Winter wheel ideas

[gr1nch]

Hello folks,

I'm keen to get winter tyres onto my car soon to prepare for winter as the surface into my home over road and drive is steep in places and a neighbor tells me gets very slippery over the winter. I have been toying with going the whole hog for a number of reasons and getting winter wheels: meaning another set of rims and winter tyres. Currently I've got stock 20" AMG wheels and (summer) P Zeros. Some of the rims have kerb damage (exiting bl*@#y city carparks!) and it would be handy to get them seen too as well, once I've got the winter wheels on.

Today my local dealer (MB Grimsby) quoted me 3 options between £2.6-£3.7k per set. Initially they wanted £1.7k just for winter tyres!

* Although I'm tempted for cost reasons with getting used wheels/rims as these would be the second set for winter - have you experience buying new wheels (rims, tyres and pressure sensors) direct from Germany, which look better value? e.g.
Snow wheels | 1 set 19 inch | S-Class W222 | genuine Mercedes-Benz | with pressure sensors | runflat

* The parts guy at MB Grimsby said that they don't advise fitting rims more than 1" less than factory fitted, as there can be problems with the brake calipers rubbing. So smallest I should get is 19". Is that sound advice? (when cleaning my wheels, I noticed there is not much of a gap between the calipers and rims already).

* apart from obvious cost savings are there any benefits to not doing that, but keeping the same rims on all year around and just swapping the tyres? (Incidentally, that's the Belgian way)

I'd be grateful for any tips and advice.

 

[fabes]

I've been told standard wisdom is no less (or more) than one inch change and that's on more modest 18s

I looked at wheels when I got my half price winters direct from Hankook but as I store them in the rafters in my garage, lifting even 18s up was beyond what I fancied

Consider where you'll be storing them.

Also, what tyre options do you have between 19 and 20s. I am guessing there won't be many....?

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Generally smaller, narrower tyres (and therefore wheels) work better in snow, as long as the wheels fit. Unless you can pick up the right wheels second hand, why not just replace the tyres on your existing wheels.

In fact, I won't bother with a separate set of wheels in future as a reasonably local tyre fitter has a tyre hotel, whereby they store your not-in-use tyres until you change them for the next season. No more piles of wheels/tyres in the garage, and no more getting them fitted on the drive as they're a pain to transport to the tyre fitter.

Ask around to find out if your local fitters do the same thing, even if you have to travel a little, like I do, the convenience may be worth the inconvenience (if that makes sense).

 

[Alex225]

I wouldn’t go for a set of OEM wheels for winter purposes. Have a look around at similarly styled alloys and whack Merc badges on them. Most people wouldn’t be able to tell and they’ll save you a packet.

I picked up a set of 18” wheels and reasonable tyres for £750 for my E320. I’m sure you’d get an alloy and winter tyre package for a bit more than that.

I wouldn’t use a dealer for rims unless I was replacing one of my CLS rims but for a spare set, I’d go aftermarket.

 

[fifermerc]

In fact, I won't bother with a separate set of wheels in future as a reasonably local tyre fitter has a tyre hotel, whereby they store your not-in-use tyres until you change them for the next season. No more piles of wheels/tyres in the garage, and no more getting them fitted on the drive as they're a pain to transport to the tyre fitter.

While it is true that storing tyres/wheels will take up a fair bit of room, it's also worth bearing in mind that if you fit winter tyres to your existing rims, you will have to pay each spring and autumn to get the tyres swapped over. We did this with one of our cars and found that you can pay anywhere from £40 to £70 for this, so you can easily be looking at over £100 a year. I also found that some tyre places were not exactly keen on tis kind of business if they were busy. Better in my view to get another set of rims, then you can swap the wheels at your convenience.

 

[whitenemesis]

Personally I would go with the recommendation from the handbook/MB and buy a second set of rims, maybe second hand if available. Check out the German sites as its second nature for them and a huge market in winter wheels.

 

[th3h1ghlander]

I went for Michelin Cross Climate tyres and I don't have space to store another set of rims; the performance and test reviews rate them highly for all weather including ice and snow however I don't think there is any substitute on snow and ice for a good winter tyre.


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[CaptainChaos]

The official size will be on the car tyre label or in the handbook. It will be labelled as M+S.
Use this then you have no issues with insurance or warranty.

Once you have the size, decide whether you want manufacturer, aftermarket or used wheels.

I bought my winter wheels from Kunzmann (as listed above). I bought the tyre valves from my MB dealer and my tyres from my local tyre guy who fitted them. This worked out the best for me as I wanted a specific tyre which wasn’t one of the MO labelled sets from Kunzmann.

I don’t like the idea of taking the tyres off each year. It’s not good for them, you have more potential to damage the rims, and storing four tyres is the same as four wheels and tyres. I’m happier with a summer set and a winter set. However I do agree the post above the new generation all season tyres such as CrossClimate are probably the best solution for the majority of motorists in this country. They might not do 20” monsters just yet though!

 

[gr1nch]

Thanks for all the replies. It's really interesting to hear the different perspectives and experience.
Partly due to budget to find good ET38 rims that match, I've decided to go with winter tyres on the same rims for now.

If the need or fancy arises, I may get a good 2nd hand, different set of 20" wheels in future cold seasons (I hope to keep the car for many years) as I agree that storing wheels is just as easy as storing tyres and not keeping swapping them over is ideal. Thanks all.

 

[grimree]

Sorry, but I don't see the need for winter tyres. We have had cars for 100+ years and for most of that time they've had inflateable tyres, which were used at any time in the year - suddenly we have to have winter tyres? Perhaps tyre manufacturers have made their products last too long, which affects profits? Also we are (mostly) in the UK, we don't have sub zero temperatures very often, and normally when we do, we tend not to drive -or why not try the method I was taught - if the road conditions warrant it, slow down and leave a greater stopping distance? (wait for the screams!)

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Sorry, but I don't see the need for winter tyres. We have had cars for 100+ years and for most of that time they've had inflateable tyres, which were used at any time in the year - suddenly we have to have winter tyres? Perhaps tyre manufacturers have made their products last too long, which affects profits? Also we are (mostly) in the UK, we don't have sub zero temperatures very often, and normally when we do, we tend not to drive -or why not try the method I was taught - if the road conditions warrant it, slow down and leave a greater stopping distance? (wait for the screams!)

The human race also survived for many years without medicines, but I don't fancy go back.

 

[Manic]

I went for Michelin Cross Climate tyres and I don't have space to store another set of rims; the performance and test reviews rate them highly for all weather including ice and snow however I don't think there is any substitute on snow and ice for a good winter tyre.

I had a set of Cross Climates on my BMW 5 series for exactly the same reasons (lack of space and not wanting to pay out for new fitting every time I swapped back to summer tyres). Must confess I found they to be excellent in snow, ice and water. Certainly something I’ll fit to the Mercedes when the time comes.

 

[whitenemesis]

Sorry, but I don't see the need for winter tyres. We have had cars for 100+ years and for most of that time they've had inflateable tyres, which were used at any time in the year - suddenly we have to have winter tyres? Perhaps tyre manufacturers have made their products last too long, which affects profits? Also we are (mostly) in the UK, we don't have sub zero temperatures very often, and normally when we do, we tend not to drive -or why not try the method I was taught - if the road conditions warrant it, slow down and leave a greater stopping distance? (wait for the screams!)

Tyres have become much more specialised, that's why the need now for winter tyres. Nothing to do with profits as when on winter tyres you're not wearing out your summer set. Both last longer.
Problem with UK weather is how quickly it changes. Snow today clear tomorrow etc. All season tyres are a better bet. Unless one drives at 10/10th all the time.

 

[rf065]

Sorry, but I don't see the need for winter tyres. We have had cars for 100+ years and for most of that time they've had inflateable tyres, which were used at any time in the year - suddenly we have to have winter tyres? Perhaps tyre manufacturers have made their products last too long, which affects profits? Also we are (mostly) in the UK, we don't have sub zero temperatures very often, and normally when we do, we tend not to drive -or why not try the method I was taught - if the road conditions warrant it, slow down and leave a greater stopping distance? (wait for the screams!)

I cannot believe anyone is taking this post seriously and lending it credibility by even answering it. Could only have been written by someone who doesn't know what he's talking about!

Russ

 

[Stegel]

I bought a set of unmarked 20" MB wheels for our GL with Pirelli winter tyres with 6mm tread (and the wheels came with MB TPMS sensors fitted) from a German eBay seller called RS_Elshani for the same price a set of tyres would cost here. They arrived in 3 days - he lists several MB sets for 222s.

 

[grimree]

I cannot believe anyone is taking this post seriously and lending it credibility by even answering it. Could only have been written by someone who doesn't know what he's talking about!

Russ

See what I mean about the screams?

 

[anglaslt]

gr1nch,

Where I am abroad I don't have a choice but to use winter tyres. It's mandatory. In the UK it depends on personal circumstance and whether you really need to be mobile when the weather turns wintery. From experience, I would only put winter tyres on a second set of rims. To change them on one set of rims is a pain with the added risk of damaging your rims and the tyre beading.

My suggestion is, as others have said, find out your wheel size options for your car and buy a used set of alloy rims (steel wheels look ugly on a nice car). In winter the tyre choice is more important than wheel size, even if there is an advantage in having smaller/narrower tyres. You have to stick with MB approved sizes and ratings anyway.

The dealer quote for winter tyres is bonkers. My last set of Vredestein 19" cost less than £120 a corner.

Remember too if you go down the M&S route check they are winter rated tyres with a mountain/snowflake symbol. Not all M&S are.

 

[190]

Sorry, but I don't see the need for winter tyres. We have had cars for 100+ years and for most of that time they've had inflateable tyres, which were used at any time in the year - suddenly we have to have winter tyres? Perhaps tyre manufacturers have made their products last too long, which affects profits? Also we are (mostly) in the UK, we don't have sub zero temperatures very often, and normally when we do, we tend not to drive -or why not try the method I was taught - if the road conditions warrant it, slow down and leave a greater stopping distance? (wait for the screams!)

I can see the point being made here without dismissing it out of hand.

While I can see winter tyres are a big improvement in safety and mobility it's also true that I've driven through 47 winters without ever having used them. I've only ever been stuck in snow once and that was back in 73 with a flat tyre. Mostly I've managed with care although there is no question that a big rear wheel drive car with auto transmission and wide tyres is about as hopeless in snow as it gets so no surprise that they are becoming more popular among MB owners. In an ideal world I'd fit them but my mileage in semi retirement is so low that it isn't going to happen. What I will actually do on those rare occasions of deep snow is leave the car at home and walk.

 

[grimree]

The human race also survived for many years without medicines, but I don't fancy go back.

The human race has also survived for many years without nuclear weapons, AIDs and political correctness etc - your point, in relation to winter tyres, is?

 

[bazzabear]

So can anyone recommend a good source for either:

aftermarket alloys

Second hand AMG alloys?