I live in Chicago. We have pretty bad winters. Do you guys drive your cars in the snow? Or do you store them for the winter. I've driven on a slick street after it rained, and wondered how I'm going to get along when the snow comes...almost thinking about trading for a G wagen for a few months.

 

I will be driving it in the snow, a lot of snow usually october to april. I would have hoped for 17 inch wheels, but as you can only install 18 inch I am a little worried about winter as snowfall is only few weeks away, usually the end of october. However I am confident with my snow tires and the cars c mode and traction control and ESP on. No problems with the M5 earlier. I have seen a few CLS 55´s, E55's and a lot of M5's driven the whole winter. And we have bad winters...

 

How big is your winter body shop budget? That's the question

I just picked up a landcruiser to get me through the winter and I live in DC where winters are a joke

 

I just got an e63 and am ordering snowies this week. Live in NH. The last couple of winters I've had snowies on my RWD e500, and it handles phenomenally in the snow. I would take it over a 4wd tahoe no snows under most conditions above 15mph. The start is a little compromised vs. a 4wd but the snows do a credible job. And once you get going, the stopping, tracking, and cornering all feel much better than a top-heavy vehicle without snows, IMHO. I had a loaner Tahoe one day while my car was in the shop and I almost stuffed it into a curb going around a corner because I assumed it would stick much better than a rwd benz. I was surprised at how the high center of gravity made the truck feel like a lumbering klutz. It is no shock to me that most of the cars I see around here off the road in snowstorms are SUV's driven by overconfident morons who think because they can go, then they can stop and turn.

My wife had an Audi Allroad for years, and I swear my benz could corner better, stop quicker, and was just as tight on the highway in snow. I assume my e63 will act the same, just gotta be gentle on the throttle. I know your e55 has *ssloads more torque, but if you put it in C mode and don't get on it too hard you'll be fine. I had Dunlop Sport M3s on my e500, they were great and I think better tires are now available. I also have a buddy who had both an S55 and an S65, he used Dunlop Sport M3s on the 55 and had no probs at all. I'm not sure what he runs for winter tires on the s65, but he had no probs last winter.

Of course, all of this is predicated upon you knowing how to drive in the snow... you take my cousin from Cali and put him in an A4 with snows and he's still likely to crash it in the snow. Also, if it gets deeper than 4 inches between plowings, you are going to get stuck. I also might throw a couple of bags of cement in the trunk if you are going skiing in the mountains.

 

Why chance it? Get a cheap 4 X 4 for about $300/mo and never have to worry. Keep in mind that you can have a car that drives great in the snow with snow tires. But what about the other person behind you, etc., who can't drive in the snow? Your snow tires are obviously not going to stop that person from sliding into your car.

I am always glad that I have a truck to use when the weather is less than perfect. That's mostly why my 55 looks like it did the day I bought it, even with 12,700 miles.

 

exactly. That's why I got the landcruiser. And even beyond the concept of how it performs in the snow or doesn't and the other drivers the other issue is getting all the chemicals/dirt/salt or whatever your state uses on the roads all over/under your E. Get a beater suv and drive that on the crappy days and use the E on the nice winter days

 

E55 with sport coni 2 is BAD in the snow...duh...what can u expect from a torque monster with sport tires in the snow...

With snow tires u should be fine unless you are in a snowstorm.....

But i just bought a 1994 Jeep cherokee 4x4 =D as a beater and winter car

 

I got caught in a huge storm in Mammoth, but the ESP works wonders. Drive the car and be aware that you have a co-pilot. Snow Tires would be all else you would need. The car has a raise button. The only concern for me in winter is the airdam.

 

I drive the car year-round, through Chicago and Michigan snowstorms.

Dunlop Wintersport M3's make the car drive better, and more importantly stop better than my Range Rover.

 

Ask Vader what he does in the Chicago winters-Joker

 

get a set of Blizzaks and you'll be climbing ice walls in your E63

 

Had a C32 earlier, no problems whatsoever as long as ESP was engaged.

I’m going to use mine all winter. Which are the narrowest wheels we can have on these cars? Dont want to wide tires.

 

That's true. I have them on my E55 and it worked great last winter.

 

Second that. I have Blizzak last winter and it worked great, even in heavy snow and storm in south of Buffalo NY.

John

 

100% correct. The snow tires (I had Blizzak 22's) make all the difference.

 

Use your stock rims, 245's all around.

 

Go to 'Swapalease.com' and pick up a short term $250/month lease on an Accord or Camry (you should be able to sort by $-amount and remaining months on the lease) or whatever else suits your fancy.

You should be able to find a midwest based lease takeover opportunity for 4-5months and it will cover you.

Then, when spring hits and you take out the E it will be "new again".

TK

 

Not a bad idea.

 

Im thinking of E63 replicas, seems to be easier to clean.

 

May you develop a boil on your bum for suggesting an E55 owner drive a Camry.

 

I actually might consider an ML for 4 months.

 

I drove my '03 and '02 E55s through the Chicago snow with snow tires and they got around very well, however it's very brutal on the car's condition and wouldn't recommend it unless there was no other choice.

-m

 

why the hell would u drive a POS civic or a camry on snow when you can drive one of the safest cars you already happen to own?? if a dumbchit in a 4x4 loses control on snow and is about to smash you head-on at 40mph, would you rather be in a POS civic or a Mercedes E55??

whether you drive your E55 year-round, or worship it and park it in your bedroom, it still depreciates faster than you can say "WTF - " might as well enjoy it 100%. my 2c

 

Keep the E55 during the winter.

I drive my SL55 all the time, even in heavy snow here in NY.

Just find a good set of snow tires.

 

Is the raise button good to use on an uneven surface (likew snowstorm). I use it only on high curbs or when there is risk for contact at slow speeds. I thought if you raise the car and drive for a long time on shocks that are at their maximum height that this would not be good for them. Am I wrong in thinking this?