Separate summer/winter tires versus all season
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Newbie
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 4
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2006 CLS500
Separate summer/winter tires versus all season
Greetings all,
I am new to this forum and new to Mercedes Benz ownership. I have a 2006 CLS500 and need to replace the tires. I live in Wisconsin and drove during the tail end of the winter, and I must say, it was awful. I had absolutely no traction whatsoever (part of the problem is I have Continental close contacts on the front and Michelin pilot as on the rear, both that have little tread left). That coupled with a very low ground clearance made for some very uncomfortable and slippery driving. Here's my question, is it better to get 2 sets of tires, a set of snow tires and a set of summer tires or should i get a set of all season tires knowing that they don't do anything really well? Quite expensive to purchase another set of rims to mount the snows on then change the current tires to new summers. If I get summer tires, at what temperature do I need to switch to the snow tires? It gets pretty cold before any snow start to fall and I can imagine running a lot of tread off the snows on dry but very cold roads.
Thanks for you input.
I am new to this forum and new to Mercedes Benz ownership. I have a 2006 CLS500 and need to replace the tires. I live in Wisconsin and drove during the tail end of the winter, and I must say, it was awful. I had absolutely no traction whatsoever (part of the problem is I have Continental close contacts on the front and Michelin pilot as on the rear, both that have little tread left). That coupled with a very low ground clearance made for some very uncomfortable and slippery driving. Here's my question, is it better to get 2 sets of tires, a set of snow tires and a set of summer tires or should i get a set of all season tires knowing that they don't do anything really well? Quite expensive to purchase another set of rims to mount the snows on then change the current tires to new summers. If I get summer tires, at what temperature do I need to switch to the snow tires? It gets pretty cold before any snow start to fall and I can imagine running a lot of tread off the snows on dry but very cold roads.
Thanks for you input.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,100
Likes: 4
From: ChiTown
06 Carrera4
Dunlop winter sport or Nokian WR and you will not have problems unless it's 3 feet of snow, then obviously you need to be in a wrangler 
Two sets all the way. Keep nicer rims for summer.
Look around, I got me a set of brand new mb authentic rims and Nokian tires with stickers still on them for 500 buck off drains list. The guy sold his sl and got a jag so he didn't care. Maybe you'll get lucky as well.
Two sets all the way. Keep nicer rims for summer.
Look around, I got me a set of brand new mb authentic rims and Nokian tires with stickers still on them for 500 buck off drains list. The guy sold his sl and got a jag so he didn't care. Maybe you'll get lucky as well.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,339
Likes: 11
From: Gulf Coast but not Florida
GLK350, SL63 AMG
Agree
In northern new England I use staggered size summer tires (hankook V12s) on dedicated real AMG wheels and Hankook Icebears on real dedicated AMG rims in recommended sizes. Since I have a G500 Hybrid if the snow is crazy and have go out I use this. I may consider Nokias or new gen Blizzaks when the Icebears wear out but the IB are fantastic on a cold road at any sensible speed. They cook, like any winter compound if you drive them consistently in 60f ambient temps. I love to see Priuses with Blizzaks in July!
Everybody wants the wagon wheel of the month. To each their own. Thus I picked up the winter rims for low money on this for sale board. They even came with wheel locks. Frankly given potholes and so on I would not recommend cheap imitations whose ET is off and who knows which Panda made them.
Summer tires are getting closer in durability to all seasons and can handle lower temp once they get warmed up. Winter snowflake rated tires are required if you have snow and ice and handle wonderfully at sensible speeds.
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 639
Likes: 14
From: Suburban Phila., PA
2012 E350 Coupe
Definitely separate winter tires
Putting a full set of four Michelin Arctic Alpin (now called Pilot Alpin, I believe) winter tires on my CLK totally transformed the car in deep snow and ice from being the world's most expensive driveway ornament to one of the best performing vehicles I've driven in winter.
I cheaped out and had my MB service dept. change the tires over on the original rims each season. I had no issues whatsoever doing this, as the service dept. does an outstanding mounting and balancing job. Nevertheless, I would recommend getting a separate set of dedicated rims, if possible.
MB does offer winter tire packages with some fairly decent looking rims, if you are interested, at mildly reduced prices. Or you can probably do better elsewhere.
I cheaped out and had my MB service dept. change the tires over on the original rims each season. I had no issues whatsoever doing this, as the service dept. does an outstanding mounting and balancing job. Nevertheless, I would recommend getting a separate set of dedicated rims, if possible.
MB does offer winter tire packages with some fairly decent looking rims, if you are interested, at mildly reduced prices. Or you can probably do better elsewhere.
Super Moderator Alumni
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 7,060
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From: Basel, Switzerland
Audi A5 Sportback + Cannondale Prophet
I use a service that stores my wheels year long, so I don't have different wheels, only tyres. 2 times a year I schedule the change at the garage close to my home.
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 10
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From: Washington DC
06 infi g35
A very common dilemma for many of us. I'd recommend purchasing 2 sets of tires, one for the winter and one for the summer. This will allow you to maximize the life of your tires while ensuring that you actually get the ride that the CLS should provide! Winter tires will really allow you the best driving capability esp. if you are driving in the snow. Generally, I'd say that you should keep your vehicle on winter tires from probably October through March or anytime the temperature is below 30-degree or so faranheit.
Michelin Alpin's PA3 are great options for the winter
Michelin PS2 could be a great option for the summer.
Michelin's do tend to be a bit pricy but they generally offer a great ride and offer maximum value for the money in my opinion. You could probably research most of the options in that brand at http://www.tirevan.com/tires/brand/Michelin-tires.aspx
Now, if you are looking for something a bit on the lower end, I'd say Yokohama & maybe even continental DW summer tires could do well for you!
Michelin Alpin's PA3 are great options for the winter
Michelin PS2 could be a great option for the summer.
Michelin's do tend to be a bit pricy but they generally offer a great ride and offer maximum value for the money in my opinion. You could probably research most of the options in that brand at http://www.tirevan.com/tires/brand/Michelin-tires.aspx
Now, if you are looking for something a bit on the lower end, I'd say Yokohama & maybe even continental DW summer tires could do well for you!
Greetings all,
I am new to this forum and new to Mercedes Benz ownership. I have a 2006 CLS500 and need to replace the tires. I live in Wisconsin and drove during the tail end of the winter, and I must say, it was awful. I had absolutely no traction whatsoever (part of the problem is I have Continental close contacts on the front and Michelin pilot as on the rear, both that have little tread left). That coupled with a very low ground clearance made for some very uncomfortable and slippery driving. Here's my question, is it better to get 2 sets of tires, a set of snow tires and a set of summer tires or should i get a set of all season tires knowing that they don't do anything really well? Quite expensive to purchase another set of rims to mount the snows on then change the current tires to new summers. If I get summer tires, at what temperature do I need to switch to the snow tires? It gets pretty cold before any snow start to fall and I can imagine running a lot of tread off the snows on dry but very cold roads.
Thanks for you input.
I am new to this forum and new to Mercedes Benz ownership. I have a 2006 CLS500 and need to replace the tires. I live in Wisconsin and drove during the tail end of the winter, and I must say, it was awful. I had absolutely no traction whatsoever (part of the problem is I have Continental close contacts on the front and Michelin pilot as on the rear, both that have little tread left). That coupled with a very low ground clearance made for some very uncomfortable and slippery driving. Here's my question, is it better to get 2 sets of tires, a set of snow tires and a set of summer tires or should i get a set of all season tires knowing that they don't do anything really well? Quite expensive to purchase another set of rims to mount the snows on then change the current tires to new summers. If I get summer tires, at what temperature do I need to switch to the snow tires? It gets pretty cold before any snow start to fall and I can imagine running a lot of tread off the snows on dry but very cold roads.
Thanks for you input.
Last edited by carenthusiast; Jul 8, 2011 at 10:10 AM. Reason: mislabeled tire name
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Newbie
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Washington DC
06 infi g35
I agree! I use the same rim set also and just tend to swap tires from season to season. I recently learnt about TireVan. They are mobile, can send out a truck with high end Hunter balancer and do the swap at mhy work! They can also store my tires. Might be another option to consider.
Putting a full set of four Michelin Arctic Alpin (now called Pilot Alpin, I believe) winter tires on my CLK totally transformed the car in deep snow and ice from being the world's most expensive driveway ornament to one of the best performing vehicles I've driven in winter.
I cheaped out and had my MB service dept. change the tires over on the original rims each season. I had no issues whatsoever doing this, as the service dept. does an outstanding mounting and balancing job. Nevertheless, I would recommend getting a separate set of dedicated rims, if possible.
MB does offer winter tire packages with some fairly decent looking rims, if you are interested, at mildly reduced prices. Or you can probably do better elsewhere.
I cheaped out and had my MB service dept. change the tires over on the original rims each season. I had no issues whatsoever doing this, as the service dept. does an outstanding mounting and balancing job. Nevertheless, I would recommend getting a separate set of dedicated rims, if possible.
MB does offer winter tire packages with some fairly decent looking rims, if you are interested, at mildly reduced prices. Or you can probably do better elsewhere.
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Super Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 639
Likes: 14
From: Suburban Phila., PA
2012 E350 Coupe
I agree! I use the same rim set also and just tend to swap tires from season to season. I recently learnt about TireVan. They are mobile, can send out a truck with high end Hunter balancer and do the swap at mhy work! They can also store my tires. Might be another option to consider.
I never thought I'd find a car dealer service department more **** than I am - but they are! Absolutely perfect results every time.
I don't plan on taking the '12 out of the garage in bad weather if I can avoid it. We'll see how that plan works in real life and I'll keep TireVan in mind.
