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I'm currently running OEM RTS package Pilot Spot 4S's w/ 20" staggered fit 265/35ZR20 and 295/30ZR20's on the OEM RTS rims, 20" 9.5Jx20 ET25 and 10Jx20 ET55's.
I decided to get the Pilot Alpin PA5's @ 265/40R20 MO1 BSW and 295/35R20 MO1 BSW and using the same rims (I'll worry about another set of rims next year.) I have driven on PA4's before on the E53 but going to try the PA5's on the E63s now. I've heard (subjectively) that it's an improvement
Any thoughts on this fairly straightforward strategy? I wanted to get slightly more sidewall which is why I chose that aspect ratio vs getting PA4's with the same ratios as my summers.
I'm in Southern Ontario (GTA), so not as bad for snow as further north or out west but we still get our winters.
As long you’re fully aware your speedo will be off by 4% and the wheels sensors won’t cause deviations from factory settings.
PA5 is a very good winter. I have used it gor the past 2 seasons (but mine is 19” setup)
whenever you do a complete tire takeoff and install, some shops could be a bit careless in doing so and there is always a risk of scratching or chipping the wheels.
Last edited by bobblehead; 10-07-2023 at 12:33 PM.
As long you’re fully aware your speedo will be off by 4% and the wheels sensors won’t cause deviations from factory settings.
PA5 is a very good winter. I have used it gor the past 2 seasons (but mine is 19” setup)
whenever you do a complete tire takeoff and install, some shops could be a bit careless in doing so and there is always a risk of scratching or chipping the wheels.
Love to hear that about the PA5's! Looks like a very different tread pattern than the PA4's so I assume it's not just an incremental change.
When you say about being aware of the wheel sensors causing deviations from factory settings, what are you referring to exactly?
I know about swapping tires off/on rims. It's a pain, a major reason I want to get a second set of rims next year, to stop dealing w/ that BS once and for all.
I had PA4 as well, when compared to PA5, the latter is a bit less noisy, in my experience. Since we really did not have many big snow storms this past few years, the traction would be fine for our beast to run on.
A larger (taller) tire has a higher circumference and fewer rotations as you roll along the highway. Because the tires rotate slower, the speedometer reads this as a lower speed. The faster your drive, the more your speedometer reading will be off. Your odometer will read lower, too. If the ecu has a set of value parameters and it deviates from it, then the sensors may trigger possible error on your dash ?? .... just something you may want to keep in mind
Ah ok. I am aware of the difference in speedometer vs real speed (the approx. -4% variance.) I appreciate you reminding me of that though. Now I get what you mean re: sensors, it may mess with the "algorithms" a bit. Not that I probably want to go down this rabbit hole, but I wonder if there's some programming/coding change that can adjust the sensors, probably not for this scenario.
I haven't lowered the car at all either so there should be more than enough headroom in the wheel well to handle the extra size. (~30mm larger, give or take, also depending on front vs rear wheels.)
I liked Alpin PA4...I was running those for my W212 E63s and they were great snow tires. Didn't have any issues at all and they were awesome in dry, wet, and snow conditions. Unfortunately PA4's don't make them for our OEM size so I had to get Pirelli Sottozero 3 running 255/35/20 and 295/30/20 sizing.
Last year I bought the PA4s before they stopped making our size and a set of my favorite E63S wheels (pre-facelift standard black and silver) for my 2021 wagon that I soon sold. Wheels and tires have less than 500 miles on them as new condition. I would sell the complete set (including OEM TPSM and Affalterbach centercaps) if anyone is interested for $6000 plus shipping.
Mercedes ended up doing around 36ish front and 32ish cold in the rear when I picked it up w/ the RTS summers. I know it's a weird setup, although I've had no problems with those pressures, they warm up to 42ish front and 36-38 rear in summer temps (20+ celsius.)
What does everyone think about either keeping that pressure setup for winters or changing it to whatever? Also, is it a general principle to go lower or higher on winters pressure-wise?
P.S. I'll take pics on Monday after I get it done, as long as I remember. There won't be any rubbing, I haven't lowered it at all, but I'll post em.
front is a bit lower to my preference. My dealer told me the front end should be in the 40-42 psi range and the rear would ideally be in the 35-36 psi range. After changing to the dealer's suggestion, my front tire wears (inner wear due to negative cambers) seem to have slowed down a bit.
Not winter tire related but I am currently running 265/40/20 pilot sport 4 s in front and 305/35/20 Toyo R888 in rear and I rub in the front on full lock turns and on dips in the road. However I am also on aftermarket rims.
Just sold my 18 E63s wagon, I have 255/40/19 winter sotto 3, car was unstoppable up and down east coast. Have them mounted. Rims and tires have less than 7k miles on them. Happy to sell, in CT
Gold standard. For sale, OEM wheels, Alpins in OEM sizing, OEM tire pressure sensors monitors and AMG centercaps. Less than 500 miles. $5,500 for the complete set.
2024 AMG EQE SUV , 2021 E63S Wagon - gone, 2018 E63S Sedan - gone
FYI, there are NO winter tires available on Tire-Rack in the OEM sizes. The issue is with the 265-35/20 tires. Either you have to go down to 255-35 or up to 275-35 (not recommended for the front wheel width). Alternatively, one could purchase the Mercedes OEM winter set at 19" wheel/tire combo. Food for thought.
10-07-2023, 11:45 AM
