Hi everyone,

I have a small dilemma and would appreciate hearing your thoughts and experiences. I'm driving a Mercedes C220d W206, and it's time to get winter tires. The car currently runs on summer tires with the following sizes:

• Front: 225/45 R18
• Rear (driven axle): 245/40 R18

These are the original AMG wheels, and unfortunately, I don’t have the option of having two sets of rims – which means I need to mount the winter tires on the existing ones.

According to the manufacturer, the recommended winter size is 225/45 R18 on all four wheels, but that applies only to a specific narrower set of rims, which I don’t have. So I’d prefer to keep the current staggered setup and find the best possible solution.

One interesting point is that Mercedes does offer winter tires with different widths and sidewall heights, but for higher trims like the C300, and only with factory 19” wheels that originally came with summer tires.

Here are the two options currently available from an authorized distributor:

Michelin Pilot Alpin 5

• Front: 225/45 R18 95H XL, MO
• Rear: 225/40 R18 95H XL, MO1

Pirelli Winter SottoZero 3

• Front: 225/45 R18 95H XL, MO
• Rear: 245/40 R18 97V XL, MO

I'd prefer to go with Michelin since I've had good experiences with them, and I expect better grip and stability – especially considering the mixed dimensions – but I’m a bit concerned about the MO/MO1 mix. As far as I know, MO1 is intended for AMG models, and I’m not sure whether it’s smart to mix MO and MO1, or even to run MO1 on all four tires since my car is not AMG.

That leaves only the Pirelli option, which comes with MO spec on all wheels.

So, my questions are:

Is it okay to keep the staggered tire setup (different sizes front and rear) in winter, given the wheels?
Can mixing MO and MO1 cause any issues?
Does anyone have experience with these specific Michelin tires in this configuration?

Thanks in advance for any advice!

Since no one else chimed in yet...
I don't recommend mixing but I think you are perfectly fine with a set of MO1, are they run-flats?

No, they're not, but do you prefer a full set of MO1 on both axles?

In my experience, I have found MO, MO1, MOE, and MOS tires to be unpleasant and short-lived. I replace two cars every 3-4 years. In recent years, the tires manufactured as original equipment for the vehicle have dropped heavily in tread-life. This is also because of increased torque provided by battery-assisted acceleration. All of my OEM tires have lasted about a year, after which I replace them for Michelin Pilot Sport 4 All season or Michelin Pilot Sport 4S. These subsequent tires then last me 2-3 years.

After running several Pirelli, some MO, I would not recommend them. Their cornering and other performance claims are not worth the noise, harsh ride, and increased rigidity. Especially on a C300 which has a 0-60 of six seconds, the ultra-high-perfmance benefits are negligible.

There is zero issue with the front and rear set differing in their Mercedes OEM label, especially since MO1 is just a performance specification. Not runflat like MOE or foam padded like MOS. It is perfectly acceptable to run winter tires and keep the staggered setup, Just remember tire rotation is impossible. Even on the same axel, most tires now have an inside and outside face.

I would recommend avoiding dealers for tire service since they only carry OEM tires and over-charge for them. I would also not recommend OEM tires in general, instead purchasing a non OEM from the same manufacturer. I personally like the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 All Season. They have incredible tread life and don't need to be swapped out for winter unless you're driving on ice.

Ultimately, labels like MO, MO1, and OEM marks on tires are a marketing ploy. Like when a celebrity does a collaboration with a company. The packaging might be different, but the product is the same. Similar to believing that the Mercedes wiper blades are better than the Bosch aero twin blades because it is a Mercedes Original component. Bosch supplies the EXACT SAME aero twin blade to Mercedes who slaps the star on it and sells it for three times the price. Same thing with buying Michelin tires vs Michelin MO tires.

Looks like forum member 818benz gave you a very detailed response

Bravo! Very detailed, thanks for your help!

Thanx a lot and appreciate


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Yes, it's ok to keep this setup. Having it in my car, with Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 and work very good.
Yes, mixing can cause issues. Thing is, that MO and MO1 in case of Pilot Aplin 5 have different thread pattern. So you have to find both sizes with same MB marking (MO OR MO1).
As said in first line - i have exactly this setup, but both are MO1 and i'm happy with it. However initially i made a mistake and ordered MO for front and Mo1 for rear. Only upn delivery i noticed obvious difference in pattern, so returned front set and ordered MO1 again.

You are generalizing too much. There are different tires with those markings, and of course some are better, some are worse. Having Michelin Primacy 4 (MO) and Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 (MO1) and happy with both.
Now planning to get P Zero MO-S, as according to all reviews they are very quiet, and not harsh at all...

Right, because only more powerfull cars can drive fast...
I'm driving a lot on highways, and safety added by UHP tires is important for me, even though i only have C200 4Matic, with 7.1 seconds acceleration...

Wrong, not in case of this particular tyre, which differes in thread pattern between MO and MO1. I know, as i've been there and made a mistake of ordering different ones for front and rear. Had to send back one set and get correct ones.
And yes, in majority of online stores they are only showing generic picture of the tyre model, not really tyre you are buying, so it's easy to miss differences based on this.

Fully agree with this...

and disagree with this...

You're wrong on tyres. There are differences. Smaller or bigger differences in thread pattern, differences in side walls, in compund and so on. It's not only marketing thing.
And best example is that Pilot Alpin 5, having major differences in thread pattern between MO and MO1.
But there are many other examples. You can find some on YouTube.

And you're right on wiper blades.

Actually, the M-B wiper blades are made by Valeo.

The Bosch Aero Twin A893S is an exact fit and many people think they're better quality than Valeo.

They're not easy to find in North America. I managed to find a set on Amazon sold by Amazon Germany for only $36.88 with free (slow) shipping.

Here's a link to the pair I ordered:

I'm glad someone reads my long-winded answers!

Thanks @Felix2024 for the feedback. I agree that UHP tires do add benefits, even on a non ultra-high performance vehicle. After some research, I believe the stopping distance on UHP tires is 40ft shorter on average than normal tires across brands. I'd gladly sacrifice the stopping distance for double the treadwear life like with pilot sport 4 all season.

The difference in tread patterns between MO and MO1 tires of the same name are interesting and I'm glad to know that there's an actual distinction between the markings!

My advice to @Sebas777 was tailored for more casual drivers like myself, who may not really notice the added benefits of UHP tires on their daily drive. I still stand by the fact that mixing different MO and MO1 tires is alright as long as they're not MOE or MOS (run-flat or foam-padded), matching on each axel. Zero issues with different tread patterns in my experience as long as each pattern is on the same axel. Even in 4matic models. I've been running Pirelli MO on the front axel with Michelin pilot sport 4s on the rear axel on a 2023 w206 with no issues.

I'm glad you've had a good experience with OEM tires, I hope my experience will also improve when I swap next year!

Stopping distance and high speed stability and cornering are the main differences. Also wet handling is usually better with UHP.
And you are right, each has to find best suitable tyre for their use case. As said, i'm travelling a lot on highways (140-150 km/h in Poland, sometimes faster when in Germany). So for me UHP just means better safety. Granted i'm often travelling with kids, safety is way more improtant for me than tyre's longevity. That's why we have a choice and actually rather wide choice of Mercedes marked tyres, and even wider choice of aftermarket tyres
Having said that, if noise is important factor, there's not whole lot of choice. I just bought Pirelli P Zero MO-S with foam. This way i should get low noise and high performance. But this is the only MO-S tyre i found on European market.

Just Google or check some YT videos on this topic. For example some BMW tyres look exactly the same as aftermarket models, but have completely different compunds mix (5 instead of 2 different compound stripes + different internal reinforcement geometry). In many cases OE and aftermarket tyres are in fact different, despite having same name. Having said that, probably there are also cases, where they are the same.

Got it. However looking at his choice of tyres i would say he was aiming for high performance ones.
Well, yes, in theory (and in practice) you can mix different tyres on both axles, granted on each axle both tyres are the same.
However this is not something that is recommended. Ususally there are no issues, but in some boerderline cases you might end up in a bad situation, if there are big differences in tyre's characteristics between axles (i.e. big difference in aquaplanning capabilities or wet grip - easy to imagine loosing control of the car in some cases). Especially when driving fast.
@Sebas777 has a nice, rather expensive car, he's looking for high performance, expensive tyres. I would really say it calls for "doing it right", so having same tyres (model, thread pattern etc.) on all wheels, wouldn't you agree?
That's why i pointed out this difference between Pilot Alpin 5 MO and MO1, as for me this is important. Important enough to care for sending back one set of tyres and ordering a new one, which i did when i saw a claer difference.
But... i'm just a bit of perfectionist when it comes to the cars, always trying to do everything "by the book" and not taking shortcuts. I just like it this way

Are you specifically talking about the bmw star marked ps4s and regular ps4s, if so yes, same name different tire.

To be honest i can't remember exactly which one was it, but you might be right about the model.

Thanks. Yeah, this is what i was referring to, more specifically this YT video from that post.
Here's another one. In Polish, but you can enable captions.
It's not as detailed, but it's showing some differences, including ratings on EU labels. Again, same tyre model, but this time with 4 different brand markings.

I think that should conclude topic of differences between OE vs aftermarket tyres.
Now, whether those differences bring any benefit and if it's worth price premium (which, let's face it, in many cases is really negigable, like for my winter tyres OE were more or less 7$ more expensive per piece) is a different story.

Porsche wants part of the pie and is doing the same with the Michelin S 5 tires

Almost all "premium" brands are doing that.
Just received one pair of my P Zero's, for the rear, MO-S marking. I can see it has slightly different thread pattern, than PZ4 P Zero's that photos are available in the Internet.
Might just be difference due to size, but hard to say. Will see tomorrow, when front pair is delivered.

Interesting which other brand is this?

Are you asking about tyre brands or car brands?
When it comes to car brands, i know for sure that Mercedes, BMW, Audi, Porsche, Aston Martin, Bentley, Ferrari, Lamborghini, McLaren, Maserati and Bugatii. There;s probably more. I don't know about ones like Lexus or Infinity.
When it comes to tyre brands, i know for sure that Michelin, Pirelli and Bridgestone cooperate with car manufacturers.
In some cases those are kind of "brand generic" tyres (like this PS4 for BMW or P Zero for Mercedes, which i just got), but in some cases those are car-specific tyres. This is the case for example with Michelin tyres for AMG GT. Tyres for this car were developed specifically for this car, and tested with this car on Michelin test track.

Thanks, was asking for car brands but thank you for the tire brands answers as well.

Interesting, guess they don't advertise it and suddenly decided it was a good idea to advertise it now. Only recently are they putting videos out to state specifically they are developing a custom tire.