How has your merc performed in the snow?
Discussion
My SL500 is a total disaster - as someone else said, "it will get stuck on an icecube".
Something curious has gone wrong with it too - I got it stuck on the completely level works car park (while everyone else in their FWD hatches simply drove past, unaffected)
What makes it worse is that while fruitlessly spinning back and forth something has happened to my power steering and it's packed up - it only works if I rev the car and even then it's not right. I forsee a horrific bill.
Mrs Orb(s) C220 CDi Sportcoupe is a lot less dire, still bad but still manages to get around. I found the addition of 8 paving slabs in the boot and 25psi in the rears has improved matters further.
Something curious has gone wrong with it too - I got it stuck on the completely level works car park (while everyone else in their FWD hatches simply drove past, unaffected)
What makes it worse is that while fruitlessly spinning back and forth something has happened to my power steering and it's packed up - it only works if I rev the car and even then it's not right. I forsee a horrific bill.
Mrs Orb(s) C220 CDi Sportcoupe is a lot less dire, still bad but still manages to get around. I found the addition of 8 paving slabs in the boot and 25psi in the rears has improved matters further.
Just returned from the Highlands (up to 18 inches of snow in some places on the journey and temperatures of -14deg C to -2deg C) in my SL500 and it performed with aplomb, even on summer HP rubber. I am extremely impressed with Michelin's PS2 tyres.
Edited by r129sl on Thursday 31st December 10:24
ClassicMercs said:
On the other hand the wife's Jazz iShift has been brilliant - even if mpg has fallen somewhat off its usual 59mpg (or better) - down to 53.
What tyres are on the Jazz? Wifey has a manual EX with Dunlop 185/55R16's. We haven't had any snow here but I imagine they'll be hopeless as they're so wide for the size of car.r129sl said:
Has anyone tried these? www.autosock.co.uk?
I've got a set but never used them. However everything I've read and seen would seem to indicate that they're very good.Deva Link said:
r129sl said:
Has anyone tried these? www.autosock.co.uk?
I've got a set but never used them. However everything I've read and seen would seem to indicate that they're very good.
angusc43 said:
C43 through London during last night's rush hour? Rubbish.
Mind you it was ultra-slippery as I found out with a big dose of lift-off oversteer on the first corner. At 10mph. It would break traction at anything over 700rpm, I could lock both fronts at 5mph. Speed bumps on slight inclines were serious obstacles. My 30 min commute took nigh on 2 hours.
Oops - I just remembered I changed the O/S rear a couple of months ago after wifey holed it on some road debris. Didn't change the N/S rear at the same time as it had "a bit left". Had a good look today and it's down to the wear indicators - doh.Mind you it was ultra-slippery as I found out with a big dose of lift-off oversteer on the first corner. At 10mph. It would break traction at anything over 700rpm, I could lock both fronts at 5mph. Speed bumps on slight inclines were serious obstacles. My 30 min commute took nigh on 2 hours.
Getting a new one on tomorrow as Friday is London-Oxforshire-Norfolk and Monday is the reverse trip.
Also remembered to switch the tration control off today - that made things a lot better (although the N/S rear would break traction at the drop of a hat even on RH turns....)
Moral of the story; always replace the rears when you know you should. And turn the traction off in snow.
Edited by angusc43 on Wednesday 6th January 14:35
E55 Max said:
My E55k Estate has been great, it is shod with Vredestein Wintrac Extremes which may explain it though!
New Years Day
Good for you! This is the point, isn't it? People wouldn't go out in the snow wearing only shorts and t-shirt yet they expect their motor cars to fare perfectly well on summer rubber.New Years Day
My 1999 c240 has really put a smile on my face for what will probablly be it's last winter. I have been driving everywhere and even finding excuses to go out. I have very little front end grip but if you go into corners slowly then put you foot down with the traction control off you can be a drift king!
I've only been on roads I know and if for any reason you have to stop on a slight incline, it's game over. You need to take passengers with gripy shoes to minimise the risk of this.
Snow is fun again and I love my car again, if only it wasn't burning oil, falling apart and covered in rust.
I've only been on roads I know and if for any reason you have to stop on a slight incline, it's game over. You need to take passengers with gripy shoes to minimise the risk of this.
Snow is fun again and I love my car again, if only it wasn't burning oil, falling apart and covered in rust.
TM99 said:
Great since installing GT Radial CHAMPIRO WT AX shoes.
Question however: How on earth do you go about jump starting another car from a Merc? Pull along side and lift the rear seat????
The electronics is so delicate on Merc's that "the battery is under the rear seat" is a good excuse to avoid doing it.Question however: How on earth do you go about jump starting another car from a Merc? Pull along side and lift the rear seat????
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