Hi,</P>


This winter finally did it for me. Just traded in my 99 c230 for a 99 e320 4matic with 33k miles. I just wish I could have gotten a feel for how the car really performs in the snow on the test drive. Can anyone help me understand whatI might expectcompared to how a 4wd suv handles? Especially up hills.I also have a Jeep Cherokee and it's like the snowain't even there.</P>


thanks!</P>


Mark</P>


Yorktown Heights, NY</P>

 

I don't know if this helps, but my BMW X5 is not nearly as good in the snow as my old grand cherokee. Jeep, Audi and Subaru use very similar AWD systems and can send 100% of the torque to one wheel if needed or vary front to rear 100/0 or 0/100 based on traction. The new BMW X Drive addresses this issue. My 2002 X5 has a fixed torque split of 32/68. I don't thonk it is countinuously variable like the other systems. I suspect the 4matic is similar based on your description. You might google the 4matic or check the details in your owner's manual. Bridgestone blizzaks transformed my 87 300E from unable to move in the snow to driving in a literal snow storm the entire way from central Ohio to Cleveland to Richmond, VA as if I had AWD. These tires are amazing even without all the fancy schmancy traction aids. Good luck.

 

With proper tires you should be only limited by snow depth. Very good all seasons should be OK and dedicated snow tires would be awesome. I have 2 AWD audis (TT and allroad) with summer and winter wheel/tire setups. When I get to work and my wife calls to ask how the roads are I reply "I can't tell"- it has to be really really bad to get any slip or even for the ESP or traction contro to kick in. Downside is you need space for extra wheels and a garage and equipment to change them. Our E300TD sees very little snow use even with good all season tires. If I didn't have the audis I would put serious snows on the E300 and think it would do fine. AWD is good but its all about tires,tires,tires.

 

I have a 91 4matic since 1996. Live in Iowa and have hills to deal with right from the driveway. Started out with separate snows the first year. No problem getting out to the main road. We get plowed out late. 6-10" snow never a problem. I stopped using the snows the second year and just kept the All Season tires on. Still no problem. Not sure how to compare to a SUV as I have never had one. The biggest problem is being over confident. Enjoy the snow.