Time for winter tires
 

Does anyone know of a better snow tire than studded Nokian Hakka 8's?

The GLS is my dedicated ski truck so it sees real winter conditions in the CO, WY and MT mountains.

Thanks in advance,

Tony

I guess nobody else buys snow tires????

Just spoke with Discount Tire and found out there's a Hakka 9 out this year. According to them, that'll be the cat's pajamas for this winter.

Anyone else ?

Winter tires
 

Can't help but keep us posted on what you buy and how they do in the snow. I don't plan on driving in the snow unless its an emergency and its a PITA and expensive to change out tires. Good luck.

IMO if you need studs, there's really no substitute for Nokian. If you don't however, there's options. Michelin Alpine, Conti Cross- and Wintercontact, Bridgestone Blizzak, Goodyear UltraGrip Ice. You could even go for a 'real' offroad tyre like BFG's, General or Cooper. But my money will always be on the Michelins.

Pirelli Scorpion Winters here. Went with them after strong reco from a 63 owner in these parts and have been happy with them. Much better braking and general grip on ice and snow than stock Conti.

FYI I went stock size (21”) and swap the same set of rims on/off

Many of us use snow tires, but you asked what was BETTER than studded Hakka's. Dang, not too many have the need to go so far as a studded tire. I use Blizzaks on my all of my cars and suv's, nice balance of price, grip, and tread life. I had Nokian WR's on a rwd BMW before that were excellent.

22" Mack Daddies
 

Don't mean to hijack this thread, but would like your opinion. I have a gls 63 slated for mid December delivery. It's coming with the 22" Mack Daddy wheels on it w/summers. I'd like to get some reccs for a winter setup. On prior SUVS (CTTS, X5m) I've gone smaller, no larger than 20". I was thinking to get this set of 20" wheels and slap some nokian hakkas on 'em, but was wondering if anyone here has ever tried putting 22" snow tires on. I've always thought its not a great idea to go that big but I've never had a truck this heavy before. Thanks for your opinion.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mercedes-OEM...4383.l4275.c10

I would guess to go with the smallest that clears the brakes.

A really good idea to go -1" or maybe even a -2" with the wheel choice when talking 22" OEM wheels, for 2 very good reasons.

It gives you much more sidewall cushion without altering the overall height of the tire, and it will significantly increase your tire choices.

i guess what would be most helpful would be to know what people's experience has been like running 21" snow tires on this car. If good, then the wheel options in this size are significantly more desirable than those available at 20''. I like to use oem only, and would prefer to use aesthetically appealing wheels if possible. Those ones I listed above were the best I could find in this size :(.

Yes
 

I just ordered a set of Nokian Hakkapelitta 9 SUV. Hey’re supposed to be improved over the 8’s, but I can’t remember the specific differences at the moment. The Nokian Web site would provide more info.

​​​​​​ For what size wheel?

20”, don’t know the wheel width

Tire size 275/50R20

I had a little trouble using the tire search feature on the Nokian Web site on my phone. I entered the size I wanted, but got zero matches. It was much later that I realized that there was another attribute where I needed to enter a selection: vehicle type. Even after I told the site that I was buying a 275/50R20 tire, I still had to tell it I wasn’t looking for a passenger car tire before it would show me the matching peoducts. Weird.

Which set of 22's do you have? Pics?

these are the ones I'm ordering with the car. Obviously it makes sense to run a different set of wheels for the snows.
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...b3035026a7.jpg
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...8115935d9c.jpg
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...7b3ec0120c.jpg

Man those look good! What size tire?

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...82e63e7688.jpg
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...07da139261.jpg
I'm guessing 295/45/22. Yes I think they look quite nice. These were the alternative which are 21s and not bad but....

I like the 22's more, personally. I started a thread on aftermarket wheels with no luck. Any idea if 23's would fit with a 40 series tire or what size tire for a 24"? I Like the idea of being different but if 22s are a solid fit 22s it is.

Check tirerack. Their only available tire is the Pirelli scorpion winter. they recommend 275 20's. Im going with 295 20's. They have a variety or rims to choose from.

I always liked Bridgestone Blizzak winter tires. But unfortunately they don't make them in our size. Pirelli Scorpion is the way to go if you don't need studs.

Available in 275/50 R20 are the Nokian WR SUV 3, the Conti Wintercontact 850P and the Pirelli Scorpion Winter. Unfortunately the Nokians are only speed index H. You may have difficulty locating the Conti's since they've introduced their 860 series, and AFAIK the 275/50 isn't available (yet?).

However, MB also supports the use of 275/45/20 according to their latest documentation. In 285/45 a lot is available, but it's a funny size. If you insist on MO labels, I think only Pirelli is available.

​​​​​​​Where did you see that size? From what I could find the alternative size is 275/50R20. And Blizzaks are not available in 50. But they make them in 45. If it really is a fit I'd love to get Blizzaks.

Document attached. In German though. Probably available in the US too.

I have been running a 275/45/20 blizzak DM-1 on my GL450 for 3 seasons now. Purchased from a forum member here who ran them on his GL550 before that.