E Series in snow

[tony wright]

Just about to buy a 1998 E240 with brand new all weather tyres fitted and wondering if anyone has a similar driving experience?

The car will be for the winter only but trying to avoid a drive to see it, if even with all weather tyres it's still a bit of a pig in the snow (heavy, rear wheel drive etc).

While I'm at it an idea of value could come in handy. Advertised at £1,700 with full service history and 106,000 miles. Car is Avantgarde, leather, Auto and as it's an ex Merc demo has nearly every extra fitted.

[SLKen]

If its simply a winter vehicle then winter tyres or not it's not a winter car in the conditions we are having of late but then, other than a four by four, what is?

[anonymous-user]

My E Class sits on rather wide 285 rear tyres and won't go more than 6 feet in the snow without requiring pushed or dug out, it's not very good at all and I'm considering buying narrower steel wheels with winter tyres - I've left it in the drive this week and taken my 20 year old MX5 instead!

[anonymous-user]

My w210 is running on steelies with 195/65-15 Pirelli M&S tyres at the moment. Don't think they are full on winter tyres but they're a damn sight better than the 235/45-17 Falkens it was wearing last year. Haven't been stuck yet, it's quite easy to get the traction light flashing with a bit of throttle but I've been chugging past plenty of wheel spinning cars on hills with no trouble. Amazing amount of braking traction as well.

If this E you're looking at has decent winter boots fitted then I'm sure it will be perfectly ok. Having driven mine around with 15" wheels on for a while I'm seriously considering not putting the bigger wheels back when the weather warms up as the ride quality is much better, deeper sidewalls I guess. Mines an Avantgarde too.

[tony wright]

Took the car for a drive this afternoon and drove very, very well in up to 5 to 6 inches of snow. Seller had just spent £900 on service and new All weather tyres and had nearly every extra thrown at it, so happy with the £1,500 I paid for it.

[ClassicMercs]

Snow usually is with us for less than two weeks a year (fingers crossed).

Most vehicles will suffer in these conditions and a RWD Mercedes is one - irrespective of tyres.

Think about how much you will enjoy the car for the rest of year.

Do like me - push bike. Even that went sideways on way home tonight.

[r129sl]

I have just spent £286 on 4 Continental TS830 winter tyres for my w124 320 TE. When I took the car out this morning still on its summer tyres (the first drive for a week), it was barely controllable and threatened to get stuck even on the flat. On the way home from the tyre-fitters with the winter tyres installed, it is transformed. Braking is brilliant; uphill traction very good and side to side slipping much reduced. This is the best money I have ever spent on this car.

[mickyveloce]

good to hear everyone's managing one way or another . I'm using my C36 , awaiting my freelander arriving , which is amusing/scary in equal measure . Thankfully the car is inherently stable and progressive , and the long throttle travel allows for smooth , if occasionally sideways progress . It gets mothballed next week though 'til April !

[tony wright]

It has worked out even better now as I won 1st prize on our works Xmas bash last night. I won a Eco Flash 2000 electric scooter and it's valued at £1,150 so the winter Merc has only cost me £350.