Rodinal

I have the 10-spoke optional 18-inch wheels with 255-55-18 on them. I'm looking to order a set of winter tires and the 255-55-18's are super expensive.

What else can fit on these wheels?

I found great deals on 255-65-18, 235-55, 235-65, all 18.

Should I?
Any danger?
Does anyone know what exactly can fit on that other than 255-55 ?

josworth

Let me ask my wife...................

user 69696969

I have the 255 55 18, not sure mine are anything optional, have you checked around? I dont recall if they were winter specific tires, but tire rack has them down to 104 per. If you check places like costco or samsclub they have good deals too.

Rodinal

I need winter specific, it's the law here during the winter. The ones I want are about 100 $ more in 255-55 size than the sizes I mentioned previously.

user 69696969

I went to tirerack and put in 255/55/18. When I select winter for passenger and suv I get 14 tires, starting from 123 pirelli, 142 yoko, 156 bridgestone and up (also some have mail in rebates). I am not sure what you were looking at or hoping for but those all seem reasonable. Tirerack gives you free road hazard and they will ship directly to a store of your choosing or your home. Also most chain stores will match pricing. In my experience, I would stick to factory specs if at all possible. I made the mistake of taking what the tire guy said would work, this was for another vehicle, and was stuck with tires that were wearing poorly because they didn't fit right. You are also then stuck buying that size until you can get 4 tires at once. So if you get a blowout or 2 tires wear poorly and need to be replaced you are stuck with the wrong specs.

user 69696969

Just got that and why you said it. lol

user 69696969

If you are asking about spending $100 per tire, I may look to switch but if its 100 overall I would say its worth it. Its not winter yet, buy 3 and wait to get the 4th until its closer.

user 69696969

According to this chart it appears 245/60 and 265/55 appear to be close. i would think you would want to stay close to the 29x10.

Rodinal

It's 100 per tire. We're taking 40% rebate here.
255-55-18 winter is rare everywhere, incl. tirerack.
Not many models.

efzauner

BAHAHA!!!

efzauner

buy from tirerack, ship to some Kinek freight forwarding near you, install at warlmarts.. drive back home

efzauner

On a more serious note.. 255-55-18 has a rolling diameter of 91.25 inches.
One strategy is to go to a narrower treadwidth in winter to get a higher loading and better traction... 1010 tires has a handy dandy tire size calculator and this suggests that 235-60-18 is within a fraction of a percent of the rolling diameter.


at TireRack for the 255-55 Cheapest is Yokahama iceguard at $142 US Add shipping and balancing and installation plus dollar conversion and it gets up there. Plus you would have difficulty getting any warranty.


if you go with a 235-60-18 it is abit cheaper. but not that much. Beware about load bearing and speed rating. The R class is over 5000lbs. you need a higher load tire. The 235s are 107 with often a T speed rating. The 255s are 109 with H and V rating.. the lower rating may well reduce treadlife... so you don't end up saving much.


just bite the bullet and get the right tire!


Check local tire sales in Canada come fall.. You should get good deals.. I have found Canadian Tire not too bad... free installation plus warranty. and they are open sundays too! BTW where are you in Canada? I am in Quebec and we need Ice tires here. not snow tires! Snow clearing is quite good but what is left can get pretty dicey. So stick to ice variety. Also beware of noise ratings. I have a set of yokahama graspix on my C240 and they are great. I got a used set of Toyos for my R class and they are noisy as hell. I got Micheline X ice for the wifes Odessey and they are great.

Rodinal

Montreal here too.
Do you know if tires sold in the US have that darn mountain-snowflake diagram?

efzauner

Good question! ask Tire Rack! Google it! Do some research yourself!


My Martini glass is empty so you are on your own for the rest of the night.


Check on Kijiji too for used tires.

Rodinal

You reversed the order here.
It should be your last post of the day first, and drinks coming second. Not the other way around.

Google search is 18 years old so by now I believe we are all aware it does exist. We also know the fact that the retailers do answer questions when asked. (I did ask TireRack... the guy on the phone said he was far away from any warehouse so he couldn't check). If you are to say "good question" and mention google does exist, avoid posting.


Many thanks.

josworth

Well, I'm a little more blunt than @efzauner (as he can attest).

You, sir, are your own worse enemy. You ask for help and come across like you want every one else to do the leg work. Then get snippy when we tire of it. Not the way get help on a forum.

"Google it" is just an expression. It means that all you need to know is easily gotten off the internet.

It appears you have been on tire rack's web site. Please take the time to actually read their articles about tire sizing and specifications. It will make @efzauner's post make more sense to you.

and... yes US winter tires have the symbol.

Also, some of your proposed tire sizes will be down right dangerous in a 5000lb wagon. Again, spend some time reading to understand why.

Me personally would be ordering this......

SHOPPING CART
TIRE & WHEEL PACKAGES
Availability: Fewer than 4, Additional Due 09/10/15
Cancel
RIAL
M10
17x8
Finish: Bright Silver Paint
QtyPrice EachItem(s) Total For 2007 Mercedes-Benz R350

4
$122.00
$488.00
TPMS Kit (Per Wheel)4$127.00$508.00
Mercedes Benz OE center cap (Optional)4$22.00$88.00
Included Hardware
20 Required lugbolt for vehicle

Important Notes
Vehicle won't automatically learn sensors, but can be registered following directions in owners manual. No dealership visit required. If TPMS sensors are not installed in the wheels, the TPMS warning lights will stay permanently illuminated. An audible chime may also be heard at start-up.

Cannot downsize to 16"

Availability: In Stock
BRIDGESTONE
BLIZZAK DM-V1
235/65R17
Sidewall Style: Blackwall
Load Range: XL
R Speed Rated
QtyPrice EachItem(s) Total For 2007 Mercedes-Benz R350

4
$130.00
$126.46
Special/Closeout
$505.84 Free Road Hazard Protection ($39.48 value. Exclusions apply.)
Important Notes
The specially-priced closeout items you are buying are first quality products covered by applicable manufacturers' limited warranties. They are, however, available only until our current inventory is depleted.
Hunter Road Force™ Mounting and Balancing included free of charge with your Tire & Wheel Package. Read More>
Save for Later Sub-Total: $1,589.84
Please select how you would like to get your products:


Yup... I would install the standard 17" size wheels and tires for winter use

You may be able to save some money by getting the TPM sensors on your own and locating a used set of 17" Mercedes wheels.

Rodinal

On 18-inch mags?

They are available in 18 size at the same great closeout prices. And it's a fantastic tire. So we go round and round and come back to my question. Under $150 per tire I have: 265-65-18, 235-60-18, 255-65-18 as well as 235-55-18, all Blizzaks. So, I got it, 235-60 is the closest and would work. Load 107, speed rating R, perfect, right?

josworth

Please read.... I am aware you have 18's

Buy what you want..................

Rodinal

I didn't ask anyone to search anything for me. I was expecting answers around the lines of: yeah, I replaced my 255-55-18 with something else and here's what I use.

efzauner

Rodinal I simply googled "mountain-snowflake diagram" and after the pictures the first hit was from tire rack that described it.


What year is your car? you may not have the TPMS sensors that Josworth talks about. What does you ownwers manual say. My 2008 has the rotation sensor pressure monitoring system. I find it just as good a solution without the hassle of TMPM sensors. But that is another discussion!


Josworth suggested new 17 inch wheels for the 235/65R17 Blizzaks.
It is also a popular solution vs my suggestion of 235-60-18.


There is a reason why when you search by car you get a limited choice. The R class is 5200lb and needs a very strong sidewall tire in front otherwise you will wear out the edges very fast. The combination of load rating and speed rating affects temperature rise also. Higher temperatures leads to increased wear as well.


Even in a given size, there will often be different part numbers with different load ratings and different pricing. Even when you compare Canadian Tire with Costco, the part number may be different. I went thru this looking for summer michelins last year.


Take a look at this link, it is for summer Michelins Latitude tour HP.
http://www.michelin.ca/tire-selector...p/tire-details


but scroll down to the 255-55-18 size and you will see different load and speed ratings for different cars. I purchased the #18158 it is OEM for Accura and it was a bit cheaper than the MO MB marked tire. Same load and speed rating... slightly different tread depth, and tire weight. I don't now what the impact is. But if you look at other MIchelin tires you will find same size with lower load and speed rating. So take care if you just search for tire size and not by car type. Searching by vehicle takes the load into account.


We are happy to help you but sometimes the old saying "give a man a fish and you feed him for a day, teach him to fish...." you know the ending. So sometimes we try to steer you in the right direction so you can learn a few things along the way. But we tend to have limited patience with people that hit back with the fishing rod!

Rodinal

Thanks, much clearer.
I'm actually looking for solution to put on my 18-inch mags. I did explore a complete new kit option, but i'll end up paying more. My mags are already a bit ugly, so taking them out in cold winter, I don't care much at this point.

What about 235-60-18, 107 R? You said it would work? I do have TPMS sensors. I don't care much for it, if I could turn it permanently off, I'd be fine. Do I have to care about that if I keep the same wheels?

efzauner

Yes you are blunt but we make a great tag team I think!


As for the TPMS I had to educate myself about them last fall when I installed the new winter rims/tires on my wife's Odyssey. I purchased them new with the new car and the dealer did install TMPS sensors.. but silly me I did not ask them to record the ID numbers of each.
Many cars can indeed read the ID numbers, or can accept more than 2 set of programmed ID numbers but not all.. The standard Odyssey must be programmed at each tire change. For $20000 more you can get the Touring edition and it will read TMPS Sensor IDs...
I investigated buying a TMPS reader and programmer but at $1000 I will pass. If I had the ID codes I could have gotten just a programmer for under $100. Garages charge upwards of $40-$50 to read the sensors and program the system.. good money for 5 minutes of work! I let her drive with the tmps warning light on for a few months... I may reconsider because just this week the warning light went on for the summers and indeed one tire was at 29psi...with a nail in it. GRRR...


Having said that... I do not know what Rodinals R350 does with regard to TMPS... If he would give the year it would help.. I suspect it is an earlier one without TMPS sensors. In Canada we still had the rotation sensor system. Yay Canada!


Enjoy fathers day weekend! I am going to Ottawa to watch Germany vs Sweeden womens world cup soccer with my daughter.

efzauner

What model tire exactly? Can you provide a link
Read this
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete....jsp?techid=35


Josworth and my point is that you can do things 2 ways: Follow the recommended tire for your car, or educate yourself and make an alternate decision given imperfect information. There are reasons why tire manufactureres have many different models.. That R rated tire may well be designed for a light truck. It may have very stiff sidewalls and other construction to achieve the 107 load rating. It may also have a very blocky tread pattern for deep snow. This may result in a very harsh and noisy ride in your "german high performance luxury" Touring Crossover.

josworth

Oh, trust me I know... Actually don't do winter tires despite living in N/E Ohio... She doesn't drive it that far and our city does a decent job of clearing roads.

Ours has the standard 17" wheels and I run Yokahama all seasons on it. Super durable, very quiet, and the R has been unstoppable the past three winters we have had it.

My example was some quick clicks on tire rack's site without researching in depth. The text in my reply was copied from the cart.. including the text disclaimer regarding TPMS.

Funny thing is you are correct in that Blizzak being an SUV tire...

The other thing that has me curious... why the heck is he looking to buy winter tires now... we all know what happens if you run them during the summer months....

efzauner

just for you!
http://www.kijiji.ca/v-pneus-jantes/...-hp/1081803959