Pinzgauer

Hi,
I have both a e500 and E63 wagon, both 4matic. I know that AMG changes the bias to the rear wheels, but in snow there isn't even a comparison how they handle. The 500 feels like a 4x4, the 63 like limited slip differential.
I read the manual and counter intuitive it tells me to put it into sport mode?
Anyway, does anyone have any tips how to improve traction in snow?
On a side note, I am thinking about swapping the stock P Zeros for Continentals. I always thought they were the best fit for any MB I've had. Any opinions on that?
Thank you

chiromikey

If you're not at least running winter tires on the AMG I'd suspect that's a big part of the problem.

gaspam

^ +1 P Zeros in the snow (or any summer tire) is a no-no. when i briefly lived in a state where it snowed, my summer tires turned into hockey pucks in the cold... changing to all seasons definitely improved cold weather traction (im sure snow tires would of been better but it didnt snow enough to warrant purchase)

Zod

+1 As the brits say ''get away'' or as the yanks say '' no ****''

Pzeros are bad even in the summer , or at least mine have been (very short life span on the damn things, when it comes to traction)

Pinzgauer

Thanks for the replies...
I am going to get the Continentals and see what happens.

CliffJumper

just in case I'm misreading, you're going to get Continental summer tires with the hope of improving snow traction?

PeterUbers

OP you should consider conti dws all seasons if you refuse to switch to winter tires and rim

they are decent in the snow and good on dry and wet

they are NO winter tires however

I actually thought this thread was a joke but the guy really tried his summers in the snow

that's straight up deadly

Astolfo

he can't be for real...If he is, he should not even be allowed to drive....

otakki

Usually, the person will learn his lesson after doing it once with summer tires fishtailing all over wintry road while white-knuckling the steering wheel. Definitely not fun when there are things around to crash into and cause damage.

gaspam

+1 lol true story! when i moved from miami to nashville 8 yrs ago, i had lived in FL my whole life and never seen snow and never drove in temps below 50f, and first winter in nashville it was single digits and snowed multiple times... me, being a floridian and never having to change from summer to winter tires, went out driving around in my audi S4 with summer tires thinking nothing of it first day it snowed... later that day i was googling "how to make my car not slide in the snow "

i imagined it would of been even worse if i didnt have the quattro awd

few years ago, moved back in FL where i dont have to worry about "winter tires" anymore

unagi1

Been there, done it. Lived to tell the tale

Chappy

Nice! Exact opposite here.....learned about the joys of opposite lock and car control at 16 in the many snowy parking lots in Denver. Rear wheel drive plus studded snows made for so much fun!

gaspam

definitely fun, once i learned to drive in it! I felt like Sébastien Loeb (rally car champ) controlled power sliding around snowy turns on way to drop off ebay shipments late at night when no one else was on the road

Pinzgauer

I grew up and lived into my early twenties in the middle of the Austrian Alps, in a village surrounded by 12,000 + feet mountains. The village itself was at 4,000 feet. Snowfall per winter season 100 feet or more. The mountain passes were kept open with specially built monster snow blowers, plowing is impossible with those amounts. Many passes were just closed down till Spring.
I moved to Vermont, still a pretty snowy place.
Learning how to drive in that environment and driving in it, stick only, you're damn right I'll try any car with any tires once to see how it handles in snow.
Comments about my sanity from people who haven't had a percentile of my snow driving experience, although obnoxious in their intent, only make me smile, since I know I am better qualified to judge winter driving.
Fishtailing? That is easy to handle. But almost any 4 wheel drive car or truck or with a rear locker won't fishtail. It just slips sideways. Driving a truck to plow all winter I know.

So I appreciate the tire information but on the driving suggestions I will pass.
Thank you

hyperion667

damn, is someone getting a ******* in your avatar?

CarHopper

Just because you live in a snowy place doesn't make you an expert on driving in snow. I've lived in snow my whole life... Your problems are stemming directly from a terrible choice of tire for snow. It isn't even just the snow or road conditions, but temperature comes into play as well.

You want to have a car that is a beast in the snow? Put some hakkapeliitta tires on for the winter months and use your pirelli/conti/whatever summer tire for the others.

If you're in an accident on summer tires in the snow, and I was your insurance company, I'd tell you to take a hike.

BlownV8

The snowiest place in the European alps gets 11 meters a year so not sure how or where you came up with 100 feet. You must have meant 100 inches.

PeterUbers

You got it all figured out. Hope I never share a road with you.

Astolfo

Dang I am safe he is n the East coast and I am in PNW....

CarHopper

I believe the answer to your question is yes, yes they are.

hyperion667

That's either a small **** or that girl has a giant mouth/head LOL.....what a weird thing to have for an avatar.........weirdo LOL

PeterUbers

Holy sh-t what is that!!???