joined: Aug 2018
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2017 GLS 450
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 2,583
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2013 glk 350
I bought a used 2013 CPo that had two new Continentals and two older Continentals with maybe 10,000 on them . I researched and put two Michelin LTX on the rears (as the best go on back ) I did this after a 8” snow and performance with Continentals was poor, I put on the Michelin on rears only , since fronts were new. But I got 13” snow and plowed right through it with only the Rears with Michelin. In a few weeks I’m replacing the two Continentals with Michelin.
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Joined: Sep 2015
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2013 glk 350
The first thing I noticed when I only put on Two Michelin’s was the ride quality increased dramatically. I’d research reviews , since every few years major tire changes happen in ride quality and safety , and I just saw a name brand beet Michelin - Pirelli !!! That’s big news !
