plivac

Currently owner of 2010 S4.

Like Audi and quattro, but growing family and want just one car with lots of space. Live in NYC.

Audi doesn't sell the S6 Avant in US, so only reasonable option is CTS-V or E63 Wagon (Still might go with new S6).

Only obstacle is AWD.... since worried about all that power in bad NE winter conditions.

Anyone here that can give advice and personal experience.

Also read rumors about 4-matic on the E63 wagon but lost hope eventually...

And SUV is not an option - just too high for full driving experience.

thanks

vdubpower

how much space u need, if u have car seats u still have only put 2 in the back of the E

plivac

Cargo space is the worry w stroller and all..

plivac

Also care about AWD... about equally.. lot of rain and ice during winter here... if it was 4Matic wouldn't think twice.

vdubpower

thats why i have a denali

NickyBlack

A V is also rwd and had more power

RS77

Unfortunately you can't get the E63 wagon with either a third row seat or all wheel drive. I looked at retrofitting the third row seat and it would void the warranty. Superb car though

plivac

anyone has experience driving it in NE during winter on ice or snow?

otakki

I drive mine year-round. That includes over ice and snow in the midwest (I'm in the Chicago surburb). The summer tires are definitely no go. I almost wasn't able to make it home once on summer tires and was afraid to stop due to the loss of momentum from stopping. As long as you have winter tires, you should be fine. I got a set of Michelin winter tires on a separate set of rims for my other RWD non-LSD 20 years old Nissan since it's narrower with bigger sidewall. I will drive on winter tires for the less than dozen day of wintry surface condition. Rest of the time in winter, I still drive on summer tires--but only when the road is dry.

Winter tires really work wonder. There are a lot of testimonies on RWD with winter tires drive better than AWD with summer or all-season tires. By the way, you might want to consider the 18" wheels if your location has lots of potholes, common to places in the snow belt.

plivac

otakki,

thanks for the response!

what set of Michelins are you using. Also, how do the tires react to hilly roads when cold/ice/snow/rain.

nyc123

you will be able to get awd as an option on the e63 sedan and wagon for model year 2014.

plivac

this is what they speculated for 2013 - how sure is that 2014 will have 4matic option? Also, does that mean next July one will be able to order them?

plivac

http://www.emercedesbenz.com/autos/m...lass-rendered/

no talk about AWD on AMG, and the Genesis look (if it actually goes through) just lacks any imagination.

What are the designers thinking

otakki

Remember my Michelin winter tires are for my 20 years old Nissan, not for the E63. It is Michelin X-Ice xi2. If I were to have winter tires for the E63 tires, I would go for Blizzak (X-Ice doesn't have sizes for the E63).

gsnyc

i have a 2007 E63 wagon and live in NYC. Aside from terrible gas mileage, the car is a terrific city car. As we have put more mileage on, the car has been getting better highway mileage (i assume the engine is breaking-in).

we put P Zero Nero all-season tires on it (MB Manhattan recommended). its 100% no problem in rain. any rear-wheel drive car will have problems in snow around corners if you accelerate hard into a turn. you have to adjust your driving style.

i wouldn't drive it in heavy snow, but i probably wouldn't go out driving in really bad weather anyway. I did have an audi and it was terrific in the snow. i haven't tried our E63 in heavy snow. i've driven with snow/ice on the ground and its fine as long as you drive appropriately.

I may be buying a new one if you're interested in buying my car. send me a message if interested. Thanks.

plivac

gsnyc,

thanks for the info - I am looking to dive it upstate and in Connecticut on hilly roads during winter. Probably will wait till spring to hear on AWD news for next-gen that should start selling in summer 2014.

Also, thanks for the offer, but am looking to get new vehicle.

otakki

This is the tires I would get if I were to go for all-season.