W107 SL any good in the snow?

[BenzOnline]

How would a 380 or 560 version SL be in the snow? I heard these are not very good to drive in the snow.

What does everyone think? And did anyone ever get stuck somewhere?

I wouldn't mess with it. 225 hp, rear wheel drive? Dangerous... Snow tires may make a difference. I can only comment on reg all weather tires.

[hill]

No

would not do it.

[Aaron]

I disagree..

My father drove his '77 450SL (now in my posession) all year round in Cleveland, Ohio without a problem. The 107s are heavy cars with a wide track. He drove that car from '77 to '88 when he decided to relegate it to the garage for winter storage. Amazingly enough, the car has zero rust on it and it has recently received a fresh paint job, new timing chain, tensioner, rails, springs, shocks, steering box, tires, etc...I still keep it off the road in the winter, and since the paint job have been considering one of those "bubble" storage systems for it.

Restoration of my 280SL will get underway this spring. I have it stored right now and will begin teardown/cataloguing of all parts in February.

[Mark Herzig]

Aaron;
A little off topic but I'm about to do exactly the things you did to your '77 to my '79 SL. Any surprises with the timing chain rails? I also wanted to ask you
1) did you replace the front springs?
2) What shock brand did you go with?
3) what was the issue with the steering box? What symptoms to look for?

I've been thinking about getting a 280Sl also. Keep us posted on how your restoration goes with that!

con muchisimo gusto!

[DZLPWR]

I got my 76 450SL from a friend that Loved it in the snow. He had 4 snow tires on a second set of rims and it never gave him a problem. The cars are very heavy and well balanced.

I personally never drove it in snow. My old Saab did great with 4 studs, and the skis on top were of more valuable than the car, so it was the preferred snow/ski car. Didn't want to get the MB hit.

I did drive my 77SLC in the snow a few times. Very well balanced car with the longer wheel base.

In my option good snow tires are a priority over 4 wheel drive any day. Brakes must be in very good condition so that braking is even. Manual trans and no power steering is my preference (mid 70' Saab).

[n2lw]

My neighbor drives a 560sl all year round with no apparent trouble. She has snows in winter.

[Steve Gutman]

I have a 1985 500SL Euro model that is lowered and has 225/50/16 AMG wheels. The car will not move in the snow. I put on a set of 205/70/14 Nokian Hakka Q's and it runs great in the snow. I ran it to about 55 MPH in three inches of fresh snow. there was no drift or loose feeling that all-season radials give in deep snow. I was passing teh SUV's with confidence. Don't fear the snow, but use only winter snow tires. It makes all the difference in the world.

Steve

[Dr. No]

Hi

I occasionally use my SL600 with dedicated snow tires and wheels up here in Wisconsin without a problem...obviously in blizzard conditions you'd rather be in the ML55 (with snow tires) than the SL tho...

You MUST use the snow tires/wheels best suited for your car, use the "snow chain" switch on the dash if you have one, and be careful in big storms...all of which you already knew probably.

D.

[DaimlerChrysler]

Why would you EVER take an SL in the snow? I can't imagine ANY reason I'd take my 380 SL in the snow, EVER! It would have to be an EXTREME heck of an emergency.

[John R. Boyce]

We drove our SL in the snow the first year we had it. It did fine with four snow tires. Now we have more suitable vehicles for winter use (front wheel drive Olds Aurora with traction and stability control and 4wd Chevy Silverado pickup), so we keep the SL in the garage when the roads are snowy.

By the way, the heater and heated seats are terrific, and with the hard top on, the SL's a great cold weather car!

By the way, I'd like to sell the snow tires. They are Nokian Hakkapeliita 1's, 205/70-14, mounted on MB steel wheels with MB wheel covers and lug bolts. Let me know if you're interested.

John.