Howellja

Winter is approaching in central NY, and I was wondering what winter tires and what size people in the snow belt have been using for these cars? any responses would be great. I am planning on downsizing to a 17" rim and 225/45/17 all around. What have your experiences been?

PDC

I recently parted with my '01 CLK 55 in favor of an '05 E55. Definitely lovin' the amazing power of the SC motor, but I really miss my W208 CLK. I really liked that style. Anyhow, I stepped up from 17s to staggered 18" Monoblocks from a W210 E55 on that car and had it set up with Pirelli P-Zero/Nero All Season Tires. I ran 225/40/18 up front and 255/35/18 in the rear. On the W210, you can easily step up to 245/40/18 front and 275/35/18 rear with no rubbing issues. I highly endorse the Pirelli P Zero Nero. No, it wasn't like having chains or old fashioned studded snow tires, but they definitely allowed me to slog through the winter mess here in Kansas City last year with no problem and warm weather traction was fantastic. In fact, today we are having our first taste of winter weather and the Conti Sport Contact 2s on my new E55 aren't cuttin' it! I am tempted to call Tirerack this evening and have them ship out a set of Pirellis for the E. If you don't want to mess around with 2 sets of tires (or possibly even to sets of rims AND tires) and you want high performance summer rated tires that can pull through most light to moderate snow with no problems, get the Pirellis. Every bit as good as Michelin Pilot Sport All Seasons for about half the cost.

uberwgn

Snow tire or summer tire?

jtc55

225/45/17 all-around would be size for winter tires.

jtc55

i'm surprise that the all-season tires held up that well in light to moderate snow. on my bmw, i had all-season tires and they were not that great in light or moderate snow. i learn to not to take any chances when it comes to snow. now all my cars/suv gets snow tires w/ their own set of wheels.

ClayJ

I go with three-season rubber, and real Winter rubber, wherever I experience real Winter conditions.

Good All-Seasons may work fine for someone who doesn't have to experience real Winter conditions -- but I don't ever go with All-Seasons....

That's what I do - and don't do - FWIW.

Howellja

I guess I was asking mostly what brand of winter snow tires you guys use? I am definitely in snow country 120 Inches a year average! I have a set of 17X7.5 amg monoblocks for the winter set, and was wondering what 225 45 17 snow tire everybody uses?

MPE430

I just got Blizzaks LM-25s for my E500. So far they have been great in the wet/ice. Very little road noise. I will know more tomorrow as Chicago could see a foot of snow this evening.

Howellja

Glad to know im not the only one who has to deal with the white stuff, everyone here drives 4-matics! Tell me how it goes, I feel your pain!

ChicagoX

Dunlop winter sport m3 in a 245/40/18 all-around.

I wouldn't recommend a staggered setup for the snow. Wider isn't always better.

xraymd

What he said ^ ^ ^

narf

can anyone explain why this is? I've called 3 tire shops here in Stockholm, Sweden, and they all recommend 245/40/18 front and 265/35/18 rear for the e55.

Then again, they all recommend different tires (pilot alpine 2, blizzaks, and contis). The first shop even went as far to say that the e55 is no good and will handle funny with 245s all around.

It seems as though im going to have to do the research and figure out what is best all on my own (read:with your help )

edit: it doesn't seem as though we get the dunlop winter sport m3s in sweden...

sfkarp

245/40/18 all-around are just fine. I have been running that size for 2 years now during the winter. I have Michelins now but have also used other brands as well. Dedicated winter tires are the way to go. Even with no snow they work better than summer tires when the temps get below 40 degress.

JohnAMG

I have Blizzaks on the stock wheel for my 06-E55 and they perform quite well here south of Buffalo NY. I am using 245/45/18 and 265/40/18 for front and rear. Last year I had Pirelli Nero all season on my old 01'CLK55 and they suck in snow. These Blizzaks are quiet on the freeway also.

John

dragonAMG

Tomorrow's forecast here in Vegas calls for snow... I'll be driving my E55 which sits on 25 series

CyE55

It's going to be 54 and partly cloudy here in Redondo Beach tomorrow....brrrr, and 40% chance of rain!! Maybe I should switch to Blizzaks?

But seriously, I will be brave and drive my car up to Mammoth Mtn sometime this year, so was thinking of getting an extra set of wheels and tires just in case it may snow. I learned a lot from this thread.

Cyrus


p.s. Going to the mountains is the only time I'm going to miss my Cayenne, I ran Pirelli Scorpions on it after the stock Conti's wore out. Awsome tires!

pas

17" rims won't fit the front of an E55, just get good snow tires on the stock rims and it will be as good as an E55 can be in the snow.

kip

The size according to the owners manual is 245/40 R18, which is pretty big. On a lot of fast sedans here in Finland we use Nokia Hakkapeliitta RSI with the highest speed class (the smaller classes are too soft for the torque and flash the dsc light all the time, off course their traction is also better when you are trying to stop...). Although the Finnish press car MB E55 AMG had spike wheels, they were NOKIA, but I dont remember the exact model or size.

Anyone on the board drive in really cold conditions with a lot of snow? Any problems with the W211E55 mechanical/drivingwise I should be worried about, please post experiences.

KIP