jettie1767

I've never taken my 55 when I see even a dusting of snow on the road. Has anyone driven in snow? How does it handle?

cte430

I don't think it has as much to do with the SL as it does with the tires. Put snow's on it and I'd think it would be ok.

doltmo

I got caught in a snow storm driving I-80 across Iowa last March in what was then a brand new SL500. The Michelin Pilot Sports did OK in snow, but I wouldn't care to repeat the experience. Some winter highway driving hints: #1: raise the car up to the highest setting (both LEDs on) to avoid picking up clumps of ice dropped from semi trucks. That front air dam was not meant to be a snow plow. #2: Keep an eye on the "outside temperature" display when driving in heavy snow and slush. If the temperature starts to rise (say to 40 or 50F), pull off the road and clean the ice off the front of the car. The grill will plug up and your engine will overheat.

derMaximilian

This car is absolutely undriveable on snow. I had the pleasure during the winter 03/04 when we had about 30cm of snow here in Munich and it really was ridicilous: As soon as there was some snow under the tires the car wouldn´t even move... definitely not a winter car (ok I didn´t have winter-tires on).
Regards,
M

blueSL

I agree, the only time I've driven it in such conditions, the torque completely overwhelmed the available traction and I could not get the car up my driveway. Fortunately, my little Subaru Imprezza Sportwagon scampered up without problems.

jettie1767

Just as I thought. I never ventured out when it's snowing out. I use my SUV instead. I think, in general, rear-wheel drive cars tend to be crappy on snow especially if you don't have snow tires. And the wider performance tires don't help at all either.

Henrik

If you put snow tyres with normal size width the car itself will work as good as any other car in snow except the lower ride height.
The difference between a rear-wheel drive car and front wheel is not that big nowadays.
The SL55 has about 50/50 weight distr. That combined with ASR making both tyres always drive the car forward.. it's better than a front-wheel drive without ASR or ASD or the equivalent.

IngenereAMG

BBBBBBBBBBBRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!

All this talk about snow and cold in the winter is making me cold!! I think I'll head out to the pool and enjoy another AZ winter day. Oh.....I had better grab the sun block!

Have a great day, all!

sprins

Yeah, rub it in why don't you.

clk55fan

BRRRRRRRRRRRR too!!
It was in the low 70's farenheit today and tonight will get down
to the mid 40s....but the day will go up to the high 60s.

That's what a cold front in South Florida is all about.
Sunny with the highs in the 70s, lows in the 40s

Down at South Beach, they are going to have a volleyball tournament
with the players being both male and females. There should be some
great eye candy + the cars.

For those experiencing temperature extremes... stay warm

04E55 AMG

All you need is a good set of dedicated winter tires like Dunlop WinterSport M3's which is a snow/ice tire and your car will rock in the snow. I have been driving my E55 all winter in 3-4 inches of snow and it handles like our Audi A4 Quatrro

Dedicated snow tires make a HUGE difference. I use my stock rims as my dedicated winter rims and use my 19" AMG rims for Spring/Summer/Fall.

I have taken off from a stop better then some SUV's the last time it snowed.

jettie1767

Well, I'm too lazy to change tires twice a year...LOL! When I had an SC430, Lexus also told me the same thing. I guess there's really no way around it but put on snow tires.

matoy

SL55 is a great winter car (-28 degree C)

blueSL

... providing you don't want to drive it.

Great pictures, difficult to believe the SL has gone anywhere, nothing on the wheels to show it's moved in the snow. Maybe photo shopped or else so cold the ice is rock hard.

I'm no geographer, but I'd be prepared to wager this isn't Florida...

sprins

I don't know. With the Standheizung (pre-heating) and winter tires as required options @ -28C, I imagine you can have a lot of fun with the car (ESP off!) in the snow. It would require some skill... But fun nonetheless.

matoy

That's right

matoy

It's slipery

matoy

ESP works.

blueSL

Seriously, where is this, Sweden?

matoy

In Finland

jettie1767

What tires were you using in that pic?

blueSL

Yes, wondering the same thing. Are they studded? Can't see normal tyres providing anything like the grip the engine needs, otherwise the ESP will be on all the time.

vraa

Is that steam off the car?

That's be a hot photo.