Winter, my a$$
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 120
Likes: 1
From: Minneapolis
'09 E63 AMG sedan (sold); E36 M3, E90 M3
Winter, my a$$
came into the E63 after leaving an Audi RS6. All the 'tards round here in Minnesota could not believe I would do such a thing, after all it SNOWS here...
Well, one winter set-up later, granted with very high quality Nokian Hakkapelitta R's, we made mince meat out of the winter storm. Yes, turning under power, I did have a little more control in the Audi, but this is awfully stable! and for the other 340 days in the year, the rwd E63 simple owns the clunky front heavy snow plow, i mean RS6!
Yeah baby
Winter wheels/tires:
Well, one winter set-up later, granted with very high quality Nokian Hakkapelitta R's, we made mince meat out of the winter storm. Yes, turning under power, I did have a little more control in the Audi, but this is awfully stable! and for the other 340 days in the year, the rwd E63 simple owns the clunky front heavy snow plow, i mean RS6!
Yeah baby
Winter wheels/tires:
Last edited by Dr. G; Dec 12, 2009 at 03:49 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 317
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From: SoCal
997.2 GT3
I have Dunlop Wintersport M3 tires for the Colorado winter. With ESP on, the E55 is pretty stable and easy to drive. The only problem compared to AWD vehicles is starting on icy inclines. I actually have to switch off ESP and manually modulate throttle or else nothing gets sent to the rear wheels.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 120
Likes: 1
From: Minneapolis
'09 E63 AMG sedan (sold); E36 M3, E90 M3
No, these tires are not studded (studs illegal here). The other key feature is being able to raise the car up with the air suspension for extra clearance and peace of mind
I like turning off the esp (well its still slightly on) and having at it on empty road or parking lot. Its nice to get sideways more. With the esp fully on, which is really the only way i drive when there are cars or other potential obstacles, you are kept in line, the moment the rear start to come around, the nanny saved your bacon. Not that that even that happens much with these tires. cant rave enough about them: these tires (click)
I suspect if we had icy inclined the awd would be more important, but mercifully its flat here. My driveway is pitched somewhat, and she just hauls *** up that....
I like turning off the esp (well its still slightly on) and having at it on empty road or parking lot. Its nice to get sideways more. With the esp fully on, which is really the only way i drive when there are cars or other potential obstacles, you are kept in line, the moment the rear start to come around, the nanny saved your bacon. Not that that even that happens much with these tires. cant rave enough about them: these tires (click)
I suspect if we had icy inclined the awd would be more important, but mercifully its flat here. My driveway is pitched somewhat, and she just hauls *** up that....
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Super Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 552
Likes: 11
From: Chicago suburbs
2004 E55 AMG
Just drove mine in all of the snow/ice/nasty stuff we had here in the Chicago area. It drove fine and the ESP did its job. I have all-seasons on the front and Blizzaks on the rear. A word of caution though, ESP will do NOTHING if your car understeers. Go into a corner too fast and you're still going to slam into the curb. It's also fun to turn off the ESP, get it wayyyyyy sideways in a parking lot, and then hit the ESP button and watch how quickly it brings the rear end back in line.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 120
Likes: 1
From: Minneapolis
'09 E63 AMG sedan (sold); E36 M3, E90 M3
Just drove mine in all of the snow/ice/nasty stuff we had here in the Chicago area. It drove fine and the ESP did its job. I have all-seasons on the front and Blizzaks on the rear. A word of caution though, ESP will do NOTHING if your car understeers. Go into a corner too fast and you're still going to slam into the curb. It's also fun to turn off the ESP, get it wayyyyyy sideways in a parking lot, and then hit the ESP button and watch how quickly it brings the rear end back in line.
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 552
Likes: 11
From: Chicago suburbs
2004 E55 AMG
Ha ha, thanks. I drove a 400hp Z/28 for 4 Chicago winters with nothing more than 200lbs of sandbags and cheap snow tires. The E-class is a big heavy RWD car, just like a Crown Vic, and LEO's manage to drive those through all weather. My only concern is other drivers, but I drive very defensively and always watch all sides and the rearview mirror for oncoming idiots. I may put a couple of sandbags in the trunk to help stoplight traction, but with proper tires and ESP on there really isn't another car I'd want to be in for the winter. The heated/ventilated seats are NICE!
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 3,834
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From: Texas
2003 CL55
I would have tried mine in the snow last week here , with MT drag radials but was to terrified of the other drivers (Most never have seen snow) .. So, took the SUV instead.. No nuts, as you say..lol
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E63 Biturbo, UPD Cold Air induction kit, UPD performance crank pulley and UPD adjustable rear suspension with ride height adjustment.
CL55 UPD Cold Air Boost kit, UPD 3000 stall converter, UPD 77mm SC clutched pulley and beltwrap kit, Custom long tubes, UPD crank pulley , UPD suspension kit, UPD SC pulley, Aux. HE, Trunk tank w/rule 2000 pump, Mezeire pump, UPD 5pc idler set, Aluminum rotor hats.
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E63 Biturbo, UPD Cold Air induction kit, UPD performance crank pulley and UPD adjustable rear suspension with ride height adjustment.
CL55 UPD Cold Air Boost kit, UPD 3000 stall converter, UPD 77mm SC clutched pulley and beltwrap kit, Custom long tubes, UPD crank pulley , UPD suspension kit, UPD SC pulley, Aux. HE, Trunk tank w/rule 2000 pump, Mezeire pump, UPD 5pc idler set, Aluminum rotor hats.
www.ultimatepd.com
instagram @ultimate_pd
facebook.com/ultimatepd
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 803
Likes: 2
From: Saskatchewan
1969 280S, 1991 300E
Just drove mine in all of the snow/ice/nasty stuff we had here in the Chicago area. It drove fine and the ESP did its job. I have all-seasons on the front and Blizzaks on the rear. A word of caution though, ESP will do NOTHING if your car understeers. Go into a corner too fast and you're still going to slam into the curb. It's also fun to turn off the ESP, get it wayyyyyy sideways in a parking lot, and then hit the ESP button and watch how quickly it brings the rear end back in line.
I don't think anybody on this forum drives an E55 in more severe conditions than i do. Realistically, from early December until mid-March, our roads are coated with ice and topped with snow...sometimes lots and lots of snow. I completely agree with everyone on here re: capability on ice & snow.
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 552
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From: Chicago suburbs
2004 E55 AMG
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 552
Likes: 11
From: Chicago suburbs
2004 E55 AMG
I don't think you're slamming into a curb with 4 snow tires. You are risking a lot by only having 2 snows/2all-seasons on your car. Tire shops generally will not mount only 2 grippers on a car, due to liability. The steering angle sensor still detects where you are trying to point the car & will adjust.
I don't think anybody on this forum drives an E55 in more severe conditions than i do. Realistically, from early December until mid-March, our roads are coated with ice and topped with snow...sometimes lots and lots of snow. I completely agree with everyone on here re: capability on ice & snow.
I don't think anybody on this forum drives an E55 in more severe conditions than i do. Realistically, from early December until mid-March, our roads are coated with ice and topped with snow...sometimes lots and lots of snow. I completely agree with everyone on here re: capability on ice & snow.
I am wholly convinced these Blizzaks I have grip maybe 10% better than the brand new all-seasons. If they were studded it would be a different story, but on this packed down ice/snow crap there just isn't much traction available.
I called my engineer buddy at Bosch and asked him to play around with a couple of E-Classes they have to see if my experience is consistent with the way the system is designed to work. Should hear back in a couple of days.
I found this out while in a parking lot playing with the ESP, not while driving too fast for conditions out on the street. I simply wanted to warn people that ESP will not save you all the time.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,771
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From: San Diego, CA
'13 GT-R AMS Alpha 9+, CLA45, E55
I'm glad to hear that everyone is having great luck with E55's and the snow 
I just ordered some cheap msw's and blizzaks from tire rack and hopefully they'll be great in the crummy weather that Denver occasionally has.
I got 245/40/18 on all 4 corners.
Dr. G - Great post man, great to hear there's a ton of people that don't just garage these cars in the winter
I just ordered some cheap msw's and blizzaks from tire rack and hopefully they'll be great in the crummy weather that Denver occasionally has.
I got 245/40/18 on all 4 corners.
Dr. G - Great post man, great to hear there's a ton of people that don't just garage these cars in the winter
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 803
Likes: 2
From: Saskatchewan
1969 280S, 1991 300E
I mounted the tires myself, so no worries about what the shops say. Doesn't matter what tires you have, if you go too fast into a corner and understeer, or hit a patch of ice, or perform an emergency lane change, the ESP will not save you. The light will not flash, you will get no intervention, and the vehicle will not turn. Does not matter what the SWAS says, the system will not correct for understeer. If the back end steps out, then it works wonderfully to correct that.
I am wholly convinced these Blizzaks I have grip maybe 10% better than the brand new all-seasons. If they were studded it would be a different story, but on this packed down ice/snow crap there just isn't much traction available.
I called my engineer buddy at Bosch and asked him to play around with a couple of E-Classes they have to see if my experience is consistent with the way the system is designed to work. Should hear back in a couple of days.
I found this out while in a parking lot playing with the ESP, not while driving too fast for conditions out on the street. I simply wanted to warn people that ESP will not save you all the time.
I am wholly convinced these Blizzaks I have grip maybe 10% better than the brand new all-seasons. If they were studded it would be a different story, but on this packed down ice/snow crap there just isn't much traction available.
I called my engineer buddy at Bosch and asked him to play around with a couple of E-Classes they have to see if my experience is consistent with the way the system is designed to work. Should hear back in a couple of days.
I found this out while in a parking lot playing with the ESP, not while driving too fast for conditions out on the street. I simply wanted to warn people that ESP will not save you all the time.
Snow tires are designed to work optimally from -7 to about -40 degrees Celcius. All-seasons turn into rocks anywhere below -7. So, on your car, driving at -20, you have 2 rear tires with grip & traction and 2 front tires that are the equivalent of ice skates. YOUR car will slam into a curb during understeer, mine will not.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 120
Likes: 1
From: Minneapolis
'09 E63 AMG sedan (sold); E36 M3, E90 M3
i dont claim to be a tire expert but have also heard many times that you should have snows on all 4 corners. Also, all else equal, you want the thinnest tire possible as the tire cuts through the snow/ice better. ihave non staggered 245/40/18's all around. Fatter tires = summer.
Also, there are trade offs: the more purpose built snow tires (e.g., studless ice and snow on Tire rack), the poorer they handle in dry warmer conditions. The Nokians fall into this category. The soft compound that grips so well in cold sucks when its warmer/drier. Spongy is the word. Also R rated (108 mph). I put them on too early, before temps really dropped, just to be ready, and at speed, they dont feel so good turning, and if you get on it really aggressively, above 30 degrees, that soft compound is like butter...
The performance snows like the Dunlop M3's are better in warmer/drier but less grippy when all hell breaks loose. I went with the more intense tire to maximize grip this 1st winter, but suspect I could have gotten by ok with the Dunlops.....
Also, there are trade offs: the more purpose built snow tires (e.g., studless ice and snow on Tire rack), the poorer they handle in dry warmer conditions. The Nokians fall into this category. The soft compound that grips so well in cold sucks when its warmer/drier. Spongy is the word. Also R rated (108 mph). I put them on too early, before temps really dropped, just to be ready, and at speed, they dont feel so good turning, and if you get on it really aggressively, above 30 degrees, that soft compound is like butter...
The performance snows like the Dunlop M3's are better in warmer/drier but less grippy when all hell breaks loose. I went with the more intense tire to maximize grip this 1st winter, but suspect I could have gotten by ok with the Dunlops.....
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 317
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From: SoCal
997.2 GT3
Because we have so many sunny days during the Winter here in Colorado, I went with performance winter tires rather than snow and ice tires. Snow and ice tires would be no fun at all during the majority of our Winter days.
I also chose the non-staggered 245/40-18 set up.
I also chose the non-staggered 245/40-18 set up.
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 552
Likes: 11
From: Chicago suburbs
2004 E55 AMG
Tire shops will not mount only 2 on the rear for 1 very important reason....it is dangerous.
Snow tires are designed to work optimally from -7 to about -40 degrees Celcius. All-seasons turn into rocks anywhere below -7. So, on your car, driving at -20, you have 2 rear tires with grip & traction and 2 front tires that are the equivalent of ice skates. YOUR car will slam into a curb during understeer, mine will not.
Snow tires are designed to work optimally from -7 to about -40 degrees Celcius. All-seasons turn into rocks anywhere below -7. So, on your car, driving at -20, you have 2 rear tires with grip & traction and 2 front tires that are the equivalent of ice skates. YOUR car will slam into a curb during understeer, mine will not.
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
300CE
Question About Your Wheels
I'm thinking about an E55 and I am thrilled to hear you guys can really drive it in the snow. I am torn between something I know will give me thrills versus living in the northeast and knowing the smartest thing is AWD...sounds like the smart thing could be an E55/E63 with the right snow tires.
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 48
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From: NoVA
2005 E55
For winter tires/wheels on my E55, I've been using 245/40 R18 Michelin Pilot Alpin PA3s (all around) on some cheap MSWs. This combo has been great so far-- I've been able to simply plow through literally tens of millimeters of snow, slush and ice in the BRUTAL Northern Virginia winters!
Seriously though, in this region's (mild) winter climate, the few times it has snowed they've worked great. You can't defy the laws of physics, but the tires grip well when it's slick. I'm glad I went with dedicated setups for summer and winter (I'll leave on the winter combo from Thanksgiving through March). Much better than living with all-seasons year-round.
Seriously though, in this region's (mild) winter climate, the few times it has snowed they've worked great. You can't defy the laws of physics, but the tires grip well when it's slick. I'm glad I went with dedicated setups for summer and winter (I'll leave on the winter combo from Thanksgiving through March). Much better than living with all-seasons year-round.
