Luke@tirerack

as another winter approaches here we go again ...

So, first off let's learn or relearn the facts about winter tires

There are basically three different types of winter tires so, we'll start there

#1.) Performance Winter

You want enhanced dry road handling from your winter tires and are willing to trade some snow and ice traction to get it.

Meeting severe snow service requirements and branded with the "Snowflake-on-the-Mountain" symbol, these low profile, H- or V-speed rated tires are designed to suit winter driving on European highways. They are available in many of the low profile sizes used as Original Equipment on sporty imported and domestic cars. Due to their unique designs these tires must be installed in sets of four.

#2.) Studless Ice and Snow

You want to maximize snow and ice traction from your winter tires without the inconvenience of using winter tire studs.

Meeting severe snow service requirements and branded with the "Snowflake-on-the-Mountain" symbol, these Q-speed rated tires feature the latest in tread compound technology to provide winter traction without the inconvenience of tire studs. They trade a little handling for excellent ice and snow traction. Due to their unique tread compounds these tires must be installed in sets of four.

#3.)Studdable Winter

You want the traditional security of studded winter tires for enhanced traction on ice.

Meeting severe snow service requirements and branded with the "Snowflake-on-the-Mountain" symbol, these non-, Q-, S-, or T-speed rated tires feature traditional snow tire tread compounds and studdable tread designs for good snow and ice traction. Due to their unique designs these tires must be used in sets of four. Use of studded tires is often prohibited or restricted. Check with local authorities to confirm legality.

With your new found winter tire knowledge we can now discuss winter tire recommendations.

The AMG and higher performance versions should really be shod with performance winter tires so, I strongly recommend the Blizzak product line if you live in an area with a large amount of snow and ice. If you geographic region does see snow and ice but to a lesser extent the Dunlop Winter Sport M3D and Winter Sport M3 are great choices as well.

I also recommend that all 4 tires be of the same size front and rear since a narrower tire will perform better in the snow than a wider version.

here are a few wheel and tire package options which I endorse that will work on different model Mercedes vehicles.

W203 C230 Sport Sedan
225/45R17 Bridgestone BLIZZAK LM25
17X8 MSW Type 14
$960.00 plus shipping
the wheel fits correctly, has a durable finish and is relatively easy to clean so, it would make a perfect winter wheel.


W219 CLS500
you could use the same MSW Type 14 wheels style with a 245/45-17 W240 Snow Sport from Pirelli for a package cost of $980.00 plus shipping

W220 S500 Sport Package
245/45R18 BS BLIZZAK LM25
18X8 Sport Edition ST3
$1372.00 plus shipping


tire pressure monitoring sensors are available if needed but, I will require a VIN number verification in order to insure the correct sensor is used.

These are just some suggestions and not the only options. Since, there is no "1 size fits all" solution or if you have a specific idea of what you would like and need a little help to find out what would work best just let me know with a post in this thread. I will check daily for questions.


if you prefer to shop online use this link


1 last note: If you choose to garage the Mercedes and have a second car or SUV I can help you outfit that as well.

DrRx

Hey Luke;

I`m glad to see you are recommending the Dunlop M3 & M3D as I have narrowed the decision to these 2 choices for my 2008 E350 4Matic Sport in size 245-45-17. However, both tires are not available in the same speed rating, so I`m having trouble with the final choice. I had the M3`s on my 2004 E320, but was looking forward to the new technology of the M3D`s

I`m in the Toronto area and drive primarily interstate, and residential streets to get there. Not many big snowstorms - more concerned with ice, slush and hardpacked performance, but with as little compromise in dry performance as possible.

Thus, what would you recommend (and why) between:

A) Dunlop Winter Sport M3 V-rated
B) Dunlop Winter Sport M3D H-rated

Many thanks in advance!

Eddie Knopp

Luke -

Any Winter Tire/Wheel combos for the '08 S63's yet ?

Thanks !

Luke@tirerack

the Pirelli Soto Zero comes in both front and rear sizes but, the rear is a different speed rating .... we are hoping to get one in here to measure it for wheel fitment for a possible minus size winter package ... will post when that happens

shamefulanomaly

Luke,

Can you post packages for the E63 please?

Thanks

Stumblefoot

Luke,

Have you seen one of the GL550 beasts yet and if so, do you have any specific recommendations. The truck will be working in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado this winter.

Thanks!

Luke@tirerack

you can use either the MSW Type 14 or Type 15 along witha set of Blizzak LM25's and the package pricing would be $1594.00 plus shipping. That price includes all of the needed lug hardware and a new set of ire pressure monitoring sensors so, all you will need to to is bolt them on ...

type 14


type 15

GermanCarShow

Luke,

Hi. I know you suggest narrower wheels for snow tires, but I already own extra wheels in stock size for my C230 Sport Sedan. At Tire Rack, I believe the only winter tires available for my stock wheel size are the Blizzak LM22 and the Dunlop Winter Sport 3D. Is that correct? How would you describe the differences in the performance of the winter tires that will fit my stock wheels?

225/45r17 (7.5 wide)
245/40r17 (8.5 wide)



Thanks,

Luke@tirerack

Blizzaks better in the snow and ice
Dunlops better in the dry and wet

Chi500

Hi Luke,

At what tread depth should winter tires be replaced?

Thanks

GermanCarShow

I put the Dunlop Wintersport 3D tires on my C230 and they did OK in the fresh snow we had last night and today. Not awesome, but good. What do you expect for wide low tires??

I had a nice comparison because I returned the 2007 C230 Sport Sedan rental (standard tires) to the dealership this morning and picked up my 2006 C230 Sport Sedan (snow tires). They really do make a difference!

Luke@tirerack

you should not go into winter with 6/32" or less because tread depth is an important factor for snow traction

howie

great thread...I live in Miami...whats the best winter tire for my car?

Thanks
























hahahaha j/k snow+driving sux

samuel003

Luke,

I have a 06 C230 sport sedan,

I like to know do I need 17 x 7.5 wheel and offset 37mm
or 17 x 8, offset 35mm is fine.

or both are fine?

Casue on the first post, the recommend wheels for C230ss
is a 17 x 8, offset 35mm

2nd question: I like to order but the wheel that you recommend has fewer than 2,
so will ASA JH3 fit my car and with the tires you recommend.

Luke@tirerack

17x7.5 or 17x8 both will work fine .... but, can you rephrase the second question .... I'm not sure I understand what you are asking

Luke@tirerack

agreed for those who lack true drivng skill and ability ...








jsut kidding around ....

samuel003

thanks Luke.

actually the 2nd question is related to the 1st question.

I was going to order yesterday, but the wheel you recommend has fewer than 2 in inventory.
So my question is will ASA JH3 wheels fit my car since they are 17 x 7.5,
not 17 x 8.

so in this case, you have answered my 2nd question already.

Luke@tirerack

ok gotcha ... yes the ASA JH3 would work fine as a substitute to the wheel I originally posted ...

turboace

Luke,

I have a 2005 S500 4Matic regular with tpms. I want to get winter wheels and tires. Questions are:

Will 16" wheels work, more tire, less expensive, etc?

Are there steel wheels and old style benz hub caps available?

I have had great experience with Dunlop M2 on my volvo R and the M3 on my bmw 745. Thought I could get away with the stock conti all seasons and awd but its just not the same. Winter tires rock, but i dont want to spend any more than I have to. Also, if I just skip the TPMS all i have to deal with is the warning light, right?

Thanks for your help.

Luke@tirerack

17's minimum
225/55-17 tire size
no steelies
least expensize alloy = Sport Edition ST3 $110.00 per
Dunlop Winter PSort M3 = $143.00 per
TPMS Sensors = $88.00 per
total = $1364.00 plus shipping
skip sensors = warning light and beeping

howie

I'm from Germany, I know how that is. Black ice and inches on top of inches of frozen snow or slushy snow on the autobahn sucks no matter how much "driving skill" you posess.

not_too_shabby

I'm thinking of getting a set of winter wheels/tires for my 2006 R350. It came with 17" wheels. Can you mount steel wheels with winter tires on my vehicle?

Luke@tirerack

we have no steel wheels for you vehicle

sonosuke

Luke,
Just curious if a W202 or W203 Wheels/tires (winter) will fit on a W-204? Im in Germany atm and there are some winter tires listed on the ad.

If I order with Tirerack, will I need to include the sensors? I have 18's and I was planning to order 17's rims and tires online. Just dont know if I should include the sensors.
Thanks

jtc55

Luke, can i put Dunlop SP Sport 3D (245-40-18) winter tires on OEM E63 staggered wheels (18x8.5 and 18x9.0) w/o any issues?