polo

Hi, I am going to get a set of winter tires for my c55 last winter I tried to use the stock setup and almost killed myself. They do not seem to make a winter tire for the back 245/35 so I am looking at going with a 245/40 does anybody know if this would be ok. Is there a better size I should go with? I ask because I did a search and saw that someone mentioned that the traction control can get messed up if the wheel is bigger or wider not really sure. Thanks in advance for any help.

PC Valkyrie

For winter tires, you should get the thinnest tires as possible. MB recommends any one of the following options for winter tires (listed in your car manual):

205/50 R17 on 7.5x17" rims with 37mm offset

225/45 R17 on 7.5x17" rims with 37mm offset

225/40 R18 on 7.5x18" rims with 37mm offset

The stock rims that come with the C55 are not ideal for winter setup (7.5x18" with 30mm offset in the front and 8.5x18" with 34mm offset in the rear).

woktime

I've been considering 225/40R18 in front and 235/40R18 in back.

I'm curious if it would be okay to run 225/40 in both the front and back on the stock wheels (esp the rear).

I'm thinking the 245/40 in back might be a touch too tall in profile.
(The overall diameter will go up by almost 1" from 245/35 OEM summer fitment.)

bud4ya

Sorry to hi jack this post but rather than starting another post I have the same question for a 2003 C32 AMG. I know I need 17" 5-112 but that is it. I think I need an ET of 35. I am looking for used set of rims and need to be clear on what size will clear my brakes? I do not want to go with the stag set either for winter. I just do not want to go get a set on craigslist and have them not fit. Plus every place I go swap it out and try it.

I also checked the manual but it did not list sizes for me.

Thanks

gkstar

Check at TireRack to see what size rims would fit. They have great DB.

ChicagoX

I went with the same size for easy rotation. +1 on a narrower tire if possible.

Dunlop Winter M3s were simply amazing through some crazy weather. With them, the Benz was able to scale a steep, ice-covered driveway that stumped my Range Rover.

polo

Thanks for the help guys but I want to run the stock rims because I want to keep the look of the car I do not want to go smaller because the rims are one of the bst parts of the car for me. So what so I run with the stock rims should I go smaller in the front and the back and if so what size would be best.

Thanks.

woktime

Fronts: 225/40 R18 on stock 7.5x18" wheels

Rears either:
225/40 R18 on stock 8.5x18" wheels
(this tire size might not be wide enough for the rim)
or
235/40 R18 on stock 8.5x18" wheels

You might want to finalize the rear fitment with a tire shop or the Tire Rack
guy.

polo

Thanks worktime.

OPM

The answer to your question is within my very first thread on this forum.

https://mbworld.org/forums/c32-amg-c55-amg-w203/179147-new-here-winter-wheels-tires.html

.

dirtdiggler

I have an 07C230 with the bigger front brakes setup. The oem are staggered, on my vehicle the fronts are 17x7.5 with an offset of 36 with 225/45R/17 tire, the rear is 17x8.5 with an offset of 34 with 245/40R/17. I ended up getting all four 17x8 with an offset of 35 with 225x45R/17 Hankook Icebear W300 tires. The tire tech mentioned that and i agree the thinner the tire width, the better the tires will bite into the snow and not "float" and spin and when the price and availability if a 40R tire increases. The 35mm offset cleared my front calipers and also the struts. One thing to add is that aftermarket will may require center rings, MB's are hubcentric.

hope that helps

bud4ya

What model rim did you get and from where?

Thanks

dirtdiggler

I bought them from a local seller who had an SLK32. He said they were AMG, but after i saw them I knew they were Mille Miglia Bella, which tire rack carried and i was able to mount them using the OEM bolts and no spacer rings. FWIW, I would just order wheels from tirerack and spare the agony of not fitting.

alimo698

I will not use the stock size on a C32 (225F & 245R) based on personal experience. I used to have LM22 on it with stock sizing, well it's very fun in winter, sliding, tail losing, and smoking rear tire in winter!

Not driving like drag racing every light, but even a little bit of white stuff will cause the tires to spin, so i would recommend 225 all around, but not on LM22 though, they are not agressive enough for our car! just my 2c

dirtdiggler

i agree with alimo - go with the 225.

OPM

I got a few PMs, so here are some answers. I had EuroTech wheels on the entire NorthEast winter (Nov-Mar) and I am planning to mount them again in a few days. C55 looks great wearing them. Actually I almost like the look better than OEM. The wheels are 17x8 in 5-112 with offset of 35. The price is $495. I highly recommend you get their bolts because their hats and length is better fit for these rims than the OEM bolts. The valve stems they had sent were also of high quality. Everything plus shipping was about $600. Call ET directly and order from a human. Tell him you are buying for C55/C32 they will send you wheels and bolts that they guarantee will fit. The wheels are heavy and strong, both is a plus for winter wheels. Strength is a must for winter potholes and weight helps to reduce spin. BTW I believe ET wheels are warranted for life. Not that that means much. Of course 16’ would be better for winter, but 17’ is the smallest rim that clears front calipers. I also would prefer 7’ wide, but could not find any 17x7 that were cheap and fit C55. With 17x8 wheels, tire size is obvious - anything thinner than 225/45 would stretch sidewall too much for winter driving and anything wider would float too much on icy slush. I use Nokian RSi which is the best hardcore winter tire sold in US. Arguably, Continental Winter Viking 3 is better, but you have to order it from Canada.

Last winter I used this setup at Winter Driving School hosted by Audi Club.http://www.neqclub.org/index.php?opt...y=10&Itemid=46 Deep snow, ice skidpad, hill climbing or winter rally – I had no problems. Of course C55 understeers like crazy, but lots of throttle can fix that. RSi is a pure winter tire so if you accustomed to 120mph on highway or taking off ramps at 60mph, be prepared to slowdown a bit. However, when weather sucks they are awesome. Just to give you an idea – a friend of mine attended the same event in BMW 325ci wearing Dunlop WinterSport M3. He was sliding and getting stuck everywhere, while I was doing better than some AWD cars. Bottom like if you live up North with serious winters this is top notch setup for C55. BTW, between C55 and S4 I own 24 wheels and tires and few more on my tow van and trailer. I would not buy/keep trash.


Wheels: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/17-am...7871QQtcZphoto


Company: http://stores.ebay.com/EuroTech-Luxury-Wheels/home.html

c32used

I went with a unstaggered wheels and 235/45/17 tire last year used the Hankook Icebear but trying the Yokohama AVS Winter this year. I bought unstaggerered MB replicas for like 17" $500 last year. ALSO BY THE WAY I USE THE SAME WHEELS (OPM) LISTED BUT GOT THEM THRU DISCOUNT TIRE.

polo

I just called the tirerack and they said I can run 225/40 all the way around on the stock 18" rims. I am just wondering what you guys think is the best tire I am looking at the blizzak lm-25, dunlop sport m3 or 3d, and the pirelli 240 snowsport and scottozero. Thanks in advace for any help I drove my car yesterday in a little bit of snow with the stock tires and I was sliding all over ther place so I want to get the best snow tire I can.

fivepointfivev8

If you haven't bought your tires yet, you may be stuck with a few to select from. I'd call them to see what they have left. I decided to go with 225/40/18's in the Michelin Pilot Alpins - I was lucky to get the last set at Tirerack, so far they're as smooth as butter and didn't require a lot of balancing to get it perfect on the wheel. If the Dunlops were available, I'd probably go with them since they surveyed really well. I've always liked Michelins though, they make a great tire.

Oh, also, when I was shopping, I noticed Discount Tire Direct currently has a great deal on the Yokes and they also have the $50 instant savings, makes their price unbeatable.

c32used

I used Hankook Icebear last two seasons so don't count them out...I am trying Yokohama AVS winters cause I bought 2 and got 2 free from disconttire.com. No issues with the Icebears just wanted to try out a premium brand thats all.

polo

Thanks for the help guys please keep it coming. I am looking at the tire listed so if anybody has any personal experience with any of them please let me know. As for selection I am going to buy them local so they can order me whatever I want and with free install it is about the same price once you add the shipping from tirerack. Thanks again for the help.

KiwiRobbie

That's a bit silly, do you want to loose the car in poor conditions and write it off or kill yourself or would you rather look good? The size of your wheels are way to big to be effective for winter tyre use, there are very valid reasons why Mercedes recommend the tyre and rim size that they do for winter tyres. I hope you are only driving yourself around and not others.

KiwiRobbie

I use these, they are excellent in snow and ice but I find they are shocking on wet roads and highly prone to aquaplaning, I'd be interested to know your thoughts.

jgsx

With the cooler temperatures that Chicago has been seeing in the last couple weeks, my PS2s turned into rocks. Even moderate throttle around a corner would cause the rear to come out some before ESP came in. It was a little fun, but after waiting too long to put the Blizzaks on last year, I learned my lesson.

I put my factory wheels with Blizzaks on last Friday. Boy, was I sure glad I did that. It was an icy mess on Saturday, and I would have been screwed with the PS2s.

I don't think I'll ever get used to these winters.

Slater126

245/40 is the stock back tire size on our cars, Dunlop. I'm now running a set of staggered Blizzak LM-22s from my old C230 SS that are probably on their last winter (they usually last 3-4 winters). Unfortunately, I don't think the new LM-25's are available in our tire sizes. They make the fronts but not the rears (closest size is 245/45, which would be taller than stock). The Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3Ds are available in our sizes though.

Some prefer to go with a narrower rear size, because the narrower the tire, the better snow traction you'll get. Don't know what if anything that'll do to the traction control and stability control. Personally, I never had a problem with my LM-22 245/40s in the winter and will probably stick with that size next year.