SL500 in Northeast winter, am I nuts?!?! - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

spinedoc · #1 10-22-2005, 05:50 PM

OK as some of you know I recently had the dilemna of deciding between my 96SL500 and a vette that I had bought. Well the vette got hydrolocked last week and it looks like I will be able to keep them both, long story.

Anyhow I am considering making the SL my winter vehicle. It sits on the 18" staggered setup, but I do have the original stock 16" wheels in my basement. I am considering Blizzaks, but will gladly take any tire suggestions. Keep in mind this is in MA, NY, CT, NJ area, also I live in the boonies where the plow trucks get there late sometimes, and my driveway is VERY steep.

So with these conditions am I dreaming of the SL being a decent winter vehicle? Or will a set of Blizzaks and a bag of sand in the rear make this car decent?

Mike Miller · #2 10-22-2005, 08:16 PM

SpineDoc,
Knowing NE and knowing the SL ('92 500 SL), I would say you need to be respectful of the torque. I now live in Southern California and love that car here. BUT, knowing NE winters as I do and the surprisingly smooth, but very rapid way the torque builds in the 500, I am concerned that you may spend a lot of time driving while looking our your side widows.

Pete Geither · #3 10-22-2005, 09:12 PM

Tires, tires, tires. The secret for our Benzes in the winter has been the tires. The SL never gets out in the snow, but the other 2 do daily duty. A good set of narrow tread, agressive pattern, dedicated winter tires has made both the 320 and 400 EXCELLENT winter drivers. Would put them up against any front wheel driver any time. With the second gear start in the SL, I would think it will go as good as any other Benz in the snow. JMHO.

1991 560 SEC · #4 10-23-2005, 04:37 AM

Don't even think of it. I live in Webster, have had a C280 during the winter w/4 snow tires. You can get a 4 wheel drive SUV cheap now, use that.

John

elau · #5 10-24-2005, 12:23 AM

I can't swear by it, but I can only tell you my personal experience. It happened to me a couple of winters ago when I was in VA for a few days of conference. I drove the SL there thinking the weather would be nice. But the day of my return it snowed like there was no tomorrow. The storm dumped 8" that day, and I drove in 2" of snow at times coming home in complete white out. The car did great in snow, and the ASR kept the wheels from sliding all over the place. The trip was about 45 miles, and it was the only and last time I drove my SL in the snow.

Truth is, I did sweat my b@lls off coming home

Roncallo · #6 10-24-2005, 05:54 AM

I generally keep my 88 560 SL out of the unplowed snow here in CT, but I do drive it after the roads have been plowed and dried. The trick is to keep it waxed and wash it as soon as it gets any salt build up. Here in CT that usually leaves me with about 15 days where I don't drive it. The car performs fine in all weather but since I have a spare vehical I dont use the SL on the real bad days. The car significantly outperforms my F150 2WD pickup in snow which I have never got stuck with. I also dont use winter tires or weight in the back on the Truck either. To drive a 2wd pick up in CT winters only requires pacience for about 15 days of the year. To drive an SL500 with 4 winter tires should be a piece of cake for any patient driver.

John Roncallo

jjrodger · #7 10-24-2005, 10:07 AM

I have never had any problem using my 99 SL500 in winter. It is far better in snow than my C240 ever was, even on unploughed and ungritted country roads. It goes up snow-bound hills better than any rear driven car I've experienced, perhaps because the driver sits back in the wheelbase? My experience is based on summer tyres, too, Michelin Pilot Sports and Continental Sport Contacts 245/45 ZR 17 in both cases. Just go easy on the throttle and start off in second!

I should imagine that when shod with winter tyres on the stock 16" rims your SL will be ideal. After all, it was designed with harsh German winters in mind. The car was also previewed to the press in 1989 in winter conditions within the artic circle in Scandanavia! So it should be OK.

PagodaLover · #8 10-24-2005, 10:42 AM

Good luck if you do that.

For the cost of outfitting this SL to a condition that will make it (still) bound for disaster, you could buy a Jeep Grand Wagoneer for the 80s to beat through the snow in, and I do mean beat through the snow.

ctaylor738 · #9 10-24-2005, 08:54 PM

You are talking serious winter weather.

Big torquey V8 + RWD + no traction control = trouble in snow.

At best, a very marginal winter car, at great cost to its finish.

tecqboy · #10 10-25-2005, 10:40 PM

Store the SL and buy a cheap AllWD or FrontWD "winter salt rat". I wouldn't subject my SL to the ravages of winter here in Wisconsin where for every inch of snow we also get an inch of salt, or worse, they spray the liquid de-icer. The liquid stuff spays and creeps into everything, not just the body. I've seen cars with only 3 winters on them showing signs of early rust. They don't call it the rust belt for nothing.

Steve Gutman · #11 10-28-2005, 02:58 PM

Get a set of Nokian Hakapaletta Qs. They are great in snow. Traction will be as good as it gets in snow and they are quiet and stable. Life is short, drive it all winter.

UPSTATE NY · #12 10-28-2005, 09:24 PM

Anybody who drives any SL in the winter get what they deserve. One word salt.

All Mercedes are built well, but who in their right mind would risk such an investment ?

76 450SL owner who has never seen snow in upstate NY.

Later
JOB

nh500sl · #13 10-29-2005, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UPSTATE NY

Anybody who drives any SL in the winter get what they deserve. One word salt.

All Mercedes are built well, but who in their right mind would risk such an investment ?

76 450SL owner who has never seen snow in upstate NY.

Later
JOB

Yeah, it if was me and had to choose between running one of the to I would run the vette in the winter NOT the SL! I think the best thing to do would be to by an old 4x4 and just that in the winter, but don't risk your SL!

bwheitman · #14 11-05-2005, 10:34 AM

I have driven my SL in the snow once, it was ok. But we don't get much snow here in Texas. It is all relative, if you respect your SL you will be concerned about it's longevity, if you really don't care about it then it really doesn't matter, and for one considering a Corvette over an SL, I would think you really don't care about your SL any longer. After reading your "Corvette vs. SL" post, I went and test drove a new Corvette, I didn't buy one. Good Luck with your Corvette.
Happy Benzing!

92497pmu · #15 11-05-2005, 01:32 PM

Spinedoc

I grew up not far from you (North Brookfield, MA) --> way out in the boonies
I now live in upstate NY, near Albany and I believe the NY winter to be at least or more severe than central MA.

My E300 is torquey as well, so I went all out last fall.
Bought 4 Nokian Hakkapelitta 2 snow tires with studs $850 with dedicated wheels. They rumble a little on the dry pavement but in conjunction with the "winter mode" (MB starts in 2nd gear) they are unstoppable. I drive 40k/year and travel extensively and am very safety conscious- this is the only way to go.

Last winter was the first I owned the E300 and I was worried at first.
The car is incredible and handled very well in 4-6 inches of loose snow, snow-packed roads, slush and did very well on the ice and sleet storms as well (NOTE- slow down)

The Nokian tires do have a "break in" period of ~ 3k miles, so they might be a little squirrely on dry pavement the first time. I re-mounted mine 2 weeks ago, and we had a 2" snow squall already.

Good luck, email if you have any questions
Phil