Winter tyres

[Headhurts]

It's also worth noting that some Summer tyres are better at low temperatures than others. I've run both Pirelli P-Zeros and ContiSport 5P's on my E63's. My first E63 started on Pirelli's and I then swapped to Conti's, but my current car came on Pirelli's and they're still on it.



While the Conti's have no winter snow capability, they grip reasonably well even at modest sub-zero temperatures (-2c / -4c). At +6c and above the grip is good enough on a dry road that the traction control isn't exercised even under full throttle unless you do something to provoke it. By contrast, the Pirelli's grip is very poor even on dry roads at temperatures below about +7c, so much so that even modest throttle use just results in spinning rear wheels. Add in dampness and it's almost like driving on ice

I have to concur regarding the Pirelli P-Zero, these came on my 2016 E350, I was quite happy with the grip during the summer but recently I was out and hit some standing water at 50mph the car was awful it seemed to lift and go sideways.

I have hit similar water in previous cars (this was not deep water) and had no problems.

I was wondering if it was the tyres or the offset sizes of wheels.


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[grober]

I would like to see someone cite a reference that shows demonstrable proof that winter compound tyres [ high silica content as opposed to carbon black ] exhibit marked accelerated wear in comparison to a similar treaded summer compound tyre when run at normal year round ambient temperatures experienced in the UK. This winter tyre accelerated wear characteristic used to be extant 30 years ago when winter tyres contained a higher natural rubber to carbon black ratio in their mix in an endeavour to maintain greater flexibility at low temperature but not now. Handling on the limit in the dry in summer may be inferior to a dedicated summer treaded tyre due to its less open treaded pattern but probably about as different as driving on that summer tyre in the wet when its new and when its down to the last 3mm. In other words if you always drive within the limitation of the tyres fitted then there's no problem.
There is no single answer to whether you should fit winter tyres. Its dependent on many variables.
Where you live in the UK [ latitude and height above sea level].
Whether you need to use your car everyday without fail and at what time [ working night shifts].
Local traffic density and local council road clearing facilities.
Something as mundane as do you have a long upward sloping drive from your garage to the main road.
How flush you are--- one or two sets of wheels /tyres.

All play a part in any individuals decision as whether to fit winter tyres to their car. Just don't base the decision on false information base it on your individual circumstances.

 

[Mc250Cgi]

Hi
Last question on this.
Would it be best to put Goodyear vector 4 225/45/17 on back wheels with 8.5"rim or vredestein quadrat 5 235/45/17

The Goodyear have better reviews but are the minimum size tyre for rim but vredestein are wider and fit rim better.

What are your thoughts I can't make my mind up
Thanks

 

[grober]

Vredestein have a long history of winter / allweather tyre manufacture in Europe so will be fine.

 

[rf065]

Would it be best to put Goodyear vector 4 225/45/17 on back wheels with 8.5"rim or vredestein quadrat 5 235/45/17

225/45x17 is the nearest match to your 245/40x17, stick with 225/45x17 all round unless you want ABS & ESP problems.

Russ

 

[Mc250Cgi]

Even if the back wheels are wider as standard on the car?

 

[rf065]

Even if the back wheels are wider as standard on the car?

Yes, 225's will fit an 8.5" rim, you need to keep the rolling circumference the same size and 225/45 is nearest to 245/40.

Russ

 

[Mc250Cgi]

Yes, 225's will fit an 8.5" rim, you need to keep the rolling circumference the same size and 225/45 is nearest to 245/40.

Russ

Thanks for the info that makes sense.
So even though the back wheels are wider they have the same rolling Circumference as the front.
So i need 245/40 on the back or 225/45 to match the front
This opens up more tyre choice or perhaps I could go 235/45
All round would this work? Or would this mess things up also

 

[GP801]

Vredestein have a long history of winter / allweather tyre manufacture in Europe so will be fine.

i have the Quatrac 5 on the 124. Supposedly an all season design but they have the M+S and the Snowflake signs. So far they have been good but the real test will come tomorrow. Driving back from Italy and significant snow is forecast

 

[CaptainChaos]

Winter wheels and tyres fitted this week. Just in time!

 

[Jim55]

I need to replace mine ( just had a good look when it was up on ramp getting oil changed - I need a dipstick as it's missing wtf , I can only think somebody has took it out in past and I bought it with it missing , I didn't even notice ,thought the gearbox dipstick was engine oil )anyway ,the back two tyres are goosed and one of the fronts are pretty worn ,should I go for four all season tyres or stick with regular ( are all season tyres noisier or grip less in normal conditions ( I'm in glasgow so it's pretty cold most of time less than ten in general and bloody cold first thing in winter mornings

 

[grober]

A conservatively treaded all seasons tyre at an adequate speed rating from a good manufacturer will be fine for year round motoring in Northern Britain. Speed rating is moot of course with a national speed limit of 70 mph anyway. They will be slightly noisier depending again on tread pattern and ultimate grip in the dry will be slightly less but may well perform better in the wet and cold conditions. GOODYEAR COMES OUT ON TOP IN THIS SURVEY.
All-season tyres test 2016/2017: top all-weather tyres tested | Auto Express

 

[Mc250Cgi]

Thanks for the help on the tyres.
The front had 245/40/17s on and these are to wide for the 7.5 rims and its never felt right so I've just gone 225/45/17
All round on staggered wheels.
I went for michelin crossclimate so Il see how these go.

 

[whitenemesis]

Surely you need the 245/40s on the presumably wider rears? That was the setup on my 203 staggered wheels.

 

[rf065]

Surely you need the 245/40s on the presumably wider rears? That was the setup on my 203 staggered wheels.

Michelin Crossclimates don't come in 245/40's, but a 225 will fit (and are still a recommended fit) on an 8.5" rim. I've been running 225's all round on staggered wheels for 10 years without any problems.

Russ

 

[whitenemesis]

Not doubting you for one moment but do MB list it as a possible fitment, if not does it require notifying one's insurer as a modification?

 

[rf065]

A 225 tyre is recommended to fit on a rim width of between 7" & 8.5", so nothing wrong with the fitment. How could anyone say otherwise?

Try getting 245/40x17 winter tyres anyway, not much choice in that size, nearly everyone fits 225's all round.

Russ

 

[whitenemesis]

I fitted Kumho winters, very good and 245 rears 225 fronts.

That said MB recommend 225 all round but on 7.5 rims all round.

 

[Mc250Cgi]

I spent a few weeks looking at the tyres and all the size charts say 225 on the 8.5 is ok it's is the minimum which is why I wanted 235 as I couldn't find 245 but then we got into rolling circumference which opened up another few weeks of research.
The handbook does say 225 all round for winter but I don't recall it saying change the wheels.
I was going to go with 235 all round but I wasn't sure if this changed speedo etc so at the end I just went with 225 all round otherwise it would be summer again

 

[telu]

Sorry for jumping in like this but could anyone tell me where I could get wheels and winter tyres for a 2009 w212? The tyres I have on at the moment are 245/45/17 but I haven't got a clue what type alloys i.e. 8J or 8.5J (not sure even where to find this... )