akinder

Well we just got about 4" of snow dumped on us here in metro Detroit (actually about 40 miles north for me).

My stock Dunlops at 275/35's with 20k miles are acting like a pair of tobaggans for all the go-power and control they are giving me. The 245/40's in the front steer about as well as an oil tanker with the white stuff on the ground.

I'm looking at Dunlop Winter Sport M2's in a 245/40/18 to fit on the stock AMG rims, all 4.

Went to tireRack and Discounttire.com and neither list winter tires in 18".

So a couple questions from you folks:

1) I know these tires will fit the front wheels, but will they fit the back? I know the rear rims are an inch or so wider.

2) Reviews I've read rate the M2 about the best of the winter tires. How are the Michelin Actic Alpins? Hurting for cash right now and the Dunlops are cheaper anyway. If better tires, that makes it even nicer.

3) Lastly, how many miles should the stock Dunlop performance tires last in moderate driving? I've got 20k and the outside corners of the front tires are bald, particularly the driver's side. My local MB dealer said that is NORMAL for driving in Michigan because you have to make so many left turns (michigan lefts -- you can't turn left at most intersections here, you have to drive past the intersection and make a U turn, then turn right. Assine in my book. supposed to prevent T bone collisions at intersections.) Sounds like codswallop to me.

Thanks,
Aaron

MercManiac

I have a place in the NC mountains I go to in the winter. I actually put on Bridgestone Blizzaks.....but I bought seperate wheels also so tires have have a thinner track since this is most important for getting through deep snow efficiently. You may want to check out doing this for serious winter driving.

ZT E55

I recently bought wheels and winter tires from Tirerack. I ended up getting four 18 in. AMG monoblocks with 245/40/18 Dunlop Winter Sport M2. I am pretty happy with the setup. If you don't want to get AMG rims, then they do have others that will fit. My setup cost $2100.

E55 KEV

Tire Rack has 18" snow tires. Look further. Use the H speed rating also in your search.

Up front you can use either:

235/40/18
245/40/18

In the rear you can use:

265/35/18
275/35/18

Narrower tires are better in snow.

You can also use 17 inch wheels but some wheels fit and some don't so the wheels should be test fitted prior to buying which would omit buying them online.

See this post about 17 inch wheels on E55 here:

https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...threadid=21770

jefrose55

I replaced original dunlops with michelin all season pilot sports. Used the stock AMG rims and tire sizes front/rear. The dry traction and road noise levels turned out to be better than the original dunlops. Baltimore just got its first snow. The tires performed better than expected. Tires handled slush great and did pretty good with 2inches or less snow. Got stuck coming out of my garage with 6inches unplowed. Once pushed onto street did fine in light snow.
If you only drive in light snow (less than 2inches), and want a tire for all year round this seems to be the tire.
jeff
total cost of tires from tirerack $1100

akinder

See my other post, but I just bought the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S in 275/35/18 rear and 245/40/18 front using the stock rims.

Got them through Tirerack. Seem to be a lot quieter. Dry performance I can't say for sure yet, but seems good. Will check out the snow traction here shortly.

they did caution me that the 235/40 tire in the front was not up to MB specs, as it was insufficient weight bearing per the manufacturer.