C200d hates snow

[DaveYeo]

I have a C200d and my wife has an A class, I understand that front wheel drive vehicles are better in the snow but we get ice very few times a year and it hasn’t snowed for more than 20 years where we live in Kent. It just isn’t worth the money or trouble to have winters or chains. But I’ve got to say a couple of inches on a not very steep hill I don’t think should cause a problem, I’ve had rear wheel drive cars before but my C-Class is rubbish in snow or ice. I’ve turned the ESP off and that’s worse, I’ll put a few bags of sand in the back tomorrow. Btw my wife’s car is superb so I borrowed hers.

 

[Ebor Matt]

The weight in the boot should help, winter tyres would help I found them useful on a previous 3 series I had. Not driven my e350 in the snow yet so can't comment on that

 

[AMGeed]

Honestly, winter tyres make driving in the snow childs play. I've driven in Switzerland in a blizzard and I couldn't believe the available grip and stopping ability. It's like night and day having winter tyres. And having said that, I don't have them on my current car

I hardly see any snow where I live, so if it does, the car stays parked up.

 

[Rotorhead500]

Maybe consider All Seasons next time around?

Drive my old W203 220 CDI up to and around Durham & Peterlee was fairly sharp winter - it had All Season Nokians on and performed flawlessly.

They were smooth, quiet and also seemed to perform well in to summer months.

 

[Blobcat]

Hello and welcome

Winter tyres are the way forward (See what I did there...)

Having a set of winters means you’re summers don’t get as much wear so the overall costs aren’t that bad.

I’ve been running with winters for >10 years

 

[Headhurts]

My car stays in the garage whilst this weather occurs, if needed I use the wife’s Aygo which is pretty decent.

Robin

 

[alexanderfoti]

as above its all in the tyres. If you have summer tyres vs all season vs winter tyres, the difference is significant

 

[Chrishazle]

First winter I had my S203 c270 we got snow, not a lot (I'm in east Kent) but it was useless so I bought a set of winter wheels/tyres - next winter snow was not a problem! Then I swopped the S203 for an S204, had to sell the 203 wheels and buy a set for the 204 (different bolt sizes!), put them on first winter but after that did not bother, eventually sold them! OK, I now have Xclimates on the front but ordinary GY's on the rear (can't get Xclimates in 245/40 r17!), but we get so little snow here I'm not bothered, just keep the freezer/wine rack topped up and don't go out!

 

[John Laidlaw]

As BC says, winters are brilliant and the cost is mitigated against wear over 2 sets...

 

[sonic]

I was in your position 15 years ago, since then I have winter tyres on both cars all winter. Its wrong to say winter tyres they are really cold weather tyres, your summer tyres are only efficient down to 7C. You will see a big difference driving on a wet 2-3C road on winter tyres, the grip & breaking abilities are dramatically better.
You now have a rear wheel, auto box, wide summer tyres car, the worst combination for snow driving. 20 years ago front wheel drive manual box narrow tyres, you could get away with it.
Have a look on ebay & go for the smallest wheel that fits your car. I bought a set of Mercedes wheels all season tyres 2 years old 3 months ago for £440 delivered.

 

[A.J.]

I have a C200d and my wife has an A class, I understand that front wheel drive vehicles are better in the snow but we get ice very few times a year and it hasn’t snowed for more than 20 years where we live in Kent. It just isn’t worth the money or trouble to have winters or chains. But I’ve got to say a couple of inches on a not very steep hill I don’t think should cause a problem, I’ve had rear wheel drive cars before but my C-Class is rubbish in snow or ice. I’ve turned the ESP off and that’s worse, I’ll put a few bags of sand in the back tomorrow. Btw my wife’s car is superb so I borrowed hers.

We don't often get Snow here either Dave, when it does snow we just don't use the car car for the very reason you mention. I found the traction control far too sensitive and made absolutely no progress whatsoever, a bit embarrassing when you have people patiently waiting behind you

Anyway welcome to the best MB forum out there, stick around

 

[John Laidlaw]

Was behind a CLA 180 this morning who seemed to want to 'make progress' a little enthusiastically - whilst changing lanes at the roundabout/slip road onto the motorway had an almighty squirm which close on resulted in her facing the wrong way on some nasty ice...brown trouser/skirt moment.
When I passed her on the motorway it was being driven rather sedately...

 

[Janchee]

Watch some YouTube clips of summer vs winter tyres and there is a huuuuggggeeee difference. I believe it’s actually the law in some European countries to have them fitted?

 

[John Laidlaw]

Watch some YouTube clips of summer vs winter tyres and there is a huuuuggggeeee difference. I believe it’s actually the law in some European countries to have them fitted?

It is indeed- Holland, Belgium, Germany etc etc

 

[00slk]

Hello and welcome.
My SL55 loves snow, or should I say the driver does

 

[DaveYeo]

Thanks for the feedback, I’m looking for winter tyres now

 

[Blobcat]

Thanks for the feedback, I’m looking for winter tyres now

Only issue is it’s the expensive time of year to be looking... September is about as lat as you want to leave it