I've never had an old VW in the snow but would assume the superior traction is at least offset by freezing to death... Of course there was that one time where the heater blower quit on the way to work at -15F...
-Curt --- On Tue, 9/9/08, Tom Hargrave <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: From: Tom Hargrave <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: RE: [MBZ] What would you buy now? To: "'R A Bennell'" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, [EMAIL PROTECTED], "'Mercedes Discussion List'" <mercedes@okiebenz.com> Date: Tuesday, September 9, 2008, 10:17 PM FWD cars have better drive traction in the snow only because most of the weight is above the drive tires. But they have worse steering traction because some of the steering tires traction is already being used for drive traction. FWD was almost universally adopted by the auto industry, not because its better, but because its cheaper. Then the marketing gurus took over and started the "better on ice, snow and rain" myth. You'll note that Mercedes never signed up - they know better. Also, the best car on snow was and still is the old VW bug. The engine is over the drive wheels, giving great traction and the steering tires are free to do what they are supposed to do - steer! Tom www.kegkits.com -----Original Message----- From: "R A Bennell" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "[EMAIL PROTECTED]" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; "Mercedes Discussion List" <mercedes@okiebenz.com> Sent: 9/9/08 1:43 PM Subject: Re: [MBZ] What would you buy now? You might convince me but I tell you, you would not convince my wife. In any event, tires do make a huge difference but I do think front drive does work better in the snow. Randy -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Curt Raymond Sent: Tuesday, September 09, 2008 10:50 AM To: Diesel List Subject: Re: [MBZ] What would you buy now? Pfffff! You've swallowed the line on that one. Snowtires and bad power to weight ratio are WAY more important. My 240D is the best snow car I've ever driven bar NONE. Better than my Dodge Dakota in 4wd... Its heavy, low power, and with snow tires has great traction. My 190D is good but the 240D is much better. Last winter I had the summer tires and wheel in the trunk of the 190D, this winter I'm going to try some tubesand to see if I can get better balance. -Curt Date: Tue, 9 Sep 2008 11:17:12 -0500 From: "R A Bennell" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: [MBZ] What would you buy now? To: "Mercedes Discussion List" <mercedes@okiebenz.com> Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Sounds good to me but my wife will not accept anything that is rear wheel drive. In our snowy winters, one does need the traction and front drive is better in those conditions. Randy _______________________________________ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com _______________________________________ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG. Version: 7.5.526 / Virus Database: 270.6.19/1661 - Release Date: 9/9/2008 4:58 AM _______________________________________ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
