two or four snow tires? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

deeph8 · #1 01-11-2005, 07:23 PM

I am thinking of putting snows on the 1983 300d tomorrow. I see that many people now go with snows all around, but I am thinking of just buying them for the rear tires. The local Discount Tires is selling Hankook snow tires for $55 (installed). What are your thoughts-- 2 or 4? Haven't had much snow yet this year, but I know it is coming.

MikeTangas · #2 01-11-2005, 07:30 PM

4. Help the front end maintain traction and control, especially turning or stopping on slick roads or ice.

#3 01-11-2005, 07:44 PM

Heh I've been out mashing around in the snow/ice and the front end traction is nice...espically if your other tires are "ahem" getting close to bald

#4 01-11-2005, 07:52 PM

All I use for the 300CD is 4 all season radials, and 3 sandbags in the trunk for weight, only been stuck a few times (went somewhere I didn't belong). I've had my best luck with driving the Subaru in bad driving conditions, never had that thing stuck...

dataiv · #5 01-11-2005, 07:55 PM

The biggest thing snow tires will do for you is better traction and better stopping power. That's really what you want in the winter. Sure you get better traction on the rear as well, but the most important thing is to be able to stop more quickly in the winter! If you are going to buy snow tires, definitely go with 4. They make a huge difference.

Pete Geither · #6 01-11-2005, 08:07 PM

I've got 4 studded on the TE and 4 snows on the 400. IMHO the only way to go.

Angel · #7 01-11-2005, 09:24 PM

I never got stuck when the snow inundated Cincinnati around christmas. I love it when the wife says "lets take your car".
the 2 snow tires (blizzaks?) I have were holding up something in the garage (while I was driving on my normal tires =)

(granted, cincinnati usually doesnt get real bad snow, I'll leave that for youall to decide, there are some other SW Ohioans on here...)

-John

bullwinkle · #8 01-11-2005, 09:38 PM

We don't get it very often-the worst part is the yahoos that don't know how to drive in it(but this last one with 3 inches of ice mixed in was a bad one)

Pete Burton · #9 01-12-2005, 03:31 PM

I have to differ here. I believe that 2 decent, allseason tires in front, followed by 2 studded snows in rear are best. Now, I drive in the snow with 4 allseason tires. When I do buy tires, it will be a pair of studded snows. IMHO, snows in front on a RWD car add nothing to traction (duh), very slight improvement in stopping distance, and significant disturbance to directional stability at speed. I've had snows on front of a RWD temporarily once (not MB) and the sensation was not pleasant. AWD or FWD is different.

boneheaddoctor · #10 01-12-2005, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeTangas

4. Help the front end maintain traction and control, especially turning or stopping on slick roads or ice.

What he said..............

I grew up in Pittsburgh...........don't need it where I am but a run 4 M&S rated tires on my saturn non-the-less better to have them and not need them than need them and not have them.

84300DT · #11 01-12-2005, 04:00 PM

back in the day in canada i always used 2 studded snows on the back of my '72 impala. worked fine. never got stuck, and on some of the city bare patches could even throw some sparks!! ahh i miss that 350 v8

boneheaddoctor · #12 01-12-2005, 04:10 PM

Back before I graduated college me, and my parents always ran studded snow tires (near Pitsburgh, PA)...........In fact I still did when I lived in Maryland.

But since i live in Virginia now the weather is rarely extreme enough to justify them. I have a 4 wheel drive truck I save for then.

will66 · #13 01-12-2005, 04:26 PM

I run four Blizzaks on my 240D through deep snow here in Upstate NY and I have never had a problem. I think four snows definitely help stopping and turning. A bag of sand in the trunk helps too.

cscmc1 · #14 01-12-2005, 04:31 PM

I had two Blizzaks in back and two older Michelins all-seasons up front on my 190E until recently. Added a pair of Pirelli Winter tires up front, and BOY has it made a difference. Granted, the Michelins were showing their age... but I would vote for all 4 if you can afford it. Buy a second set of rims and use them for winters. That's what I'm doing.

BTW -- I bought my Pirellis on Ebay (slightly used, still have 75% tread or so) for $95 for four. Of course, I was able to avoid shipping by having a buddy pick them up for me. You can get some decent deals on there *sometimes*.

Chris

Dervman · #15 01-12-2005, 07:15 PM

Look at it this way, greater traction at the rear is of little use if you can't stop or steer properly. Go with 4 Winter Tires. Another justification is you will reduce the wear on your summer tires so overall you aren't spending any more on rubber for the road. I recommend getting a set of rims for the snows - swapping tires on rims definitely reduces their life much faster.