Questions about a C200 petrol-servicing, accessories, etc...

[dad4geer]

So reg winter tyres, I currently have 18" low profile tyres so does it have to be 18" winter tyres or is it ok to go for 16" or 17" (Note: car has sports suspension).

 

[PobodY]

In your manual it probably says 17" - 225 / 45 / R17 on both axles.
(At least, that's what mine says despite having the 18" AMG rims for the Sports pack.)

 

[Delayed Steve]

I've just priced up a set of winter wheels and tyres for my c class coupe, I'm running on 19inch wheels at the moment. My dealership had come back with £1800 for a set of 17 inch wheels and tyres,that apparently includes fitting!
I'm thinking of putting some winter tyres on my rims and using the money saved on refurbished if it's needed. My insurance want to increase the amount I pay if I don't use original MB wheels.

 

[nick mercedes]

I've just priced up a set of winter wheels and tyres for my c class coupe, I'm running on 19inch wheels at the moment. My dealership had come back with £1800 for a set of 17 inch wheels and tyres,that apparently includes fitting!
I'm thinking of putting some winter tyres on my rims and using the money saved on refurbished if it's needed. My insurance want to increase the amount I pay if I don't use original MB wheels.

This is England, it never really snows, for £1800 you may as well just get a taxi to work when and if it actually does snow.

In fact for £1800 you could buy a cheap Landrover on the offchance it's needed.

 

[CaptainChaos]

This is England, it never really snows, for £1800 you may as well just get a taxi to work when and if it actually does snow.

In fact for £1800 you could buy a cheap Landrover on the offchance it's needed.

It depends where you live doesn't it?
1,000 feet up in the Pennines or Islington?

And a cheap 4x4 isn't necessarily the answer either, as that will still need decent tyres. Four wheel drive helps get you going. It doesn't help you stop or steer - which are arguably more important!

Remember as well that whilst you are using your winters, you are not wearing out your (usually bigger and more expensive) summer tyres, so the initial one off cost soon gets spread across the years you have the car.

At the end of the day, only an individual driver can make the decision if they think they are worthwhile for their circumstances. There is no right or wrong. Let's face it, there are many cars driving around with tyres most of us would only use on the side of a tug boat!

 

[nick mercedes]

It depends where you live doesn't it?
1,000 feet up in the Pennines or Islington?

I live up the side of a hill in a hilly area full of great big hills.

TBH winter tyres or not Mercedes are hopeless in the snow.

Winter tyres are a German thing really, not enough snow here.

 

[dad4geer]

I live up the side of a hill in a hilly area full of great big hills.

TBH winter tyres or not Mercedes are hopeless in the snow.

Winter tyres are a German thing really, not enough snow here.

I just wonder why Mercedes has not sorted this winter issue over the years? they are adding so much techie stuff in new cars, work on this issue!! there must be some solution no?

My £500 Honda Civic use to coast in winter and snow like a charm..I still remember that day (and it brings smile to my face ) when one day on a hilly snowy slope I found all the Mercs, BMWs etc completely stopped trying to get on the footpath so that they don't roll back when I decided to take the challenge and it was just me who drove up the hill full of snow and grit and I reached the top end of it where there was a roundabout, I looked in my rear view mirror and they were all starring towards my car in amazement .. felt so good

 

[CaptainChaos]

I live up the side of a hill in a hilly area full of great big hills.

TBH winter tyres or not Mercedes are hopeless in the snow.

Winter tyres are a German thing really, not enough snow here.

Fair enough.
As a hill dweller myself I disagree though, and I am a firm advocate of using winter tyres. My old BMW was excellent on winters. I will be a bit miffed if the Mercedes isn't. I'm hoping the ton of batteries under the boot floor will help.

 

[nick mercedes]

I just wonder why Mercedes has not sorted this winter issue over the years? they are adding so much techie stuff in new cars, work on this issue!! there must be some solution no?

My £500 Honda Civic use to coast in winter and snow like a charm..I still remember that day (and it brings smile to my face ) when one day on a hilly snowy slope I found all the Mercs, BMWs etc completely stopped trying to get on the footpath so that they don't roll back when I decided to take the challenge and it was just me who drove up the hill full of snow and grit and I reached the top end of it where there was a roundabout, I looked in my rear view mirror and they were all starring towards my car in amazement .. felt so good

I drove home from Milton Keynes in the snow, in a front wheel drive van, it just kept on going, all the BMWs and Mercedes were sliding about all over the place.

Anything frontwheel drive seems to romp through the snow.

 

[dad4geer]

I drove home from Milton Keynes in the snow, in a front wheel drive van, it just kept on going, all the BMWs and Mercedes were sliding about all over the place.

Anything frontwheel drive seems to romp through the snow.

What's the point of making these cars RWD? any benefit of it over FWD?

 

[nick mercedes]

What's the point of making these cars RWD? any benefit of it over FWD?

Tradition I suppose, as MB and BMW move evermore downmarket to become the new Cavalier and Sierra, soon enough they'll be FWD too.

 

[CaptainChaos]

What's the point of making these cars RWD? any benefit of it over FWD?

Better weight distribution, steering, turning circle. It's an all round more pleasant drive. You don't need to be driving like a nutter to appreciate it.

There also comes a point where front wheel drive will struggle with the power of some of the bigger models.

Also whilst there is still demand for engines with big dimensions, they wouldn't fit easily in a front wheel drive installation. The majority (not all) of front wheel drive engines run across the engine bay with the gearbox on the end, where as most rear wheel drive engines run front to back with the gearbox behind.

Front wheel drive certainly has it's place though, and is the most sensible approach for smaller cars. I'm sure we will continue to see rear wheel drive used in larger cars for years to come.

 

[iliria]

This is England, it never really snows, for £1800 you may as well just get a taxi to work when and if it actually does snow.

In fact for £1800 you could buy a cheap Landrover on the offchance it's needed.

I'm thinking of just using the current tyres (Mivhelin) for now and then in the future I'll get a set of Michelin all weather ones. I can work from home whenever I want so it won't be an issue when it snows 5 days per year.

 

[CaptainChaos]

I'm thinking of just using the current tyres (Mivhelin) for now and then in the future I'll get a set of Michelin all weather ones. I can work from home whenever I want so it won't be an issue when it snows 5 days per year.

It's probably the best idea for the majority of motorists.
Have a look at Michelin Cross Climate and Goodyear Vector 4 Seasons.

 

[190]

Rear wheel drive with an auto gearbox is the worst possible combination for grip in snow.

I live on a hill and once had the honour of being pushed up my hill by an ex England football manager - the things they get up to and I didn't even have to pay him.

It doesn't snow often enough for me to worry about winter tyres. If I have to, I walk to work for a couple of days in a bad winter.

 

[Delayed Steve]

It's probably the best idea for the majority of motorists.
Have a look at Michelin Cross Climate and Goodyear Vector 4 Seasons.

Has anyone had any experience of these tyres? They seem preferable to changing tyres every spring and autumn.

 

[markjay]

Has anyone had any experience of these tyres? They seem preferable to changing tyres every spring and autumn.

I am considering Michelin Cross Climate for my other car.... they are praised in reviews, and also a member here has them and says they're good.

 

[CaptainChaos]

There are many positive reviews, and not many negatives. They really do seem the best idea for general use. If you go slinging your back end out round the Nurburgring every weekend, maybe not...

 

[Delayed Steve]

Thanks guys, they do seem a solution to my problem, I bet they wont do them in my size now lol, I'll have a word with my local tyre man.

 

[iliria]

Now that the tyres problem is sorted can I ask what are the differences between Audio20 and Command?