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Hey all, after using the wealth of information on this forum plus living on Tire Reviews and other sites, given I’m an EU resider, we don’t have access to the beautiful All Season 4 or other UHP All Season tires... thus for this winter I am going most likely for a UHP Winter Tire in the form of the Michelin PA5. The issue is that the E53 coupé has 8Jx20 E20 front and 9Jx20 E49 rear wheels with 245/235 ZR20 95Y and 275/230 ZR20 97Y tires respectively and finding winter wheels at 20 inch to match the OEM form factor has been challenging. The PA5 does NOT have the latter tire size...Now using the various tire calculators and resources you all provided the 245/235 will still fit a size 9 wheel and be well within % circumference of the current rear tire BUT the PA5 are 95 V XL rated and not 97.
How big of an issue is this? Can I get 4 x 245/235 R20 95 V XL PA5s and call it a day and move on with my winter wonderland driving? Or is there another size I should look from the PA5 range for the rear tire but from I can see there doesn’t seem to be one unless my over thinking of this has corrupted my ability to use basic math.
You should be fine by going square with your factory wheels. 245/35/20. For the rear loading index, you will drop 88 lbs in load capacity per each rear, thus 176 lbs in load rating drop overall. That's equivalent to 1 male adult person per se.
By going square , you will have to take note on how the tire shop changed out your wheels, that is, making sure the correct front wheels go to the front and rear wheels go to the rear, otherwise, you may run into clearance issue with suspension when the wrong offset wheels are put into the front.
I suggest to use some masking tape and write on the tape as front & rear so that it would be easier for the shop not to mix them up.
Last edited by bobblehead; 11-17-2022 at 11:26 AM.
Yeah, the issue was I was looking for the upgrade 870 P as it was the upgraded version and for some reason sorely lacks in size diversity in comparison to the 860s. I'm probably over thinking but the latter's testing data with it being decently worse in the wet over the former (and I'm Belgium so... many rain shall fall) concerned me, but maybe it should not.
-> Essentially I have to decided between: 1) square the AP5s, 2) take a look at alternate size fittings from the 870 P to see if something fits closely, or 3) look at 100% matching 20" sizes from the 860s or the VREDESTEIN WINTRAC PRO but not to keen on that as we do get some snow in the south. Tough between 1 and 3. Ironically the HANKOOK WINTER ICEPT EVO3 have the rear 275/30 R20s but not the 245/35s! Offset sizes OP.
Just looking for tires at the moment as I'll try snacking new wheels for the summer. Didn't feel like splashing on 19" winter rims for 3-4 months if there were 20" winter tires that could do the job on the OEM rims and I can get exactly what I want for summer wheels in April!
haha well, I wouldn't be here if we got the Conti and Michelin UHP All Season tires over here like you do in NA as that would've been an easy purchase! The 870 P still very limited in sizes in comparison to the 860s so I'm not sure if they are just releasing limited sizing initially or if that's just the range they chose..... in a lot of a shops I can only get the 860S immediately with some leads times (couple weeks) on 870 P
So the 870P just doesn't come in a matching tire size so that goal was square PA5 but the biggest place here basically said it's not possible and recommended the Wintrac Pro because of perfectly matching specs + load + speed. Belgium can be a bit weird but they're almost refusing which is odd - they might literally only be able to fit tires that match manufacturers parameters? Unsure.
I asked for further clarification as in: you just don't have the rear fit, that's okay, can you put them on square? or you literally won't do it even if you have the tire/I bring my own?
Essentially they told me to LM005 of Wintrac Pro. Might just have to ride with the latter and enjoy the dry/wet performance and avoid the deep snow drag races.
Also I have to order a special TPMS for the E53 from Mercedes directly, apparently.
Yeah sounded the same to me. Unfortunately, I don't think there are a lot of AMGs around here lol Definitely Caymans and 911s but they all go to the Porsche Centre.
Do you perhaps know what sensor kit I'd need for the E53 Coupe? This was where I was ignorant as I thought they'd just supply it and I've never had to look it up before.
Doing LM005 vs Hankook Icept Evo 3 vs Wintrac Pro comparisons now but 100% over thinking at this stage. Will ask another few shops about PA5 square though and see where we get.
Yeah, they are. However, I will need another when I buy new wheels + reinstall current summer tires or buy new ones next year so figured getting one doesn't hurt anyway. For now it doesn't though so they should be able to fit whatever I ask lol
"Ce n'est pas autorisé à mettre la même taille de pneus partout. Si vous me dite le contraire et que vous en êtes certains, merci de nous envoyer le certificat de conformité pour le vérifier mais pour moi ce n'est pas correct surtout sur ce genre de véhicule bien spécifique."
Translation:
"It's not allowed to put the same tire size everywhere. If you tell me otherwise and you are certain, please send us the certificate of conformity to verify it, but for me it is not correct, especially on this type of very specific vehicle."
From whom do I need such heavenly authorization My Merc dealer probably will have the same attitude considering 'factory settings'. Really weird. Anyway, considering it's officially getting rainy and cold, I think will try the Wintrac Pros given they do a solid job in said weather (LM005 are good also but some have commented on it being a bit boring including Tire Reviews) and apparently are a fun wheel to drive. Here's to hoping next year the 870P or PA5 come in my size!
11-17-2022, 10:49 AM
My Merc dealer probably will have the same attitude considering 'factory settings'. Really weird. Anyway, considering it's officially getting rainy and cold, I think will try the Wintrac Pros given they do a solid job in said weather (LM005 are good also but some have commented on it being a bit boring including Tire Reviews) and apparently are a fun wheel to drive. Here's to hoping next year the 870P or PA5 come in my size! 
