Winter wheel and tire thread

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Oct 14, 2004 | 10:09 AM

Luke@tirerack

Thread Starter

TR Moderator & Tire God

Joined: Nov 2001

Posts: 3,545

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From: SouthBend, IN USA

depends on the weather

Winter wheel and tire thread

W203 / W208
16" package
215/55R16 Michelin X-ICE
16X7.5 Mille Miglia Bello
$1008.00

W203/W208/W209
225/45VR17 Dunlop Winter Sport M3
17X8 Mille Miglia Bello
$1180.00

W211 (non AMG)
225/55HR16 Michelin Pilot Alpin PA2
16X7.5 Steel wheels with covers
$754.00

W211 E55
245/40R18 Dunlop Winter Sport M3
18X8.5 MODA R3
$1828.00

W215 (non AMG)
225/60R16 Michelin X-ICE
16X8 Mille Miglia Bello
$952.00

W215 CL55
245/45VR18 Bridgestone Blizzak LM-22
18X8 ASA ST3
$1732.00

W220
245/45VR18 Pirelli W240 Snow Sport
18X8 ASA ST3
$1592.00

W230
255/40VR18 Dunlop Winter SPort M3
18X8.5 AMG 5 Spoke 230
$2336.00

All wheel and tire packages will be shipped mounted, balanced and ready to install with any needed lug hardware.

A majority of the wheels listed do use MB center caps

If your car has a tire pressure monitoring system please contact me for additional info

these packages are just suggestions and we can put together your choices even if they are not listed here

and if you just do not want to call use this link to place your order

Oct 15, 2004 | 03:09 PM

Luke@tirerack

Thread Starter

TR Moderator & Tire God

Joined: Nov 2001

Posts: 3,545

Likes: 5

From: SouthBend, IN USA

depends on the weather

.... bump ....

Oct 16, 2004 | 06:42 PM

Snoopygis

Newbie

Joined: Oct 2004

Posts: 9

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Luke:

I was under the impression that the W203 can only use "H" rated tires. The new Michelin X-ice tire is rated at "Q". Am I mistaken? Can you please clear this up?

Thanks

Oct 16, 2004 | 09:52 PM

dlynch

Junior Member

Joined: Jul 2004

Posts: 23

Likes: 0

From: Canada

SL500 winter tires?

Luke--appreciate your help!

R129, 1998--what's your recommendation for 16" snows & rims?

have you driven/when will you drive the new Michelin X-Ice?

Dave L

Oct 18, 2004 | 09:21 AM

Luke@tirerack

Thread Starter

TR Moderator & Tire God

Joined: Nov 2001

Posts: 3,545

Likes: 5

From: SouthBend, IN USA

depends on the weather

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snoopygis

Luke:

I was under the impression that the W203 can only use "H" rated tires. The new Michelin X-ice tire is rated at "Q". Am I mistaken? Can you please clear this up?

Thanks

for heavy snow areas a "Q" rated winter tire is acceptable for a W203

Oct 18, 2004 | 09:23 AM

Luke@tirerack

Thread Starter

TR Moderator & Tire God

Joined: Nov 2001

Posts: 3,545

Likes: 5

From: SouthBend, IN USA

depends on the weather

Quote:

Originally Posted by dlynch

Luke--appreciate your help!

R129, 1998--what's your recommendation for 16" snows & rims?

have you driven/when will you drive the new Michelin X-Ice?

Dave L

for heavy snow areas I would recommend the X-Ice and for more moderate snow areas go with one of the "H" rated winter tires like the Winter Sport M3

I have driven the X-Ice and it not only is the repalcement for the Arctic Alpin is is a significant upgrade ..... it is much better on dry streets

Oct 19, 2004 | 09:08 PM

Turbo2

Super Member

Joined: Jul 2002

Posts: 679

Likes: 0

From: McLean, VA

Luke-
Would you be able/willing to put together a package similar to the second one (for W208's with 17's), however using the ASA ST4's 17x8 Silver with Machined Lip as opposed to the Millie Migala Bello's with the same tires (Dunlop Winter Sport M3 225/45VR17)?

Thanks!

Lowell

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Oct 20, 2004 | 11:49 PM

Alfa Fan

Member

Joined: Jul 2004

Posts: 89

Likes: 0

From: Ho-Ho-Kus, New Jersey

'07 CLK 350 Coupe, '03 E500 Sport;'02 E320 4Matic; ,08 Jaguar XJ; 10 E350 '65 Alfa Giulia Sprint GT

Luke,

I have a 2003 E500 Sport with 17" wheels. i would like to have 16" snows to have more sidewall protection against potholes. The brakes appear to be the same size as non-sport models with 16" wheels.

Will the w211 (non AMG) package with steel wheels work?

Oct 21, 2004 | 09:36 AM

#10

Luke@tirerack

Thread Starter

TR Moderator & Tire God

Joined: Nov 2001

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From: SouthBend, IN USA

depends on the weather

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alfa Fan

16's will not work on the E500 ... here's the recommended package for your W211 E500

245/45VR17 Dunlop Winter Sport M3
17X8 Borbet Type-E
$1292.00

Oct 21, 2004 | 09:33 PM

#11

dlynch

Junior Member

Joined: Jul 2004

Posts: 23

Likes: 0

From: Canada

Thanks Luke!

We're interested in the X Ice for our SL500. Used to have Arctic Alpins on another car. Not so good on ice; adequate on snow covered (but plowed)roads.

It's ice that concerns me. We're both skiers, so a little snow is fun!

DAve L

Oct 22, 2004 | 12:28 PM

#12

BoSoxFan

Senior Member

Joined: Jun 2004

Posts: 474

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From: Red Sox Nation (No. Va. chapter)

2004 E500

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luke@tirerack

16's will not work on the E500 ... here's the recommended package for your W211 E500

245/45VR17 Dunlop Winter Sport M3
17X8 Borbet Type-E
$1292.00

Luke - a few questions.
(1) My '04 E500 w/ appearance group and TPMS was delivered with Pilot Primacy 245/45-17's. I see that these are a summer tire. We don't get a lot of snow in this part of Virginia but we can usually count on at least one severe snow storm and 3-4 minor ones. Freezing rain is a bigger concern. How 'risky' do you think it would be to try to get through the winter with the OE Michelin's?
(2) If I decide not to take the risk, my plan would be to put winter tires on the OE 5-spoke 17's and upgrade to 18's with a better summer tire in the Spring. Does that make sense to you? Also, I see that the Tire Rack web site recommends the M3 at 225/50-17 (HR). It's not a big difference from your recommendation but I'm curious as to why the difference.
(3) I see that the M3 is available as a RunFlat. I read somewhere that RunFlats can have tracking and comfort issues as well as compatibility issues with certain wheels. Any thoughts on the pros/cons of RunFlats? Can I use them on my OE wheels? TIA.

Oct 22, 2004 | 01:38 PM

#13

Luke@tirerack

Thread Starter

TR Moderator & Tire God

Joined: Nov 2001

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From: SouthBend, IN USA

depends on the weather

#1.) summer tires are completely useless in any type of frozen preciptation

#2.) You can use winter tires on your OE wheels .... The Pilot Alpin PA2 is a better tires ... the website is rather conservative and MB has been recommending the M2 for several years

#3.) do not get runflats

Oct 22, 2004 | 01:46 PM

#14

BoSoxFan

Senior Member

Joined: Jun 2004

Posts: 474

Likes: 0

From: Red Sox Nation (No. Va. chapter)

2004 E500

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luke@tirerack

Thanks, Luke. As always, 'you da man'.

Oct 23, 2004 | 12:48 PM

#15

mis3

MBWorld Fanatic!

Joined: Jan 2004

Posts: 2,200

Likes: 10

2004 CLK320

My car, 2004 CLK320, comes with stock staggered 16-inch configuration. I plan to use these stock wheels in winter use and upgrade to 17-inch next summer.

Which tires do you recommend, keep in mind of the staggered setup: front: 16x7 and rear: 16x8 ? So, the tires sizes should be front:205-55-16 and rear:225-50-16.

These sizes are available from Dunlop M3 but the 225-50-16 is not available fro Michelin PA2.

Oct 25, 2004 | 10:00 AM

#16

Luke@tirerack

Thread Starter

TR Moderator & Tire God

Joined: Nov 2001

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Likes: 5

From: SouthBend, IN USA

depends on the weather

you will be very happy and impressed by the M3

Oct 25, 2004 | 01:32 PM

#17

EDC320

Member

Joined: Aug 2002

Posts: 203

Likes: 0

From: NY

2015 ML350 4Matic

Help with C320 choice of snow tires

I have browsed the forums, your site and the reviews and cannot make a determination of what snow tires to get for my 2001 C320.
We are in the NY (Long Island) area, mostly highway driving. My stock Goodyear's lose traction in the snow (especially when I slow down to turn into my driveway). Please help!

Oct 25, 2004 | 03:49 PM

#18

bang4dabuc

Newbie

Joined: Oct 2004

Posts: 2

Likes: 0

I'm looking for an all-season or winter tire for a 2005 S55 AMG and can't find one that matches the factory tire size (265/40R18). I read in another thread that 275/40R18 tires can be used. Can someone confirm whether or not this can be done? Thanks in advance.

Oct 29, 2004 | 05:28 PM

#19

Luke@tirerack

Thread Starter

TR Moderator & Tire God

Joined: Nov 2001

Posts: 3,545

Likes: 5

From: SouthBend, IN USA

depends on the weather

winter tire reveiw thread link

Oct 29, 2004 | 08:08 PM

#20

[Ch]amsalot

Newbie

Joined: Oct 2004

Posts: 4

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For anyone considering the X-Ice, here's a heads up that may save you some $$$. Costco stores can order the X-Ice and if you get your order in on or before October 31, 2004, you'll get $60.00 off the price!

See details here.

Luke, sorry dude, but I gave tire rack a try because I wanted the Pilot Alpine PA2, which Costco can't get. I wanted you guys to throw in the road hazard (which, BTW, Costco gives for no charge on tires they sell), and your salesman wouldn't budge on the price. I want snow tires, but I'm not that desperate for them that I'm willing to get snowed (or screwed) on the price.

-[Ch]ams

Oct 31, 2004 | 06:16 PM

#21

[Ch]amsalot

Newbie

Joined: Oct 2004

Posts: 4

Likes: 0

%#*(%!!

If I could edit the above, I'd remove the harsh language. Even after I called and confirmed Costco could order the tire, I drove to the store to leave a deposit and then amazingly, the same guy who told me he could get the tires now says he can't. Go figure.

I guess I'll have to bite the bullet, forego the road hazard insurance ($400 is my budget) and order from tire rack after all. I'm not driving my kids in my car in the snow this season without the safety of snow tires.

Hey Luke, expect a call from me on Monday.

-[Ch]ams

Nov 1, 2004 | 08:29 AM

#22

Luke@tirerack

Thread Starter

TR Moderator & Tire God

Joined: Nov 2001

Posts: 3,545

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From: SouthBend, IN USA

depends on the weather

I'll be here

Nov 2, 2004 | 02:05 PM

#23

[Ch]amsalot

Newbie

Joined: Oct 2004

Posts: 4

Likes: 0

Luke!!

Thank you so much! You're the best!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now I really wish I could edit my obnoxious post!

I can't wait to fill out the online survey for the X-Ice. Bring on the SNOW!

Nov 3, 2004 | 10:14 AM

#24

[Ch]amsalot

Newbie

Joined: Oct 2004

Posts: 4

Likes: 0

Luke,

I ordered yesterday ground shipping. You said it would take 2-3 days, but you were wrong! I got them today, LOL!!!

I'm glad I went with the X-Ice over the Blizzak WS-50. The WS-50 may be a little bit better in the snow, but you know what... the X-Ice's unidirectional tread pattern is agressive as hell and looks even better in "real life" then in the online photo. To me, while looks are by no means everything, they are important.

Thanks again Luke!
-[Ch]ams