Winter options for CS450 with 20" wheels (all-season vs. summer+winter)
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2018 GLC43C4, 2023 AMGEQEV4
Winter options for CS450 with 20" wheels (all-season vs. summer+winter)
I have a 2019 CLS450 4Matic, with the 20-inch AMG wheels, which come with Summer tires (only factory option at that size).
I'll certainly need some winter option (living in WI ...) and the straightforward choice would probably be a second set of wheels with dedicated winter tires (those would have to be 19" ... no proper options at 20" size).
I thought I might ask for an opinion on whether the following alternative would be worth considering ... in case anyone had a similar experience.
It *would* be possible to keep a single set of wheels (my current 20" AMG) and replace the Mercedes-OEM summer tires with an all-season option; the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3+ are available at that my vehicle's front/rear sizes, and they'd be actually notably cheaper than either the summer tires, or the winter ones (~$300/tire for the A/S, about $450/tire for either the summer, or the winter ones).
One downside would be that the Mercedes-OEM tires are run-flat, while the Michelin all-season ones are not; I'd be fine with getting a TireFit kit though for the case of a flat. And, of course, dedicated tires would give better performance.
Would anyone have any experience/advice to share? I feel that the optimal performance of the dedicated summer/winter tires would be best, but the convenience and cost benefit of the all-seasons is not easy to dismiss either ...
I'll certainly need some winter option (living in WI ...) and the straightforward choice would probably be a second set of wheels with dedicated winter tires (those would have to be 19" ... no proper options at 20" size).
I thought I might ask for an opinion on whether the following alternative would be worth considering ... in case anyone had a similar experience.
It *would* be possible to keep a single set of wheels (my current 20" AMG) and replace the Mercedes-OEM summer tires with an all-season option; the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3+ are available at that my vehicle's front/rear sizes, and they'd be actually notably cheaper than either the summer tires, or the winter ones (~$300/tire for the A/S, about $450/tire for either the summer, or the winter ones).
One downside would be that the Mercedes-OEM tires are run-flat, while the Michelin all-season ones are not; I'd be fine with getting a TireFit kit though for the case of a flat. And, of course, dedicated tires would give better performance.
Would anyone have any experience/advice to share? I feel that the optimal performance of the dedicated summer/winter tires would be best, but the convenience and cost benefit of the all-seasons is not easy to dismiss either ...
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From: Frisco Colorado, USA
2024 GLB35 AMG, 2020 S560 Coupe
Yes -- You've spent a ton of $$$ on your beautiful CLS so what is another couple of thousand $$$ on dedicated wheels and tires? With another set of wheels, you'll save the risk, expense and inconvenience of mounting and balance of tires on your original wheels every change of seasons. If you can, go with Hakkapeliittas which Discount Tire carry -- they are the best. All season tires are a compromise for both dry summer and winter snow. Please let us know what you decide.
Last edited by slk55er; Jul 8, 2019 at 01:07 PM.
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From: Ontario,Canada
...24 GLE53
I bought 20" Pirelli RF snow tires for my car. They are noisy but excellent in snow. The dealer charges me one hour labour to install plus $75.00 storage for the season. My previous car had dedicated wheels and tires. The fee was 1/2 hour for installation and the same storage. I bought my car in Dec. so I take it in for the annual service in Nov. and get everything done in one visit. I may add that AS tires lose their grip in very cold weather. There is very little difference in cost. The tires are a little more expensive but you won't need wheels.
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Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Frisco Colorado, USA
2024 GLB35 AMG, 2020 S560 Coupe
I should mention that Discount Tire will install wheel/tire combo for free at each season change if you buy the combo from them and there is legal tread on the tires. I purchased studded Hakkas and wheels for my GLA250 from DT and used this service to change over the Hakkas to the original AMG wheels and Continentals in May.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jul 2018
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2018 GLC43C4, 2023 AMGEQEV4
Yes -- You've spent a ton of $$$ on your beautiful CLS so what is another couple of thousand $$$ on dedicated wheels and tires? With another set of wheels, you'll save the risk, expense and inconvenience of mounting and balance of tires on your original wheels every change of seasons. If you can, go with Hakkapeliittas which Discount Tire carry -- they are the best. All season tires are a compromise for both dry summer and winter snow. Please let us know what you decide.
Thanks for the recommendation on the Hakkapeliitta ... I'll certainly consider them, although I'm thinking of a run-flat option since the car has neither a spare nor a TireFit kit. The Pirelli Sottozero 3's seem to be the only RF option at that size.
My plan is to wait until late-summer when Mercedes' own packages are supposed to update for MY19, to see if there's something interesting on offer. My dealer doesn't have anything else other than the MY18 offerings, still (https://www.mbusa.com/mercedes/acces...rtNo:BQ6400153)
I'll report back when it's all done. Thanks for all the feedback!
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2018
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2018 GLC43C4, 2023 AMGEQEV4
I bought 20" Pirelli RF snow tires for my car. They are noisy but excellent in snow. The dealer charges me one hour labour to install plus $75.00 storage for the season. My previous car had dedicated wheels and tires. The fee was 1/2 hour for installation and the same storage. I bought my car in Dec. so I take it in for the annual service in Nov. and get everything done in one visit. I may add that AS tires lose their grip in very cold weather. There is very little difference in cost. The tires are a little more expensive but you won't need wheels.
Could I burden you with confirming that both front/rear of your Pirellis are XL-rated? The Pirelli website itself seems to suggest so
Thanks!
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MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Ontario,Canada
...24 GLE53
That's great info, actually! I had considered the 20" inch option, but it hadn't been coming up on some retailers' websites (e.g. TireRack) as their configurator was showing the rear tire (275/30R20) to *not* be XL load-rated (not that it would make that much of a difference, but it was enough to make them think there's a mismatch, and not offer that option).
Could I burden you with confirming that both front/rear of your Pirellis are XL-rated? The Pirelli website itself seems to suggest so
Thanks!
Could I burden you with confirming that both front/rear of your Pirellis are XL-rated? The Pirelli website itself seems to suggest so
Thanks!
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Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Frisco Colorado, USA
2024 GLB35 AMG, 2020 S560 Coupe
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I have not done much research on this topic, but if I do look for winter/AS tires for my CLS, I'd definitely go narrower than the stock summer tires. 275s are too wide for digging into the snow. How 'bout these 255/40R19 run flats on a set of 19 inch wheels from Tire Rack?
Pirelli Sottozero+3 Run Flats
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...omCompare1=yes
Looks like 235/45R19 for the front in this Run Flat would be a good match to the 255/40R19 rears.
Pirelli Sottozero+3 Run Flats
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...omCompare1=yes
Looks like 235/45R19 for the front in this Run Flat would be a good match to the 255/40R19 rears.
Last edited by slk55er; Jul 15, 2019 at 05:54 PM.
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2019 CLS 450 4matic
I am in the same doubt. I have a 20" Pirelli currently on and those are run flats. I do need to get some winter tires soon and I was also thinking of getting OEM AMG 19" for that purpose. Also, on 19", if I'm not wrong you can mount snow chains, which I think is not possible on the 20".
The investment aside (4 rims with tires (MO Michelin) and sensors are quote here 4500 euros), I need to think about the run flats or TireFit kit. In the CLS manual I do see mentions of the TireFit kit but it is not present in my vehicle.
How did it turned out for you?
The investment aside (4 rims with tires (MO Michelin) and sensors are quote here 4500 euros), I need to think about the run flats or TireFit kit. In the CLS manual I do see mentions of the TireFit kit but it is not present in my vehicle.
How did it turned out for you?
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 997
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From: Frisco Colorado, USA
2024 GLB35 AMG, 2020 S560 Coupe
I'm going with the top-rated Vedestein Quatrac Pro All-Weather. Better than an All-Season for light snow and cold temps although not a true snow tire or run-flat. Here's the link to the Tire Rack:
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...el=Quatrac+Pro
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...el=Quatrac+Pro
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