Since I have yet to experience snow and / or ice in the new 300D, I was wondering how other owners felt about the traction and response that these cars have.
Luckily in my current position I don't NEED to drive anywhere, so if it is really bad out I can just not drive..

My last car was an older Mercury Cougar, no ABS, rear wheel drive, horrible weight distribution, etc. I somehow managed to keep that thing straight most of the time, though. But before I had new tires, there were times where it would take me 2 minutes just to make a turn from a stop sign. I later learned that one sand bag was enough to keep the wheels on the road. After some practice, I could take that car and do perfect "police chase" 180's, but I wouldn't ever go so far as to say that that car handled well.

I would imagine that the Benz would handle much better, though. Of course time will tell, but I'd like to know what to expect before it happens. I would think that since most gas cars catapult you from a dead stop, that the benz would have decent traction until the turbo spooled up. I'm really excited about having ABS this year, though!

Any stories or reccomendations? How would you compare them to other RWD or even FWD cars?

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Dan
2005 E320 CDI - 246k
1987 300SDL TD05-16g, Herlevi pump, Elbe manifold, 2.47 LSD - 213k
Past: 1987 300D - 264k

I found Mercedes to be horrible in the snow unless they have a locking rear end, 4Matic, or some traction aid's.

ESP, and ASR help a lot in finding traction. My friends E300D will climb my hill when my old SD just couldn't. No matter how light on the throttle I was one rear tire would spin, than you are screwed.

My uncles E350 4Matic is like a snow cat. 4Matic with all those nice traction aids, if any wheel can find some grip it will move. 4Matic is very nice in the snow. I was playing with an S430 4Matic in the offices parking lot last winter before they plowed. Lots of fun...

If your W124 has a locking rear it should do OK. Open rear ends are useless in the snow.

Once you get moving they are fine. They handle very well, I can and have put them into very nice drifts around corners. Perfectly neutral and controllable. Just be carefull of the rear end snap if your in a rear wheel drive W210 and it grabs traction all of a sudden.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

As one who grew up in upstate NY's snow belt, I grew up driving rear drive, non limited-slip cars. Back in the day, unless you wanted some manly 4WD pickup, you didn't have much choice. And we managed to get around just fine, unless the snow is so deep you start to float on it by it building up underneath.

Get yourself at least 2 snow tires, preferably 4 if you are not experienced or comfortable driving in snow, and you will be fine. Practice in a shopping center parking lot after a fresh snow. I put Graspics on the back only of my '95 E300D and do just fine in the snow. No limited slip or ASR. There is nothing about a W124 which is inherently worse than any other RWD car without a posi.

Rgds,
Chris W.
'95 E300D, 276K

I just hope a W123 drives better in the snow than my MR cars did (Porsche 914 and Toyota MR2)

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Java Developer/Linux SysAdmin

Current:
*1984 300D ~200K,1989 MR2 250K, 2012 Ford Fusion 4.5K (fiance's car to replace the uber-unsafe cavalier)
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Past: 1998 Chevy Cavalier ,2005 Saab 9-3 2.0T, 1996 Mazda Protege, 1974 Porsche 914 2.0, 1997 Land Rover Discovery 4.0L/5Speed, 1995 Jeep Wrangler

My w126 is pretty awful... I'm guessing the w124 isn't much better but I've never driven one.

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~Michael S.~
Past cars:

1986 300SDL
1987 300SDL
1982 240D
1982 300SD


Current:

1987 300SDL

I grew up in snowy Ohio driving RWD open diff cars. In a metro area, with reasonable snow removal, it's surprising how well they do with studded tires.

FWD is quite an advantage however. When I got my first front driver, it was a world of difference what that car would plow through with regular tires. I never even bought snows for that car. It was fun blasting through snow drifts on unplowed roads out in the country. I miss the snow... (No I don't...)

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-Evan


Benz Fleet:
1968 UNIMOG 404.114
1998 E300
2008 E63


Non-Benz Fleet:
1992 Aerostar
1993 MR2
2000 F250

I've taken my 123 down roads with over a foot of fresh undisturbed snow, and driven it thorough 2 Calgary winters now and have to say apart from starting on polished snow (at some intersections) the car handles great. I don't carry any extra weight around, all I can say is BUY GOOD SNOW TIRES and you will be impressed. Also don't just mash the pedal to go. I love these cars because you can get a real good feel for them in every way and second gear starts are perfect for driving in the snow. I have even taken my car out to an offroad park just out of town and apart from wading through 16" puddles I was able to climb quite a few hills etc....once again buy some good snow tires and you're set.


One more thing.......rwd is so much more fun in the snow than fwd anyday

FWD is fine for going straight in snow, front-heavy vehicles need FWD. For me, I've spent most of my life in Michigan on the shore of Lake Michigan where we experience "lake effect snow" regularly for several weeks straight without a break. RWD is IMO a more stable highway setup because of the balance and the simple fact that the front wheels don't have to split their traction between pulling the car and steering it.
AWD is best, a 4matic sucks, but that's not the question here.

I have found the 124 platform to be very good in the winter. Traction control does help, but you don't have that I know. Since you drive in a climate very similar to mine, I suggest buying a nice set of winter tires, not your basic M&S tires, but real winter tires. Watch Craigslist for a set, I've found three sets on 124 wheels in the past month with light use for arond $400. Do not get used Blizzaks, the winter rubber is only the first 50% or 60%, if they're down to the first set of wear-indicators you're down to crappy summer rubber and that's why the're for sale cheap. Hakkapaleta (sp?) or Dunlop, Michelin, Pirelli, all make outstanding "studless ice tires".

With summer tires the car will do as well as any other RWD car, better than the old heavy-front Detroit formula, better than the FWD Grand Prix type cars with wide rubber, ... The 50# of sand in the trunk helps a good deal also.

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Gone to the dark side

- Jeff

It has been said above, but the 124, especially in wagon form, is an excellent snow car. The raw traction for initial acceleration is lacking, but, once moving the balanced handling and braking plus the road feedback are excellent.

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Michael

1988 300 SL (5 Speed)
1994 E320 Wagon
1997 C230

I would think that a 124 would be better off than a 126; granted, the 126 is heavier, but since the car is longer, maybe there is less weight in the back?

I find that if you go to a parking lot and practice a bit, you can really get to know your car. I would go nuts in the cougar..and I felt confident about correcting any fishtailing if it were to occur. My main concern with that car was stopping. Hell, for as bad as it was, there were times when I could have easily passed most people on the road. The only way that car could be any less safe would be if it had the 5.0 or 4.6 in it!

While I don't look forward to driving in the snow, I DO look forward to getting to know the car better. IMO, tearing a parking lot up will really let you know what you are in for.

I don't give much throttle from a stop as it is, so I think I'll be ok for the most part. I guess my advantage is that there is no terrain here But, every gas car I have driven since I got the diesel flies the second you touch the gas...whereas the diesel just takes off nice and smooth. That should be a benefit.

I'm not really in the market for snow tires, but I'll keep an eye out for some on the cheap. I've never used them before..is there an noticeable difference on dry pavement that would make the ride less enjoyable? I generally don't need to deal with the snow that you guys north of me have.

Babymog, have you been getting any lake effect this week? I know Indiana is in for it.

I always had the advantage for fun in the snow, though. My buddy had a V8 Caddy that he would just try and try to do donuts in, but we just went in a straight line (which, if you ask me, can be bad too..it goes straight but you can't control it!) At least with the rwd you can correct yourself. I learned the hard way early on, after I first got my lisence and the car, I tried to fishtail in the rain and ended up on some guys front lawn!!

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Dan
2005 E320 CDI - 246k
1987 300SDL TD05-16g, Herlevi pump, Elbe manifold, 2.47 LSD - 213k
Past: 1987 300D - 264k

Lake effect? I just returned from Saugatuck, visibility was less than 1/4 mile. Supposed to get worse tonight, but you probably know that lake effect snow is unpredictable and the chicken-little forcasters have implemented a Lake Effect Snow Warning, ...

Typically winter tires ride softer due to the deep, soft rubber. They are sometimes a little noiser, not like old-fashioned snow tires, but noiser, the biggest change is the noticable lack of dry traction as the rubber tends to be soft and exibit more "tread squirm" with less cornering traction.

Another option if you have good tread on your tires is to go to Discount Tire and have all four tires siped. They have a spinning razor-blade machine that makes razor-cuts across the tread and significantly increases snow traction for acceleration and braking. Doesn't significantly reduce tire life (they claim it increases tire life) or wet/dry traction, but creates hundreds of little biting edges for the slippery stuff. I do it on all regular tires that will be used in the winter. There is a minimum depth that they will sipe, worn-out tires they won't cut.

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Gone to the dark side

- Jeff

Interesting, I'll look into this. I just got new tires about a little over a month ago so..plenty of tread to sipe there!

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Dan
2005 E320 CDI - 246k
1987 300SDL TD05-16g, Herlevi pump, Elbe manifold, 2.47 LSD - 213k
Past: 1987 300D - 264k