So....we finally got some snow in St. Louis - 3" the other day. New '02 E55 with Continental ContiSport 2s on front and back. Clearly these are not for inclement weather. 75 minutes to get out of my driveway and I need help.
A little reading and I now know the difference between high performance summer tires and everything else.
What do those of you who live near snow do? I bought this car to drive, not leave in my garage when it looks nasty outside.
All season tires or summer tires + winter tires + a friend who can mount and unmount tires with ease?
I got a 2002 E55 also recently. Need some snow tires as well. But still trying to find some 17" that will fit over the brakes. Otherwise, I will have to get 18"s. 18" winter tires are pricey.
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Present:
2002 Mercedes Benz E55 - Black (w/ MB ext warranty until Nov'08 or 160k km - For Sale - PM for details)
1987 Porsche 944S - Black
Past: 2005 Saab 92X Aero - Desert Silver; 1997 Audi A4 1.8TQ - Pelican Blue
Future: P-Car
I think a set for winter and one for summer is really the way to go. All-seasons are ok but not good at anything (the ones I have used at least, maybe there is something new on the market that is good). You can't beat the performance of good summer tires with some pair of all-seasons (Amg's deserve summer rubber). Winter is a bitch, and if you have crappy tires your screwed once the snow falls (wide low profile tires means poor traction to the max). My old 300e was terrible in winter; it was like night and day once I bought winter tires, never went back to all-seasons since. Now in the E55 I run Goodyear Eagle Ultra Grip winter tires on 17" rims . Not bad tire but I think Michelin Alpins or Bridgestone Blizzaks are better. Depending on what type of winter you get (lots of snow, little snow, ice, slush, off and on winter) will some what direct you. Like for me Blizzaks are
awesome in snow but wear faster and Calgary doesn't get lots of snow. Then I tried the Michelins which I really liked, worked good and lasted longer. Now with the Goodyears they are good but i think the Michelins were better. Hope some of this info will help, also check the tirerack, they have lots of reviews on winter tires and give you a good idea what people are saying about them.
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What kind of 17" rims do you have on your E55? The only one I have seen so far that fits is an OEM AMG 5 spoke rim, which is too much money. There are some 17" rims on ebay that claims to fit AMG car, but haven't found any body here who have used that size. Most people go plus sizes on here for summer wheels.
What do those of you who live near snow do? I bought this car to drive, not leave in my garage when it looks nasty outside.
Around here, people don't know how to drive in the snow... When it snows or is icy I take the bus to work... I'm not going to risk my favorite car just to try to get somewhere.
Sorry cant help you with what make of 17" rims I have. They came with the car when I bought it. Had a pretty worn pair of Goodyear Ultra Grips so figured I would try a new pair. Never really looked at the make of the rims, can take a closer look tommorow, all I can tell you is that they are a 6 spoke rim (they have a mercedes centre cap, they might be mercedes winter rims, I really dont know). When the roads get really crappy, the car stays home. Your good winter tires wont stop the idiot behind you.
we live up in canada, and just so you know, we dont live in igloos hahahah, we put a set of winter tires on for the winter, obviously, man what a difference, dont be fooled by all season, winter is winter, and ice is ice, we got ours at the local walmart, dont laugh, they were literally 600 dollars cheaper, for the same set and warranty, get em switch them in the spring, winter tires will get chewed up once the asphalt warms up, best of luck.......
OP, get a dedicated 2nd set of wheels & snow tires. it'll make a HUGE difference. I have 18" CLS alloys + 18 inch Pirelli 240 Snowsports (rated #1 in German SportAuto magazine).
Not cheap, but I wasnt gonna mount some sorry-lookin 17s on my E55 for 5-6 months out of the year!!!
pics (taken w/ shitty cellphone):
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Gone but not forgotten:
2003 Honda S2000
1999 BMW 540i sport
1995 BMW M3
Haven't been on in a while - just noticed this was bumped up.
Quick update - we have moved to southern CT, generally more winter than St. Louis. Bought a set of Dunlop Winter Sport M3 and had them placed on the stock rims.
In snow on level ground - they are great and the car handles fine without any problems. You need to know how to drive a big car in winter, but growing up with a Chevy station wagon in Chicago was enough education.
Big issue - there are a lot of hills in southern CT - like the one that my house is near the top of.....could get to the bottom of the hill without a problem. In 4" of fresh snow with a little ice underneath, I could not get home. Five approaches and five times made it half way up with the traction light on full yellow and wheels turning slow enough to keep me from sliding back, but no forward movement. Weight + slope + RWD = no hills of relevance.
I don't think that it was the tires as much the combo noted above. Would be interested if anyone thinks otherwise.
Went and bought a used Jeep to augment the E55 for big snow days.
Haven't been on in a while - just noticed this was bumped up.
Quick update - we have moved to southern CT, generally more winter than St. Louis. Bought a set of Dunlop Winter Sport M3 and had them placed on the stock rims.
In snow on level ground - they are great and the car handles fine without any problems. You need to know how to drive a big car in winter, but growing up with a Chevy station wagon in Chicago was enough education.
Big issue - there are a lot of hills in southern CT - like the one that my house is near the top of.....could get to the bottom of the hill without a problem. In 4" of fresh snow with a little ice underneath, I could not get home. Five approaches and five times made it half way up with the traction light on full yellow and wheels turning slow enough to keep me from sliding back, but no forward movement. Weight + slope + RWD = no hills of relevance.
I don't think that it was the tires as much the combo noted above. Would be interested if anyone thinks otherwise.
Went and bought a used Jeep to augment the E55 for big snow days.
Don't feel bad for not making it up the hill. I am certain is was the combination of ice underneath and the fresh snow on top. The snow alone should have given you enough grip - the Jeep will come in handy for the few days of that ice/snow combination. Will the ice melt during the winter - or do you have to wait for spring?? WE are getting our Chinooks a few times during the winter, when everything melts -
- PM for details)
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