Deeroff

Really want to get another AMG but as it will be a primary driver and I was wondering if anyone had any winter driving experiences with winter tires.

Thanks

Cylinder Head

iTrader: (1)

Winter tires do amazing things with RWD cars, my old bimmer was a complete sled in the winter until I put some Blizzaks on it. The only thing you won't be able to escape is ice, remember without an LSD your car is essentially 1-wheel-drive. The wheel that slips gets all the power.

wolverine

Having just come in from driving my Blizzak equipped M5 in the snowstorm we're having here, I'll say you can do it with qualifiers. First, make sure you slim the tires down, and go "-1" on smaller rims if you can. Our cars have big fat rear tires, and I went with 19" 255's instead of my 20" 285's in the rear. I'm OK if I drive VERY carefully. Even so, I fishtailed slightly coming out of a drive-in pickup window (thankfully not enough to curb a wheel), and had a tough time pulling onto a busy road from a slight uphill. The back end can come around very easily in this situation. I have an LSD, so you'll have even more challenges without one.

My wife's Acura with all-season tires has better traction than my car with the Blizzaks. I suspect the AMG with Blizzaks will be in the same situation. You can do it, but be very careful - you can easily swing the rear end around and cause all sorts of damage.

eLTURCOamg

long island or nyc?, im on long island but since there has been no snow this year i couldnt tell you what driving it is like in the snow, but you should be fine, my neighbor drives his vette in the snow with snow tires

enzom

I had Blizzak's on my 540i and they were great.

I decided when I got my E55 that I was not going to chance it in the winter. Snow tires on your car won't stop some idiot from sliding into your car.

So I leased a cheapo Jeep Cherokee for $279/mo including tax.

I suspect that you will have good traction with the Blizzaks if you are very careful.

JohnAMG

I have Blizzak on my stock 06'E55 wheels and I am pleasantly surprised how manageable the car is in moderate to heavy snow. I set suspension and driving mode in "C", and obviously use common sense. Some of you may not believe me, but majority of the time my Blizzak equipped E55 feels more secure and stable than my Lexus GX470. I contribute this to superior traction system from Mercedes. So slap on those Blizzak and enjoy your car all year round.

John

Kev04C320

I have Blizzak on mine as well and it is running solid so far (I only had it for 1.5 winters though). No problems in both light and heavy snow conditions. In light snow, I can still start in first gear with not too much spin (using feather light gas pedal). I think it behaves resonably civilized in the snow and I'm pleasantly surprised.

Eurosport

i would just get a beater to save the rock chips/sand

Deeroff

Thanks folks. Rocks and chips and stuff is not a worry (sorry). Gonna drive it (hard).

05VENOM

You can absolutely drive the car with snow tires. I am in NY(5 boroughs) driving daily and had Blizzaks on a GS400, SC430 and Dunlops on a 545i. Did not even hesitate driving in the snow. HAd a full tire package from tire rack.
Just don't skimp on the rims..my first set i went cheap and both front rims bent from the pot holes.

MBH

I personally would never do it. I have an "05 E55 that sits in my heated garage under cover as I drive my '05 Grand Chrokee in the snow, salt, and ice here in NJ.

Fast55

The only time my car even gets wet is when I wash it. My answer is not only no, but hell no. That's what they make 4X4's for.

DoctorXylophone

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Deeroff

I loved my old E55 and would love the E63 but it would not be a garage queen (I have a few of those in there already). I just hate the idea of buying 2 cars.

I wish they brought the 4matic AMGs to the States.

I was considering the RS4 (S6 is a tad too uninteresting).