I am contemplating replacing my stock Run-Flat summer tires with either Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3+ or Continental Extreme Contact DWS 06 on my 2020 C43 Coupe. I live in the Chicago area and I don't want to purchase separate wheels and winter tires as my dealer recommended. My previous car, an Infiniti Q60 RS ran well on the Conti's, especially in snow (the stock Dunlop run-flats were awful).

I would appreciate any experienced advice.

 

I have a 2019 C43 sedan with 19 inch rims and have the Michelin Pilot Sport AS3+ and they are fantastic. Had them in some snow last Winter and they did great. Plus really improved the everyday ride. I had the Conti DWSs on my prior Audi S4 and much prefer the Michelin tires.

 

How are your Michelin Pilot Sport AS3+ holding up? I see complaints on TireRack of short tread life.

 

Lot of snow in chicago and you need lot of luck with all seasons. If you ran contis a/s before and was fine with it, stick with that.

However, most people in northern region including myself would suggest to run with dedicated winter tires just like what your dealer suggested.

 

A/S 3, or Conti DWS 06. I've gone through five sets of the Contis on different cars, three sets of the A/S3. Either good.

 

I’m getting a new set of fronts next Monday after 37k miles. Better than the 12k I got on the factory runcraps.

The non-adjustable camber is worse on tire wear than anything on this car.

 

J

just got these on today for the winter

 

Can I just say that driving on all-season tires in Chicago sounds completely insane? Even if you’re driving on plowed roads, all-seasons aren’t going to give you any grip when it’s 10 degrees out.

 

I lived in Chicago in the late 90s early 2000s. I'm generally not a proponent of all-season and/or RF tires and would personally never put them on a performance oriented car. However, Chicago like much of the Midwest is flat as a flounder and straight roads as far as you can go. Some of the most boring driving I've experienced in my life, but that's a different topic. Back then I was a poor student so I had all-season tires on my car, as BTW most people do there. I've never had issues outside of Blizzard conditions when the town shuts down anyway, and my car didn't even have ABS. I did end up having an accident, but not in the winter, instead during a rainy summer/fall day with slick wet roads and as said no ABS. Good wet grip seems almost more important in Chicago. I do keep all-season tires on my wife's car. We take her car if we go to the mountains in the winter, but 2-3 weekends is not worth getting dedicated winter tires, so all-season with a set of chains in the trunk has always gotten us there and back with no issues. I just recently put a set of Michelin CrossClimate 2 on. Like its predecessors the CrossClimate and CrossClimate+, this all-season tire is actually rated for snow complete with three mountain peak logo on the sidewall. They are not rated for the worst snow conditions like proper winter tires and I haven't experienced them in the snow yet, but the reviews are damn impressive. Dry/wet grip is equally impressive and they ride really well. If you are looking at all-season tires with actual winter/snow capabilities take a look at the CrossClimate, if available for the C43. It's a touring tire, so not something I'd generally recommend someone to put on a performance car, but if you don't do much performance driving anyway as I don't know where you would in Chicago, a touring tire is not necessarily a bad idea. The DWS is rated for light snow, but only as long as the S of the DWS in the tread hasn't worn off. Once it's down to DW, they are no good in the snow/winter anymore, and once the W is gone, no good in the wet anymore, either. I don't know about the A/S 3+. I've read mixed reviews, but Michelin do make damn good tires overall.

 

Not sure if anyone still follows this thread. I too bought the Continental DWS 06, I've had these on my X3M, S4 and now my C43. They work in the snow very well for me. I just bought the C43, the car is at the stealer for a couple warranty issues. The service tech called with an update, he indicated that they have seen very negative results with the DWS06, and that I should consider a set of "MO" (Mercedes Only) tires. I get it, he's trying to make a living, just wanted to check with this group whether the DWS is a problem on the C43.

Thanks!

 

Blowing smoke trying to sell you tires. Move along...

 

That's what I thought immediately, just wanted to check. Thanks!

 

I have had no issues with my Continental DWS 06 on my 2020 C43 Coupe and neither has my dealer with service and the tire/wheel warranty. My dealer said they are covered by the warranty and they are covered by the manufacturers warranty. Conti's have great warranties when purchased through an authorized dealer. Conti replaced a 1 year old DWS 06 on my previous car at no charge.

 

I too live in Chicago. You cannot do better than dedicated winter tires. I ride on Nokia HAKKAPOLITA tires in the winter and Michelin ps4 tires in the summer. Bought an aftermarket set of wheels so I can change without having to remount the tires. In my experience there is no substitute for a dedicated winter tire. If it saves you from one slide in the snow into a solid object or calling for a tow it is worth it.

 

Winter tires are so much better than all season's when the roads are completely covered but at the same time, all seasons can still work if you're good at driving. I made it through a snowstorm between Merrit and Kamloops where the highway was almost completely frozen and I saw 10 cars crashed off the highway on the way to Kamloops with Bridgestone Potenza All Season.

 

I've had the Conti DWS on several cars, they have behaved very well for me in the snow. I haven't had the C43 in the snow yet, but I'm confident they will do fine. That is until I go to the Jewel parking lot during a snow storm to turn the traction control off and have some fun donuts . In the snow, I'm not looking to set a PR, I take it pretty easy here in the NW suburbs.

I would give an enthusiastic recommendation for the DWS. Some want snow tires, and that's a great thing, but I can survive very well in the all weather tire.

 

You insurance company might give you a discount if you run winter tires, mine does. It's not much of a discount, but better than nothing.

I also really like the Nokian Hakkapeliitta tires. I've run them since 1996 starting on my VW Jetta up to and including my previous 2013 E350 Wagon.

I now have a 2021 C43 Wagon and will be purchasing them for this coming winter.