Chocofishez

I've got the car out today in some cooler snowy weather.

The pirellis are pretty good, I'd give them a 7.5/10, keeping mind I have wide tires in snowy weather (285/255).

I feel the best way to drive the car in winter is with the most aggressive setting possible in order to know what is going on down there... so manual mode (run a gear higher than you normally would due to all the torque), 2 bars on the suspension setting and sport handling turned on to allow for a little bit more wheelspin when the car is fighting for traction. Also, I found my confidence is greatest when driving with more purpose... so getting on the brakes harder (but earlier) to know if the tires are going to bite coming up to a stop or turn. When turning, I like to be on the gas a bit to feel the car get traction initially then I can carry that through the corner. It's fun to see the front tires chucking snow up past the drivers side door!

It is a heavy car with a lot of momentum so best to know what is going on underneath you rather than nancying around only to find out too late you have no grip.

Traction when pulling away is not an issue, and the car does just fine in the corners. I could use a little bit more brake, but who couldn't in snowy/icy weather.

I'll save my full review of these tires and the car as a wintermobile until it gets quite cold out, but in ~-10c with snow I have no qualms about having it on the road... other than some other idiot screwing up and hitting me.

ManhattanSpin

now that's a winter sled!

kart125

I just ordered a set of winter wheels for my yet to be built car... I already have Michelin PS4's waiting in the garage. After contemplating many options (mounting on stock forged wheels with risk of bending a rim and having to pay 1500$ for replacement, buying an AMG replica from eBay not knowing if quality would be there, buying from Tirerack...) I decided it would be a better idea to got with winter wheels. I would save on fees in the spring and fall and protect the OEM wheels from pothole dammages. Plus it gives me something to wait for while the car gets here...

I finally opted for the Tirerack option. I went with the Verde Parralax wheels in the 19x9,5 with 36mm offset. It kind of brings back the 5 spoke forged AMG wheels. They are backordered right now but I have 2 1/2 to 3 months to wait so no stress!

http://www.tradeunion.com/website/pr...d=150578&pro=1

JHW24

Anyone with strong thoughts on doing 245/275 wintrac extreme s's for my 14 wagon winter setup...as compared to either Pirelli sottozero staggered or pa4's squared? I'm in ny/ct area and this is daily driver...want to be able to handle whatever comes and keep as much performance for the rest of the cold days.

335X-ray

Kart, glad you decided to go dedicated winter wheels. You won't regret it. It is only my opinion (and every one has one just like a$$holes...) so take this as constructive criticism because I want your E to look as bad *** as possible at all times...but I am NOT a big fan of those wheels. I like the 5 spoke idea but maybe check out some other wheels? I can't say enough about the TSW wheels I received. Not very expensive, several styles to choose from (some 5 spoke too) and the rotatory forged build makes them a bit lighter and stronger than a typical cast wheel. Give it some thought since your wheels are back ordered.

Have not heard anything about those tires but I would try and stick with the MB recommended tire sizes either 255 all around or staggered 255/285. For best snow and ice traction, the 255 square setup with Michelin Alpin PA4s is probably the way to go, for best dry weather/performance the 255/285 Pirelli SottoZero II are the way to go sacrificing a bit of cold/snowy traction.


My 2 cents
X

kart125

The wintrac extreme s are not available in north america for 2013-2014... I was contemplating these also but went with the PA4s in 255 all arround.

kart125

Thanks X I will look into the wheels you mentionned. Do you have a vendor you worked with?

I chose the Verde by elimination instead of pure love... I too don't find them extraordinary but they where the only ones on tirerack in the 19x9.5 with 35 offset in a price that was OK... I looked at a lot of pictures of different cars with variable results. A lot of the pictures are of american cars with 22 inchers... I dont like the look of wheels that are too big for a specific car whatever the wheel so its hard to maka a good decision based on these pictures...

How much did you pay for just the wheels? I already have tires...

Thanks to you now I have to start the whole decisions, decisions,decisions process all over again... I was going insane that's why I settled with verde!! LOL

Chocofishez

So I had the pirellis out on the highway this weekend for two unique drives

1. Drive one - bare, dry roads at 0 to +3C, two lane highway. Crusing at speeds of 130-160 km/hr the car felt very planted and assured, did just fine holding speed in sweepers and acceleration and braking was not a problem.

BUT... when I got on a stretch of dry, smooth pavement the road noise really picked up. A loud howling sound. Had me worried that I had lost a wheel bearing or something more serious. Car felt just fine other than the road noise. I pulled over to take a look and everything felt fine and temps were normal everywhere.

When I returned to less than perfect pavement the road noise returned to normal.

Drive 2. Same road coming back, but after 10-15cm of snow and temps of -15C. So icy snow covered roads with some clear patches. I take it pretty easy in road conditions like these and am amazed at the heaps that pass me. Traction is not a problem but braking if something ever happens in front of you is another story. Tires were passable. The car in this setup never scared me so the drive can be done, but having driven that road numerous times in a 4matic car with way less power, the 577 hp E63 with 66% of power always to the rear and 285 tires back there is not the ideal vehicle for the uglier stuff. (surprise surprise)

The road noise over the same stretch of smooth pavement came back, but was not as pronounced as I was moving slower.

So you can't really have it all 100% of the time. I'm not about to bring the car back though

kart125

Thanks for th update Choco... Maybe the best is 255 all arround then? Do you think it would make a difference? had to say I guess!

I will have to experience it myself once I get the car.

kart125

After rechecking the USA websites it seems they are indeed available! I called Vredestein Canada in September and they confirmed they would not be available... maybe in US it's different? It could be a good compromse. If overall diameter of tires is preserved vs stock I would try it!

ManhattanSpin

The stock 10 spoke wheels accommodate only 255/285 right?

335X-ray

Kart,

I used Frank Dutriz <frank@wheelsboutique.com> from Wheels Boutique. They are the worlds largest HRE dealer. Many people have used them for wheels. I think the wheels were $299 each plus TPMS and shipping. I got mine with tires already mounted and balanced. The wheels were shipped very well packaged, I was very impressed.

I think you can get TSW wheels at Tire Discounters and many other places, I think price is very similar at all dealers.

I totally understand you insanity. This was probably the 4th or 5th wheel I considered. I was going to go with tirerack but the person I spoke with was pushing the OZ Superturismo which were $450 each. I inquired about the Bremmer Kraft which were about $200 each and was told they are "ok" quality and some have issues with vibration...who knows so I went to TSW as they are a slightly better quality wheel bring rotary forged. The OZs they wanted to sell me are also cast so the increase in price really didn't bring any weight loss.

Check out TSW for availible styles.

I like the Bardo, Interlagos, Panorama (Mine), and Tanaka style but hey, its all about what YOU like

Good luck.

kart125

Thanks for the good info! I will inquire for sure!

335X-ray

Depends on the tire. The front wheels are 9" width and the rears are 9.5". Specific tire sizes usual fit a variety of rim widths. For example, the Michelin PSS tire in 255/35 19 size fits a rim width of 8.5"-10".

You could probably run 245-265 in front and 255-295 in rear on OEM wheels.

Check tire rack on the tires you are interested in for their specs.

X

ace10

This weather is *killing* me. It was 72F when I ran out for lunch today. The Pirelli Sottos must feel like ice cream cake left out on the counter. We'll have lows back in the 20's by the end of the week. *This* is exactly why I opted to not run a real snow tire on this car.

I'm afraid to look.

otakki

Man, those meats are going to be all worn out before you know it after a few miles.

Benzbias

Interesting discussion - once sizing/load confirmed any brand listed in this thread will do the job -
BUT -
I just had X-Ice xi3's ($1200)installed (CL550) despite originally asking for Alpin4's ($1450) but talked out of them by my long time tire guy - as my doing 200K/HR in winter conditions or constantly driving in deep snow (me Toronto Canada city dweller) is unlikely.
Tires too can attract the "big dick syndrome of admiration" price was never my issue it was 5th after noise, ride, handling, light snow.
Very uninteresting sidewall but so far it delivers the goods and is a high performer (stopping, cornering) in COLD weather - Continuous deep snow? go Alpin4.
Did follow MB recommendation to go down a diameter (1") but stayed with a squared 255 despite their rec to something less.
Summer staggered a whole different story.
Good luck with your final decision - you will not know how good it was until they get "tested" to your satisfaction.
Probably can't go too wrong with any of the choices mentioned here.

Merry Christmas

OWLY

I wonder if there is a difference between the 2013 E63 and 2014 E63. According to Tire Rack 255/40-18 fit on the 2013.

benyl

Mercedes is claiming there is interference due to 4matic that forces you to go with 19" on the 2014.

I met a guy at the performance tour that claims he got 18" on his 2014 base E63. Not sure what to believe at this point.

kart125

If overall diameter is respected I would not see why it would change anything for the 4matic... If it can make the difference between rubber and wheel in % wheel dimeter it's a pretty intelligent system!

Only reason I went with 19 is ceramic brakes oterwise I would have gone 18" without hesitation... A lot more choices too!

OWLY

One dealer claims that 18" will fit (255/40-18 with 18x9 or 18x9.5) and another said exactly what you wrote...

otakki

What tire sizes did you get? I'm not aware of any X-Ice that fits when I was looking for winter tires. X-Ice's snow and ice performance is pretty much the top of all winter tires out there. X-Ice is not sporty but heck it's winter and I don't expect to pull G's to the limit and do all the crazy stuff I do on summer tires.

Right! Also more choices on the summer tires, too...and better for poor road surface.

Benzbias

Our car models differ, suggest Tire Rack or Michelin web site - they recently introduced some new sizes - true it has a disappointing sidewall appearance but it is a good performer for this o'l man and his CL550.

nynd

Snow already for Calgary... not looking forward to it for Ontario...

Looks nice sitting there in the snow.. like it's on the prowl.

TheOtherEric

Since it's now AWD,the front spindle is totally new since there's a driveshaft going through it. It looks like this may have also pushed outward radially the attachment points to the control arms and tie rod. Just look at the front wheel in any pics and you can espy a shiny cover plate that covers those points. 18 would definitely be a tight fit.