Dedicated winter/snow tires and general winter driving
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Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 414
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From: NY
2007 Corvette Z06/2011 BMW M3
Dedicated winter/snow tires and general winter driving
I noticed a lot of the guys are running Michelin A/S tires but would like some input from the true winter/snow tire guys. I'm looking to get an E63-S next year and will have to get a set of wheels/tires for winter driving. I live in NY, so a lot of you guys know how it gets here in the winter. I'm not expecting it to plow through a foot of snow, but I do expect it drive well in 3"-5" of snow/slush and ice.
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From: Rural NoVA
'14 E63S, '13 G550, '06 E320 cdi, and a bunch of other stuff.
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Joined: Nov 2013
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'12 E63 Wagon
As a 25-year Alaskan, there are a few truths to talk about if you really expect to winter your car. I'll throw them out there because I like your avatar (my Z is a Jetstream Blue 08 
)
Narrower tires are WAY better- If you really want to maintain excellent traction in snow and ice, a set of narrower wheels with some Blizzaks is necessary. I dont know quite how well some narrower E350 wheels will fit on the car, but 19's just arent going to do what you want. The problem is that no-one that I know of has found a skinny 18" fittiment for the 2014 cars.
AWD is AWD- I've had everything from an Audi S4 to a full locked 4wd. Practically speaking, its all pretty much the same when you are trying to climb an icey hill. A delicate foot and taking your time is worth way more than how the AWD works. There's no winter mode for the transmission, but at least in "C" it will start in 2nd.
Plan on beating the car up a bit. Sand, salt, snow, ice... Its not LA out there. You know the deal.
)Narrower tires are WAY better- If you really want to maintain excellent traction in snow and ice, a set of narrower wheels with some Blizzaks is necessary. I dont know quite how well some narrower E350 wheels will fit on the car, but 19's just arent going to do what you want. The problem is that no-one that I know of has found a skinny 18" fittiment for the 2014 cars.
AWD is AWD- I've had everything from an Audi S4 to a full locked 4wd. Practically speaking, its all pretty much the same when you are trying to climb an icey hill. A delicate foot and taking your time is worth way more than how the AWD works. There's no winter mode for the transmission, but at least in "C" it will start in 2nd.
Plan on beating the car up a bit. Sand, salt, snow, ice... Its not LA out there. You know the deal.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 414
Likes: 0
From: NY
2007 Corvette Z06/2011 BMW M3
As a 25-year Alaskan, there are a few truths to talk about if you really expect to winter your car. I'll throw them out there because I like your avatar (my Z is a Jetstream Blue 08 )
Narrower tires are WAY better- If you really want to maintain excellent traction in snow and ice, a set of narrower wheels with some Blizzaks is necessary. I dont know quite how well some narrower E350 wheels will fit on the car, but 19's just arent going to do what you want. The problem is that no-one that I know of has found a skinny 18" fittiment for the 2014 cars.
AWD is AWD- I've had everything from an Audi S4 to a full locked 4wd. Practically speaking, its all pretty much the same when you are trying to climb an icey hill. A delicate foot and taking your time is worth way more than how the AWD works. There's no winter mode for the transmission, but at least in "C" it will start in 2nd.
Plan on beating the car up a bit. Sand, salt, snow, ice... Its not LA out there. You know the deal.
)Narrower tires are WAY better- If you really want to maintain excellent traction in snow and ice, a set of narrower wheels with some Blizzaks is necessary. I dont know quite how well some narrower E350 wheels will fit on the car, but 19's just arent going to do what you want. The problem is that no-one that I know of has found a skinny 18" fittiment for the 2014 cars.
AWD is AWD- I've had everything from an Audi S4 to a full locked 4wd. Practically speaking, its all pretty much the same when you are trying to climb an icey hill. A delicate foot and taking your time is worth way more than how the AWD works. There's no winter mode for the transmission, but at least in "C" it will start in 2nd.
Plan on beating the car up a bit. Sand, salt, snow, ice... Its not LA out there. You know the deal.
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Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 665
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From: Denver, CO
2006 CLS55 AMG, 2008 G55 AMG, 2010 Audi R8 V10, 2010 Ford Raptor, 2005 Porsche 911, 1966 Chevy II
Yes^^^
I'm running the Pirelli Sotto Zero in Colorado this year (staggered 255/285) in a 20" and my car handles great!!
I'm running the Pirelli Sotto Zero in Colorado this year (staggered 255/285) in a 20" and my car handles great!!
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Joined: Dec 2012
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From: Chicago, IL
993, 2014 E63 Wagon
Putting All-Seasons on a performance car is just insanity. Why would anyone want middling performance year round on a car that's capable of so much more? Summer tires in the summer, and winter tires in the winter really brings out the best your car has, and is a lot safer as well. Even on a $15k car, running summers then winters is a must if you want good year-round performance.
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Super Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 723
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From: Calgary, AB
2014 E63 S
Putting All-Seasons on a performance car is just insanity. Why would anyone want middling performance year round on a car that's capable of so much more? Summer tires in the summer, and winter tires in the winter really brings out the best your car has, and is a lot safer as well. Even on a $15k car, running summers then winters is a must if you want good year-round performance.
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Joined: Sep 2009
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From: Pittsburgh, PA
Ferrari 488
i just dont push the car in the winter, have the sotto's on now, they handle great, but i dont push as if i had the conti's on! i thought about A/S but i know i would be giving up performance.
More than likely will be doing a different tire after the conti's are worn out
More than likely will be doing a different tire after the conti's are worn out
