I bought a 2004 e55 this summer and love it. I live in Chicago so I'm a little worried about how it will handle in the snow. I expect I will need to put on all season tires for that, right? I've been checking around and I don't think they make all season tires in a 265/18 size, so now I think I need to buy new/smaller rims for winter. Am I totally off base here?
I live in MN and had plans of driving my E55 in the winter but purchased and additional vehicle for winter use. Here was my plan and recommendation to you....
You will want to purchase a different set of tires/rims (I would look for some AMG 17" rims that E500 Sports come with - go to Tirerack or another site that sells tire/rim packages) and put on some winter tires, not all season. Hence, something like Blizzak's (call your MB dealer to see what they recommend). This will ensure you won't have major issues when it snows and still keep the car looking reasonably good.
Also, drive the car in comfort mode so it starts in 2nd gear when it is snowing. 516 of torque needs to be "tamed" as much as possible...
Thanks for the tips. Is it okay to just get four 17"tires/rims that are exactly the same? The stock rims on the back are different than the front, but I think it would make sense to just get them all the same.
Also, the original tires are run flats so I don't have a spare. I know nothing about winter tires, but I'm guessing they won't be run flats. If that is the case, then I'll be in trouble if I ever do get a flat.
This ain't gonna be cheap, so I want to do it right. Thanks for the help.
See the attached link from e-bay (these should be able to be had for $800). The front/back are different sizes so that may answer some of your questions. Go to Tire Rack and see options for tires and check with the Benz Dealer on what they recommend, too.
Thanks for the tips. Is it okay to just get four 17"tires/rims that are exactly the same? The stock rims on the back are different than the front, but I think it would make sense to just get them all the same.
Also, the original tires are run flats so I don't have a spare. I know nothing about winter tires, but I'm guessing they won't be run flats. If that is the case, then I'll be in trouble if I ever do get a flat.
This ain't gonna be cheap, so I want to do it right. Thanks for the help.
Hi
Absolutely it is ok to have 4 matching tires/wheels.
I have a W221 S550 and b4 this i had a W220 S500. Both with sport package, making rear tires wider than the fronts. For Winter, it is best to have smaller wheels and it is normal for them to be all 4 the same size.
The E55 will NOT perform in the snow. Note that i said.. NOT PERFORM... period. not "not perform well" because truthfully, with slush on the ground, the tires will not grip for their life.
Trust me My mother had to help me push my S500 into the driveway and put a brick behind each tire to keep it from sliding back!!!!!!!!!!!
I think it all depends on your driving skills but let me tell you once i got into BAD BAD winter storm with NO winter tyres and i was just fine, in fact my 02 745i with winters drove much much worse than my 05 e55 without winters as funny as it sounds!
Also, the original tires are run flats so I don't have a spare. I know nothing about winter tires, but I'm guessing they won't be run flats. If that is the case, then I'll be in trouble if I ever do get a flat.
I don't know anything about winter tires either but the OE tires aren't run flats. There should be a can of sealant and an air compressor in the trunk. On the early years it was a weight savings measure to skip the spare. Newer E55s will have a space saver.
I don't know anything about winter tires either but the OE tires aren't run flats. There should be a can of sealant and an air compressor in the trunk. On the early years it was a weight savings measure to skip the spare. Newer E55s will have a space saver.
Oh crap. I bought the 2004 used from a dealer a month ago and they told me the tires were run flats. Thanks to your note I double checked and you are right, they are not. And of course I have no space saver, nor do I have the sealant or air compressor! I'm glad I found this out before I had a flat. Now if I can just get the dealer to make it right...
My mother had to help me push my S500 into the driveway and put a brick behind each tire to keep it from sliding back!!!!!!!!!!!
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