ace10

Yes, the front is going to drop fractionally. The front axle is a pivot point and the spring perch will move closer to wheel when the rear end comes down.

Put your fingers in between the spring perch and the tire. And wait for the rear to drop.

cnolke

You know whats weird? Every time my rear drops, the front raises (very slightly... .1").

Maybe wagons are different.

Also, the distance between the tire and the lower spring perch should never change. Thats a rigid connection.

ace10

The reason I continue to bring it up is that I had my hand in there once when the rear dropped. Pretty much needed new underwear after that.

I can understand the nose of the car lifting when the rear drops. The front axle is again acting as a pivot point. If the rear dropped 2" I could see the front bumper coming up by perhaps 1/2."


But I'm speaking of the tiny space between the wheel and the strut.

cnolke

I couldnt convince my rear to go up and down (interesting statement if it was context free), so I rolled around a hump in the driveway to articulate the front.

On a '12 wagon, there is plenty of room between the strut (and lower perch) and the wheel and tire for another 1/2" of tire. There is (I estimate) 7/8"- 1 1/8" that doesnt seem to change.

The question of space comes up when the edge of the tire comes close to the inner wheel well cladding at full lock in either direction. Its pretty close to 1/2", perhaps 5/8".

I may be the guinea pig here as weather gets worse and I spring for a set of AS/3s. Snow is not the concern here. Just months and months of wet. These stock Contis are not my least favorite tire ever (thats a set of Goodyear runflats), but they aren't very talented either.

ace10

I was discussing Winter Tires on another forum, and discovered that Nokian has now made the Hakka 8 available in the US market.

If you're way, way up north, this is really good news. Studded or studless.

Unfortunately they did not make the correct staggered rear size for the E63S, so you'll have to go square or slightly taller in the rear.

Here are the current 19" offerings:

255/35 R 19 96 H XL
255/40 R 19 100 T XL
255/45 R 19 104 H XL
285/35 R 19 103 H XL
285/40 R 19 107 H XL

Tabstrat57

Seems like most people have coalesced around either stock sizing square or stock sizing staggered. From what I can tell, going slightly taller (ie 40 up front, 35 in the rear if staggered) won't fit (although that would be my preference to get more sidewall). Here's another idea: what about square on the 265 width? Would 265/35 fit do you think? Could be a compromise between square at 255 (which makes me nervous in the dry) and staggered (which could be crummy in the snow).

ace10

Tab-

Two things about your 265mm in the front idea...

Where is the size of the tire gonna go in the front? Clearances already suck with the 255mm. Now you're wider and taller.

Incorrect info for stock E63 wheels---Front wheels are 8.5" which is below the recco minimum size for 265mm.

Staggered performs fine. There's no ground clearance on this car. It's not going to be the ultimate snow machine on wheels. And if you get any warmer winter days, you will be thankful for the meat in the rear.

$0.02

SilveRT8

Front wheels are 19"x 9"

ace10

Yup. My error. Will edit previous post.

I was working off my winter tire notes. I am using 8.5" stock fronts from the CLS550. I still don't think there's anywhere near the room for a wider and taller tire in the front.

kart125

Last year when I bought the winter tires for my soon-to-be-dammaged-in-transport wagon the Nokian hakka 8 was not available in Canada. I then decided to go with Michelin PA4. Since the Michelins are still brand new, I decided to sell them on kijiji (guy with S4 is coming to pick them up tomorrow night) and get some Nokian Hakka 8, studded please Mr! I will have them mounted on wheels on november 3rd and will put them on car by mid-late november. I will post impressions once I have them installed.

ace10

kart, that is the equivalent of trading a skateboard in for a rocketship.

There will be a couple days this winter when I will be truly envious.

Report back on how they perform.

kart125

For sure Ace... Having studded Hakka 7's on the Saab I'm sold to studded tires! I cant wait for the first snow/ice storm! I'm sure they will make me forget the added noise in the city when we drive up north!

SilveRT8

Too bad I didn't know about this Kart, as I just told my Dealer to order me a full set of PA4 for my upcoming E63S that should be delivered in about 2 weeks....or so I hope.

ace10

I posted about it three weeks ago. Eight posts up from this one.

Yank the order and get the Hakkas.

kart125

Cool! You're finally getting the beast! Do you have a boat name for the trip to Halifax?


I'm sure your dealer can change your tire order. He probably didn't even place the order...

jim911

I will let you know how they work soon, wife's flowers not included!

Chocofishez

My Sottozeros go on tomorrow!

ucla95

Do the TSW rims require centering rings?

SilveRT8

Hi Kart
I called the Dealer to find out about the boat and they just got news that delivery is postponed to Dec 1, because of the Designo interior. I'm not surprised as I've read on here about those delays for Designo. Since I will end my lease on the CTS-V next week, the MB dealer will provide me with a CLA 250 from Oct 30 untill I take delivery of the E. That is great service from them!
For winter tires, I think I'll stick with the PA4 since I do not want studded or a tire with a lower speed rating. So far, I've done well with the rwd CTS on Blizzak LM32, so I think the PA4 and awd will be fine.

benyl

PA4s are fine. Much quieter than Blizzaks.

kart125

Bad news from tire shop... the Hakka 8 studded is backordered. He got a set of Hakka 8 studless. I'm trying to find reviews comparing Hakka R2 vs Hakka 8 studless but it's hard to find... bummer! I've seen test reviews of braking on ice... R2 = 56 meters and hakka 8 studded = 40 meters!! Sick!

morrisond

What about 235/40's? Only 10mm in total taller than 255/35

I live in Ontario and need maximum traction in deep snow where skinnier tires really help.

Tasopappas1

My tire guy has also recommended a 255 40 18 setup all around.

sdg1871

From what I have read 18 inch wheels will not clear the car's massive brakes.

ace10

You need a new tire guy. ASAP.