snow tires
12-07-2009, 08:52 AM
#2
MBWorld Fanatic!
I installed a new set of Michelin Primacy Alpin PA3 winter tires just this Saturday on my 03 CLK320. Today morning we had our first snow in Chicago area and it was my first winter and snow in the CLK. Talk about perfect timing 
I only drove ~4 miles to the train station and have nothing to compare it to as I never had the Continental all season stock tires on snow. The first 4 blocks from the garage to the main road with 5 tuns threw maybe 1-1.5 inches of snow were no issues. I took it light to get a feel of the car handling but did step on the breaks at couple stops to test and ESF engaged in one stop but no slip at all in both stops. Turns were normal. No rear movement at all. Going from a 4x4 SUV it sure is a huge move for me but then I did have Mitsubishi 3000GTSL before the trunk about 12 years ago so I had a bit to compare to. Got my tires from Tire Rack website at a great price plus they had $70 mail in rebate and no tax. I think you can still get the rebate. Installation with balancing was $65 at National Tire & Battery. Discount Tires wanted $108 for the install. These are also on the stock 16" rims. I still want to do alignment but it does not feel like it needs one. Firestone Service has lifetime alignment deal that is a good way to go especially if you switch winter/summer wheels. I will just store them in the garage for the summer while I have the 19" Monarch EURO 63's on.
Good luck and have fun in the snow
I only drove ~4 miles to the train station and have nothing to compare it to as I never had the Continental all season stock tires on snow. The first 4 blocks from the garage to the main road with 5 tuns threw maybe 1-1.5 inches of snow were no issues. I took it light to get a feel of the car handling but did step on the breaks at couple stops to test and ESF engaged in one stop but no slip at all in both stops. Turns were normal. No rear movement at all. Going from a 4x4 SUV it sure is a huge move for me but then I did have Mitsubishi 3000GTSL before the trunk about 12 years ago so I had a bit to compare to. Got my tires from Tire Rack website at a great price plus they had $70 mail in rebate and no tax. I think you can still get the rebate. Installation with balancing was $65 at National Tire & Battery. Discount Tires wanted $108 for the install. These are also on the stock 16" rims. I still want to do alignment but it does not feel like it needs one. Firestone Service has lifetime alignment deal that is a good way to go especially if you switch winter/summer wheels. I will just store them in the garage for the summer while I have the 19" Monarch EURO 63's on. Good luck and have fun in the snow
Last edited by dariusf; 12-07-2009 at 08:54 AM.
12-25-2009, 03:28 PM
#3
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Location: Toronto, Canada
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CLK500
i'm running Michelin Pilot PA2s (17" - 225 all around - I have a CLK500). Last year I ran these on my stock rims, this year i'm running them on a dedicated set of winter rims. These Pilot PA2s are amazing, they're very comparable in performance to my stock pirellis and I wholeheartedly recommend these.
12-26-2009, 08:57 AM
#4
MBWorld Fanatic!
By now we had snow a few times and freezing rain, ice etc. The tires are amazing, handling is great in all conditions. I had absolutely no issues at all with this car. Sure a great part of it is knowing how to drive in these conditions but I did try to take it harder then I would otherwise and still the handling was excellent and never lost control.
12-26-2009, 11:02 AM
#5
MBWorld Fanatic!
I just did a lot research (Tirerack.com surveys, Consumer Reports rating, other Web reviews etc.) and found that Michelins rated #1 across the board, but can be expensive.
I just decided on a set of Michelin Primacy MXV4 tires and could not be more satisfied.
Keep in mind that both are all season tires however, after reading the following survey, which is based on nearly 2.5 million miles of driving, I was convinced.
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....cy+MXV4#Survey
Additionally, there are many detailed owner reviews to read.
The Primacy MXV4's UTQG tire wear rating is 620 (Michelin does not provide for winter tires and other A/S typically rated 400 - 440). The reviews from long term users (45K+ miles) seemed to verify the longevity (all said they still had lots of thread remaining).
By shopping (e.g. it's a very competitive market and everyone price matches, tries to beat the other), I was able to get the Michelins' for $500 (balanced, mounted, old tire disposal, front end alignment etc.).
I just decided on a set of Michelin Primacy MXV4 tires and could not be more satisfied.
Keep in mind that both are all season tires however, after reading the following survey, which is based on nearly 2.5 million miles of driving, I was convinced.
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....cy+MXV4#Survey
Additionally, there are many detailed owner reviews to read.
The Primacy MXV4's UTQG tire wear rating is 620 (Michelin does not provide for winter tires and other A/S typically rated 400 - 440). The reviews from long term users (45K+ miles) seemed to verify the longevity (all said they still had lots of thread remaining).
By shopping (e.g. it's a very competitive market and everyone price matches, tries to beat the other), I was able to get the Michelins' for $500 (balanced, mounted, old tire disposal, front end alignment etc.).
01-09-2010, 03:33 AM
#7
MBWorld Fanatic!
Nokian WRs,
been using them on last 3 cars all RWD. Not an AWD feel, but better then anything i've owned before. with proper gas usage takeoff the light as fast as any FWD, even some SUVs
been using them on last 3 cars all RWD. Not an AWD feel, but better then anything i've owned before. with proper gas usage takeoff the light as fast as any FWD, even some SUVs
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01-09-2010, 09:04 AM
#8
MBWorld Fanatic!
We had several snow days by now some with 4 to 6 inches. The car is handling far beyound my expectations. These Michelin Primacy Alpin PA3 winter tires are awesome. I can still take turns sideways and have some fun but when I want to push the car. One day the driveway was all ice as its facing the south and the car had no issues going up the grade while naighber with his Nissan sedan was dancing all over. Highly recommended these tires.
Also some expressed concerns with windows freezing and difficulty opening the doors. Maybe it was a deferent winter thread. Had couple days where the car was covered with ice on the train parking lot in the evening and had no issues getting the doors open.
Have some fun in the snow and stay smart and safe. We had way too many accidents threw these snow days. People just have no clue how to drive in the snow.
Also some expressed concerns with windows freezing and difficulty opening the doors. Maybe it was a deferent winter thread. Had couple days where the car was covered with ice on the train parking lot in the evening and had no issues getting the doors open.
Have some fun in the snow and stay smart and safe. We had way too many accidents threw these snow days. People just have no clue how to drive in the snow.
01-09-2010, 02:52 PM
#10
MBWorld Fanatic!
was not sure. So far no issue with that. One day I found the whole car covered in ice at the train station after work. Got warred but got the doors open with no issues, took a bit more pull, that's all. The rear window did not move at all.
01-10-2010, 07:40 PM
#11
MBWorld Fanatic!
but hey, it's winter talk Yeah, you can force it open when it's frozen, but closing the door is the problem, if the window did not move down, you can brake the window .
