So I was reading about driving in snow ect, and I came across a post on BenzWorld that someone had posted; stating the 300E was a bad car in the snow and that its rear wheel drive is a major disadvantage. I have yet to have the fortune of driving my 300E in snow, but I'm waiting for that day to come (may be awhile if I expect it to be in Texas) so my question is: How does the 300E/w124 handle in snow? Heavy to light. If it's good, how so? And if it does do poorly, why? What experiences have you had? What are its limitations and what can it overcome? (In snow)

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2007 BMW 328XI

Slammed with a bunch of negative camber, and on Michelin Pilots, its terrible.



I spin out quite a bit, and get squirrley quite easily.

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-Justin

91 560 SEC AMG - other dogs dd
01 Honda S2000 - dogs dd
07 MB ML320 CDI - dd
16 Lexus IS250 - wifes dd

it's automatic.

Ugh really? great.... I was hoping they'd be champs in snow.

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2007 BMW 328XI

I put Dunlap Grasspic snow radials on mine every winter. It is pretty good in the snow. In fact it is better than my front wheel drive Saturn that i used to have.

In a RWD you just need to remember that you turn the wheels in the direction of the skid. Practice in a parking lot.

Once you learn the characteristics, they are fine.

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1959 Gravely LI, 1963 Gravely L8, 1973 Gravely C12
1982 380SL
1978 450 SEL 6.9 euro restoration at 63% and climbing
1987 300 D
2005 CDI European Delivery
2006 CDI Handed down to daughter
2007 GL CDI. Wifes

Short of AWD- the tires you are running make more of a difference than anything.

My 240D was wayy better in the snow than the Corrado that preceeded it or the JettaIII that suceeded it. The 240D had good all seasons with good tread, the Corrado and Jetta tires were a mixed bag.

I have an AWD subaru now, never felt squirrelly in the snow. it also has ABS (unlike its predecessors) so that inspires a lot of confidence also.

Definitely 'practice' sliding in a snow-covered (safe) parking lot - learn what will happen- make yourself better. But dont change cars to get better in the snow- change tires.

-John

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2009 Kia Sedona
2009 Honda Odyssey EX-L
12006 Jetta Pumpe Duse
(insert Mercedes here)

Husband, Father, sometimes friend =)

I drove my 300E 25K miles per year, through 9 Midwestern winters on regular MXV's, no snow tires. No problem. I'd suggest 1) tires with good tread, and 2) 100lbs or so of weight in the trunk. Worked for me

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62 220sb
67 250S
72 280SE 4.5
74 280C
77 300D
82 240D
85 190E 2.3
86 300E RIP 12/28/09
85 300SD
92 300D 2.5
00 E320 Current
Over 1,000,000 miles in Benzes, Since66

....and a whole passel of BMW 2002 and Tii

In my experience, tires make more difference than the car. If you're worried about it get a set of studded snows. I am getting new General Altimax all seasons for my 300E on Fridy and hoping for the best...might pick up a set of good tire chains too since my commute is hilly.

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TC
Current stable:
- 2004 Mazda RALLYWANKEL
- 2007 Saturn sky redline
- 2004 Explorer...under surgery.

Past: 135i, GTI, 300E, 300SD, 300SD, Stealth

My 93 was fair in snow, not nearly as sure footed as my W126 420SEL though.

One word of advice re: practicing on parking lots...got a call from a friend of mine 25+ years ago...he had been practicing on a snowy parking lot in his mother's Chevy Caprice wagon, hit a tall curb that he didn't see, and dumped the car on its side, crunched the daylights out of the car and made his parents mad as can be!

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2002 Ford ZX2
2 x 2013 Honda Civics

Our 300E does fine....it has General Altimax HP's on it all around (all new) and 140lbs of sand in the trunk. Has yet to get stuck! And it is quite sure footed. The 2nd gear start helps a lot in the snow. This will be its 3rd winter, and we have yet to have any issues.

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-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

Two words: SNOW TIRES! A decent sent (Blizzak, etc...) will make all the difference in the world.

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1992 300D 2.5T
1980 Euro 300D (sadly, sold)
1998 Jetta TDI, 132K "Rudy"
1974 Triumph TR6
1999 Saab 9-5 wagon (wife's)

In a word...poorly. I loved my 300E, it was an incredible car, but it is not a great winter car. For its time, and being RWD, it handles remarkably well in the snow/ice, however it simply can't match a FWD or AWD car in the snow, especially modern cars that have ESP, etc.

Biggest issues are lack of grip from the rear tires, especially going uphill, and handling in deep snow. Stopping on snow and ice in any car is down to the tires and the braking electronics (as well as driver input).

I would absolutely use snow tires on all four wheels.

I'm not saying it's not driveable...quite the opposite. I drove mine every day all winter long. You simply have to adjust your driving accordingly. Whereas with a newer car, and AWD, you have to make less adjustments in your driving (though I ALWAYS use snow tires when the weather gets cold).

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Chris
2007 E550 4Matic - 61,000 Km - Iridium Silver, black leather, Sport package, Premium 2 package
2007 GL450 4Matic - 62,000 Km - Obsidian Black Metallic, black leather, all options
1998 E430 - sold
1989 300E - 333,000 Km - sold
1977 280E - sold
1971 250 - retired

"And a frign hat. They gave me a hat at the annual benefits meeting. I said. how does this benefit me. I dont have anything from the company.. So they gave me a hat." - TheDon

I know that there are lots of potential issues with the older 4matics, but our 91 300TE 4matic is a beast in the snow even with good all seasons. I've gotten through places, comfortably and safely, that more than a few much newer AWD cars got hung up.

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1961 220b: first project car - sold.
2000 CLK 430: first modern Benz - sold.
2001 CLK 55: OMG the torque!!! - sold
1972 280SE 4.5: Baby Gustav
1991 300TE 4Matic: Gretel the Snow Bunny - sold
1978 300SD: Katz the Free Man - given away
1980 Redhead: Darling Wife

How do you like those tires on the 300E?? I'm getting them put on Friday.

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TC
Current stable:
- 2004 Mazda RALLYWANKEL
- 2007 Saturn sky redline
- 2004 Explorer...under surgery.

Past: 135i, GTI, 300E, 300SD, 300SD, Stealth

Thanks for the posts/input everyone!

So good snow tires are a must, weight in the rear and excellent driver handling is what is needed for the w124 to tear up the snow/ice? I wish mine would of had ASR (or maybe not with all the problem threads I see about it) I wan't to practice the skidding techniques but there is no place to do that at! And no snow to practice in either!

See now what would of helped these people? Studded tires? Chains? What can you do to prevent this when you hit black ice? Black ice is my main concern, any of y'all hit it before? How did you tackle it?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dwx-VkvvjgY&feature=related


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PApZm9-rwFc&feature=related

This one was kind of funny, but was like "wow that sucks!" status.

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2007 BMW 328XI

No many places getting around 500 inches of snow per year. Here for me it is normal to get up in the morning with 3 feet of fresh snow. Get some GOOD studded tires and you are sorted. As many above have said already find yourself an empty parking lot and see how the car handle. Nothing to worry about. 2 years ago I was driving every day to Deer Valley resort and back during the winter, never lost control. Don't touch the brakes, use the engine to control your stops and you will be laughing to all 4X4 stuck in the snow.

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