View Poll Results: Which best describes SL500's performance on ice/snow with stock tires (or similar).
Performance difference on ice/snow is minor. Mercedes' lawyers make them add the warning.
0
0%
Performance difference is noticeable, but if you're careful you should be fine.
0
0%
Expect to leave your SL in the garage in winter unless you opt for winter tires.
8
100.00%
Voters: 8. You may not vote on this poll
SL/R230: High performance wheels/tires in winter
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
High performance wheels/tires in winter
I'm looking at buying a used SL500 (2003 of 2004).
Mercedes warns about driving low-profile, high-performance tires in winter ice and snow. I've never had a car where that issue cropped up before, and I live in New York. Hopefully you guys can give me some guidance as to whether this will be an issue for me.
Thanks.
Mercedes warns about driving low-profile, high-performance tires in winter ice and snow. I've never had a car where that issue cropped up before, and I live in New York. Hopefully you guys can give me some guidance as to whether this will be an issue for me.
Thanks.
Last edited by Chuckstar; Mar 28, 2007 at 11:12 PM. Reason: Last sentence didn't make sense once I added poll
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,846
Likes: 291
From: Dallas TX
2013 650i Coupe, 2010 IS250 AWD, 1999 S500
Trust me forget driving it in the snow unless you get proper snow tires. I tried to do that this past winter with my car and believe me summer/performance tires absolutely HATE freezing temps and any type of snow/ice. You won't be able to accelerate unless you turn off the traction control and then once you do that to get going, good luck keeping it on the road. GET WINTER TIRES, I know I will next year or buy something else (like a VW) to drive in the winter. They aren't lying or hyping this up, it is the honest truth!
M
M
Member
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 231
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From: San Francisco, CA
2008 M6 Vert
I agree. The difference is like night and day. You'll need winter tires. I was driving an SLK when I lived in NY and it got stuck in an inch of snow. One time it made a 180 spin on a slight slope and I was looking at oncoming traffic. Good thing it was on a side street near my house. It helps to put a few bags of sand or salt in the trunk to put more weight on the rear tires. I say buy a set of used rims if you must and get a set of good winter tires.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Follow-up
So do I really need new rims? Or would something like Michelin's Pilot Sport A/S work as an all-season option on the stock rims?
I really know nothing about these issues. The last car I bought was a Honda Accord. A great mid-range sedan (highly recommended, btw, for someone looking for that class/price-range of car), but I most certainly did not have to worry about how its high performance features might affect handling in bad weather.
I'd be fine with having the lower performance of all-season tires on the SL500 if it meant I didn't have to find somewhere to store an extra set of tires and get them changed twice a year. This will be my only car, so keeping it in the garage in the winter (or heavy rain for that matter) is not really an option, either.
Oh, by the way, thanks for responding, guys.
I really know nothing about these issues. The last car I bought was a Honda Accord. A great mid-range sedan (highly recommended, btw, for someone looking for that class/price-range of car), but I most certainly did not have to worry about how its high performance features might affect handling in bad weather.
I'd be fine with having the lower performance of all-season tires on the SL500 if it meant I didn't have to find somewhere to store an extra set of tires and get them changed twice a year. This will be my only car, so keeping it in the garage in the winter (or heavy rain for that matter) is not really an option, either.
Oh, by the way, thanks for responding, guys.
Last edited by Chuckstar; Mar 29, 2007 at 12:08 PM. Reason: forgot to thank those who responded
Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 241
Likes: 0
'08 Audi R8, '09 SL63, '10 GLK, '10 ML550
The SL in the snow
I live in Utah and I can't even pull my SL out of the garage when there is snow on the ground. The high-performance tires on it are impossible in the snow. This was my SL's first winter and I drove it all winter long, but only on sunny days. I won't even take it out in the rain, mostly in fear of other cars sliding around.
Needless to say, I hate snowy or rainy days, as my SL is grounded, and there is nothing more fun than driving this car, especially top down on a sunny day.
________________________
Sue’s 2006 SL500
European Delivery February 2006
US delivery April 2006
Needless to say, I hate snowy or rainy days, as my SL is grounded, and there is nothing more fun than driving this car, especially top down on a sunny day.
________________________
Sue’s 2006 SL500
European Delivery February 2006
US delivery April 2006
Almost a Member!
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 45
Likes: 1
From: Griswold, CT
2006 R230
winter is why God made Honda Civics. My feeling is that you can't own an SL without having a second car. I bought an 06 Civic to go along with my 06 SL. I commute 120 miles a day to work and park in a parking garage with about 350 kamikazi's (sorry about the spelling), between that, trips to the supermarket and Wal-Mart and my SL would look like crap. I wouldn't bother with winter tires on the SL. just get a winter car.
I'm hoping for a "C" class 4matic diesel for 2009
I'm hoping for a "C" class 4matic diesel for 2009
Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 241
Likes: 0
'08 Audi R8, '09 SL63, '10 GLK, '10 ML550
I couldn't own a SL without a second car. I would be devastated if my SL got a ding in the side of it. When my black SL is newly washed (which is twice a week by me), it looks especially awesome. I get whoops, whistles, waves, thumbs-up, every day I drive it. I even had a guy shoot pictures of it with his camera phone at a stop light this past week. This car is really a lot of fun, and not just to drive. It is the most fun in my life. Just don't tell my husband.
________________________
Sue’s 2006 SL500
European Delivery February 2006
US Delivery April 2006
