gsrjc

I don't think you are correct with the tire pressures. I believe that +4 means that if you measure the tire pressures when they are warm then they will be 43 psi but if you measure them at the cool temperatures, you should set them at 39psi. I don't recall seeing the +4 psi for winter tires but I guess I should look again. Nonetheless though, the +4 takes into account the air warming up in the tires when they get warm and it doesn't mean you should set them at 43 psi if they are cool. I didn't know if there were specific measurements based upon the different tire sizes. So i guess there isn't so I'll run 39psi when the tires are cool.

stirlingkool

I just put brand new Conti winter contact's on. i also am an experienced winter driver and we get BAD conditions. The C63 is an OK winter driver at best. I got stuck outside my driveway last night. I had an Audi RS4 prior to the C63 and it was MUCH better in the ice and snow. The C63 is still a blast and I am enjoying every minute of it; I am however discovering the limitations of huge torque in a RWD car in slippery conditions.

c63canada

Maybe i'm wrong but if you look inside the gas gas here's what it says. I have a canadian model so I don't know if it is the same sticker as in the USA.
"warm tires up to + 4 psi"
and just underneat "225/40 R 18 92V extra load M&S + 4 psi"

It does make some sense because since the pressure exerted by the weight of the car on a slimmer tire is going to be greater per square inch you would have to put more air pressure inside the tires to compensate.

just my thoughts

Mr. Happy

I run on 225/40 all around. I was kind of happy to get snow this week in Toronto to see how the car drives in the snow. I expected the car to be just dangerous to drive in the snow even with good winter tires. I was pleasantly surprised that I was not spinning (transmission set on C) when starting from traffic lights and the car was much more stable than I expected. So good news overall.

However, given the high power for the weight, it's probably not the best car ever for winter driving.

c63canada

Very nice summary mr happy. Exactly my toughts.

If you want a car for winter buy an audi 4 wheel drive or just about anything 4 wheel drive. Don't forget that the winter last only about 4 months, (at least in montreal). And of those 4 months you're driving 80 to 90% of the time on dry roads. Just drive safe when the wheather is bad and you won't have any problems.

Then enjoy the devastating torque and handling during all the rest of the year.

gsrjc

hmm, interesting.... the information inside my gas lid doesn't discuss anything regarding the 225/40/18 pressures. maybe someone can ask Tirerack in their snow tires thread.

EuroB6

Great to hear that. I actually just purchased a set of 18" wheels and Blizzak tires for the C63. I have the 09 A4, but incase I get stuck in bad weather, I'll feel confident the 63 can get home

Yeah, I still pop onto Audizine. I knew that your screen name was familiar, I just didnt put 2 and 2 together. Good to see you on here bud!

c63canada

Here it is 225/40 dunlop 3d on 18s elbrus wheels

Also try to dry your brakes by braking hard a few times before parking your car. Especially if you are not going to drive it for a few days. For example if you only use it once in a while during winter time.

That way you will avoid rust formation on the rotors caused by salty road slime drying on the rotors.

kbk

C63canada: what are the specs and offsets of your 18" F/R wheels (are they the same, different, etc)? Thanks!

c63canada

18 x 8 et 42 mm (offset) same front and rear so I can rotate them front to back.

bought them at tire rack last year.

wheels were 125$ each and 169$ for each tire. Way less than what the dealer was recommending.

Love them.

ciao

rage2

I don't want to question your winter experience, but it's -30C right now in Calgary, every road is ice or hard snow, and the C63 drives like a champ in these conditions as long as you don't have a heavy right foot. The ESP system does it's job well, correcting when you give it too much throttle. Maybe it's because I have LSD that makes the difference?

Of course it won't compare to a ML430. AWD, with way more ride height and softer suspension, there's no comparison. Any AWD car with all seasons is WAY better than any 2WD car with winters getting going.

peet

The 225 looks goofy - but it's correct. Remember, in the winter you want the smallest wheel possible. The wider it is the more it slides around.

The Tirerack sizes are from my car. I went in a year ago and they put the car up on a CAD bench and measured all the sizing info using a 3d digitizing pen. It was very cool - the result is the size we have and it's identical in fitment to the E55 which was in the database from years of old.

gsrjc

I put my 225/40/18 on the car today. I got the Dunlop 3D from tirerack with some MSW 18x8 rims with a +48 offset. Man, the front brake calipers are really close to the inner part of the rim but the 225/40/18 work. no issues

lebreeze

I have the same package. I had to shift the balancing weights a bit because they weren't straight and it was rubbing. Everything is cool now, but I only have about a mm of clearance its really toight. Rims look pretty good for being so cheap.

gsrjc

i had thought the rims were rubbing but it was because of rust on the brakes, i hadn't driven it in a while after i washed it last.

i think things are good.

Deeroff

I have dedicated Vredenstein snows (wintracs) on dedicated AMG wheels - bottom line is the car is surely performance biased and a bear in the snow regardless. Note that I have driven cars in the snow for 25 years; however, the C63 is a car I park when the snow accumulates, even with my experience and the VRs.

diablo30se

I put the same set up on my 63...Black MSW's, look good, fit right, I had TireRack put the Tire sensors in also, but have been having problems with them constantly having to be reset? I live in the UP of Michigan, lots of snow & ice...car is ok in snow, very dangerous on ice-rutted roads...rear wants fly around...not good! My 2008 Chevy Silverado is a dream machine in these conditions compared to the C63...ya should leave it in the garage when it's iffy.

gsrjc

Thanks for the info... i plan on driving my ML in the winter as it has snow tires too.

Arclight338

4 Dunlop SP Wintersport 3d's 235/40/18 on Rial wheels. A Tirerack package. We've had several snowfalls in the last month or so.

NO ISSUES whatsoever. Outstanding snow performance. Now getting hit by other *******s driving around thinking about everything but DRIVING is a different story. No issues with clearances with the Rial wheels and the TPMS have been spot on.

callmiro

We got a light dusting last night

I'm riding on a set of 18" SL55 AMG multispoke/turbine wheels with brand new Michelin Pilot Alpine PA2's (winter tires)

235/40/18 fronts 255/40/18 rears

gsrjc

what did you use to take the snow off the car without scratching the paint?

callmiro

I have a big window squeegee / it's rubber so it doesn't damge the paint at all

gsrjc

Okay, good call. I'll have to get one of those. I just make sure not to make my snow brush come close to the paint. I usually have it an inch above the car when I brush it.

Morro

Used OEM Rims with Dunlop 3D SP 235/40/18 tires on all 4's.

Pretty good once you get moving. Keep Traction Control OFF and they're even better.

TC doesn't allow the tires to bite enough. I was actually having more trouble on SPORT and Full TC than with TC off. Wierd huh?

PetroC63

I just bought the same make and size tires for my OEM wheels too.

Having them mounted and balanced this Saturday.