Do I really need snow tires or.......
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 535
Likes: 13
From: Franklin, MA
2006 CLK 350/. 2009 CLK 350/2005 Both White
Do I really need snow tires or.......
I cannot seem to find 4 rims and 4 blizzaks and I am running out of time. Is there any one out that that has a clk320 that has driven in the snow on all season tires? My last car BMW was tough with out 4 snows but great once I had them installed later .. I am trying to make a winter set but running out of time and need a back up plan. I have another post on what rims will fit my car other then OEM
Member
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 165
Likes: 2
From: Tonawanda, NY
2000 ML430 / 2001 CLK55 AMG / 2007 R320 CDI / 2005 S55 AMG / 2001 ML55 AMG / 2006 C55 AMG
Get snows. I even run snows on my Audi, it just matters really how much you value your safety and ability to stop in heavy snow and ice.
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
2000 CLK430 Cabrio
My advice? Get a 4-Matic!!!
Seriously, I have a 4-matic and I run with Lo-Pro 17's and have no issues at all. And I live in upstate NY. Upstate = North of Albany.....
The CLK430 stays in the garage all winter because it would be a winter nightmare up here. Snows or not.....
Seriously, I have a 4-matic and I run with Lo-Pro 17's and have no issues at all. And I live in upstate NY. Upstate = North of Albany.....
The CLK430 stays in the garage all winter because it would be a winter nightmare up here. Snows or not.....
Last edited by Taylori64; Nov 16, 2013 at 12:51 AM.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 260
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh, PA
W208 CLK55 AMG, W203 C32 AMG, W163 M Class Sport
What about www.tirerack.com ? They still have snow tires in stock with wheels also if you need them. They ship to your door and you bolt them up. I would not drive a W208 anywhere in the snow without snow tires.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 280
Likes: 8
02' CLK 430
I just got a set of Bridgestone Blizzaks for my stock 17 inch AMG wheels for $710.00 + shipping off tirerack.com. It's the only tire they have available for our cars. They are fantastic and a huge difference from rolling on all seasons last year...what a nightmare...keep in mind I live in Alberta, Canada so we see some serious snow.
KRis
KRis
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Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 535
Likes: 13
From: Franklin, MA
2006 CLK 350/. 2009 CLK 350/2005 Both White
OK I bought tires and rims!! but I need to know will 215 55 16 fit up front I know they should be 205 but will they fit on 7 in rims the 7 is the the width of the rim were the bead of the tire hits is that right >?I bought rim from a 2004 C240
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Super Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 932
Likes: 38
From: North of Boston
I tried michelin all seasons but thought that they handled like crap. Any wide rear tire will just ride up onto the snow rather than digging in. I just avoid snow and drive my 4 matic when there is snow.
The reality is that there are not many snow days that it makes that much of a difference.
The reality is that there are not many snow days that it makes that much of a difference.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 535
Likes: 13
From: Franklin, MA
2006 CLK 350/. 2009 CLK 350/2005 Both White
OK this thread can end I bought 4 like new blizzaks for 125.00 all 4 !!! then I got 4 2004 C400 rims for 200.00 and mount and balance 20.00 ea so it;s over but I may need spacers for the fronts because the tire are 215 not 205 so the fonts may be tight right now I feel 1/2 of space between the tire and shock housing so any one ever put 215 up front instead of 205.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 445
Likes: 11
From: Washington, DC Metro Area
Currently: 2019 E450 AWD, Previous: 2002 CLK55 Cab
Man that seems like a lot of trouble. I would have gone to tire rack wheels and tires route, right to the door, the right tire for the right wheel for the right car. Good luck with everything.
On driving 208 in the snow, we had a couple of snow days last year and I read all of the posts. The 208 is not a car built for this purpose. That said slow way down, give yourself plenty of stopping distance and ease into and out of corners. I was able to drive this way on snow covered winding country roads last year a couple of times while others were spun out or laid over on their sides in ditches. BTW that was without snow tires with about half a foot on the ground. Nothing like when I lived in Mass but if you don't respect the fact the this is a purpose built vehicle, not for this purpose, you will be in for a bad day. Again good luck.
On driving 208 in the snow, we had a couple of snow days last year and I read all of the posts. The 208 is not a car built for this purpose. That said slow way down, give yourself plenty of stopping distance and ease into and out of corners. I was able to drive this way on snow covered winding country roads last year a couple of times while others were spun out or laid over on their sides in ditches. BTW that was without snow tires with about half a foot on the ground. Nothing like when I lived in Mass but if you don't respect the fact the this is a purpose built vehicle, not for this purpose, you will be in for a bad day. Again good luck.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 260
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh, PA
W208 CLK55 AMG, W203 C32 AMG, W163 M Class Sport
I agree with the fact that the W208 Isn't the greatest car for the snow. It does however have winter transmission mode, heated elements, headlight washers, traction control and a ski pass though. These features wouldn't be included if the car wasn't designed to be driven in the winter.
Rear wheel drive and open differential aren't ideal though. I wouldn't think of driving it without snow tires.
Rear wheel drive and open differential aren't ideal though. I wouldn't think of driving it without snow tires.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 445
Likes: 11
From: Washington, DC Metro Area
Currently: 2019 E450 AWD, Previous: 2002 CLK55 Cab
I agree with the fact that the W208 Isn't the greatest car for the snow. It does however have winter transmission mode, heated elements, headlight washers, traction control and a ski pass though. These features wouldn't be included if the car wasn't designed to be driven in the winter.
Rear wheel drive and open differential aren't ideal though. I wouldn't think of driving it without snow tires.
Rear wheel drive and open differential aren't ideal though. I wouldn't think of driving it without snow tires.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,258
Likes: 209
From: Boston North Shore
2001 CLK320 Cabrio
I live in the greater Boston area, have owned my CLK for nearly 13 years now, with all season tires, year round.
I have found using the 'winter' mode and 'ESP' traction control helpful during 6" to 8" snow falls.
If the snow fall is greater, I just wait for the roads to be plowed.
I have found using the 'winter' mode and 'ESP' traction control helpful during 6" to 8" snow falls.
If the snow fall is greater, I just wait for the roads to be plowed.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 260
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh, PA
W208 CLK55 AMG, W203 C32 AMG, W163 M Class Sport
I suppose all season tires may be ok with a CLK320. I really dislike all season tires for the fact that they're mediocre at everything and excel at nothing. As a car enthusiast, I need dedicated summer tires for a CLK55. Extreme performance rear tires are imperative for summer traction. I'm die hard for rear Dunlop Direzza Z2/ Star Spec's. Anything less and the open differential just spins tires with the traction control off.
I'm still bothered by the terrible 0-60 times most magazines posted for the CLK55. Only a fraction of them admitted that they had traction issues with the OEM tire configuration.
Narrow square winter tires make the CLK55 a capable car in below freezing, ice, and snow conditions. The soft sidewalls will make it feel squirmy and incapable around turns in dry conditions but that's a trade off of winter performance.
I'm still bothered by the terrible 0-60 times most magazines posted for the CLK55. Only a fraction of them admitted that they had traction issues with the OEM tire configuration.
Narrow square winter tires make the CLK55 a capable car in below freezing, ice, and snow conditions. The soft sidewalls will make it feel squirmy and incapable around turns in dry conditions but that's a trade off of winter performance.
