SL/R230: Question: Winter driving in an SL?
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 950
Likes: 3
From: Maui, Hawaii
CLS63, GLK350
Makes you wonder how anyone ever got around in the 60's and 70's with rear wheel drive and only snow tires on the rear. They didn't even have all the skid control stuff or the special rubber compounds.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 269
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From: the sane part of MA
2025 E450 4Matic
Did that too, in college. Used 1970 Chevy; bald snowys. 60 MPH in the worst snowstorms. Got stuck a few times, skidded off the road a few times, but what the heck. I was young and foolish - and the car was only worth $500. Now, I have responsibilities - blah, blah blah
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 950
Likes: 3
From: Maui, Hawaii
CLS63, GLK350
Looks like based on the vehicles you now own that money is not a factor. With that in mind I would of bought a new Landcruiser better in the bad stuff and safer in a accident then the Honda.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 269
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From: the sane part of MA
2025 E450 4Matic
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,057
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From: NJ
2009 SL63 AMG
Considering the nature of your commute, ten miles in the city should be fairly manageable with winter tires, considering how the amount of rock salt and traffic on those streets limit snow buildup. Just use some sense and leave the 'ol lead foot at the door.
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 65
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SL500
Just my 2 cents
Keep this car out of the snow for the following reasons:
1) No matter how good of snow tires you put on and drive safely, the car just ain't made for that. I used to be a believer that you could "drive anything in the snow" with the right tires. I've done that in a C5 vette and a C32 AMG and brother when you lose it, you're done.
2) Driving in snowy salty conditions will ruin your undercarriage and your paint, and ultimately affect your resale value quite a bit.
Whatever you decide, be safe!
1) No matter how good of snow tires you put on and drive safely, the car just ain't made for that. I used to be a believer that you could "drive anything in the snow" with the right tires. I've done that in a C5 vette and a C32 AMG and brother when you lose it, you're done.
2) Driving in snowy salty conditions will ruin your undercarriage and your paint, and ultimately affect your resale value quite a bit.
Whatever you decide, be safe!
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
2005 SL500 Orion Blue Metallic
New Snow Tires
I just bought winter tires for my SL500 just before the snow storm here. It is like a completely different car. The car performed great. One noteworthy issue is that if the snow is too deep, the car's low clearance creates a problem. Your front end turns into a plow!
That aside, traction and braking performance on ice and snow has been great.
That aside, traction and braking performance on ice and snow has been great.
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 950
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From: Maui, Hawaii
CLS63, GLK350
I recently put a set of Dunlop M3 winter tires on my SL. Well today we got sleet and snow. The SL did great on unplowed roads. I own a LX470 and the SL handled as well as the Lexus in these conditions. The Lexus has the 18 inch Michelin M&S tires and AWD. AWD does not make a vehicle better at stopping or turning in these snow conditions it only help your traction when you are starting out. The most important part of winter driving is the tires. Dedicated snows make a huge difference. What I worry about are the idiots with AWD vehicles and M&S tires that think they don't need to drive carefully. Its not me or the SL getting me where I need to go its someone running into me that I worry about. I also wouldn't take the SL out in deep snow 6"+. But in most cities streets are treated and cleared quickly so all you have to do is wait awhile until they are cleared.
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 23
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2005 SL500 Orion Blue Metallic
Winter driving need not be a dream
It is not necessary to "only dream". The Dunlap M3 winter tires are great and are a reality. My SL500 with the M3 winter tires does 95% of what my 4x4 Ford Explorer does, and when a car costs $100k I think you should use it every minute you can. (the Explorer is for hauling stuff not winter driving..) The SL is definately NOT an appreciating asset! Salt may not be good for it, but after 3 years or so I won't be the owner.
Also, perhaps just as importantly: The summer tires are meant for warm weather. Even if you don't drive in snow, you shouldn't be driving on the summer tires when it is 10 or zero degrees out. Summer tires are supple in warm weather and brittle in cold weather. You hit a pot hole are make a sharp turn, you are going to lose a tire.
Why not spend $1200 and make your SL a true year round car?
Also, perhaps just as importantly: The summer tires are meant for warm weather. Even if you don't drive in snow, you shouldn't be driving on the summer tires when it is 10 or zero degrees out. Summer tires are supple in warm weather and brittle in cold weather. You hit a pot hole are make a sharp turn, you are going to lose a tire.
Why not spend $1200 and make your SL a true year round car?
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 269
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From: the sane part of MA
2025 E450 4Matic
Sorry. Don't agree one bit. And neither does my local MB dealer. He maintains that only ONE of the customers that he has sold SLs to drive them all winter.
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 950
Likes: 3
From: Maui, Hawaii
CLS63, GLK350
Isn't great that everyone has different needs and reasons for enjoying their cars. What doesn't work for you does for someone else and visa versus.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 269
Likes: 20
From: the sane part of MA
2025 E450 4Matic
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
2005 SL500 Orion Blue Metallic
I meant no offense. I was just pointing out that the car can be functional in winter if you so choose. By your list of cars, it looks like you would not miss your SL for a few snowy months.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 269
Likes: 20
From: the sane part of MA
2025 E450 4Matic
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
SL500
I Don't Know, BUT
I feel compared to answer on this topic again.
If you want to drive an SL al year long with winter tires, God bless and enjoy. But, the reality is the car isn't made for that; its a summer roadster/touring car. As I said in a prvious post, I've driven vettes, C32 AMG's in the winter, etc., and for me the best move I ever made was getting my ML350earlier this year. That's a real snow mobile.
If you want to drive an SL al year long with winter tires, God bless and enjoy. But, the reality is the car isn't made for that; its a summer roadster/touring car. As I said in a prvious post, I've driven vettes, C32 AMG's in the winter, etc., and for me the best move I ever made was getting my ML350earlier this year. That's a real snow mobile.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 308
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From: Missouri
E500(Sold), SL500(Sold), C350(Sold), ML350, SL65
The lease on my Audi is up in two months and I have a couple of options to consider:
1) Replace it with a smaller run-about maybe an A4, 3 series, or C-class to be used primarily in foul weather and trips into the city (bad roads). ~ $20k (lease cost)
2) Don't replace it, and buy a second set of wheels and snow tires and drive the SL everyday. ~ $2-3k
3) Don't replace it, and swap out my summer tires for all seasons, and avoid the snow. ~ $1.5k
4) Don't replace it, and keep the summer tires on and commute with the wife in the GL when it's cold outside. Free, but it will cost some freedom.
Opinions? Does anyone drive their SL in the snow?
1) Replace it with a smaller run-about maybe an A4, 3 series, or C-class to be used primarily in foul weather and trips into the city (bad roads). ~ $20k (lease cost)
2) Don't replace it, and buy a second set of wheels and snow tires and drive the SL everyday. ~ $2-3k
3) Don't replace it, and swap out my summer tires for all seasons, and avoid the snow. ~ $1.5k
4) Don't replace it, and keep the summer tires on and commute with the wife in the GL when it's cold outside. Free, but it will cost some freedom.
Opinions? Does anyone drive their SL in the snow?
