W123 in snow - What to expect....? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

71inka02 · #1 12-18-2009, 01:06 PM

Well - sort of the way the year has been....

I'm a loyal Land Rover owner, and have always had one in my fleet dating back to 1998 -

Wouldn't you know, the snow is falling heavily in the Great State of North Carolina - the weather dudes are predicting maybe 10 to 12 inches by tomorrow night...And my Rover is in the shop for it's 120,000 mile service!

The front drive shaft u-joint was looking very questionable, so I told my Rover indy to order and replace the driveshaft ----- The part didn't come in today as it was supposed to....and it's fricking snowing and I'm left with my 84 300D...

*Have never had to drive a W123 in snow - What can I expect?* Hoping to get some information before to late. My tires are great, have full load of fuel, and I am experienced in basically all driving conditions....but ability to drive is meaningless if the vehicle doesn't do it's part...

Thanks --- And yes, the snow is beautiful. And yes, the cost of the 120K service on my Rover, does have a comma ( , ) in the cost - before the driveshaft replacment! And yes, I ask myself frequently - Why do I own a Rover....? Just stupid I guess......At least that's what my wife says.

Archdukeferd · #2 12-18-2009, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 71inka02

Thanks --- And yes, the snow is beautiful. And yes, the cost of the 120K service on my Rover, does have a comma ( , ) in the cost - before the driveshaft replacment! And yes, I ask myself frequently - Why do I own a Rover....? Just stupid I guess......At least that's what my wife says.

If You're on flat ground and the snow's not too deep you'll be fine. Try to go up a hill and its all about momentum- but also not losing your steering. I don't think much of the 300D in the snow.

As for replacing a whole driveshaft because one measly u-joint is bad, that seems stupid. Probably $3-500 to replace a whole driveshaft, $50 max if you buy really nice made in the USA, guaranteed for life joints then about an hour of labor to replace it...

kh500 · #3 12-18-2009, 01:35 PM

There are some discussion in other site forum area on w123 winter driving.

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w123-e-ce-d-cd-td/1476717-anyone-winter-drive-thier-123-a.html

StaggerLee · #4 12-18-2009, 01:54 PM

I drive my wagon in the snow every weekend for skiing at Stevens Pass, WA. I have studded tires on all 4 and have absolutely no problem getting around, steering or stopping.

To get to my brother's cabin, I have to go up a 75 yard steep grade, take a sharp right around a tree and then up another little pitch. Ice is the only thing I slip on and there aren't many cars that don't.

If your tires are decent, you'll be fine. Just use the tranny to slow down and momentum to get you up the hills. Take it to a parking lot and do some rally car drifting...you'll be surprised how well they handle and react to corrections when sideways

.

Archdukeferd · #5 12-18-2009, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StaggerLee

I drive my wagon in the snow every weekend for skiing at Stevens Pass, WA. I have studded tires on all 4 and have absolutely no problem getting around, steering or stopping.

While I know how much snow falls there near stevens, to illustrate a point I was just stymied by 2-3" of snow in my driveway trying to get to a spot where I could jump my stupid subaru off. I have brand new all-season tires as of tuesday this week.

Having driven all means of vehicles in snow (RWD Euros, FWD Euros, 6wd plow trucks, snow cats, excavators, etc), I simply have to disagree. Perhaps you're staying on state-maintained roads/snow less than a foot deep. My lifted jeep bogs down when the snow gets to the side mirrors or so, subaru gets high centered when snow is at hood level. In absence of studded tires, the W123 is nearly the last vehicle I'd choose to use for snow. And with them, while it may be adequate- I've had spots in 4wd 1/2 ton trucks where studded tires couldn't get us there, same with AWD subarus and studded tires. Definitely not a magic bullet.

To the OP, you can grab up some tire chains to help for tomorrow if you need them. It is definitely dumping here in the mountains, I'm hoping for over a foot. Not sure what its supposed to do down in G'boro

pj67coll · #6 12-18-2009, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 71inka02

Have never had to drive a W123 in snow - What can I expect?

I've never done so either, but you know they come from Germany which is in Europe and get's lots of snow. Nobody there seems to have problems drivng any cars in the winter so I really dont see why it would be a problem. Assuming you have the right tires, as full a tank as you can and don't drive like a dumbass

Quote:

Thanks --- And yes, the snow is beautiful. And yes, the cost of the 120K service on my Rover, does have a comma ( , ) in the cost - before the driveshaft replacment! And yes, I ask myself frequently - Why do I own a Rover....? Just stupid I guess......At least that's what my wife says.

My brother, in England, has just had to shell out 1800 Pounds for a service to his Landrover that turned into something a bit more. I'm sure he's thinking the same thing right about now.

- Peter.

Crazy_Nate · #7 12-18-2009, 02:18 PM

I drove my 240D in an inch of fresh snow...it wasn't fun trying to stop going downhill or move forward uphill (need momentum). The tires were decent at the time, plenty of tread on all-season tires. I'm sure weight in the trunk and winter (skinny, too) tires would have helped greatly.

bmwpowere36m3 · #8 12-18-2009, 02:20 PM

What to know... Snow tires are a MUST (for all four wheels) and remember you DON'T have ABS, so be careful with braking (especially if you have to swerve, get off the brakes). Otherwise, it’s no different than any other similar car.

my83300cd · #9 12-18-2009, 04:18 PM

I've driven the car for years with only radial tires on it, until 2 winters ago when I needed a set of tires- so I put a set of snows on. The car dealt with adverse conditions much better.

While snows on the back make a huge difference, I drive mine as if I have no brakes when there is snow on the road. Makes you really think about what you are doing, makes you use the brakes very carefully. I also start to consider the route I need to take, as starting off from a dead stop while on an up hill slope can be a challenge.

Parking lot tryouts at the first snow are always a fun way to get re-aquainted with rear wheel drive.

Sev · #10 12-18-2009, 04:24 PM

i'd throw on some blizzaks before heading into the snow in a w123.

Archdukeferd · #11 12-18-2009, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sev

i'd throw on some blizzaks before heading into the snow in a w123.

Guys, he lives in Greensboro, NC. He's not gonna buy snow tires for living in a climate that sees significant snow maybe once a year.

We're talking about a single snow event, not regular, season-long snow. By the time blizzaks get here the snow will be melted.

My advice is to drive the W123 as little as possible over the next day or two. You can be literally the best driver in the world and that doesn't keep other goons from hitting you (no matter how defensive you may be). Sucks that the 4wd is in the shop, I'd say keep trips to work and necessities. Winter gives us some good opportunities to hunker down and keep it at the house. Here's one of them.

When its available, a couch, a fire, and a couple fingers of a single-malt has been proven many times as the best thing to drive when the weather becomes disagreeable.

Sev · #12 12-18-2009, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Archdukeferd

Guys, he lives in Greensboro, NC. He's not gonna buy snow tires for living in a climate that sees significant snow maybe once a year.

We're talking about a single snow event, not regular, season-long snow. By the time blizzaks get here the snow will be melted.

My advice is to drive the W123 as little as possible over the next day or two. You can be literally the best driver in the world and that doesn't keep other goons from hitting you (no matter how defensive you may be). Sucks that the 4wd is in the shop, I'd say keep trips to work and necessities. Winter gives us some good opportunities to hunker down and keep it at the house. Here's one of them.

When its available, a couch, a fire, and a couple fingers of a single-malt has been proven many times as the best thing to drive when the weather becomes disagreeable.

haha, good point. i've never been to NC so i don't know how much snow they get a year.

Archdukeferd · #13 12-18-2009, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sev

haha, good point. i've never been to NC so i don't know how much snow they get a year.

It varies, we've got nice beaches and the tallest mountains east of the rockies, they're about 6-7 hours apart.

Various places in the state see snow once or twice a decade, and other places get 100+" every year.

Sev · #14 12-18-2009, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Archdukeferd

It varies, we've got nice beaches and the tallest mountains east of the rockies, they're about 6-7 hours apart.

Various places in the state see snow once or twice a decade, and other places get 100+" every year.

nice, sounds like oregon but not as cold or rainy. i'll have to check it out sometime. i know there's an air force base there, i'll look into hopping to it

ptwheatstraw · #15 12-19-2009, 01:00 PM

i live in berks co. pa when it snows more than 4 in. good snow tires on all 4 wheels are the only way to go.fill the fuel tank and fill the trunk with beer.