drjimrd

No extreme conditions yet, but have driven on some snow and ice and mud. Tires are quiet, smooth. Don't really notice the switch unless I am really pushing, which I should probably not be doing anyway. Will give more feedback once I have driven in some bad conditions.
Jim

ace10

I 'm now leaning toward the Pirelli's. Despite my previous bad experience with their SUV winter tire.

I agree with choco that the 255's in the rear are going to take a beating, at least on non-snow-covered roads. Which is the vast majority of my driving. I'm more concerned with cold weather, rain/sleet and just being able to make it home if there's snow. Rather than being an unstoppable force in a blizzard or ice-packed roads.

The Pirelli marketing literature positions this tire as having it's core competency more in the non-arctic conditions.

"For demanding drivers, the WINTER SOTTOZERO™ SERIE II guarantees excellent performance on dry and wet roads, and in the presence of snow. In temperatures below 7°C, it counters aquaplaning more effectively than an all season or summer tire."

I've read a good number of consumer reviews on various tire retailer websites. No one is claiming these tires to be world-beaters in terms of snow traction. But lots of favorable comments on wet traction.

I know that if Nokian offered the WRG2 or WRG3 in the summer sizes, I'd be on them for certain.

As the overnight temperatures continue to drop, the OE summer tires are taking longer and longer distances to get back to round. Gonna have to address this soon.

vtmbdlr

My pirellis 255/285 go on next week. My summers are also starting to complain about the cold and I am getting more slip.
I kinda feel bad for them, they will lead a short painful life...
My tires will not be the limiting factor in the snow, the lack of clearance will. That front splitter is low and exposed

Chocofishez

Calgary had its first winter blast yesterday. I was a little nervous but I did take my brand new 135k super sedan out to see how it would do.

It's a bit early for a full review but the sottozeros feel good so far... I parked underground at a quiet shopping center. When I left the ramp up to street level was snowy and icy, and you have to stop on a slight incline before you can enter the parking lot... The kind of thing that would have freaked me out in my C63. E63s on the pirellis hauled through it with no drama whatsoever.

I did take the car on a spirited drive on warm dry roads friday night. (as spirited as you can get staying under 4000 rpm) and I did not feel like I did not have enough tire. I wanted a tire that would be passable in the poor winter conditions, but would also be sporty when the roads are dry and it's just a little cold out. So far I think I've gotten what I've paid for.

LJMartin

The speed rating on tires are for extended periods at that speed. What it means is if you have a r rated tire you can drive all day at 106 MPH with out damage to the tire. That does not mean the tire will suffer any damage if you run it up to 150 MPH for a minute or two. There is not enough heat build up in that short amount of time to cause any damage to the tire.

kart125

Thanks for the info. I will consider that if I need a second set since I already bought the Michelin PA4. I kinda wanted the Nokians based on previous experience with the brand but the PA4 should be just fine.

ace10

How's the road noise on the Pirelli's?

Chocofishez

Seems fine, nothing has stood out to me prior to reading your post... though I have not driven an E with any other tire to compare it against

rhukster

Put one of my cheapo stickers on the wheels today and really doesn't look too bad!

ace10

Your pic in the other thread got me wondering about tire noise. Those tread blocks are huge with big gaps. The OE Conti's are really quiet. The entire car is relatively serene in a steady state cruise.

335X-ray

Get that looks great! Sweet vinyl!

Glad it worked out.

X

Chocofishez

I have been getting my money's worth out of the b&o lately so probably wouldn't have noticed. My commute doesn't see me get above 100 either. I'm going to hit the highway on Saturday, will let you know afterwards

vtmbdlr

The Pirellis have been great in the wet and cold. No snow yet. I find them very quiet for a snow tire and they stick well so far. Confidence inspiring. No snow yet and thats fine by me.

ace10

I was holding off on ordering the Pirellis. Hoping for a rebate offer to come up for November. Didn't happen.

But, there is one for you folks north of the border.

http://www.pirellipromo.com/

ace10

Ordered the Pirellis from tirerack. Stock sizes. Couldn't hold off any longer. We're looking at the possibility of snow/winter mix at the end of next week.

drhemi

Hi Chocofishez,

Any updates on your Pirellis in Calgary's current weather? I am debating on these vs 255 Michelin PA4s all around. I live in lower mainland BC so it's more rain than snow. Vehicle is still a few months until delivery.

Thanks,

Wayne

Chocofishez

Hey Wayne, I haven't had the pirellis in any really heavy snow, or 'extreme' cold.

I have been out on the roads where we had 6 inches of fresh snow which melted a bunch followed by -14C at night. They were fine and the car did quite well.

Where they stand out is on dry, but cold roads. If I was worried about performance in heavy snow or cold I would have gotten a true winter tire and smaller tire sizes of like 235/255, possibly on 18s. I wanted traction on mild winter roads and the ability to hack my easy low speed commute when it turns ugly, and so far the pirelli's are doing a good job.

4matic helps a lot. I do find myself carrying a lot more speed around than I did in my C63, and need to stop myself from going too fast as the 4matic won't help you brake faster!

drhemi

Great feedback, Chocofishez. Thanks.

If anyone else has any input on these or any different winter tires for the E63, please feel free to post your experiences.

Wayne

benyl

Has anyone tried to test fit 18" Wheels on a 2014 E63S? The PL says it can't be done.

kart125

I'm pretty sure it's possible since the E and the C share the same brakes and I had 18 inchers in the winter on my C.

With Ceramic brakes that's another story... 19 is the only way to go.

benyl

There was a guy from Toronto who said he had 18" winters on his non S. Danny and he seems to think the brakes on the S are bigger. I doubt it. I mean, the caliper is red. That's the only difference.

kart125

Yes same brakes just red calipers. I had PP (red calipers) brakes on my C63...

ManhattanSpin

I am going to get all-seasons fitted on my car for delivery next week since it's the seasons...want to keep standard 19" wheels. Have we landed on the best option yet? Seems to be split between Michellins and Pirellis

Chocofishez

I don't think 18s would work? check out the big metal disc just past the rotor on the front brakes. I'm not sure what it is, but I don't think you could get an 18" wheel to clear this.

Chocofishez

Personally if you are going to go with anything but high performance summer tires, I would do the pirellis in OEM sizing. If your reasoning for all seasons as opposed to winter tires is to maximize dry grip in 'ok' weather, the pirellis do a pretty good job. When warm they put the power down in the dry, and are responsive at speed.