Best Tires for Year Round?
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 82
Likes: 2
From: Chicago
Bentley Cont GT, Aston Martin V8 Vantage, Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG, S63,Ferrari 599, Ferrari 458
Best Tires for Year Round?
I have a C350 and need to replace the tires on her. Since I'm in the US I have a RWD car and since I live in Chicago I have the snow. Any good recommendations on a all-season tire to use? BTW, I have the 19" AMG wheels as well. Thanks!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,113
Likes: 57
From: Southwest USA
Another round of ICE
If you MUST use one set of tires year round, the answer is pretty easy...Continental DWS...clearly superior to all other all-season tires for water/snow. But, I run rwd in Detroit, and won't do that...in the winter, Blizzaks go on both cars, and we even have DWS on the E for the rest of the year!
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 978
Likes: 3
From: Essex County, NJ
2011 E350 Sport 4Matic - P2 & Drivers Assist / 2010 C300 Sport 4Matic - P2 / 2013 Porsche Cayenne S
All my previous 4matic cars had Michelin Pilot all seasons on them and I loved them. My current 4matic has Pirelli P-Zero Nero all seasons but I wouldn't recommend them because the sidewalls are thinner then the Michelin's and they tend to develop bubbles when hitting larger potholes. For the past six years I had no issues with the Michelins however this year I already went through two Pirellis so far.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 82
Likes: 2
From: Chicago
Bentley Cont GT, Aston Martin V8 Vantage, Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG, S63,Ferrari 599, Ferrari 458
Thanks guys. My current complaint with the Continentals is that I've owned the car for a month (bought it with 16k miles) haven't hit any major potholes yet have bubbles forming on 3 out 4 tires and they are Continental ContiSportContact 3s.
I switch in and out of Blizzaks in the winter on my other car and they're solid. But I'd prefer to have just one set on my daily year round.
I switch in and out of Blizzaks in the winter on my other car and they're solid. But I'd prefer to have just one set on my daily year round.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,113
Likes: 57
From: Southwest USA
Another round of ICE
Thanks guys. My current complaint with the Continentals is that I've owned the car for a month (bought it with 16k miles) haven't hit any major potholes yet have bubbles forming on 3 out 4 tires and they are Continental ContiSportContact 3s.
I switch in and out of Blizzaks in the winter on my other car and they're solid. But I'd prefer to have just one set on my daily year round.
I switch in and out of Blizzaks in the winter on my other car and they're solid. But I'd prefer to have just one set on my daily year round.
Junior Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 71
Likes: 1
From: Chester Springs, PA, USA
Mercedes Benz C300 Sport 4Matic
I have all 4 Continental DSW tires as well; after both rear tires OE Michellin feathered due to cambering. I had them since 30K with no problem until now 46K. It's less costly then Michellin. I still have both front OE Michellin with 30K on them; sitting in the garage. Let me know if anyone interested.
Trending Topics
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 2,108
Likes: 7
From: Dix Hills, New York
2012 C250 Coupe
Definitely get DWS if your going with all-season. The Michelins are great, but sometimes you can find DWS for so cheap - that you could almost buy 2 sets for the price of one set of michelins. They are definitely quality tires and even though the OE tires are continentalz - should not be compared.
Plus, the DWS do much better in snow and water covered surfaces than the michelins - with a slight sacrifice on dry road performance. But the way I look at it - I rarely ever drive near the limits of any tire on dry surfaces, and if I were - I wouldn't get an all-season and would get a summer tire. And I would much rather improved winter/wet performance. Plus they are rated to last over 50,000 miles.
Plus, the DWS do much better in snow and water covered surfaces than the michelins - with a slight sacrifice on dry road performance. But the way I look at it - I rarely ever drive near the limits of any tire on dry surfaces, and if I were - I wouldn't get an all-season and would get a summer tire. And I would much rather improved winter/wet performance. Plus they are rated to last over 50,000 miles.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 82
Likes: 2
From: Chicago
Bentley Cont GT, Aston Martin V8 Vantage, Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG, S63,Ferrari 599, Ferrari 458
Definitely get DWS if your going with all-season. The Michelins are great, but sometimes you can find DWS for so cheap - that you could almost buy 2 sets for the price of one set of michelins. They are definitely quality tires and even though the OE tires are continentalz - should not be compared.
Plus, the DWS do much better in snow and water covered surfaces than the michelins - with a slight sacrifice on dry road performance. But the way I look at it - I rarely ever drive near the limits of any tire on dry surfaces, and if I were - I wouldn't get an all-season and would get a summer tire. And I would much rather improved winter/wet performance. Plus they are rated to last over 50,000 miles.
Plus, the DWS do much better in snow and water covered surfaces than the michelins - with a slight sacrifice on dry road performance. But the way I look at it - I rarely ever drive near the limits of any tire on dry surfaces, and if I were - I wouldn't get an all-season and would get a summer tire. And I would much rather improved winter/wet performance. Plus they are rated to last over 50,000 miles.
I got a couple quotes, both with road hazard. DWS's come in around $1050 while the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus's are coming in around $1k. Has anyone used the Michelin's? From what I can see they appear to be fairly equal.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,113
Likes: 57
From: Southwest USA
Another round of ICE
I don't seem to have found that to be the case yet.
I got a couple quotes, both with road hazard. DWS's come in around $1050 while the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus's are coming in around $1k. Has anyone used the Michelin's? From what I can see they appear to be fairly equal.
I got a couple quotes, both with road hazard. DWS's come in around $1050 while the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus's are coming in around $1k. Has anyone used the Michelin's? From what I can see they appear to be fairly equal.
I have those Michelins on my C Class...excellent tires, but not in the same league on snow as DWS. Again, read the survey results on tire rack. You will see they are not equal. Michelin better for dry performance, steering response, etc. But, the results and the testing shows DWS are essentially in a category of their own on snow versus other all season tires (but still not Blizzaks!)
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 82
Likes: 2
From: Chicago
Bentley Cont GT, Aston Martin V8 Vantage, Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG, S63,Ferrari 599, Ferrari 458
I just quoted out the DWS's on Tire Rack at $788.47 shipped. The A/S Plus would be $1003.11 shipped. I'm on 255/35 and 225/40 18" wheels.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,113
Likes: 57
From: Southwest USA
Another round of ICE
Glyn,
I have great respect for your opinion, and find frequent agreement, but have you experienced a Chicago winter? Someone in Virginia might get away with Pilot Sport A/S Plus, but not in the Windy City. If he doesn't want to swap for dedicated winter tires, he will benefit greatly from the DWS over any Michelin short of their snow tires. Do you feel differently? I've tried my Pilot Sport A/S Plus in snow and would want something better.
I have great respect for your opinion, and find frequent agreement, but have you experienced a Chicago winter? Someone in Virginia might get away with Pilot Sport A/S Plus, but not in the Windy City. If he doesn't want to swap for dedicated winter tires, he will benefit greatly from the DWS over any Michelin short of their snow tires. Do you feel differently? I've tried my Pilot Sport A/S Plus in snow and would want something better.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 2,108
Likes: 7
From: Dix Hills, New York
2012 C250 Coupe
Yeah, I would have to agree with Sportstick on this one (wow, this is a rare occurence... 
)
My father used to have Michelin Pilot Sport A/S on his SL500 (granted its a roadster) but it did terrible in the snow, could barely make it up or down the driveway without slipping and sliding. However, same car and same rims with Continental Extreme Contact DWS he is actually able to use his SL500 when it snows (light snow), with little to no wheel slippage.
)My father used to have Michelin Pilot Sport A/S on his SL500 (granted its a roadster) but it did terrible in the snow, could barely make it up or down the driveway without slipping and sliding. However, same car and same rims with Continental Extreme Contact DWS he is actually able to use his SL500 when it snows (light snow), with little to no wheel slippage.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,113
Likes: 57
From: Southwest USA
Another round of ICE
Member
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 80
Likes: 0
From: Tuscaloosa, Alabama
2004 CLK 320 Convertible
I have been very happy with Bridgestone Pole Position II A/S (RE960). But my use profile is different. I am more focused on wet performance & hydroplane resistance than snow performance.
Super Moderator
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 19,942
Likes: 192
From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
Sportstick - I'm with you all the way. My experience is in Burlington Ontario & it's Blizzak tyres all the way in a severe winter. It has to be the best non studded around.
The OP wanted all year round cover & to me there is no such thing in extreme conditions. The compromise is too great. You may as well lock up the car for winter.
I posted the A/S Plus's as one of the better All Season tyres IMHO. It is also chassis dependent. The DWS is in my opinion the best tyre Conti makes. I always have that niggling suspicion of the sidewalls.
Michelin's X-Ice is a good snow tyre - I have no experience of the Alpins
The OP wanted all year round cover & to me there is no such thing in extreme conditions. The compromise is too great. You may as well lock up the car for winter.
I posted the A/S Plus's as one of the better All Season tyres IMHO. It is also chassis dependent. The DWS is in my opinion the best tyre Conti makes. I always have that niggling suspicion of the sidewalls.
Michelin's X-Ice is a good snow tyre - I have no experience of the Alpins
Last edited by Glyn M Ruck; May 5, 2011 at 08:16 AM.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 82
Likes: 2
From: Chicago
Bentley Cont GT, Aston Martin V8 Vantage, Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG, S63,Ferrari 599, Ferrari 458
I suppose time will tell, I ended up putting on the A/S Pluses.. hopefully they'll hold up during the winter. So far I enjoy them quite a bit though. Got them installed for $1k out the door.
I'd rather have better performing tires in the summer than the two months I'll need them in the winter. Worse comes to worse I'll put on Blizzaks or Hakkas which I've heard very good reviews about as well.
I'd rather have better performing tires in the summer than the two months I'll need them in the winter. Worse comes to worse I'll put on Blizzaks or Hakkas which I've heard very good reviews about as well.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,113
Likes: 57
From: Southwest USA
Another round of ICE
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,331
Likes: 9
From: Delaware
2004 Mazda6, 1993 RX7
I suppose time will tell, I ended up putting on the A/S Pluses.. hopefully they'll hold up during the winter. So far I enjoy them quite a bit though. Got them installed for $1k out the door .... BTW, I have the 19" AMG wheels as well.
I'd rather have better performing tires in the summer than the two months I'll need them in the winter. Worse comes to worse I'll put on Blizzaks or Hakkas which I've heard very good reviews about as well.
I'd rather have better performing tires in the summer than the two months I'll need them in the winter. Worse comes to worse I'll put on Blizzaks or Hakkas which I've heard very good reviews about as well.
Look for these wheels, as they are a proven fit on the C350.
16" Winter Tires for C350
You want to have control over what a Chicago winter throws at you, and not be limited by it.
.
Last edited by kevink2; Nov 10, 2011 at 10:05 PM.
Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 163
Likes: 2
From: Chico, CA
S55K AMG
A new tire that has come out is the General G-max, which replaced the Exclaim Uhp (kind of interesting that they replaced a summer high performance with an all season), but with a tread rating of 480, some good reviews, and the cost, I will give them a try. Btw, General is owned by Continental.
Here is an image of them:
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/BigPic...S03XL&i1_Qty=2
Here is an image of them:
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/BigPic...S03XL&i1_Qty=2
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 702
Likes: 3
From: Illinois
'08 C300 4Matic Sport, '02 530i
I ended up ordering a set of Conti DWS for the wife's C300. A friend hooked me up so I got a really good price on them. Now I just need to find the time to get them installed...
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 6,987
Likes: 2,187
From: Colorado
'21 AMG53 wDPP & ARC, 19 GLC300 - Former-03 C240,2 ML BlueTecs,20 GLE450 E-ABC,15 Cayenne D,17 Macan
On my C-Class RWD, I have worn Michelin Pilot Alpin PA2 and PA3, Michelin X-Ice 2, and the Conti DWS. I bought the DWS after the raves on TireRack and various forums. Big disappointment!
My dedicated X-Ice tires actually handle better on dry pavement than the DWS, and of all those, the DWS is the worst on wet pavement. I have tried tire pressures +10 to -5 from recommended and they still feel like W60 Blizzaks. Cushy ride, though.
My ranking on ice and packed snow from worst to best is PA2 -> DWS -> PA3 -> X-Ice.
I just reinstalled my X-Ice for the winter and am debating scrapping the Conti's instead of installing them next spring. YMMV.
My dedicated X-Ice tires actually handle better on dry pavement than the DWS, and of all those, the DWS is the worst on wet pavement. I have tried tire pressures +10 to -5 from recommended and they still feel like W60 Blizzaks. Cushy ride, though.
My ranking on ice and packed snow from worst to best is PA2 -> DWS -> PA3 -> X-Ice.
I just reinstalled my X-Ice for the winter and am debating scrapping the Conti's instead of installing them next spring. YMMV.
