I am starting to look into winter wheel/tire options. For those who drive in winter conditions, any suggestions? I live in Toronto, so we get some snow (less in the last few years than before), and cleared pretty quickly, but I still want to be properly prepared. One shop has recommended I drop down to 18s and go with Pirelli WinterSottoZero Series 2?

 

I've ordered 20" Vossens and am putting Pirelli SottoZeros (stock sizes) on my factory 19's... MB recommends going down a size for winters, but I figured instead of buying new wheels for winter, but them for summer and use my stocks for winter... They look better than 18s anyways...

 

Last year was my first winter with the CLS63. I didn't want to have a staggered set-up for winter and it was quite difficult to find a proper set of rims that can accommodate a tire width of 255 on 4 wheels while having the proper offset for the rear wheels. I couldn't find any aftermarket with the right specs and ended up paying the big price at the dealership to get proper wheels. Would certainly not recommend to go down to 18" with this car. Maybe the aftermarket has developed since last year and you'll be able to find a better a better deal than I did. Good luck.

 

Thanks for the feedback. Why wouldn't you recommend going down to 18s? I thought that would be better for winter.

 

Two reasons.

1. Car power: The less rigid 18" tire side walls may not be appropriate for the torque of this car. You need proper handling to control the beast. Plus in Toronto, you'll be driving most of the time on dry roads in the winter so you're driving won't likely be that different from your summer driving. Actually, if you look at your manual (page 342 in mine), they only recommend 19" for the AMG model (18" setup is for the CLS550).

2. Look: Even the 19" wheels look small with the wide rear body style. I don't think it will look good with the 18"...just a personal opinion here.

 

Why did you want to avoid staggered for winter?

 

Staggered setup is not ideal for snow since the idea is to have the rear go over the same width path opened by the front tires and not trying to plow open a wider path.

Well, 18" is ideal if there are potholes, which tend to be plenty in area with wintry condition.

 

I just did a staggered 20" setup for winter.

255/285 Pirelli Sottozero 240

 

Wow, the 20s look great. I didn't know 19s were the only recommended for the AMG model. I've always been told to drop down a size for winter (did that for my M5 as well) but will have to reconsider that now for the AMG

 

i just ordered the stock size (pirelli) for winter, 255f 285r..
i hope this wont be a problem!

 

Are those center caps the OE ones in Himalaya Gray?

I just P-coated my winter wheels in a somewhat-similar color, and I'm looking for center caps.

 

They are. Came with the wheels!

 

I decided to go with the 19" specs as stated in the owner's manual. The 18s seem like they would fit with enough clearance around the brakes. The fact the 18s are the winter tire size for the CLS550, I wonder why Mercedes states the 18s are not applicable for the AMG? Is it really just a performance thing?

 

18" should fit as long as you don't have ceramic brakes. Both current gen E63 and CLS63 are basically the same turtle with different shells and height, and 18" fit fine on the E63.