E63 WINTER TYRES, WHAT IS THE BEST??

[Mauro]

Dear All

Will be going abroad this winter and along with two pairs of snow chains, will be changing into winter tyres.

285/30/19 rear and 255/35/19 front.

My question is the following I seem to only have a choice of 3 brands, Michelin Alpin, Pirelli Sotto Zero and Nokian WR A4 which was not aware of, but has some good reviews.

The tyres will only be used for one trip and then sold.

Would appreaciate some advise please.

 

[st13phil]

Don't forget that for winter fitment you can run 255/35/19 all round on the standard rims on the W/S212 E63 which may give you additional options (and less investment!).

FWIW I've run Michelin PA4's in 255/35/19 size on all four corners of my W212 E63 for the last two winters and have been very impressed with them.

 

[Mauro]

Dear Phil

Thank you for your prompt reply.

I was not aware I could have the same in all four corners, you learn something every day!

 

[fabes]

Whilst driving an E63 must be a real pleasure, for the cost of 4 big winter tyres (you will or won't need wheels?) plus fitting on and off, less a little something back when selling on (S/h tyres don't go for a lot....), have you considered hiring a car for the week or two?

You'll incur several hundred pounds of cost and present yours up for others (not in Winters) to slide into

Worth consideration?

 

[Steve84N]

Short answer = no!

 

[Will]

I’ve got a set of 18” AMG VIs on mine, they were a factory option for the 212 E63 when new - not sure on later years though:



18" AMG VI wheels in 7X21 High Sheen with Titanium/Himalaya Grey - Alloy Wheels Direct (632534)

Being 18” and in my case non-staggered they also run the same size tyres similarly as suggested by Phil above. There’s a good bit of choice in 255/40/18 and even premium winter tyres in this size are only around £150 a piece

As a side note, ride comfort and road noise is considerably improved swapping from 19s to 18s.

I’ve used these for a while whilst I was getting the 19” IVs refurbished but I have to say I’ve kind of grown used to the comfort and ride from the smaller wheels - they’d be no hardship for winter use

 

[Mauro]

How is the driving experience compared to having 285 at the rear and then changing to 255 on the same rims?

 

[Psilonaught]

What you failed to mention is that the rears look stupid if you fit 255 at the back. I know because I bought a quad of 255s for my s212. They don't stick out enough and don't extend far enough!

I recommend 285 on the rear like summers and I'll be selling two of my 255 Dunlops before the cold weather

 

[Will]

I don’t think anyone fits 255 at the rear for aesthetic purposes?

Regards how the 255s perform - to be honest you’d struggle to notice a tangible difference in general - it’s only 30mm narrower - but in snow/ice/cold weather the narrower footprint would surely help traction. Wide, low profile tyres aren’t good for snow/ice etc - that’s the point

There’s probably more of a shift in dynamics/handling from the change between summer/sports orientated tyres and winter compound/tread patterns rather than 30mm in width anyway.

 

[st13phil]

I don’t think anyone fits 255 at the rear for aesthetic purposes?

Regards how the 255s perform - to be honest you’d struggle to notice a tangible difference in general - it’s only 30mm narrower - but in snow/ice/cold weather the narrower footprint would surely help traction. Wide, low profile tyres aren’t good for snow/ice etc - that’s the point

There’s probably more of a shift in dynamics/handling from the change between summer/sports orientated tyres and winter compound/tread patterns rather than 30mm in width anyway.

That pretty much sums up my experience.

Even high performance winter tyres like the PA4 sacrifice some performance to summer tyres in warmer conditions, but that's not the point. And as for the aesthetics, I'd rather get round the snow-covered corner on 255's than be stood admiring the better looking 285’s on the rear of my car upside down in a ditch.

 

[Daveuk]

I’m watching this thread as this is my first Mercedes rear wheel drive E250 w212 with 18” AMG wheels and it’s currently running

245 40 18 on the front and 265 35 18 on the rear.

I’ve never bothered with winter tyres before but everyone I speak to says don’t use the car in the snow without them!

I read in the manual about fitting the same size tyres all round so on the rear that means it’s not as wide but slightly taller.

Has anyone done this with my wheel size?

Local garage also said about fitting the 245’s all round for winter so I’m a bit stuck on what to do and do winter tyres really make that much difference in the snow with a rear wheel drive auto?

Thanks.


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[Smiley]

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[Smiley]

I’m watching this thread as this is my first Mercedes rear wheel drive E250 w212 with 18” AMG wheels and it’s currently running

245 40 18 on the front and 265 35 18 on the rear.

I’ve never bothered with winter tyres before but everyone I speak to says don’t use the car in the snow without them!

I read in the manual about fitting the same size tyres all round so on the rear that means it’s not as wide but slightly taller.

Has anyone done this with my wheel size?

Local garage also said about fitting the 245’s all round for winter so I’m a bit stuck on what to do and do winter tyres really make that much difference in the snow with a rear wheel drive auto?

Thanks.


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Yes they will make a difference; thats why they are a legal requirement in colder places.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

I’m watching this thread as this is my first Mercedes rear wheel drive E250 w212 with 18” AMG wheels and it’s currently running

245 40 18 on the front and 265 35 18 on the rear.

I’ve never bothered with winter tyres before but everyone I speak to says don’t use the car in the snow without them!

I read in the manual about fitting the same size tyres all round so on the rear that means it’s not as wide but slightly taller.

Has anyone done this with my wheel size?

Local garage also said about fitting the 245’s all round for winter so I’m a bit stuck on what to do and do winter tyres really make that much difference in the snow with a rear wheel drive auto?

Thanks.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

If you can afford it then it’s worth it. After you get stuck once you drive every where in snow with your bottom clenched in fear of getting stuck again.

With winter tyres the huge sense of relief and release from your clenched bottom will tell you that it was money well spent, and that’s just phase 1.

Then when you get to use them in anger with cars struggling and abandoned all around, then and only then phase 2 begins, and that’s when you become a winter tyre evangelist.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

I’m watching this thread as this is my first Mercedes rear wheel drive E250 w212 with 18” AMG wheels and it’s currently running

245 40 18 on the front and 265 35 18 on the rear.

I’ve never bothered with winter tyres before but everyone I speak to says don’t use the car in the snow without them!

I read in the manual about fitting the same size tyres all round so on the rear that means it’s not as wide but slightly taller.

Has anyone done this with my wheel size?

Local garage also said about fitting the 245’s all round for winter so I’m a bit stuck on what to do and do winter tyres really make that much difference in the snow with a rear wheel drive auto?

Thanks.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Mercedes are right to re omend that you fit a narrower tyre - on a staggered set up you usually you fit the same size tyre on the rear as you normally fit on the front.

Wider tyres perform less well in (wet) snow and rain, as it’s more difficult to remove it from the contact patch of the tyre when driving. In dry snow they hold on to the snow, as snow grips on snow better than rubber does.

 

[Alienator]

Pirelli Sotto Zero serie 2 240 so you can drive on them up to 240 km/h
Best winter tyres for me
I had them on BMW 7,Mercedes ML and now I will be getting them on my CLS 63 AMG
Done many many miles on wet,in snow and dry here and EU when is proper winter
Best winter tyres so you can't go wrong