Summer Tires and Winter - I'll accept the I told you so's graciously
Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 101
Likes: 1
09 C63 11 E350
I have a tire rack package. 4 Dunlop 235/40/18's SP Winter Sport 3D's on Rial Wheels with TPMS. Here in Northern NJ I have NO problems in snowy and icy conditions. I drive less than 7K a year and the C63 is my only car. I'd prefer avoiding snow-but sometimes you get caught out ....
Granted,the biggest problem is other *******s driving vehicles not equipped to deal with the weather. Even in COLD conditions the factory Pzero's are seriously handicapped.
You aren't getting summer performance, but the car is far safer.Grip on dry roads is quite good, you won't set any track records,but I've found the Dunlops to be a winner. Get caught in ANY frozen precip with Pzero's and you won't go anywhere. Winter weather=Winter Tires.
Granted,the biggest problem is other *******s driving vehicles not equipped to deal with the weather. Even in COLD conditions the factory Pzero's are seriously handicapped.
You aren't getting summer performance, but the car is far safer.Grip on dry roads is quite good, you won't set any track records,but I've found the Dunlops to be a winner. Get caught in ANY frozen precip with Pzero's and you won't go anywhere. Winter weather=Winter Tires.
Last edited by Arclight338; Dec 18, 2010 at 06:54 AM.
Super Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 684
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From: Leesburg, VA
2014 E550 4Matic with P1/LED/Pano
Per the subject line.. I was wrong.. I figured I could get away with summer tires with minimal amount of snow, and chains in the deeper stuff..
Well, it snowed yesterday in the DC area.. and with just a 1/4 of an inch of snow/slush on the ground (I tried to drive just after it started snowing), my car was doing donuts idling in gear.. Time to get me some snow tires.. or atleast all seasons (Conti DWS should be okay in minimal snow).
So all those who advised me against chains in various other threads... let me have it..
Well, it snowed yesterday in the DC area.. and with just a 1/4 of an inch of snow/slush on the ground (I tried to drive just after it started snowing), my car was doing donuts idling in gear.. Time to get me some snow tires.. or atleast all seasons (Conti DWS should be okay in minimal snow).
So all those who advised me against chains in various other threads... let me have it..
I put Conti DWS on C63 wheels for winter and they made it up that hill just fine.
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Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Maryland
2011 GLK350, 2010 ML350, 2008 C63 AMG
I run the dunlop 3Ds and they are great... even better is that if you don't drive the car in the winter, having flat spots with winter tires won't matter at all. obviously if you have the money, then get the winter tires if not, hopefully you have another car to drive in the winter time.
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2017 Mini Cooper S Clubman ALL4 - British Racing Green
No, I live out near Annapolis (or I could just say Bowie.. but no one knows where that is.. heh..), and its steel grey. It I almost needed a push to make it into my driveway which has a slight incline but a rather crappy bumpy transition from road to driveway, was difficult to make it over the bump. I had to use momentum to carry me over and almost slid into the grass.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2010
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2017 Mini Cooper S Clubman ALL4 - British Racing Green
I run the dunlop 3Ds and they are great... even better is that if you don't drive the car in the winter, having flat spots with winter tires won't matter at all. obviously if you have the money, then get the winter tires if not, hopefully you have another car to drive in the winter time.
Although, typically its the SUV drivers you see on the side of the road upside down. Just because it has all wheel drive or 4 wheel drive, does not mean you can do 60 mph when everyone else is doing 20....
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2009
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From: Alexandria, VA
07 E63 AMG, 10 C63 AMG, 07 E63 Designo, 07 E350, 09 C300, 07 C230
Member
Joined: Jun 2010
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From: Northern Virginia
2010 C63 AMG
I'm a native New Englander, and I thought (stupidly) that my experience would make up for the disadvantage of summer tires in winter. Well, that was a mistake. Couldn't get up my driveway either. I made it through last winter (the worst I've seen in 40 years) here on all-seasons in my C350, so I thought it wouldn't be too much of a problem. Yup, wrong again.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 6,020
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From: Alexandria, VA
07 E63 AMG, 10 C63 AMG, 07 E63 Designo, 07 E350, 09 C300, 07 C230
If you had been in front of Fairfax Hospital around 5:30 pm on Thursday, you could have given me a push, as I tried to go up a slight incline on my new Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 summer performance tires
I'm a native New Englander, and I thought (stupidly) that my experience would make up for the disadvantage of summer tires in winter. Well, that was a mistake. Couldn't get up my driveway either. I made it through last winter (the worst I've seen in 40 years) here on all-seasons in my C350, so I thought it wouldn't be too much of a problem. Yup, wrong again.
I'm a native New Englander, and I thought (stupidly) that my experience would make up for the disadvantage of summer tires in winter. Well, that was a mistake. Couldn't get up my driveway either. I made it through last winter (the worst I've seen in 40 years) here on all-seasons in my C350, so I thought it wouldn't be too much of a problem. Yup, wrong again.
I was at work when the snow started to fall. I knew better, then to drive my C63 that morning. You get a
for that one...LOL. I had the E63 with the Continental DWS tires on it. I left the C63 parked, and just started driving it on Monday, after all the roads were clear. The C63 is a great car, with the right tires 
Why wouldn't AMG just put A/S tires on for the US Market is beyond me. At least that why, you would have some bite in the light snow.
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 21
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From: Northern NJ, RI
C63 AMG
Great experience with my 235/40R-18 Pirelli Winter 240 Sottozero Serie II XL all 4 corners on stock 18 inch rims for the C63. Note that MB recommends 225 for winter all 4 corners but on 18x8 rims.
Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 200
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From: Northern Virginia
2010 C63 AMG
Baby Gorilla,
I was at work when the snow started to fall. I knew better, then to drive my C63 that morning. You get a for that one...LOL. I had the E63 with the Continental DWS tires on it. I left the C63 parked, and just started driving it on Monday, after all the roads were clear. The C63 is a great car, with the right tires Why wouldn't AMG just put A/S tires on for the US Market is beyond me. At least that why, you would have some bite in the light snow.
I was at work when the snow started to fall. I knew better, then to drive my C63 that morning. You get a
for that one...LOL. I had the E63 with the Continental DWS tires on it. I left the C63 parked, and just started driving it on Monday, after all the roads were clear. The C63 is a great car, with the right tires Why wouldn't AMG just put A/S tires on for the US Market is beyond me. At least that why, you would have some bite in the light snow.Unfortunately, my only other car is the GT500. It has Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar summer tires and has even more power at the rear wheels. My wife has an AWD Toyota Sienna, but she needs it for the kids.
Now I'm thinking: Why go through the trouble of switching out tires on a car twice a year? Wouldn't it be easier to just pick up a Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT-8 to use on snowy days?
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Joined: Apr 2009
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From: Alexandria, VA
07 E63 AMG, 10 C63 AMG, 07 E63 Designo, 07 E350, 09 C300, 07 C230
Baby Gorilla,
My choices are the C63 with 450 hp with summer tires, or the E63 with 500 hp and A/S Tires
I would rather have some traction then none at all. But another vehicle isn't in my future at the moment.
My choices are the C63 with 450 hp with summer tires, or the E63 with 500 hp and A/S Tires
I would rather have some traction then none at all. But another vehicle isn't in my future at the moment.
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From: Massachusetts
C63
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Joined: May 2003
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From: ChiTown
06 Carrera4
Nokian WRs for me all the way, had them on last 4 cars, these are the best in my opinion.
But only after november. With high power and warm weather they disintegrate. Lost last set in less than 12K miles when left on CLK500 all year round. had them on a C320 for two years and GS300 for almost two years all year round and barely any wear.
Last resort Dunlop Winter Sport.
But only after november. With high power and warm weather they disintegrate. Lost last set in less than 12K miles when left on CLK500 all year round. had them on a C320 for two years and GS300 for almost two years all year round and barely any wear.
Last resort Dunlop Winter Sport.
Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 200
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From: Northern Virginia
2010 C63 AMG
Not in my future either. I'm just kidding about the SRT-8. My wife would literally throw me out. You at least had the intelligence to put appropriate tires on at least one of your cars.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 318
Likes: 0
From: Maryland
02 C32, G60 Corrado
If you had been in front of Fairfax Hospital around 5:30 pm on Thursday, you could have given me a push, as I tried to go up a slight incline on my new Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 summer performance tires
I'm a native New Englander, and I thought (stupidly) that my experience would make up for the disadvantage of summer tires in winter. Well, that was a mistake. Couldn't get up my driveway either. I made it through last winter (the worst I've seen in 40 years) here on all-seasons in my C350, so I thought it wouldn't be too much of a problem. Yup, wrong again.
I'm a native New Englander, and I thought (stupidly) that my experience would make up for the disadvantage of summer tires in winter. Well, that was a mistake. Couldn't get up my driveway either. I made it through last winter (the worst I've seen in 40 years) here on all-seasons in my C350, so I thought it wouldn't be too much of a problem. Yup, wrong again.
Can't wait to try them out.
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 38
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From: Edmonton, AB, Canada
2010 C63 AMG
Here in Alberta we had a good dumping of snow in a day...
around 30cm... I have Contis TS810 and they were horrible...got stuck at the end of my driveway
I am convinced that Continentals are made for european winters.. less snow more icy/slushy condition
not deep snow applications.
around 30cm... I have Contis TS810 and they were horrible...got stuck at the end of my driveway
I am convinced that Continentals are made for european winters.. less snow more icy/slushy condition
not deep snow applications.
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From: Alexandria, VA
07 E63 AMG, 10 C63 AMG, 07 E63 Designo, 07 E350, 09 C300, 07 C230
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 5
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2009 C63 AMG
I just got them on today, adjusted the pressure and drove around 10 miles ... they're still not broken in yet. The only thing that would be fair to evaluate at this point is that they feel stable under normal driving, and when pushed in the corners have a 'bit' more of an oversteer tendancy than the 255/35's did. I know MB recommends 225's all around, but the snow fall here in Fairfax just isn't that high (last year not withstanding), so I figured 235's would be OK. Truth be told, if I'd found affordable wheels in OEM size with good winter tires I might have gone that route ... but these were only 143/wheel and 192/tire so it was hard to turn up. I am happy with the purchase and they look better than the pictures.
When the break in color strips on the tires are gone, I'll find out what they can really do and update this thread.
Cheers
When the break in color strips on the tires are gone, I'll find out what they can really do and update this thread.
Cheers
