Luke / others -- does anyone have any recommendations for a stud-less winter / snow tire for an E-class ??

Fitment is for a 300CE (E-class coupe) -- mounting on OE W210 16x7.5" wheels. OE size is 215-55-16

My "summer" tires are Toyo T1-S Proxes, which do not grip well in the cold.

Do you recommend "traditional" snows like the Bridgestone Blizzak WS-50, or one with more "performance" characteristics like the Pirelli W210 ??

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Car is in Chicago -- moderate snows, but some icing, and temps can fall. Would like reasonable performance, decent wear and OK dry-weather capabilities (not too noisy/rough).

Thanks in advance for any advice.

from TireRack site

In my sizes (215-55-16) they recommend

BS Blizzak WS-50 ($104/tire)
* Blizzak LM-22 ($123) *
Dunlop Draspic DS-1 ($74)
* Dunlop Winter Sport M2 ($114) *
Goodyear Ultra Grip Ice ($90)
Michelin Arctic Ice Alpin ($98)
* Michelin Pilot Alpin ($125) *
* Pirelli Winter 210 SnowSport ($150) -- probably too $$ *

the ones marked "*" are more sporty -- higher-performance, a little less grip

Blizzak WS-50 seems to be a decent "baseline" tire... some have commented against its less-than-crisp handling

Which one(s) would you recommend for CHICAGO winter use ?
- Was choosing between Blizzak WS50, Draspic DS-1, Michelin Pilot Alpin
- Looking for a decent balance between performance/handling and ultimate grip, and want to get decent mileage and value (max cost ~$125/tire)

For the Chicago area I would suggest that you strongly consider the Arctic Alpin from Michelin

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Chicago-area winter roads are cold, but not really heavy snow / slush

How do these (Michelin Arctic Alpin @ $98/tire) compare to:
- Blizzak WS-50 ($104) -- great ice/snow
- Blizzak LM-22 ($123) -- more performance-oriented
- Dunlop Graspic DS-1 ($74)
- Dunlop Winter Sport M2 ($114) -- sport; recommended by MB ??

Graspic and WS-50 seem like more traditional "snow/ice" tires, while LM-22 and Sport M2 are more "sport winter".

Is Dunlop Winter Sport M2 really the "Benz recommended" tire ??

We get a real mixed bag here. Our highways are often bare and dry, while city streets can be sheer ice or heavy snow.

I opted for the Pilot Alpin, for the good bare road performance, and very good snow/ice performance. I'm pretty impressed with this tire. I've got two seasons on the set, and I'll probably call this coming winter their last.

Next fall, I'll be snow tire shopping, and barring any big changes, I'd opt for the Pilot Alpin again.

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John Shellenberg
1998 C230 "Black Betty" 240K

http://img31.exs.cx/img31/4050/tophat6.gif

1 vote for the Arctic Alpin...run them on my TE with excellent results

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"If God had meant for us to walk, why did he give us feet that fit car pedals?" Sir Sterling Moss

Michael
2014 E63S Estate
2006 SLK55
1995 E500
1986 Porsche 944 turbo

I wouldn't choose the Blizzaks for your MB if I were you, because though they're great on a lighter car, they're soft and will wear out quickly. Plus they're not a devoted snow tire; after half the tread is worn they're just all season. Plus, you should check with your dealer, but there was an advisory a while back that those tires should not be used: at least for my car anyway. I run Nokian NRW's on our '92 300TE 4 Matic wagon in winter here in Connecticut, which has a similar winter, (though less wind), than in Chicago. They are a wonderful 'mixed season' tire, but have the international snow flake designation qualifying them as a snow tire and I have never had a problem with traction despite frequent ski trips to Vermont, (though the 4Matic probably helps too). And for those of you who do a lot of snow driving, I'd suggest the Nokain Hakkapelitta Q's. There is a cult of enthusiasts for this tire because they are so great! You can find out more about them at www.nokiantyres.com

1962 MB 220SEb "Fintail" Sedan (stored in winter)
1963 Vespa VNB4T Motor Scooter (restored in winter)
1992 MB 300TE 4Matic Wagon (Nokians in winter)
1995 Subaru Legacy Wagon AWD (Blizzaks in winter)

Was also considering, in addition to the above:

- Goodyear Ultra Grip Ice
- Dunlop Winter Sport M2

Anyone with experience with these winter tires ?? Ideally with "heavier" RWD Benz class (E-class / S-class).

Thanks -- Manuel

The BEST performance snow tyre is the Nokian WR - "All Weather Plus Tyre" ! This tyre is better than Michelin Arctic and Blizzak (MZ-01, MZ-02, and LM-22).

http://www.nokiantyres.com/nokian_wr_en.html

the comments about the Blizzacks being 1/2 all-season tread compound is incorrect. The original Blizzak was that was but, now they are not. The 4-matic cars do not do well with a tire as flexible as the Blizzak so they are not recommended for and 4-matic models. I still think that the best tire for Chicago winters is the LM-22 which does not have the Multicell compound which is the compound used in the "Q" rated Blizzak models

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just ordered NOKIAN WR tires for my 300CE

Just ordered a set of these in OE W210 215-55-16 sizes from my dealer in Highland Park IL. Cost approx $130/tire.

Note: the WR replaces the popular NRW all-weather plus tire

Its an H-rated tire, and performance seems comparable to the better "sport winter" tires like the Blizzak LM-22. As a bonus, its a 4-season tire, with a 50K mile warranty.

The tread pattern is pretty aggressive, and looks like a siped Bridgestone Potenza SO3. Should be good in cold rain and snow.

Will get more feedback once it turns colder in Chi-town.

I also live in the Chicago area and have an E class. My personal recommendation is the Michelin Pilot Alpin's. I am going on my third winter and they are great in the snow and ice.

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Ray
1998 Mercedes E320, 200K Miles
2001 Acura 3.2TL, 178K Miles
1992 Chevy Astro, 205K Miles

I just bought a set of Nokia Hakka Q's. Haven't had snow yet, but dry they run much better than the Blizzaks. I think they should be excellent in snow. The Blizzaks I had wore out fast--the Hakkas supposedly last much longer.

I think the Hakkas are comparable to the Mich Arctic Alpins, but they were much cheaper from my local dealer (about $100 cheaper for four tires, mounted, balanced, etc.). Lots of people in northern lower Michigan swear by them.

I have 4 on my 300te 4-matic in Chicago western 'burbs. I drive the 500e in the non-snow seasons. The nokians are a bit noisey but you can't beat them in snow and on ice. Unfortunately, the big danger in winter driving here is patchy black ice. Being alert to those conditions and watching the idiots around you for their spin outs is more important than tires by a couple logs. Worst days are those sunny cold days after a snow. Roads are salted and dry but fine snow blowing accross the salt melts and freezes. People cruise along like it's a sunny summer day until they hit a patch of black ice. If some one does that coming at you at 60 miles an hour, the condition of your air bag is way more important than tire tread!

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1992 Black 500e
1991 Black 300te 4m
1992 Black Renntech 620sl
1979 Porsche 911sc targa

Excellent Choice!