The Official Winter Tire thread ... all winter tire questions go here !!!

[Abel1337]

These are all sooo beautiful

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[nick 55]

I know I'll get flamed, my wifes 07 BMW 335 coupe, KW version 3 coil overs, and a Rotura 355mm big brake kit all around, six piston fronts and 4 piston rears. Want a 17 inch wheel and tire package if possible, 18s if I have to.

Nick


355mm rotors and six piston calipers ... no way a 17 fits ... do you have a brake profile? sounds like a tastefully modified Bimmer, pics?

[Kar don]

245/40 18 93Q Dunlop Graspic DS-1. Would that fit and support my CLS550 on OEM AMG staggered? I hear the Graspic provide good winter traction.

[Bagger]

Originally Posted by Kar don

245/40 18 and 265/35 18 Blizzak LM22s be ok for a CLS550 with oem staggered wheels?

the traction control will be extremely invassive with that 265 rear size you would better off with 245/40-18 or a 255/40-18 on all four corners and yes you can do that with the OE staggered wheels

Luke, I know you are the expert here .... but, I don't see much difference between a 255 and a 265. What is it ... about 3/8 of an inch or so? I can't see what difference such a smallish amount of tread would make to make the traction control "extremely invassive". Also, putting 255s on the front seems quite BIG to me. I'd worry about clearence problems.

Perhaps you can enlighten me.


265/35-18 is physically shorter causing it to spin faster then the 245/40-18 which is exatly what the traction control computer program looks at and unless it is programmed to allow the rear tires a faster rotation speed it will think the rear tires are spinnning and attempt to correct the issue

[Kar don]

Bagger, my CLS has 255s on the front from the factory. AMG sport gives you 255/40 18 and 285/35 18 rears. Non sport you get 245/40 18 and 275/35 18. I didn't think 265/35 would change it that much but I guess it does (According to Luke).

255/285 = same diameter
245/275 = same diameter
265 = shorter

[sdifox]

Luke, I am probably going to get a 06 E350 4matic soon. Hoping for maybe smaller size rim, unless there is no room. I want best ice/snow condition since it's for my wife and she does not drive fast like I do. I would like to drop ship to dealer (in illinois) to have it mounted before I road trip or ship the car back.

year:2006
make:MB
model:E350 4matic
location:Toronto, Ontario
tires only or winter package:Winter package, steel rim preferred unless there are cheap alloys

the 16's the car currently has are the smallest wheels you can run and I would recommend the Blizzak WS60

[NRad]

Hi Luke:

Year: 2006
Make: Benz
Model: CLS 55 AMG
Location: Northeast Ohio
Tires only or package: Please comment on both

I just moved here to Ohio and just got my first benz/RWD car. I have driven most of my life in New England with FWD cars and non-winter tires...without a problem.

I am not an aggressive driver. (25 miles round trip to and from work).

I did not even think about winter tires but the combo of high HP/torque RWD car and recent ice with OEM low profile brigdestone staggered 255/35/19 front and 285/30/19 tires....I thought I was going to die on the road.

I was thinking about dunlop M3 or 3D (are 3Ds better?). But I see a lot about Blizzak and Conti winter tires. I was thinking about AMG replica wheels.

Could you please advise? For the safest driving, is non-staggered better? Should I go with 18"?

Thanks a lot.

the problem you encountered is not caused by the car being real powerful and rear wheel drive. The summer performance tires you car came with do not like temps below 40 degrees and any type of frozen precipitation. They don't even like to be stored in real cold temps and you were out driving on them. An 18" non-staggered wheel & tire would be best but, the onl wheel we have for your car in 18 is the BBS CH which is quite cost prohibitive for use as a winter wheel. So, I think you should go with the Sport Edition ST3 wheels in 19x8.5 on all four corners and a Blizzak LM25 in a 255/3519 size



link for tire

[Bagger]

Originally Posted by Kar don

Bagger, my CLS has 255s on the front from the factory. AMG sport gives you 255/40 18 and 285/35 18 rears. Non sport you get 245/40 18 and 275/35 18. I didn't think 265/35 would change it that much but I guess it does (According to Luke).

We took the MB to lunch today. I have the Dunlop Winter Sport M3s from the Tire Rack installed .... 245/45/18 F and 255/45/18 R.

The weather went from dry and the tires seem to respond well on dry pavement at 28* (F) to sleet/snow on the 10 mile back roads home.

Many cars were fish tailing and one went off the road (idiot at the wheel), but we were able to negotiate the untreated slick Tarmac with little problem. I even tried to make the tires break loose, but was rewarded with good traction as well as good stopping in these conditions.

Yes, the little yellow triangle did light up as I played with the car, but I'm happy with the tires. Should do my SO well this winter.

BTW, the Tire Rack's price (including shipping) was over $275 less than quoted by the TRs installer. The installer charged me $35 per wheel to mount and balance. Total was just under $1150. I'm happy.

[nick 55]

Wow, I know I will really get flamed now, since this is OT bigtime, but......
The car is still on the transport here, but here's the link to the magazine writeup on it(yes, I bought that car). And we have decided to leave it parked during the nonsunny days.

http://www.eurotuner.com/features/eu...35i/index.html


Nice car ... don't know why you are thinking people will jump on you for owning a BMW .... we are a little more laid back in this forum than what you are apparently used to ... probably the most aggressive poster here will ask for pics of it in your garage as anybody can post a link to an article and say "yes, I bought that car"

[Kar don]

Originally Posted by Bagger

We took the MB to lunch today. I have the Dunlop Winter Sport M3s from the Tire Rack installed .... 245/45/18 F and 255/45/18 R.

The weather went from dry and the tires seem to respond well on dry pavement at 28* (F) to sleet/snow on the 10 mile back roads home.

Many cars were fish tailing and one went off the road (idiot at the wheel), but we were able to negotiate the untreated slick Tarmac with little problem. I even tried to make the tires break loose, but was rewarded with good traction as well as good stopping in these conditions.

Yes, the little yellow triangle did light up as I played with the car, but I'm happy with the tires. Should do my SO well this winter.

BTW, the Tire Rack's price (including shipping) was over $275 less than quoted by the TRs installer. The installer charged me $35 per wheel to mount and balance. Total was just under $1150. I'm happy.

Um, you got the wrong sizes though. Luke told me to go with 255/40 18 all around with the AMG sport pkg. Not 245/45 18. That is way to big of a sidewall.

[ch4rlie]

wow that is a very very useful guide thank you luke and tirerack.com!

[philfna]

2007 Bluetec
Currently 17 inch pirelli new tires

Need winter tires I was think 16 inch blizzaks?

Thank you in advance Luke. I like in Wisconsin we get a lot of snow...


agreed big snow Wisconsin = Blizzak WS60

[Bagger]

Originally Posted by Kar don

Um, you got the wrong sizes though. Luke told me to go with 255/40 18 all around with the AMG sport pkg. Not 245/45 18. That is way to big of a sidewall.

Kar don ... yes, Luke did say this. But, when I contacted Tire Rack to buy the tires, I was told that the 45s would keep the same/same diameter as the oems. So, I bought these.

Also, I contacted 3 different MB dealers in the snow belt. They all said they hook up 245/45/18s all the way round on snow shoe shod cars. I figured I stay with the staggered set up with the 265s in the rear.

The CLS seems to ride/handle fine with these sneakers. They look good, too. I'm happy.

These are the same size tires I had on my E46 M5, too. Worked fine in that application as well.

[Luke@tirerack]

I doubt anybody here would have given you that information

245/45-17 = 25.7"
255/45-18 = 27.0"

245/40-18 = 25.7"

and an E46 is a 3 series

M5 has been available as an E34, E39 and E60

[CoaterMan]

Hey Luke, I've been looking for the correct wheel/tire pkg for the past two weeks. I'm getting three different fitments from TR, the MB dealer and the tire store down the street. I've decided that I want to emphasize traction over performance and have narrowed it down to the Blizzak WS-60 and the Mich X-Ice. I'd like to do a minus size (16x7) Borbet LS wheel with a higher profile, narrower tire, non-staggered setup. I understand this is close to stock in CA for the sport (avantgarde?) C300 so I think the wheels will clear my rotor/caliper.

Here's my question, Tirerack recommends a 215/55R16 for my car, MB is telling me to stay with a 17" wheel (the MB salesman dogeared the page for a 17" Markab style wheel for the CLS as his recommendation and the other guy is recommending a 205/55R16.

I don't trust the other guy's recommendation 'cause their fitment calculator is buggy and doesn't tie to OEM cut sheets, but I'm inclined to put on a narrower tire emphasizing traction over performance. Also I've noticed in the MB '05 wheel accessory catalog MB puts 16"x7 wheels on a W203 they do use a 205/55R16 and the cut sheet for the Mich tire puts the diameter spot on with my current tires.

So can you help me here and confirm if a Borbet LS 16x7 with Mich X-Ice 205/55R16 is a viable choice for my car and explain the reason why someone would want the 215/55R16 instead? If I didn't have active agility control I'd be far less concerned about these details.

Thanks is advance.

[Bagger]

Originally Posted by Luke@tirerack

I doubt anybody here would have given you that information

245/45-17 = 25.7"
255/45-18 = 27.0"

245/40-18 = 25.7"

and an E46 is a 3 series

M5 has been available as an E34, E39 and E60

Sorry about 'wrong number' on the M5. Yes, it was an E39. I did have an E46, too.

Anyway, someone at Tire Rack did indeed give me this information. I would not make it up. His name is Walt. I have his extension # if you would like to call him.

Fronts are 245/45/18s, btw.

Not much snow here to report on, but the Winter Sport M3s (in the sizes I was quoted) work well in wet and dry. The ride is good, handling is not as good as the 'summer tires', but certainly fine.

[tonyblaze]

Hi Luke,
I just purchased a:

2006
Mercedes Benz
R350 AWD
Northeast Ohio
Looking for a winter tire solution

I'm pretty sold on the Blizzak's but I've seen WS-50's, WS-60's and LM series and wondering what practical differences are.

I'll also be looking for a summer tire solution in February as the ones that I bought it with are worn. Thanks!

Tony


Mercedes Benz vehicles with traction control did not respond well to the WS50 because the tread elements flexed so much the electronics thought the tires were starting to lose grip and would try to intervene. The WS60 was a new design incorporating many of the good features the WS50 possessed and improvingh the area swhich needed help and thus does not have the same issues with the traction control. The LM series are high performance winter tires which do not offer as much ice and snow traction but, handle much better when not in the snow and ice. I would opt for the WS60 in the Cleveland area because of the possibility of lake effect snow

[Abel1337]

Awesome thread man. Love it

[CoaterMan]

Can anyone help on the question of a 205 vs a 215 width in a 55R16 tire? We just got another 2" tonight and while I love testing out the ESP in these conditions a little more traction would be good to have.


205 - 215 is only a 10 millimeter difference and would not be that big a deal in terms of performance in the snow and ice

[Figuero]

Well we've had our 3rd storm now and I must say..... 2 thumbs up for the ContiExtreemContact AND the Goodyear Assurance Triple Tread. Both proved their worth. Neither have the Winter Snow Flake symbol...but my guess is that's just a technicality. Both tires really impressed me and I'm a true skeptic.

[philfna]

Just a thanks we had the winter tires sent to our local dealer, and it worked flawlessly. A lot safer on the road thanks to you and Tire Rack.

[delirium]

Hi Luke, I have a tricky situation. I live in sunny southern California where we dont use winter tires. maybe a few times out of the year, when i want to dirve to the nearby mountains for snowboarding, they will require snow chains on the car.

I have a 2008 C350 (W204)

snow chains are not recommended on the W204 due to wheel clearance. is there a low cost way to get up the mountain when chains are required? I dont see steel wheels available for the W204 which i can put chains on.

a set of 215/55-16 Winforce tires along with a set of Sport Edityion F5 wheels wiould only be $656.00 plus shipping and would get you past any and all chain control check points

[mmy]

Hi Luke, I need suggestion for optimum set of tires for combined driving: Seattle and weekly winter weekend trips to mountain passes during November - April . I have 2005 c240 4-matic wagon.

Michelin X-Ice XI2 are a prefect fit for your needs ....

Michelin's FleX-Ice silica-based winter tread rubber compound (offers firmness at higher temperatures for wet and dry road stability while it remains flexible at lower temperatures to enhance packed snow and ice traction)

this is from the info page about the tire on our web site .... like I said it's a pretty good fit

[tcm2008]

My Car is
2009 C300 4Matic Sport Sedan (SIZE: Front:225/45 R17 Rear:245/40 R17



Pirelli sottozero 210( Front:: 225/45 R17 Rear :225/45 R17)

Dunlop SP Winter Sport M3 (Front:225/45 R17 Rear: 245/40 R17)

Which one its the best for my car ?
snow tire must be same SIZE or use factory size(Front:: 225/45 R17 Rear :225/45 R17) ?

[ctgilles]

I have a German magazine here Auto und Motor and they did a test with a W204 C-class on 17" 225 tyres.

Best 3 winter tyres:

1. Continental Wintercontact TS 810
2. Goodyear Ultragrip Performance 2
3. Pirelli Winter 210 Sotto Zero Serie II

The tyres were tested in dry weather, rain and snow; braking distance, cornering speed, stability, ...

Winter tyres have an advantage from 7°C downwards and should be changed when average temps exceed 10°C. 4 winter tyres "same width" > fatter rears.

I'd scan the article but I lost the magazine. Have checked all the toilets where can it be

Regards,

edit: more winter tyre tests:

Auto Motor und Sport 2007, maat 205/55R16 (max. 300 punten)

• Goodyear Ultra Grip 7, 275 punten
• Continental Winter Contact TS810, 271 punten
• Michelin Alpin A3, 262 punten
• Pirelli SottoZero Winter 210, 262 punten
• Dunlop Winter Sport 3D, 261 punten
• Bridgestone Blizzak LM-25, 235 punten
• Toyo Snowprox S952, 231 punten

Auto Motor und Sport 2006, maat 205/55R16 (max. 300pt)

• Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D, 285 punten
• Goodyear Ultra Grip 7, 281 punten
• Pirelli Winter 210 SottoZero, 276 punten
• Continental Winter Contact TS810, 263 punten
• Bridgestone Blizzak LM-25, 258 punten
• Vredestein Snowtrac 2, 257 punten
• Nokian WR, 256 punten
• Kléber Krisalp HP, 253 punten
• Matador Nordicca, 249 punten
• Fulda Kristall Supremo, 242 punten
• Marangoni Meteo HP, 234 punten

Auto Review 2007, maat 195/65R15 (max. 450 punten)

• Vredestein Snowtrac 2, 352 punten
• Pirelli Snowcontrol 190, 338 punten
• Goodyear Ultra Grip 7+, 330 punten
• Continental Winter Contact TS810, 327 punten
• Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D, 316 punten
• Fulda Kristall Montero 2, 302 punten
• Michelin Alpin 3, 289 punten
• Pneumant PN 150 Wintec, 287 punten
• Bridgestone Blizzak LM-25, 281 punten
• Marangoni Meteo HP, 258 punten
• Barum Polaris 2, 249 punten
• Firestone Winterhawk, 249 punten
• Kleber Krisalp HP, 245 punten
• Falken Eurowinter HS437, 205 punten