MPE430

Ok, so I am thinking about trading in my 2002 E430 4matic for a 2002 E 55. My biggest concern centers around the Tire issue. Do you E55 owners go with straight Winter tires for 5 months or can you get by with a tire like the Michelin Pilot Sport All season(Which I currently have on my E430 as my year-round tire).

Also, for those of you who go with true Winter tires like Blizzaks, do you use your stock rims or purchase Winter rims as well?

Finally, how frequently do you go through a set of tires on the E55. Once a year? Once every 10K miles.

By the way, I know this group is probably a littel biased, but should I even buy an 02 or wait a year or two and buy the new body style?

Thanks.

James F. Cannon

The '02 E55 is lighter than the W211 by about 400 pounds but has less HP (354 vs. 469). The W211 also has some new features that were not available on the '02. I have no experience with winter tires because we seldom see freezing temps and luckily almost never see snow. Drivers here are so bad in snow/ice conditions that I would not even take my MB out of the garage in such conditions! Tires might last about 10,000 miles on '02 depending on driving habits, more likely 6-8k miles. Wait a year or two and you may want a Toyota hybrid with the price of fuel going up!!

tjcMBE55AMG

I've got almost 14,000 miles on my 02 E55 pilot sports. They have another 3-5,000 miles left. They get noticeably noisier after about 10,000 miles. I think there is a new pilot sport version out (Luke?) with anticipated longer treadwear.

If $ is no option then winter/summer tires/wheels is best. We're doing that now (w/Blizzaks on winter rims/Contis on stock rims) on the BMW but not yet on the MB.


TJC

mkoechel

I traded my 2000 E430 4matic for a used 2002 E55 here in NH this past January. You definitely need dedicated snow tires/rims... I drove the car home on the stock tires and barely made it up my driveway -- no grip on ice/slick surfaces.

I put a set of 17" E430 rims and Nokian tires on for the winter from the dealer -- the Nokians are holding up nice during these winter months and they drive well. When it's bad, I take my wife's ML500 or work from home...

Slowly getting ready to put the stock Dunlop SP Sport 9000 tires on, so I can't comment yet how well they hold-up yet.

As for moving from E430 to E55 -- it's a wild ride. I thought the E430 was fun; but the E55 just oozes power. I always leave the car with a smile on my face!

Good luck!

Martin in NH
__________
2002 E55 (replaced our 2000 E430-4matic)
2003 ML500 (replaced our 2000 ML320)

E55 KEV

If possible get a dedicated set of rims and winter tires. If you stick with 18" you can go:

235/40/18 all around
245/40/18 all around
235/40/18 front - 265/40/18 rear
235/40/18 front - 275/40/18 rear

17" is not possible on W211 E55. If you drop to 17" for the W210 you can use:

235/45/17 all around
235/45/17 front - 255/40/17 rear

The decision to buy a W210 E55 or a W211 E55 is all yours. It would be hard to wait 2 years to have some driving fun. Get the 2002 E55 now and get a used 2003 E55 in a couple years if possible. Good Luck!

CES99E55

I have the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S on 19" rims and they were awesome in the snow, I really was shocked at how well they performed. I am using 245-35-19 and 275-30-19. They also have a 400 treadwear rating which will last you much longer then the regular pilot sports.

AC556F

Snow?

JamE55

SO-3's + W210 E55 + K package =

MelsE55

I was able to squeeze 20k out of my pilot sports. I went to some Yokohama dbs that are remarkable. Really quiet and directionally stable.
I would go with the E55.

tjcMBE55AMG

You might want to read Luke (TireRack) on the wheels and tires forum.

Michelin Pilot Sport A/S (all-season) tires have caused tracking problems and are no longer *approved* MB tires.

Link: https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...threadid=63074


TJC

akinder

I replaced my Dunlops with Michelin Pilot Sport A/S last winter. Don't drive it much in the winter, but it was a vast improvement over the stock tires in snow. I live north of Detroit by the way.

Pilots perform as well, are much quieter and ride better. Not cheap though, but saved some dollars through Tire Rack.

By the way, my 2001 E55 is for sale. Silver with Silver/black. Ventilated seats and CD changer. 34k miles and very nice! No real difference between 2001 and the 2002.

Asking $43,500.

If interested, email me at akinder@ameritech.net

tjcMBE55AMG

I repeat - there is a major warning out regarding the use of A/S Pilot Sports. Tirerack originated that warning.


TJC

akinder

My pilot sport A/S ride better, quieter, smoother than the Dunlops and there is no pull in them.

CES99E55

I concurr, I've always wanted to say that! Seriously though, I have 245-35-19 up front and 275-30-19 on the back on my car and i couldn't be happier with them in all conditions. i like them so much I'm taking my SO3's off my M5 and putting the Pilot Sport A/S on the car 275-30-19 in front and 285-30-19 out back.