listerone

I've decided to ditch my factory Bridgestone runflats and go with Continental ExtremeContact DWS.However,their search function doesn't display this tire when I use the vehicle search option.The size option displays it as being 245/45ZR/17 rather than 45R.Not being knowledgeable in such things I'm wondering if this means that this Conti is somehow unsuitable for my Bluetec.Is this,by chance,the case?

ghstudio

ZR means the tire is rated for over 149 MPH speeds. It's really overkill for a bluetec in the US.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete....jsp?techid=35

RSIKR

I believe E350 and E350 Bluetecs are electronically limited to 130 MPH for the USA. So you do not need a tire that surpasses that limit. There should be a two digit number after the 17 that indicates the weight limit for the tire.

For instance my tires on a 4Matic are 245/40R18 97 V the 245 is the width in mm. The 40 is the profile or ratio. The lower the number the shorter the sidewall. R is radial. 18 is the wheel diameter in inches. 97 is rated for 1609 lbs gross per tire. V is the speed rating.

Check at the TireRack website or the Conti manufacturer's. There should be an explanation of tire codes.

Let us know how you like the DWS. I've been considering them. The Pirellis' I have hold the road and handle well but are very loud on rough or grooved roads.

listerone

Hey,speak for yourself,pal...on occasion I like to put the foot down on I-84!

But serious,thanks for the info.I thought the "z" indicated that there was something different about the size thus,possibly,making it unsuitable for the standard rims.

listerone

Thanks for the info.I didn't know that the "z" was the speed rating rather than somehow connected to the size of the tire.The Conti seems to be relatively cheap and I've read good things about it so i just might give them a go.Tire Rack says they're on back order,however,and that may or may not represent a problem.

stemags

Ive been looking into the DWS from Conti also,,got hi ratings in their survey.The Conti's I have now are more like a touring tire,,not good enuff for winter time..2 weeks Ill have the DWS's.Tire Rack quoted me 595 delivered to the door,,another 80 for mounting at my local tire joint. Not bad
BTW the local tire guy had them and quoted me 740 installed.

hyperion667

I really liked my conti's.......
wish there were some available at the time I got new
meats.......had to go with michelin, but they're good too...

Mtl20v

Do cars with runflats have a spare tire or just an empty hole?

LaicepsYdobon

The reason why the E BlueTec has runflat tires is because the AdBlue reservoir is where the spare tire would go.

ImInPA

I am running non-Runflat winter tires on my E350 Bluetec. I purchased a kit and compressor, similar to what is used on Canadian Blutetecs with non-runflat tire. I am very pleased with the ride improvement over the Runflats. You really do not realize how crappy they are until you switch. I have been looking at the Cooper Zeons. They get very good reviews too and are avialable in Summer and All season tread patterns.

CEB

I thought that we had convinced you to buy a winter set. Accordingly, you'd want to look at the Coopers in summer tread pattern only.

Mtl20v

Ok..that's what i was wondering because i know that the Bluetec's in Canada do not have runflats.

Thanks

LaicepsYdobon

Did not know that about Canadian BlueTec's; I was referring to the US ones. Sorry for the confusion...

ImInPA

I have the Michelin X-Ice winter tires on now. I am considering just abandoning the remaining 50% tread on the OEM Bridgestones and going with the Conti DW or Cooper Zeon summer tires mounted on my factory rims for spring, summer and fall. The Michelin X-Ice winter tires are mounted on Elbrus I06 rims and look pretty good, considering the rims were $120ea. Great for winter. The dry-road performance is exceptional for a winter tire. Much quieter than the Bridgestones. One consideration with the Coopers is that the summer tire has a tread wear rating of 300 while the AS version has a tread wear rating of 500. Both get great write-ups for traction and handling in wet and dry road conditions with a slight edge to the summer tire.

eaweg1

I purchased the Conti DWS for my wife's X5 and it was the best thing I did. We had runflats on that vehicle and it felt like I was riding on metal roller skates. We now have 3000 miles on the new Contis and they are great! The wet weather handling is unbelievable. We should get some snow soon and I am sure they will do just fine. I'm sad we'll be losing them when I trade the X5 in for the new E350 wagon!

YYZ-E55

Why DWS and not DW? Planning to drive them in winter?

I had the DWs on my E550c and they were great for the price.

stemags

Dry,Wet,Snow

YYZ-E55

No person of above average intelligence would think that the "S" is going to be of much value on a RWD car with 400+ ft-lbs of torque.

stemags

Never said it would,,referring to 4matic usage

listerone

Although some here might think I'm foolish I plan to use them year round as I've done for the last 30+ winters.I adjust my driving practices during the winter to the point where a good "all season" tire is more than adequate for me.If I lived in the Rockies or the Sierras I'd probably think differently but the wilds of southern New England are pretty tame when you keep your speeds down and your following distances long as I do in winter.

listerone

In the 3 winters I had my BMW (smaller car,425 ft lbs torque) I had surprising little trouble with the standard Conti "all season" tires.You *do* have to be rather careful with the accelerator though.

ImInPA

The bridgestones on my bluets were just horrible in the snow last year and we had a pretty mild winter. On our roads, the Bridgestones are not much better in the wet either. A little rain and the rear end breaks loose with little to no provocation. Since installing the Michelin X-Ice, both wet and dry road traction is remarkably better. I can't wait to get some good summer tires mounted on my OEM rims for spring. Come to think of it, I can't wait for spring.