CLK500 in snow?
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 391
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From: Northern Virginia
2010 ML350 GAS 4Matic
Fairly awful - just like you would expect a powerful, rear-wheel drive, wide-tire car to behave. Winter mode and active handling helps but can still get dicey. You can probably get away with adding a little weight to the trunk if you drive on mostly level streets. If you have any hills to navigate, I'd look for another mode of transportation or find more aggressive winter-type tires.
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 354
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From: Minneeeesoootah
i would think a good set of winter tires would make the car quite mobile in winter. i see plenty of rear drive cars (modern sport sedans and coupes with all the fancy stability and traction aids) around that either mount all-season tires or winter tires for winter and they get around just fine. keep in mind in MN we get some of THE nastiest winters in the continental US.
never underestimate the difference a good winter tire can make. check out some of the testimonies over at tirerack.com for the winter tires. youll find many people with simialar cars are amazed by how well thier car got around with winter tires.
never underestimate the difference a good winter tire can make. check out some of the testimonies over at tirerack.com for the winter tires. youll find many people with simialar cars are amazed by how well thier car got around with winter tires.
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Joined: May 2003
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From: Chicago, IL USA
Just to add my $.02, I just ordered a set of Bridgestone Blizzak LM-22's from tirerack. They'll be mounted this weekend, work pending.
It's my understanding that performance tires (like our Pirelli Pzero's) are not only terrible in the snow, but also do not grip well when the temperature drops. So just because it's dry out (e.g. no snow) doesn't mean the tires will grip properly.
Kind of sucks because this was a $650 expense I didn't see coming as my salesperson told me when I bought the car that it had all season tires on it. I should have verified this statement before signing the bottom line.
It's my understanding that performance tires (like our Pirelli Pzero's) are not only terrible in the snow, but also do not grip well when the temperature drops. So just because it's dry out (e.g. no snow) doesn't mean the tires will grip properly.
Kind of sucks because this was a $650 expense I didn't see coming as my salesperson told me when I bought the car that it had all season tires on it. I should have verified this statement before signing the bottom line.
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 354
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From: Minneeeesoootah
Originally posted by ChiCLK500
It'* my understanding that performance tires (like our Pirelli Pzero'*) are not only terrible in the snow, but also do not grip well when the temperature drops. So just because it'* dry out (e.g. no snow) doesn't mean the tires will grip properly.
It'* my understanding that performance tires (like our Pirelli Pzero'*) are not only terrible in the snow, but also do not grip well when the temperature drops. So just because it'* dry out (e.g. no snow) doesn't mean the tires will grip properly.
ps: excellent choice of winter tire, blizzaks are sweet for winter.
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 68
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From: Chicago, IL USA
Originally posted by WannaBeAMG
you are correct and thats a very good point. something i think many people dont realize. winter tires remain far more pliable in freezing temps than do either all-season or summer tires. and therfore grip better on dry roads as well as snowy ones.
ps: excellent choice of winter tire, blizzaks are sweet for winter.
you are correct and thats a very good point. something i think many people dont realize. winter tires remain far more pliable in freezing temps than do either all-season or summer tires. and therfore grip better on dry roads as well as snowy ones.
ps: excellent choice of winter tire, blizzaks are sweet for winter.
I had my Blizzak's installed yesterday morning, but it seems to me that there is much more road noise than with the Pzero's and the ride is a little bit harsher. I was driving on fairly smooth roads with the temperature about 35 degrees. It could have been my imagination though.
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 354
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From: Minneeeesoootah
Originally posted by ChiCLK500
I had my Blizzak's installed yesterday morning, but it seems to me that there is much more road noise than with the Pzero's and the ride is a little bit harsher. I was driving on fairly smooth roads with the temperature about 35 degrees. It could have been my imagination though.
I had my Blizzak's installed yesterday morning, but it seems to me that there is much more road noise than with the Pzero's and the ride is a little bit harsher. I was driving on fairly smooth roads with the temperature about 35 degrees. It could have been my imagination though.
Member
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 110
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From: Denver, Colorado
2004 CLK 320 and 2004 Porsche Cayenne
Snow Tires
I just received from The Tirerack a set of snows for my 2004 CLK. Pirelli's 210. 225x45 17 Front and 235x45 17 rear on AMG rims. I will install them this weekend and report since Denver is expecting snow this weekend.
By the way, great service by the Tirerack and quick shipment.
By the way, great service by the Tirerack and quick shipment.
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 22
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From: New York
2010 C300 4matic
Originally posted by ChiCLK500
Just to add my $.02, I just ordered a set of Bridgestone Blizzak LM-22's from tirerack. They'll be mounted this weekend, work pending.
It's my understanding that performance tires (like our Pirelli Pzero's) are not only terrible in the snow, but also do not grip well when the temperature drops. So just because it's dry out (e.g. no snow) doesn't mean the tires will grip properly.
Kind of sucks because this was a $650 expense I didn't see coming as my salesperson told me when I bought the car that it had all season tires on it. I should have verified this statement before signing the bottom line.
Just to add my $.02, I just ordered a set of Bridgestone Blizzak LM-22's from tirerack. They'll be mounted this weekend, work pending.
It's my understanding that performance tires (like our Pirelli Pzero's) are not only terrible in the snow, but also do not grip well when the temperature drops. So just because it's dry out (e.g. no snow) doesn't mean the tires will grip properly.
Kind of sucks because this was a $650 expense I didn't see coming as my salesperson told me when I bought the car that it had all season tires on it. I should have verified this statement before signing the bottom line.
I contacted my MB dealer and they quoted me a VERY high price for the Bridgestone Blizzak LM-22's, so I'm trying to look for a cheaper alternative and Tirerack looks like the way to go.
BTW my car came with Pzeros also. The car handled great with them until it got colder. Now the car picks up all the seams and patches in the road and the handling has become somewhat nervous. It's fine on smooth roads though. I thought it might be an alignment problem, but I had the service department check it out and they said the alignment is perfect. My guess is it's the Pzeros.
Michele
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Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Toronto, ON
I installed the LM 22's just a week after i bought the car (about a month ago). The handling is great, it hasnt snowed much here in Toronto (as yet), but the tires sure do thier job in cold weather. I'm happy with the choice I made.
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From: Chicago, IL USA
Originally posted by Mikalish
Did you have the tires installed by one of Tirerack's installers in your area? How much did you pay for mounting and balancing?
I contacted my MB dealer and they quoted me a VERY high price for the Bridgestone Blizzak LM-22's, so I'm trying to look for a cheaper alternative and Tirerack looks like the way to go.
BTW my car came with Pzeros also. The car handled great with them until it got colder. Now the car picks up all the seams and patches in the road and the handling has become somewhat nervous. It's fine on smooth roads though. I thought it might be an alignment problem, but I had the service department check it out and they said the alignment is perfect. My guess is it's the Pzeros.
Michele
Did you have the tires installed by one of Tirerack's installers in your area? How much did you pay for mounting and balancing?
I contacted my MB dealer and they quoted me a VERY high price for the Bridgestone Blizzak LM-22's, so I'm trying to look for a cheaper alternative and Tirerack looks like the way to go.
BTW my car came with Pzeros also. The car handled great with them until it got colder. Now the car picks up all the seams and patches in the road and the handling has become somewhat nervous. It's fine on smooth roads though. I thought it might be an alignment problem, but I had the service department check it out and they said the alignment is perfect. My guess is it's the Pzeros.
Michele
It hasn't snowed in Chicago yet, but I'm happy with the cold weather handling of the Bridgestones. The only thing I'm not happy with is they are an ugly set of tires. Takes away from the clean lines the car normally enjoys. But hey, I can live with it.
Almost a Member!
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 68
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From: Chicago, IL USA
Originally posted by Mikalish
Did you have the tires installed by one of Tirerack's installers in your area? How much did you pay for mounting and balancing?
I contacted my MB dealer and they quoted me a VERY high price for the Bridgestone Blizzak LM-22's, so I'm trying to look for a cheaper alternative and Tirerack looks like the way to go.
BTW my car came with Pzeros also. The car handled great with them until it got colder. Now the car picks up all the seams and patches in the road and the handling has become somewhat nervous. It's fine on smooth roads though. I thought it might be an alignment problem, but I had the service department check it out and they said the alignment is perfect. My guess is it's the Pzeros.
Michele
Did you have the tires installed by one of Tirerack's installers in your area? How much did you pay for mounting and balancing?
I contacted my MB dealer and they quoted me a VERY high price for the Bridgestone Blizzak LM-22's, so I'm trying to look for a cheaper alternative and Tirerack looks like the way to go.
BTW my car came with Pzeros also. The car handled great with them until it got colder. Now the car picks up all the seams and patches in the road and the handling has become somewhat nervous. It's fine on smooth roads though. I thought it might be an alignment problem, but I had the service department check it out and they said the alignment is perfect. My guess is it's the Pzeros.
Michele
Member
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 110
Likes: 0
From: Denver, Colorado
2004 CLK 320 and 2004 Porsche Cayenne
Winter tires
I got my Pirelli 210s Snow already mounted on AMG rims from Tire Rack. 24Hrs after install on the car we had a good snow in Denver. Tires perform FANTASTIC. Felt more like a front drive car. Great traction in snow and ice. In dry the tires are smooth and feel just like my hi performance OEM. Great choice by TireRack.
Member
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 79
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From: Valencia, CA USA
2003 CLK 500, 2004 allroad quattro
get good winter tires. try Goodyear Eagle Ultra Grip GW3. and let us know how they ride in the snow. i'm from CA, i wouldn't know anything about driving in the snow.
Member
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 110
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From: Denver, Colorado
2004 CLK 320 and 2004 Porsche Cayenne
Pirellis Winter
So far my Pirellis 210 winter tires on 17" wheels are outstanding. I have driven on snow and ice and they handle better than a front whell drive car. In dry conditions they really stick and have not noticed any harsher ride than my Michellins or any noisier. Good job TireRack.
