[adamred]

Thanks again, good suggestions...I had one leaky ass german car for 4 years (the 911 targa) and I'm still cleaning up the oil stains from that so no ancient german metal for me...my next p car will be significantly newer....

My wife has had some sort of SUV for gosh around 12 years (2 explorers, expedition and current Pilot) I recognize their issues in the deep snow but they have their upsides as well...

My real issue with snow tires on the benz is not the drivability but the risk, my CLS was embarassingly expensive and if business wasn't so good and the accountant didn't bless it I would never buy a car that was this expensive...that said I really like it and don't want it getting crammed in the crap weather, not as much my problem as someone elses...Its just a car but you know you get used to your car...

My commute is all local roads that just don't get cleared, sometimes at all around here. If we were to get a good 8-12 inches in the morning it could be 6 PM until a plow comes through our 'hood. Conversely if we get one of those ice 1-3 inchers (like we might get tonight) we don't get plowed or salted at all, just the main roads and they can be slick as heck the whole morning commute...

Boo, hoo I know we should all have such problems, but that's my deal with snow tires...