Rear wheel drive in snow

[Thmsshaun]

The problem with my MB is that it has a great big heavy engine at the front and no weight over the driving wheels. If I try to go up a steep hill in the snow, I have a lot of weight and no traction. I also have a lot of power and an automatic box.

Tell me about it I was having some fun tonight just on a damp road. In fairness I was giving it some stick but even so the ESP was earning its money

It would have proved a bit fruitfull though had the traction control been switched off

 

[glojo]

10 years max is the recommendation!

I love it when I see cars for sale with "unused spare!" listed as a selling feature on a car that's over 10 years old, you'd be really pleased if a tyre blew and you put the "unused" spare on only to find that it explodes immediately due to being perished or something

Our 'stretched limo' does very little mileage and I am very conscious of it standing around for weeks on end. Reading this interesting thread has rung warning bells and I will make sure the spare wheel is put onto the vehicle at its next service.

Thanks for the kick in the butt
John

 

[x332race]

When I worked in the alps, I had a Toyota Previa (rear wheel drive) with snow tyres....never had a problem getting to most places.
A friend had a landrover....impressive traction going up hill but a death trap with all that weight sliding down hill.
Another friend had an old Fiat Panda 4x4....a very impressive car on snow....as it was so light, it could get to places other larger 4x4s couldn't.
Mercs should not be a problem in the snow providing that tyres are in good conditon and they are driven sensibly...ESP will certainly help as well....if concerned, keep a set of chains or autosocks in the boot.

 

[Tiff]

I keep telling everyone...COLWAY'S.. They make winter tyres,they are cheap,and they are brilliant! Go to any off road meet,and see what they use!


http://www.tyresdirect.uk.com/

Whats happened to all the "normal" 4wd cars,there were loads in the 90's.

Cavalier 2.0i 4x4
BMW 325iX
Golf/Jetta syncro
Sierra 2.0i 4x4
Peugeot 405 x4
Citroen BX 4x4,
300 4-matic

and probably many more.Do they know something?

 

[BTB 500]

They did a 2.8 litre Sierra 4x4 too, friend of mine had an estate one.

"No demand for them, sir" ... ?

 

[Tiff]

yeah,I remember them,they took over from the XR4i,and were really marketed as a sporty car,up against the Audi 90 quattro,what I meant was that they tried to make everyday saloon cars 4wd,maybe to compete with Subaru at that time,how times change,now that Subaru is known for their Sports cars,rather than farmers hacks.

XR4x4 was a fine car though,fast and safe,but very heavy on fuel!They made a 4x4 Granada too,IIRC-My fave was always the Audi 200 Turbo Quattro Avant.Remember seeing a Treser converted one knocking about.What a machine!

Would you believe I'm only 31?? lol.

 

[grober]

Noooooo!

Dont get me started on non availability of 4x4 saloons. see http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=21885&page=1&pp=15