Arrie

The speed record video has little to do with every day driving but it tells something about the tire quality though. Not all of them can go that speed. Wonder if the Blizzask could do it.


But, you have your opinion of the best winter tire and others have theirs. The video you posted is the worst kind of data as it only has a handful of tires in it and selection of the tires for the test is quite obviously made to make a certain brand to shine in the test. Wonder who paid for the video production.


You seem to be worried about the grip on ice but you select to use tires that rate the third best in a test that I posted earlier. I have never seen a test where Blizzak would be better than Michelin Xi3 on ice so at least you should go with the Michelins?


But if you like the tires then you use them. You are used to them and if you like them that is all that matters.


This whole thing / discussion started when someone posted that Michelin Xi3 is THE BEST winter tire. This is misinformation in my opinion and that is why I had to post against it. Perhaps the poster should have said that in his opinion Xi3 is the best.


The main thing to know is the correct speed on slippery road and that is what matters the most.

noka

Do you have 18" rims? Any concern about damaging wheels (and tires) from multiple swaps over the years? Does dealer store the tires or do you drag them home and store?

Gregg11_C300

My E350 has 17" wheels, no damage at all swapping the tires on and off. If that was a problem I'd definitely have a second set of rims. If you are concerned, I would just take pictures of my wheels before/after and if the dealer did damage them they would replace/repair most definitely.

Lillegutt

Just wanted to bring you the largest test of winter tires from the northern part of Europe.

In Norway, Sweden and probably also Finland the use of winter tires is regulated by law. "You should always use tires suited for icy roads when needed."

Every year the new winter tires are tested by an international independent testing group. The results are highly appreciated by the consumers in my area.

These pages are in Norwegian, but I guess you will get the big lines, or you know how to use Google translate.

Studded:
https://www.naf.no/forbrukertester/d...piggdekk-2014/

Non-studded:
https://www.naf.no/forbrukertester/d...rie-dekk-2014/

Here's how they performed the test:
https://www.naf.no/forbrukertester/d...er-vi-dekkene/

JHH

ddeliber

Interesting results, at least from what I could tell. The Haka R2s finished tied for first (I think) with a Goodyear that I haven't seen before. However, the following comment was noteworthy (cut and paste from Google translator):

" It actually just short braking distance on ice as some of studded tires . But tire has a major weakness - braking performance on wet roads . Where is the worst of all . A clear proof that it is impossible to be the best in all areas. Nokian has chosen to be the best on snow and ice. Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2 8.2 points load index : 94Innside / outside : neiProduksjonsdato : Week 6 , 2014Produksjonsland : Finland"

Lillegutt

Brakes on wet asphalt was weighted 5% of the total score. The Nokian R2 scored 6 points on this entry, while the Michelin scored 7, so its not like they didn't stop the car at all.

Here are the details of the scores for the non-studded tires:
https://www.naf.no/globalassets/forb...?noresize=true

Here are the details for the studded:
https://www.naf.no/globalassets/forb...?noresize=true

Some keywords translated...
Bremsing = Braking
Akselerasjon = Accelleration
Kjøreegenskaper = Driving properties
Kjørefølelse, subjektiv = Drivers subjective feeling
Støy = Noise
Rullemotstand = Rolling resistance

Some explanation of these criterias:
https://www.naf.no/forbrukertester/d...er-vi-dekkene/


It's just a test among others...

JHH

00Schneider

Does anyone have a recommendation for aftermarket winter wheels for a 2014 E250 BlueTec 4Matic? Trying to configure a set or winter wheels/tires and both TireRack and Discount Tire are at a loss as to what rims fit the car.

ddeliber

Thanks for this, good stuff. I understand that the Nokinans are probably the best winter tires available. The part that concerns me is that most of our winter driving is not on snow and ice. Wet and dry pavement performance is important to me. I can't say what is the real world difference between a 6 and say an 8 in these numbers but it does make me want to know more. Plus this test did not include the new Bridgestone WS-80, what a surprise.... I still haven't found a complete test to really compare all of the options.

Speaking of Bridgestone, I find it interesting that this test gives the WS-70 a 10 in noise performance. On our E350 they are the noisiest tires I have ever heard. It is not a tread growl like is typically seen in a snow tire, but rather a higher pitched hum like the sound is resonating or something. When we are sitting on the porch we can honestly hear the car coming down the street before is even seen. My son often announces "mommy's home" while he is playing in the yard but the car is still driving around the corner out of sight!

At least they gave them a 5 and 6 in the driver's subjective feeling on wet and dry roads. I suspect that this goes to the dead spot and sloppy steering response that I mentioned earlier.

looney100

I bought a set of 18x8" Klasse Motorsport Apex wheels (stock size) from kaltire.com. If you put in the car details, you can get a bunch of recommendations.
I went with stock size wheels and tires for the winters.

telemakhos

My experience with two sets of X-ice is that in the 3rd year they lose a significant amount of grip while having started out strong. These were with the original Xice and then the X-Ice 2. I then switched to Nokian Hakka R and R2 which so far are outstanding and the R's have kept their grip beyond what the X-ice and X-ice 2 did.

Nokian invented the winter tire and they have speed records on snow/ice with their tires. The latest Hakka 8 (which you can get unstudded in some sizes) is their latest and greatest.

looney100

We're on our fourth winter with Xi2s on our MDX. No decrease in performance that I can see.

DerekACS

Having had a previous bad experience with Enkei alloys purchased from Tirerack (all 4 rims went out of round after 2 years), I decided to purchase the 17" five twin spoke OEM rims from my MB dealer. These are the same rims that are supplied in the USA for the E250BT Sport package. They cost about CD$390 (or US$312) each. Since I'm planning on keeping this car for at least five years, I figure the extra set of winter wheels with Michelin Pilot Alpin snow tires will be worth it.

Alex.currie44

I am on my 4th winter on the Xi3. Seems ok.
I have mine on 17" ET45s aftermarket. Cost $130-140 through my dealer as a package via OK Tire in BC.

B5chung

I do like xi3 as well, just got 245/40/18 from crabby tires installed, balance on my OEMercedes wheels with tire replacement cover, $1120 tax incl. They're look great! Quite happy with the purchase.

Alex.currie44

I opted for the 17" because it is recommended as the winter tire and whereas I keep my cars (grill badge at 250000km on my second W124) for some time I usually get extra wheels to save the beads. The w212 was the first one MBC did not have a steel rim for so I got the ones I have.
I figure at $70 a year to pop them off and on vs. breaking down 4 tires twice a year, remounting the tires, balancing and reinstalling them which runs about $200 twice a year I paid my rims of in 4 yr.($200-70=130x5=$650. My rims as I said ran $138 actually or $552. If you keep your cars long enough you might consider rims. It's a 20 minute fiddle with my tire shop. I drive in, they take the tires out of the back, I go in and pay and wait 10 minutes and I am gone. I go back a week later and they re torque the bolts.
I will have to watch mfg dates of course since I run the winters 4 months and the other 8 they are shared with the SLK for mileage and I am away for two months March/April so mileage is not going to catch me out but time will.

Airmousam

Surprised folks opt for winter tires on the 4 matic, I run all seasons and car seems to go anywhere I need it to go, 65" of snow so far this year and counting :-(

looney100

4Matic doesn't aid braking or steering. Proper winter tires are indispensable in climates with a lot of snow and/or ice.
The traction AWD cars provide in snowy conditions can hide just how poor the road conditions are, giving drivers a false sense of security.


Having said that, I'd never go without an AWD vehicle in the winter.

Airmousam

Makes sense

ddeliber

+1
and, new all season tires will handle decently in snow, well, most of them anyway; one year of wear, not so much.