The best RWD car I had in snow was a 1979 Seville. Although it was not the best year of quality for an American car its intent was wonderful. To me it is kind of like the W123's of Cadillcac. It was my 'SNOW TANK' as it alwasy amazed me at how it could push through long and deep drifts. I miss that car.
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Check your GM history books, but I do believe that the 1979 Seville might have been front wheel drive. I know the Eldo's were back in 1979. Cadillac was one of those odd GM companies that tried out the FWD long before it became really popular. I know that the 1979 Body Style was around for a few years and it started out rear drive for sure... So the reason your 1979 Sevi was so good in the snow was quite possibly 'cause it was actually a heavy front wheel drive domestic tank with a severely restricted V8 from all the wonderful smog crap. I mean it was a 4.1 litre V8 from what I remember and had like 140hp.
I have a friend who's parents had TWO rear drive cars in Lake Forrest, IL. Mom had a Lexus LS400 (1992) with TRAC (traction control) and dad had a 1985 300SD. Both keept GOOD michi all seasons on them and they NEVER had a problem. The SD actually did a little better with narrower tires and NO traction control. And the reason BMW's suck in the snow is 100% the tires. Put a nice set of blizzaks or wintersport M2's/M3's on the car and they OWN... drive a 2000 323ci sport in the snow with the stock ContiSports on it, and no matter HOW GOOD you are its DANGEROUS. Go to tire rack... look up your model tire and see if it EVEN has a snow rating at all. My contisports did not and it was humerous... DSC was useless... so it was 2nd or 3rd gear starts and grandma pedal pressure. Parked it in the garage and took my explorer with 4wd... I am curious... post what kind of tires you have on that E300D
Aaron