Fifth Ring

With my summer tires (245s) mounted, in wet weather, the ESP kicks in often and violently, making the car buck as it slips, cuts throttle, and kicks back in.

With my winter tires on (225s), I can accelerate fairly quickly and any ESP that kicks in does so much less violently. It really makes the car much more enjoyable.

rlee02135

anyone have input on all-season tires? I'm planning to pick up a set just for winter time.

e1000

tires are so important and so many people overlook them

jgsx

If you're going to go with two sets, why not use ultra high performance during the summer, and performance snow during the winter (instead of all seasons)?

AWDman

if i keep the amg into next winter it's gonna be full out snow tires on 17" (like blizzak ws60 or 50), a cheap all season and dot r compounds like cups sports or toyo r888..... i have 3 sets of rims.

snows dec through mar. dot r compounds april through oct. all seasons nov into dec and for any long trips.

i *****foot around when i'm on my snows....they're gonna be going on their 4 th season this yr.

Fifth Ring

That's what I've done. Now that I don't track the car, I could go with all seasons, but I've got the extra wheels, and my winter tires (Pilot Alpins) are like new. With a RWD car, it really makes sense to have the best possible winter tires. Next summer tires are going to be Kumhos. Everything I read about them (including the price) makes them a no-brainer.

bud4ya

I will let you know how I make out with the ones you sold me. More snow this week. It was nice to meet you. If you remember those links please send them over.

Thanks

Slater126

Generally never used them but I can comment on the Michelin Pilot MXM4s that came as original equipment on our '06 RSX Type-S. They're supposedly a "grand touring all season" tire so I left them on last winter. I soon wished I hadn't. Lousy traction in snow and the car slid all over the place on even moderate ice. We have an alley garage in Chicago and, assuming you could even get the thing through the alley and next to the garage, it was almost impossible to get in there unless you shoveled all the way to the pavement. My wife wouldn't even drive the car at all. And this is a FWD car with relatively narrow 215/45 tires. I don't even want to think how a C32 would drive with them.

I ditched 'em this winter for a set of Blizzaks and the car drives 1,000% better on snow and ice. It's now actually fun to drive in the snow. It sucked having to spend 700 bucks for tires for an almost new car but I didn't have much choice. I don't know about other brands (the MXM4 scored high in a Tire Rack rating test) but my guess is generally, an all season tire is a compromise. Mediocre in both summer and winter. If you can, go with dedicated tires for summer and winter. A little more expensive but a much better drive. My $.02.

BrabusBNZ

I like the Toyo's for all season...

c32used

I had PZero nero M&S all season and they did ok on my IS300 when I had it in rain and summer but I personally think you should stick with snow tires for the winter.

c32used

I picked up new Kumhos Ecsta,,,I will know in the Spring/Summer if I like them...225 fronts..255 rears.

GDawgC220

If you have the money, go for a set of cheap wheels and winter tires. They make a world of difference.

I ran All Seasons on my Quattro for the past 2 years until I got a new set of Summer wheels earlier this year. This is my first winter with snow tires (Dunlop WinterSport M3s) and what a difference, even with AWD. With HPAS (high performance all season) and Quattro, it was good, wheels spun sometimes but never stuck. With these M3s, it's like the car is unstoppable through snow and rain, even on the dry. Hard for me to spin the tires unless its ice or ice under the snow. Taking off in a parking lot with a good amount of snow, no drama, just goes.

STLTH_AMG

I got Michelin pilot sport A\S. they are a true all season tires, they have great traction on dry roads and they go right through the snow and have amazing grip on icy roads. I highly recommend them for anyone who wants to get all season tires. My C32 turns into a 4x4 with these tires during snow season!!

jacek9478

This will be my second winter driving c32 on all season tires.
I have ContiExtremeContact, no complaints at all.
Dry, Wet - excellent.
Snow, Ice - very good.

Price Aprox $100 ea. at TireRack

c32used

Everyone has and is entitled to their opinions but I say research all-season compared to plain seasonal tire and base choices from that....Our cars need more help even with the tire being just a snow tire. Stlth_AMG I can't see anything turning our rearwheel drive C32s/C55s into a 4x4


One last thing if its money you wish to save (Rlee) then all-season is the way to go.

c32used

Glad you been doing well with A/S did you use them on the track event we had last?

STLTH_AMG

Let’s see, after having no traction on the stock almost bald conti all season tires... Yes, the Michelins pilot sport A\S definitely made me feel like I was on a 4x4 ride! lol.
But in all seriousness, the grip of these tires on snow is more than enough to get you out of the worst storms I’ve driven in around here in the Northeast! I might consider putting on winter tires when these fail me on snow or ice, but so far they have been getting the job done no matter what the weather or road condition is! best bang for you buck IMO.

Also, for some it's not a matter of saving but more of a convenience, these tires cost me about $220 each!! They are worth each penny since it's great that I don't have to worry about changing a wheel\tire sets every freakin season like I used to do!

jacek9478

yes the very same tires ( brand and model ) different (read new) set ( due to longer right leg )

Those work well for me, but my commute is only 10 miles a day on major streets. If I would have to drive further than that I would go w/ extra set of winter tires.
Right now if it is very bad out there I use my wifes SUV.

Regards
Jack

c32used

Well I don't know how well the P Zero Nero is compared to yours but they did alright in the snow in my former IS300...........how long they last? Since I used two different sets of wheels the life of the summers and winter is min 3-4 years each and they work extremely well in the weatther they are used. Based of your price and guessing the national average in use I say we are spending similar and buying new about the same time. I bought so many tires through my local Discount tire that I am referred to as Mr.Camacho and they store my summer rims in winter and my winter set in summer and put them on balanced free when I need to change tires.

c32used

You made your 13.24 pass on A/S tires...wow!

imagine if you had purpose built tires on...maybe a flat 13.0 on a strock car. Did you get your pulleys yet?

AWDman

Likewise. I'm sure they will work out.

do this......re "transparent performance mods" start a thread with what you wanted to do...i don't think it was ever discussed before...you'll get good feedback and i'll chime in as well.

search terms "glycol valeo" and you'll find info on the whole radiator issue.

i have someone who can work on the c32 in my town, a bit far but thought i let you know anyway...

and if you need lsd i know a tranny specialist/quaife dealer in ny.

jacek9478

NO! I got outbid by somebody 5 sec b4 end of the auction.

c32used

Wow! Thats why I hate Ebay auctions. They are fixed and they make money even on the shipping...such a noticably difference...post a want to buy thread for pulleys

BlackLiquorish8

i'm running Toyo in the summer and Pirelli Winters currently for the winter... and yes they make hell of a difference even with 4matic. i was in a area with state emergency last year cuz we had so much snow and i was passing SUV's, trucks, etc and the car was still very confident and safe!

@TheWheel

Great idea.

I'm a big fan of dedicated snow tires since buying my BMW. Without snows its dangerous to drive, loves to fishtail.

In the winter I run Blizzaks WS50 on dedicated snow rims.

For the rest of the year, Michelin Pilots.

Its amazing how much different snow tires make on a RWD car.