Nanook

I'm curious as to how the 4matic cars are getting around with these snow storms happening now southeast..I see the crippling effect on the news but surely the all wheel drive MB vehicles must be performing well even with the summer tires ?

zoomx2ian

I have Bridgestone winters for my 2012 ML350. I bought this used ML last summer so it is first winter with it. I have to say 4matic is the worst awd/4x4 system so far of all my cars I ever owned and driven. My other car Audi quarttro is way better in traction and keep the car in control. I used to have Acura MDX AH-AWD also way better, ever lost traction. First snow my wife already complain the car slide every where. I don't believe her begining unitl I drove some odd time. I am not kidding it is bad! I slided to the curb, rear wheel slide out on highway! I never happpened to my Audi and MDX and also put winter tires as well. Traction control not kick in, stability control not kick it. ABS kick in all the time because it could not stop. I really doubt I will get another Mercedes. It is a way over priced unit even I bought this used.

Nanook

I agree..my ML is far from a capable off road vehicle..at 60/40 the power delivery causes the rear to step out constantly. On icy roads the vehicle is nervous and unpredictable..not helping matters is the aggressive camber/castor and it gets squirmy even driving in a straight line.
It's evident this car is a dry road uber speed performer and snowy conditions are best left to as you say Audis, Jeeps and the like..

2012MLBlue

I don't agree with the MDX being better. I owned one (bought new, paid cash in a moment of trying to be frugal and leave Mercedes) for 6 months and drove it through a hard winter. Was no better or worse than either of my MLs in the snow but I hated the boring nature of it and traded it on a new ML.

My 550 is fine in the snow even with the all seasons but a lot of power so you do have to drive it conservatively when snowy or icy. We have several feet of snow here all winter so I know what I am talking about.

Of course I grew up learning to drive on big heavy rear wheel drive GM vehicles and lived in a snow belt so once you learn to drive in the winter any 4wd/awd is pretty much a great luxury.

Best vehicle I have owned for snow is a BMW X3. That thing was simply incredible and felt like a tank in the snow. I drove the snot out of that thing for 4 years and it was bulletproof.

jkaetz

My initial thoughts are, if you're relying on the Traction/Stability control systems, you're driving too fast for conditions. There is NO system that will analyse conditions and slow you down automatically. An AWD vehicle does not corner or stop any better than its front or rear drive counterparts. Stopping and cornering is 100% a function of friction and inertia. The single largest things that you can control in that equation are your tires and speed. The only condition where AWD has an advantage is take off from a standing start or buried in snow/mud as it is not trying to drag or push two wheels of dead weight. Everything else is a balance of speed and gentle inputs.

Quadcammer

my 4matic sedan handled 12" without much of a problem. Had to rock it a touch for a minute to get out the parking spot, but that was it. This is on all seasons. I'm happy with the 4matic.

squid23

Here around Boston - doesn't do anything about the texting drivers who got their homogeneous SUVs stuck in snowbanks the size of a chinese takeout meal.

Nanook

Say whaaaaaattttt ???

pcsgrp

We received about 12" of wet snow here in NJ and I took my ML350 out on unplowed roads without any issues. Had to go over the train track bridge, very steep which caused my old front wheel drive (with winter tires) some problems in the past. I had to stop and let an oncoming snow plow pass and it just gripped and went over the hill. It also plowed thru high snow to go on streets that were not yet plowed by the town. From what I hear, the Dunlap tires that came with the car do not perform well in the snow but so far I have not concerns.

vinceC

We have had two significant snow events here is the past three weeks, one of about 6" followed by about 12" a week later. I didn't have any problem getting around on the stock Pirelli all seasons. Since I haven't had the vehicle long enough to try it in bad conditions I took it out in my neighborhood and purposely tried sudden steering movements and acceleration on areas of packed snow over ice. I was able to stay in control without drama, although I will say I drove pretty slowly. I will say, however, that I would definitely fit it with winter tires if I was in an area that saw this weather on a routine basis.

DriveAMG

I had an e63 with snows no issues. My ml63 with snows is awesome. As mentioned earlier if your engaging traction aids and stability aids your probably driving way too fast for the conditions. I am a professional winter driver with 25 plus winters of driving in the worst of the worst. This car is great in the snow. I will say that some winter tires are utterly useless and some are just the best. I go everywhere with no issues in my ml63.

Best of luck to you all and please drive carefully and safely!

mb_21

I had a 2014 C300 Lux 4Matic rental and I was fine. I got my ML back from MB this morning and decided to try its capabilities!

jean7of9

No problem on ice or thick snow under these infamous and numerous snow storms. I drive slowly and very carefully and get away fast from those crazy drivers who enjoy spinning their wheels then lose control. No better or worse than W164 ML-500 on ice and snow.

Thimee

Still running factory OEM tyres, she runs great at altitude:




I watched this guy with California plates squirm sideways just trying to get going again in stop/start traffic over Vail pass last weekend, I actually got out and pushed him twice to get him going again. Not a single problem with my ML though

Baloo588

I would say that with the Michelin Latitude Tour HP tires that we have on our 2013 ML350 blutec, it does very well in the snow compared to the older 2010 Ml350 we had. It is also a lot better then the junk Pirelli Scorpion Verde a/s that came initially with the car.

DR2000

This is my first AWD car. All previous ones were RWD sedans. Compared to those -- I'm loving the ML.

No issues getting out from behind the ice barriers that plow trucks build all over the city.

Kenn1926

This is my second winter with my 13'ML550 on/offroad pack and Pirelli Winter tires and I'm thrilled with it. It is better in the snow than my last Grand Cherokee with Quadra-drive II and A/T tires. It can even be fun if I put in Sport and cancel the traction control.

zerofinity

No problems with stock Conti All seasons on the ML550 for me. Surprised. Have Jeep wrangler also.. the jeep never gets stuck, but it also is always (for me pleasantly) terrifying in snow. ML is a nice balance just don't expect to push the limits of physics.

cyclrder

My previous GL550 with dedicated snows was unstoppable in 16 inch snow storms (with the car raised).

My GL63 with OEM contis was about the most dangerous car in the snow that you can imagine!

After installing 21inch Pirelli Scorpion Winter tires... And after getting use to the 40/60 torque split the car has handled all of these snow storms without issue. It is actually quite fun to drive.

That being said, a true 4matic (not the fixed torque setup of the AMG) and equipped with true winter tires will take you ANYWHERE that your ground clearance will allow you to go. I have driven up hills at my VT house that you could barely walk up.

The key thing is the tires. You can't expect any 4 wheel drive system to overcome traction issues .

Lastly, the OEM conti performance tires that come on 550s are not all season tires... You are taking your family's lives in your own hands driving those tires on ice and snow.

2012MLBlue

The ones that came on my 550 sure are all seasons. Not bad in the snow at all and I towed my neighbours Infinity AWD car down our street in the last big snowfall a week ago when all four of his wheels were just spinning.

cyclrder

I should have pointed out that the 295/40/21s on the GL are summer performance.... On the ML I think that you might have a 35 series tire on the 550? Maybe it is a different tire and indeed an all season tire.

I will report back the exact tire name

2012MLBlue

265 45/20. Conti Sport LX

DriveAMG

Ml has 295/35/21 and comes with Michelin summer tires which are ok in the summer. I run scorpion winters on the factory rims and I've had no issues.

Can't say this enough. Not all winter tires are created equal. I had a set of Goodyear winters on my work truck for a month and they were utter garbage. The dealer replaced them for free because they accidentally put on the wrong size. The new firestones are awesome.

My scorpions are great too...

Nanook

I have the Scorpion Ice & Snow in 265-45-20 on genuine MB wheels..would not buy them again..even if they were not discontinued..wish I had the Snow's

cyclrder

Nanook.... So order a set of "winter scorpions" this summer and you will be ready for next winter.

But more importantly, check that heater in your garage. That is a proper piece of kit! Are you able to wash your ML in the garage?

My car is a mess right now... If I can't hand wash.... It stays dirty until I find a hand powered car wash or it rains. My black scratches if you breath on it.