I am looking to buy a commuter car and have wanted a Benz for a while. My one concern is driving in winter. I need something that is better than my 2wd 3/4ton diesel truck (which is just ghastly) in the snow. I have been looking at mid 80's 300d's, sd's, and sdl's. I am guessing the 300d would be the best choice with a shorter wheelbase and likely better weight distribution....? I am used to driving rear-wheel drive in crappy conditions but I want something better than a 2wd truck. I take it a good set of snow tires are worth it? Thanks, RT

Its a good question.

I had a friend that warned me prior to purchasing my fleet. He said they were terrible in the winter. I bought the cars anyway.

What I did is to just put old school snow tires on them (the big bite kind).

I think the cars are awesome in snow and we get a ton of lake effect snow here in Western Michigan. I have two teenage drivers and they traversed very well last winter.

I do put about 100 pounds (tractor weight) in the trunck.

Hope this helps.

Don

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DAILY DRIVERS:
'84 300DT 298k (Aubrey's)
'99.5 Jetta TDI IV 251k (Julie's)
'97 Jetta TDI 127k (Amber's)
'97 Jetta TDI 186k (Matt's)
'96 Passat TDI 237k (Don's
'84 300D 211k Mint (Arne- Undergoing Greasecar Conversion)

SOLD:
'82 240D 229k (Matt's - Converted-300DT w/ 4 speed

My brother in law got around fine in his '82 SD. I'll never do it. I got caught in an early snowfall once.......NEVER AGAIN.

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'85 300SD (formerly california emissions)
'08 Chevy Tahoe
'93 Ducati 900 SS
'79 Kawasaki KZ 650
'86 Kawasaki KX 250
'88 Kawasaki KDX200
'71 Hodaka Ace 100
'72 Triumph T100R

The cars have OK to Poor traction without snow tires, but have excellent stability, as far as sliding out and loosing control, very predictable, you really have to try to make these cars loose control. I've done some major commuting in deep/heavy snow in my 300SDL and never found it a problem, and I run all-season tires.

We use snow tires in the rear and it works well. I also like the car because it has more ground clearance than other makes. I don't think it does as good as a front wheel drive but it is still good.

I would advise using some kitty litter,sand, or salt as wieght. Do not use steel wieghts!! I heard of people using these and getting in a head-on or some kind of serious accident and that wieght acts like a hot knife through butter- cuts right through the car!! Don't forget that the fuel tank is between the rear seat and the trunk.

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87' 300sdl

My 300CD does ok, as long as I don't stop on steep icy hills with several inches of snow ontop. That's about the only problem area I have had. I don't use snow tires or chains, and just a sand bag or two when needed. The only other problems I have had is going through deep snow on a dirt road, no traction there.

If you are stuck on a diesel, I would recommend a 300D/SD WITH ASD (locking differential). My 92 has it and it helps out quite a bit. My 83 did not have it - big difference!! Compared to other cars most would agree that poor traction is an issue with these models.

If you would consider a gas model, I have heard great things about the 4matic wagon or sedan. Among other things, just make sure the transfercase does not need to be replaced before purchase.

There is a beautiful 95 E300 and 87 300D for sale on ebay now. I do not recall whether or not they have ASD. Good luck

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1996 (W210) E300D 86K - Traded in for a Lexus
1992 (W124) 300D 2.5 Turbo 202K - Sold
1983 (W123) 300D, 146K - Sold
1970 280S, 263K - Sold - Beginning of addiction

not that we get a lot of snow where i am, but when we did, i was
underwhelmed by my 84 300D traction. a lot of weight in that engine compartment, driving on all weather michelins meant slow
going (not that that's a bad to quote seinfeld). definitely not as
comforting as a front-wheel drive japanese model A. On the other
hand, if i hit something, i knew i was fairly well protected.

i've never had a problem in my 1985 300TD. last year in 16 inches i tried to get her stuck, i had fun driving through the deep snow, uncleared roads, and not once could i get her stuck. you must be laughing at me, after it is only north carolina.

eric

http://groups.msn.com/W123Club/peyton1985300tdt.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=72

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1995 E320 Sportline Wagon "Bernard"
black on black leather

http://i.imgur.com/BdZ7jM3.png

Peyton, Nice wagon.
I like the print on the carpet.

__________________
'85 300SD (formerly california emissions)
'08 Chevy Tahoe
'93 Ducati 900 SS
'79 Kawasaki KZ 650
'86 Kawasaki KX 250
'88 Kawasaki KDX200
'71 Hodaka Ace 100
'72 Triumph T100R

peyton, you guys definitely had more snow than we did.

roy

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rayroyw
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'85 380SE (238,300) my "new" old car!
'84 300D (303,000+)
'72 250/8 (mercy heaven)

Snow tires are a good idea (We dont' need them here, it if snows that much I just stay home), and you will definitely need to learn to go light on the throttle. Once the turbo comes up, the tires will spin something terrible, expecially with Michelin or other highway performace tires.

Peter

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1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!

I agree with Slowmoe on the ASD feature...my car has it also and it helps out quite a bit....its not as good as a true traction control system( wasn't available on the 140 diesel until 1995)..but it will transfer the power to the rear wheel with the most available traction and also flash a light in the middle of the speedometer to tell you what is going on...and of couse to remind you to let off the accelerator

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I live in Denver and have a 75 300D with a spare fuel tank in the trunk (car went through the oil embargo days and previous owner installed spare tank). The tank is right over the axle. Have just used studded snow tires on rear with full spare tank and have had no problems.

I have standard snow tires on another car, which has front wheel drive and I got them sipped, which has really improved on the traction. The new generation ice/snow tires have many small grooves in them, which improves their performance on ice.

If you equip with one of the new generation ice/snow tires and weight in the trunk, should have good results. A point to note, the weight should be placed in the trunk as close to the drive axle, preferably over the axle if possible. If the weight is too far to the rear in the trunk, can have more problems than w/o the weight.

Whne I get new snow tires, I will forego the studs. A local TV station did tests with the new generation ice/snow tires and studded tires and the studded tires took longer to stop.

Tire experts say that one should go snow tires on all 4 wheels because all season tire rubber compound gets harder in winter than the rubber compound in snow tires. This could create handling problems. Snow tires have a softer rubber compound that stays "softer" in cold weather. Hence, they wear faster on hard pavement.

Just some thoughts - Ron

`I used a 126 300SDL, for 2 1./2 years I put snows on all 4 wheels, you need to stop and steer as well as go, with 50 lbs of sand in the trunk.

the 87 has ABS, you need to keep the same type tires on al 4 wheels if you want ABS to operate properly.

I have NEVER had a probelm, I live in Canada, 1 hour north of Toronto in what is calle dthe snow belt Lake effect area . You do need snow tires- I ran Michelin Artic ALpins and then went to Blizzaks this year. Blizzaks are beeter, the real Bite type snow tyres ove rht eArtin Alpins- they were-OK.

I now have a W140 with the ASD, ABS and I put Michelin Pilot Alpins, MUCH better theat the artic aplins. the ASDi s great.

BTW I still have teh Blizzaks from the 300SDL that I bought 27 November 2002, they have 5k kilometers on them ( approx. 3,K miles if any one needs some) 205/60/R15

Steve