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

[kahoon]

Luke, Any ideas why the Sport Edition ST5's are not an option for the C300 sport? Is it an incorrect offset? Thanks!

To remove this ad, register today or login if you already are registered!

[georgewanni]

Hi Luke,
I am think of a set of 18" snow tires for my new GLK. Do you hve any wheels for this car ?
Thanks,

[valiumvilla]

Originally Posted by mmehtas

Both cars are located near Philadelphia, PA

2007 S550 4matic with AMG sports package and 2008 E350 4matic

Need winter tire package info please.

Thanks!

here's what I'm thinking for your cars and your area
2007 S550
4 of these wheels in 17"


along with 4 235/55-17 Blizzak LM22



and for the E350

these wheels in 17"


along with a set of 245/45-17 Blizzak LM25's

Hey Luke,
I live in Colorado at a high altitude (7500 ft) with a lot of snow, etc. I drive a S550 4Matic AMG style '07 and I note you recommended a 17" Elbrus wheel with Blizzak 235/55/17 LM22 tires (see above)for a similar car in a different area of the country. In my research, it looks to me like Elbrus does not make a 17" wheel in the style you recommended (#105). Is this correct or am I missing something? If they don't, what wheel manufacturer and style do you recommend and are the recommendations above re: tire size, etc. good for Colorado as well? If they do make a "17 inch wheel how do I find it on their web site? Thanks in advance for your consideration of these questions.
Valiumvilla

[gebell2001]

Luke,

I just purchased a 2006 E500 AMG RWD sport and live in DC. I have continental tires on it right now. Since I am new to buying winter tires I was wondering about what I should purchase for the ice, snow, and wet roads here? What tire (name the best one) can I be comfortable buying and putting on my car to know I am getting the best out of my car when the weather gets bad. Also from your experience when (i.e when the temp drops, first frost....etc.....) is it a good idea to put winter tires on your car?

Thanks Luke for your help on this I look forward to your response.

gebell2001


in your area you would be best suited with a performance winter tire link the new Blizzak LM60

[ivanj]

Luke:

I have a set of 4 snowflake graded >V speed rated snow tires. All new all the same size.

Question: since I have an extra set of AMG wheels, and it is August, should I mount these tires on the wheels, properly inflate them, and put them in plastic bags out of the sun in my garage where the temperature never exceeds 50° or should I wait to mount the tires until the winter?

PS
Next time I will go to Blizzaks but my dealer did not want to work on a car with tires that were below a V rating. Said something about liability....Legalesium never stopped a car on ice!

either way you store them mounted or not doesn't matter but, in the garage away from sunlight and electric motors is a must.

[FraKctured]

Very helpful...thanks Luke.

[Luke@tirerack]

hey guys why not wait on the 2009 version of this thread

[Totty]

I am wanting to get snow tires for my 07 C230 Sport Sedan but I am having trouble finding a set of OE Rear Wheels. What do you suggest for tires? Also can I just run the snow tires on the rear or should I get a set?

Thanks


When you put winter tires on your vehicle, always put them on in a set of four. If you were to put winter tires on only the front or rear of your vehicle, you would create a vehicle with a split personality. The traction capabilities of the tires on a vehicle play the largest single role in determining how that vehicle will react in any given situation. And with the great difference in traction capabilities between Winter tires and All-Season or High Performance tires, you can understand the loss of control when one end of the car performs very well and the other end just seems to have a mind of its own. Consider the fact that leading automobile manufacturers such as BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Honda, Nissan and Toyota recommend in their owner's manuals that you install four winter tires for winter driving. By installing four winter tires, you maintain the most balanced and controlled handling possible in all winter driving conditions. It is imperative to keep the same level of traction at all four corners of the car; otherwise, the full benefits of ABS or traction control systems will be lost.

[ivanj]

always run four snow tires.

[ronmiller609]

Luke,

Looking for suggestions for my 1995 E420 with ASR that I picked up over the summer. Plan to mount snows on the stock 15 x 6.5 8 hole rims. Would also like to mount something wider than stock 195mm. Can I squeeze a 205 or 215 on that rim?

215/60-15 would be a good size for your car ... but, without more info it's hard to recommend a specific tire

[ivanj]

I'm not luke but narrower tires are better in snow and ice than wide tires, all other things being equal.

[MB_Owner]

A forum member from Canada reports in THIS thread that his Dunlop Grandtrek Touring A/S MO 235/50R19 tires have the mountain/snowflake symbol branded in the tire's sidewall...depicting them as true winter tires.

Note the slight difference in the name from what's listed on the TireRack web site...inclusion of "MO" in the name.

Can you confirm these are indeed true winter tires? And are they available from TireRack? Special order maybe?

If so, they'll give a winter tire capability to Mercedes GLK350 owners who have the OEM 19" rims.

[ronmiller609]

Originally Posted by ronmiller609

Luke,

Looking for suggestions for my 1995 E420 with ASR that I picked up over the summer. Plan to mount snows on the stock 15 x 6.5 8 hole rims. Would also like to mount something wider than stock 195mm. Can I squeeze a 205 or 215 on that rim?

215/60-15 would be a good size for your car ... but, without more info it's hard to recommend a specific tire

Luke - I forgot to mention that I live in northern New Jersey.

cool ... I used to live in Rockaway ... take a look at the WS60

[alexmaxman]

Hi I was wondering witch winter tires I should put on my stock 18" Rims
I am planing to use these rims with tires fo winter

I have 2007 CLS 550 stock rims. Curently I have Pirelli All Season

245/40/18 (8.5) Front 275/35/18 (9.5)

Thanks you

the new Blizzak LM60 is the way to go for your CLS

[ivanj]

My stock sizes are similar to yours. Check your owner's manual for recommended winter tire sizes - mine did not recommended staggered sizes. I use these on my CL55 and have been inadvertently caught in some BAD ice/slush storms here in the NE with nary a problem. They are snowflake rated winter tires. Take them off in the spring.

Check your owner's manual on how to set up the suspension for these conditions. It works

[Aaight]

year: 2006
make: MB
model: E350 4Matic Sports Package
location: Chicago, IL

One of my OEM "fat five spoke" rims is cracked and if I can find a replacement then I will need only the tires and I will use that as a dedicated winter set and remove my 19". If I can't get it replaced in the very near future then I will probably just get a new wheel/tire dedicated winter set.

the Dunlop Winter Sport 3D is very popular among the Chicago peeps as is the LM60 from Blizzak with the Blizzak being the leader the further out you go into the 'burbs

[Colonnello]

Hi Luke,

Going to buy a winter tire & wheel package from tirerack.
I have a:

year: 2008
make: Mercedes Benz
model: C300 Sport (rear wheel drive, car came with the 18" AMG wheels with some sort of summer tires)
location: Grand Rapids, MI
tires only or winter package: Winter Package

Any recommendations on packages or size of the wheel...was planning on going with the Blizzak WS60 because I am looking for maximum traction over performance. Will probably be dealing with lots of snow. Thanks.

go with 16" Michelin X-Ice XI2 tire s in the 215/55-16 size with a set 16" wheel of your choice ... here's a link to get you started

[WpgGLK]

year: 2010
make: MB
model: GLK-350 4Matic
location: Winterpeg, MB.

Looking fo a winter wheel and tire package.

Do you suggest 17" or18"?

(Note: I purchased a set for my 2008 Audi A4 from the Tire Rack. Sport Edition F7 16x7 and Bizzak REVO1 tires. It was a great winter tire and worked extremely well on ice.)


I would run the Blizzak WS60 in a 235/60-17 along with the Sport Edition A7 wheels

[Nait Sirhc]

Hey Luke,

So I have a spare set of wheels, 18x8.5 front 18x9.5 rear (the stock AMG wheels that came with the car) that I've been planning to put winter tires on. I live in Utah and the snow gets really bad here at times. I have a 2004 E55 w/ TPMS and I recently found Blizzak LM-25s in 265/35/18 on closeout at Tirerack. They're ordered and on their way. Rear axle is taken care of.

However, I'm still in need of some front winter tires (245/40/18). The only Blizzaks you have available on your site now are WS60s (studless I&S) and LM-60 (performance I&S). Are the LM-25s not available in 245/40/18 anymore? If not, is it bad to mix different types of winter tires on front & rear? They'll all be brand new, just different types/brand per axle. I've also considered picking up a set of Michelin Pilot Alpins for the front.

the only logical choice would be the Blizzak LM60 for the front we should be getting them in mid November

[tommyr]

Luke, I have a 2008 S550. I've been using LM25s for the winter (you sold them to me!) and need to replace them. I see they are discontinued and being replaced by the LM60. Is there any big advantage to the LM60s, as the LM25s are being sold at closeout?

you are correct about the LM60 replacing the LM25. The LM60 is the same compound and construction as the LM25 but, it uses the tread design found on the WS60 for added snow traction

[VendettaMB]

are 20" rims with winter tires any good in the snow?

i saw these on yr site on sael, as i currently run 20" on my 2003 sl500(r230), but looking for mwinter set up for VAncouver , BC

Shops are telling me a all season will be ok for light winter conditions.


http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/Wheel...All&sort=Price

20's for winter isn't the best idea but, we do have a set of a 17" package for your car at $1120.00 plus shipping utilizing Blizzak LM60 tires and MSW Type 14 wheels

[W209CLK55]

Luke,

What would you recommend for a 2009 SL63. I would like to mount winters on the stock 19" (spoke with 3 splits) wheels.

Located in Toronto.

Thanks


there isn't anything available in the OE 19" sizes

[WpgGLK]

It's nice that "someone" removed my last post but Luke still has not responded to this thread since August 22nd!

Where should we post to get a response?

all of the writing in RED is my response
Thanks, Luke

[ZAHANMA]

Originally Posted by W209CLK55

Luke,

What would you recommend for a 2009 SL63. I would like to mount winters on the stock 19" (spoke with 3 splits) wheels.

Located in Toronto.

Thanks


there isn't anything available in the OE 19" sizes

I just bought 265/35/19 Bridgestone Blizzaks for my SRT6 from TireRack. They are on sale right now for $128/ea. Down from $270/ea. .

I would double check, but I would almost guarantee that you can fit 265/35/19s on the stock SL63 rims w/o rubbing anything in the rear.

265/35-19 = 26.4" diameter
SL63 uses 25.7" tall tires

while it would physically fit it would cause issues with the electronics

[presblfc]

2009
Mercedes
C- Sport
Fort Wayne, Indiana

I have 18" AMG.... what would be my best option? Should I buy tires only or a whole set of wheels? And which ones? Sorry, I'm a total neophyte when it comes to cars....

Thanks.

I prefer a winter wheel and tire package for a few reasons

*you can down size to 17" or 16" which will perform better in the snowy conditions.
*with a package you can perform the change over yourself
* Using winter tires and wheels will allow the summer tires to last longer
* Snow tires and wheel packages will keep your noce wheels out of the road salt and ice melting chemicals