Snow tires vs. 4matic: my unique experience and thoughts
 

A few days ago I was in a unique position where I was able to drive two very different cars around the same snow covered block.

First was my 93 300te 4matic equipped with like new (95%) all season tires.

Second was my 300e rear drive equipped with 4 new general altimax snow tires.

The conditions where great for the test, with the roads being completely covered with a few inches of snow. I found that the 4matic was absolutely fantastic while accelerating. Once the 4matic kicked in, it was like accelerating on dry pavement. 2 major drawbacks: you can't stop, and you can't turn.

The 300e was a bit lacking in the acceleration department, but would take a turn effortlessly and stopped on a dime.

I really had higher expectations for the 4matic, but as this car being my first awd car, I did not know what to expect. I think once I master the power slide in the 4matic, the turns should get much better.

Overall, I would have to say that the snow tires offered the best overall performance. While the 4matic's acceleration was breathtaking, It quickly turned to horror when I realized the car needed 2x the distance to stop than it needed to go.

Next year when I mount the snow tires on the 4matic, I will have the ultimate snow mobile.

You should have made a video - particularly of the horror!

Why not swap the wheels over now and see how good the 4matic and snow tyres can be?

unless they are illegal,I always run studded snow tires on all 4s

I had a new driveway put in this year so I had to downgrade to regular snows. I had studded tires for many years and I was sad to see them go.

@ stretch: I should do a bit more of a scientific evaluation. The snows will be mounted on the 4matic next season.. To much work to do to it including the installation of twin turbos.....:D

I run snows on my 300SD and have yet to find a snowbank, drift, or road/hill that can stop my car. :D Tonight I was playing around and putting it to work on some serious hills around here with 5+ inches of heavy snow on them, just plowed right through it.

Snow tires are always best for the traction and overall handling they give. I've been able to keep control on completely iced over roads where all the other cars around me were sliding into the curbs and crashing.

Was following a 4 wheel drive brand new BMW5-series into a left turn yesterday afternoon and he power slid into a curb at 15-20mph with both passenger wheels and violently bounced off....ouch. I was able to cut my turn short to the inner lane, and overtake him on the hill while all 4 of his wheels were spinning. He didn't look pleased as I went by. :D

Twin turbos and 4matic and snow...





...whoa!!!!!!!



(Yeeeee haaaaaar Grandmaaaaaaaaaa etc)

My '82 240D with standard radials and about 200 lbs in the trunk was an absolute tank in 6 inches of snow. Go anywhere.

Here's a video of the same sort of testing between traction 'n tires:

Winter tyres vs 4x4 - snow tyre test - autocar.co.uk - YouTube