[JSIM000]

Did a quick search of the forum, but didn't really see any good answers - Just had a "D Service" and transmission service done ($800 - ouch), and it looks like I will need rear tires in about 1k miles. Being in D.C., and given last year's snow disaster, I was contemplating going with all season tires. Two questions:
1) Can I replace the rears with all season and leave the front Contis on until they need to be replaced, or do I need to match all 4 tires?
2) Any recommendations for all seasons - Dealer claims that they will price match since I mentioned that I was going elsewhere when given the quote to replace the tires. Looked on tire rack and NTB, and both offer several choices

I drive an '07 CLS 550 w/ AMG package.

As always - appreciate your responses!

 

[alex_g]

Well, it kind of doesn't make sense to place all weather on the back and leave summer tires on the front.
I recently bought Continental all weather tires from Tirerack for 880 and so far I'm happy with them but I can't comment how they perform on the snow since I just bought them.
I will keep summer tires for summer I even might invest into second set of rims... one set for summer and one set for winter.

I would go with dealership if they can match price from tirerack.

 

[JSIM000]

I figured - probably incorrectly - that since the front and rear tires are different sizes, and the car is rear wheel drive, that putting all-seasons only on the back made sense. My rear tires are worn out, but my front tires have a reasonable amount of tread left. I didn't want to throw out "good" tires, but want the extra traction winter driving. Guess I'm just being cheap...

 

[220013047]

I am not sure if my case will help you make your decision, but I run on NEXEN 3000 and the car is pulling to the right. The dealer said that the CLS is designed only for certain kind of tires. I guess whatever comes as OEM (continentals may be) and Michelin AS Sport which they use when certifying the cars.

 

[rocky raccoon]

Since you asked for opinion

All season tires are a compromise and as such do not handle any road condition in an optimum manner. If snow and ice traction is your concern, full out Winter tires are the way to go. In other words, two sets of tires, one for conditions when no snow or ice can be anticipated and the other for Winter are the Hot Setup.

Some, maybe even most, say that Winter tires on all four are required. I tend to disagree under most conditions. Few of us on the Right Coast spend much time busting virgin snow. By the time we get on the road the plows have already been through at least once. I personally have only used Winter tires on the drive wheels (rear on the Benz and pickup and front on my old Saab) even when living in Connecticut.

Note that I said "Winter" instead of "Snow" tires. Many manufacturers offer tires made of a hygroscopic rubber compound that is superb on ice.

These are my opinions and most people seldom agree with me on anything.

Dry Road to You!

 

[wasupdu]

I picked up four 19" AMG looking wheels from Tire Rack along with Bridgestone Blizzaks mounted and have been pretty happy with the handling on my CLS63 so far. I've only driven in 3-4 inches of unplowed snow once and on ice a couple times since I put the wheels/tires on about 3 weeks ago, but I felt safe at highway speeds.