Don't drive in the snow in New England without them if you absolutely have to get where you are going and there's snow on the road..I've been using (cheap) Dunlop Graspics ($50 each from tirerack as I recall) for 4 years now from Dec to March on dedicated bundt wheels. They aren't hi-tech (and are less than 1/2 worn) but have an aggressive block pattern. I use bags of water softener crystals for weight since I already have them. Add 100-150 lbs in the trunk stacked as far forward as possible (or more if there's really deep snow), keep a full tank of fuel, and the results are amazing. Once the roads are cleared, take the weight out. I haven't got stuck yet and I've commuted long distances in all sorts of winter conditions. Even experimented on some dirt hills in the backyard with 300lbs of weight in the trunk and 8" of snow on the ground and couldn't believe the traction and climbing ability.


MikeL

My 190D, with aggressive all seasons on the front, snows on the rear and 150 lbs of sand over the rear wheels is as stable as any car half again its weight and will climb hills in the snow better than most front wheel drives with all seasons.

With over 40 years experience driving in snow country (averaging over 40K miles a year) I would caution all not to make the common mistake of running half worn all season tires in combination with snows on the drive wheels. All four tires should be close to equal. I have seen the results of this many many times, most recently last Friday, when a close friend spun 4 times and ended up upside down against a tree; needless to say that it totaled his car. He had just put new snows on the drive wheels and left the half whipped all seasons on the rear.

Jim

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2005 C240 4matic wagon (daily driver)
87 190D - 225K (on loan)
85 190D - 312K (on loan)
2011 Subaru Legacy AWD (Wife's)

NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!
Blocky tires will get you in lots of trouble in snow. Open tread is great for 4x4 pickups that you off road or go mudding with. Blocky open tires can't grip unless the snow has never been driven on (e.g. you are always the first guy out in the morning and never get in traffic... yeah, right)

Snow and ice need some open tread, but SIPES & STUDS are best.
Sipes grip & bite into the snow and snow pack
Studs bite the ice and sound really cool as you drive along.

Oh, and for stuff in the trunk....
I would suppose sand, salt or kitty litter would be best. It's hard to put old chunks of steel; your mounted summer tires; cordwood; cement blocks or other assorted items under your car for traction if you slid off the road
Sand would make sense i guess

Buy 4 narrow snow tires, listen to the guys in NH, MA, VT, NY, MI, IL, WI, OR and WA. Drive carefully and good luck

PMU
E300DT, 4 Nokian Hakka2 studded on the corners
No weight in trunk, just a winter jacket, boots & 1 gallon of Power Service Anti-gel

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Phil
Previously loved
variety, but I miss the 99 F350 PSD- 37k, traded, damn

Current stable
98 E-300 TurboDiesel, 253k
http://www.facebook.com/people/Philip-Underwood/762882374

The last big snow storm we had we got about a foot over night. I chained up my 79 300SD (god rest its soul) tires the night before. The next morning I was cutting through traffic like superman.

You don't want chunks of heavy stuff behind you for this reason....if you had a frontal collisions figure what the kinetic energy of those objects will do...minimum pierce the fuel tank and at worst go through the tank..bulkhead and into you. Bags of sand or kitty litter are safest.

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Proud owner of ....
1971 280SE W108
1979 300SD W116
1983 300D W123
1975 Ironhead Sportster chopper
1987 GMC 3/4 ton 4X4 Diesel
1989 Honda Civic (Heavily modified)
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Section 609 MVAC Certified
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"He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you." - Friedrich Nietzsche

Snow tires on the front wheels of a rear wheeled drive car? Tits on a bull.

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Toblin

'79 300D, "Liesel von Diesel", 235K

I kid proofed the house....but they still get in

Snow? What is that? All we seem to get here in Atlanta is sleet and ice with some flurries. I hate the cold and need to move to Key West.

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1981 300D 147k
1998 VW Jetta Tdi 320k
2001 Dodge Ram 2500 141k
1979 300D 234k (sold)
1984 300D "Astor" 262k(sold)
Mercedes How-To and Repair Pictorials
I love the smell of diesel smoke in my hair

not if you want to steer or stop.....

__________________
Proud owner of ....
1971 280SE W108
1979 300SD W116
1983 300D W123
1975 Ironhead Sportster chopper
1987 GMC 3/4 ton 4X4 Diesel
1989 Honda Civic (Heavily modified)
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Section 609 MVAC Certified
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"He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you." - Friedrich Nietzsche

I've never driven with chains on but I recently bought a pair of diamond-style chains for each of my cars and will carry them in my trunk for emergencies. I was debating whether to get snow tires, but the way the weather is here you have dry roads 95% of the time, then out of nowhere you can get over a foot of snow. From what I hear nothing beats chains when it comes to traction on snow. But they certainly have their own disadvantages, mainly not being able to drive with them on bare roads.

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2004 VW Jetta TDI (manual)

Past MB's: '96 E300D, '83 240D, '82 300D, '87 300D, '87 420SEL

Snow tires on all four corners. Check Tirerack etc. I do not think that the car would steer and stop as well with all seasons

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Paul

1991 300TE (280,000)
1985 300TD (432,000 miles - retired)
1976 300D (225,000 - retired)
1975 300D (165,000 - retired)

pfft straight up.. tracked vechicles

Well you can drive them on bare roads but... the wear out quickly then and they tend to chew up the roads quicker. The main disadvantage I found was not being able to go over 50mph.

I know you can drive with them on bare roads, but the wear is what I had in mind. The last thing I'd want is one of the chains to break and start slapping against my fender.

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2004 VW Jetta TDI (manual)

Past MB's: '96 E300D, '83 240D, '82 300D, '87 300D, '87 420SEL

The last time I put chains on the back of my rear wheel drive car the cop at the chains required check point commented "It looks odd seeing chains on the back of a car."

No question - I drove the 300D alot in snow over last few winters(upstate NY). Impossible with the standard Michelins. Then I put two Blizzaks on the back. Great for going...not so great for stopping and steering With 4 of those Blizzaks it was unstoppable, even in deep snow, no extra weight added. Same for the 300SD. Just put the tires on my kid's 300D yesterday since snow is on the way. We shall see how the new Passat does!