HELP!! Fear in The Wet. W203.

[SAFC]

Wet roads caused me a few very hairy moments today. My C270 CDI Auto just can't handle wet or frosty conditions. Is this normal?

My old C220 (W202) manual was bad enough but this car frightens me at times. It wobbles coming out of a bend, the "EPS" warning comes on, it seems to take control while a skid is occurring and gives me one hell of a fright. Do you have this trouble?

Is it better to try with the EPS off, I wonder? Are my tyres poor and do other MB Club members get this kind of problem? Have you experienced the same kind of torture?

The car is a C270 Elegance, with no sports pack or special suspension, so I'm assuming it's got a bog standard rear end as fitted to all other C270 CDI Elegance’s in Sept 2004.

Maybe I've got the tyres inflated too much, although I did check them last week and they were as recommended inside the fuel cap.

Perhaps I need to try the “D” setting on the Auto?

Any suggestions anybody?

 

[davidjpowell]

what are you using if it is not D?

 

[219]

Which tyres do you currently have ?

Certain brands have been reported on here to be very poor in the wet - I currently have Continental Premuim Contact 2's and find them very good .

 

[R2D2]

The handling of your car should be superb in the dry, good in the wet and undrivable on snow. Dodgy tyres would be my first call, then dodgy shocks and dodgy suspension alignment. What tyres are you using and at what pressures. (Why isn't your car normally in D setting)

 

[grober]

Its probably the increased torque of the 5 cylinder diesel being too much for the rear tyre grip. As Derek suggested you might want to look for a better wet weather/low temperature tyre on the rear. Look for tyres with a high silicon containing rubber [ maintain their elasticity at low temps] with a good water shedding tread pattern. [Avoid "racing slick" type tyres with few water clearing grooves/sipes] e.g
mytyres.co.uk - Details: Michelin Primacy Alpin PA3 205/55 R16 91H *, GRNX
This is only one example Nokian and Vredestein also offer good low temperature tyres suitable for use all year round.

 

[kth286]

check to see if the tyres are wearing evenly accross the whole width of each tyre - I suspect it could be bad geometry and needs to be re done.

 

[renault12ts]

If you are not using D you will be in low gears all the time, and use a lot more fuel than needs be.

Remember in the days before ESP you had to be careful exiting corners in the wet...you still have to be...accelerate too hard and the back will want to step out, but the ESP catches it. Try it without ESP you will spin the car!!

 

[corned]

Perhaps I need to try the “D” setting on the Auto?

If you are driving everywhere in 'R', then this might explain your handling difficulties!

 

[Alps]

agree wit h the above, tyres..

 

[Rashman]

Just do what I do.... and avoid the devil's urine.

lol!

Actually guys.. this may shock you to hear, but I may well be re-adjusting my attitude to acceptable driving conditions....

I have recently met a girlie who lives on the opposite side of the country... literally!

Now, I may well be driving my 63 regardless of the weather conditions.

I am currently attending counselling sessions......

Women.... they will have you doing the darndest things!

 

[BlackC55]

All down to tyres. What do you have fitted?

 

[EDZ649]

Just do what I do.... and avoid the devil's urine.

lol!

Actually guys.. this may shock you to hear, but I may well be re-adjusting my attitude to acceptable driving conditions....

I have recently met a girlie who lives on the opposite side of the country... literally!

Now, I may well be driving my 63 regardless of the weather conditions.

I am currently attending counselling sessions......

Women.... they will have you doing the darndest things!

Not only that, you may have to let her get in it!

 

[Rashman]

Not only that, you may have to let her get in it!

LOL!

*sigh*..... I know this.... I know....

But this girl is becoming quite special to me.

63 may have to take a back-seat.

I....cannot believe I just said that.........

 

[LTD]

Maybe a second car could be the answer .......

 

[Rashman]

Maybe a second car could be the answer .......

You could be right.

I have my old 208, which my dad uses.
I could nab that for the weekend, I suppose.

But rolling in my old 208, when I have a 63 in the garage, would just seem criminal.

lol!

I'll figure something out.

 

[LTD]

Taking a second car means you don't feel the urge to detail the car when you arrive allowing you some quality time

 

[camerafodder]

I'm still worrying about the 'd' issue!

 

[Rashman]

Taking a second car means you don't feel the urge to detail the car when you arrive allowing you some quality time

Now that is true.

 

[Big Dan]

I'm still worrying about the 'd' issue!

Your not the only one

 

[trapperjohn]

Just remember love is not all one way. If its raining and she cares - she should come to you. Because you're worth it.