Yikes!!! 1999 E300 in snow!! - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

#1 12-04-2005, 02:27 PM

Well today was quite a scary drive. It was my first day driving my E300 in snow and it was the worst time managing a vehicle in the snow that I have ever experienced. It was only about 2.5 inches of snow. I put 120# of bagged sand in the trunk last week, however, it feels as though the weight does not provide any traction assistance. The ARS light on the dash sure blinked a lot this morning. Even at 20mph the rear kept on wanting to come around the front.

Except for one front wheel drive car many years ago I have driven rear wheel drive so I am rather used to then in the snow, but my E300 in the snow is like nothing else I have ever driven.
My wife said that she is done driving the car until spring.

Should I get another set of rims for narrow tires?
More weight in the truck?
Any other thoughts....

Thanks.

aklim · #2 12-04-2005, 02:29 PM

Just drove my E300 and no real probelms. Of course I have newer tires and ESP which is different from yours. However the solution is to get a set of 4 snow tires and wheels from Tire Rack like a Bridgestone Blizzak and your problems will be solved.

Glinko · #3 12-04-2005, 02:31 PM

It's kind of ironic that a German car would handle so poorly in the snow. I mean....Germany gets some crazy snowy weather.

Jim H · #4 12-04-2005, 02:39 PM

Two words:

SNOW TIRES!

nhdoc · #5 12-04-2005, 03:15 PM

Yes, as the others have said here tires are the key. I have a set of 4 snows on a spare set of wheels and have no problems at all with my E300 and don't cart around any sand. I think also there are some all season tires which are better than others in the snow so maybe your tires are just not really good in the snow and you wouldn't have trouble with a good set of all seasons. I have found really dramatic differences in how tires make a car handle in the snow. I had a Cadillac Caterra which was TERRIBLE in the snow on the Goodyear all seasons...but as soon as I put a set of Michelin snows on the back it was like a different car altogether. My wifes AWD C240 has Pirelli all seasons on it and handles fine without any need for snows. I think those pirellis are good all season tires but I still went for snows on my RWD E300.

Also, try the "W" mode in the transmission instead of the "S" mode. This starts you off in second gear and adjusts the shifts to keep the rear wheels from spinning. I find it helpful too.

tryan · #6 12-04-2005, 03:22 PM

snow tires are great, but i would use the excuse to get later model 4-matic. diesels tend to have a little to much torque from a dead stop to get traction. post '97's with winter mode helps some. are you setting the tranny for second gear take off?

#7 12-04-2005, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Glinko

It's kind of ironic that a German car would handle so poorly in the snow. I mean....Germany gets some crazy snowy weather.

Try a rear wheel drive BMW in the snow sometime.

Chris W. · #8 12-04-2005, 03:49 PM

Park it? No way. As others have said, snow tires. 4 good quality snows and you will be unstoppable, two snows on the rear and you will still be very good. I've driven in snow all my life with many different cars, and a RWD MB is no worse than any other car. Give it the right tires. I'm fixing to put on the snows on my '95.

And a diesel having too much torque? Forget it. It's all in the driving technique, and the tires. Did I mention the snow tires? :-)

Rgds,
Chris W.
'95 E300D

braverichard · #9 12-04-2005, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aklim

Just drove my E300 and no real probelms. Of course I have newer tires and ESP which is different from yours.

MB made ESP standard on all its cars in 1999. You both have 1999 E300s, so why is yours different from his? They should both have ESP. Correct me if/where I am wrong.

andmoon · #10 12-04-2005, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Glinko

It's kind of ironic that a German car would handle so poorly in the snow. I mean....Germany gets some crazy snowy weather.

Nothing as bad as rwd Volvo's.

andmoon · #11 12-04-2005, 04:35 PM

I was very pleased w/ my first snow drive in my 90 350sdl! Lots better than a rwd volvo. 225/55/16 AS tires.

Wodnek · #12 12-04-2005, 04:53 PM

I bought a BMW for a winter car to keep the salt off my 300Ds. It was all over the road with the Pirrellis 6000s that were on it. I bought 4 Michelin series X all season tires for $65 each. It is excellent now.

aklim · #13 12-04-2005, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by braverichard

MB made ESP standard on all its cars in 1999. You both have 1999 E300s, so why is yours different from his? They should both have ESP. Correct me if/where I am wrong.

He mentioned having the ASR light and also the manual says there is an ASR or ESP option. Not totally sure tho.

aklim · #14 12-04-2005, 07:07 PM

Currently I am running Michelin MXV4 Plus and will set it to "W" mode for this winter. Later on I will buy some snows if I need it. So far, not yet.

aklim · #15 12-04-2005, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andmoon

Nothing as bad as rwd Volvo's.

Try driving a 91 Firebird puting 410 HP at the wheels riding on stiff suspension and 245 50 ZR 16 Goodyear Eagle GSC tires and 3.73 ration or even 4.100. They will spin on the snow even in idle at 750 rpm.