Which snow tires are best - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Tabasco · #1 02-12-2003, 08:17 AM

I have a 2002 MB S 500 Sport with AMG factory wheels and Michelin pilot sport tires. The car is terrible in snow and thus I need to buy a set of 4 snow tires.

Which brand and tire type would be the best to buy? Please speak from personal experience.

Thank you

dieseldude · #2 02-12-2003, 09:39 AM

There have been many, many recent posts on winter tires (and many from years prior) - I'd perform a search in the archives and read away!

It was from this wealth of knowledge I went for Nokian WR's for my E420. Much better ride and performance than the stock Conti's that came with the car, AND they have a dedicated snow rating.

Regards,
- Ryan

timreid · #3 02-12-2003, 01:14 PM

Hi Tabasco,
I suggest that you purchase, and I believe MB also recommends an H or V rated snow tire for your car, to maintain an overall good handling car in the dry and snow. And as stated you’ll find various opinions in the forum about which brand to purchase, I'm using the Dunlop SP Winter Sport M2 H rated this year and their a very good tire. Your tire Size may also be a contributing factor of which brand to use, e-mail Luke at tire rack, he'll steer you right.
enjoy your drive, timreid

Pete Geither · #4 02-12-2003, 05:46 PM

I cannot imagine even going down my driveway in the snow with my Pilot Sports. The Arctic Alpins will be a night and day difference.

blackmercedes · #5 02-12-2003, 10:47 PM

I have Pilot Alpins on, and they're very good on dry pavement, pretty good on snow, and so-so on ice. If you mostly drive on bare roads and need snow traction when conditions hit, look at the Pilot Alpins.

However, if you drive on very icy roads, I'd recommend something like the Dunlop (as mentioned above) or the Blizzak line.

I'm ditching my Pilot Alpins next winter for Nokian Hakka 1's studded.

#6 02-13-2003, 03:42 PM

in Russia only two tires are considered THE proper winter tires - Nokian Hakkapelliita (MK2 is bettter but MK 1 is fine too) of Finland and Gislaved Nord Frost 3 (NF2 out of production but good too) that come from Sweden. Brands like Michelin, pirelli,.... etc are more appropriate for mild winters like they have in western europe but when it comes to hardcore winter conditions those two are THE best. Both are studded.

Luke@tirerack · #7 02-18-2003, 08:43 AM

Blizzaks will offer the best winter snow and Ice traction .... I would recommend that you use an "H" rated winter tire ...MB recommends the Winter Sport M2 from Dunlop which is very good but will not beat the Blizzak LM22 for shear snow and ice traction

Steve Gutman · #8 02-18-2003, 05:37 PM

If you can go minus one sizing and get another set of wheels (Watch for brake interference) it will be better all-around. It will save your rims as well. The winter salt will kill any rim. If you can take them off for the winter they will last so much longer. You will have to live with the compromised handling and dry traction.

I have Nokian Hakkapaletta Q. They are a pure snow tire without studs. Great traction in ice, snow and slush. Quiet and stable at speed on dry pavement. They are only rated to 100 mph so I have to take it easy. They also have less dry traction and breaking. I go from a 225/50/16 to 205/70/14. Great in the snow but a much smaller tire. The smaller contact patch digs down into the snow. It is better than floating on top. The smaller tires wear faster as well. You can't run them in the summer as the heat will wear them very fast. It really takes 2 sets of wheels and tires. To change, mount and balance them every year is an added expense as well. These are the compromises I make to drive with confidence summer or winter. I have passed strings of SUVs in the unplowed left lane on four inches of fresh snow at 55 mph. Yeah, its fun. Minimal if any of that sliding feeling coming out of tire ruts or the swapping ends feeling with all season radials.

Even my summer tires are all seasons rated for mud+snow but there is no way to use them in the snow. No way. I feel that one must really accept the compromises for winter to have the best traction in the summer and that some people think they can have both.

All-season radials are nothing next to snow tires, in the snow. Even the WRs are a compromise. My friend has them on his CLK430 and they are pretty good in the snow but not as good in the summer. I know they save him in the winter but he doesn't like them in the summer. He drives very fast and scares the crap out of me often. I was at a driving event and there was another guy with a 300SDL and he very much disliked the WRs. He was doing these big smokey burnouts, admittedly trying to wear them out. He actually ran quite good times but he was one of the instructors.

#9 02-18-2003, 08:58 PM

I'm now running Nokia HakkaQs on my 123. Overall, they're a much better snow tire than the Blizzaks that I formerly ran. The Blizzaks are good, but wear VERY fast and are not great on dry pavement. I think the Hakkas are better than the Mich Arctic Alpins, but I had those on a different car, so the comparison is not good.

On my 190D, I put new Nokian NRWs all season, and so far this winter (almost over!) they've been excellent in snow and all other conditions. They seem to be better in slush and salted snow than the HakkaQs. Of course this is on a more nimble car than my 123, so the comparison is not exact, either.

If I had a car like your 500, I'd certainly consider the Nokian NRWs for all-year use. I haven't found a down-side to them yet, though they are a brand-new tire on the market. So far, I think they're a hell of a tire--the best I've ever used! Mind you, this is after only about 4k miles on the NRWs, so the experience is limited.

Steve Gutman · #10 02-19-2003, 10:50 AM

Dweller, I have a st of summer wheels and tires so I would only use the NRWs in the winter. When I wear out the Hakka Q's I will consider it. I only need the snows about 20 days a year.

I think they will last 7-8 years because I only put 4000 miles a season on them. They are supposed to last 30,000 miles and it looks about right but I only have 2 seasons on them.

Bob C. · #11 02-20-2003, 03:40 PM

Steve,

This winter, I installed Nokian WRs on my winter wheels (205/60-15). As my winter driving is still 90%+ in the dry, at highway speed, I opted for a tire that provides good snow grip, but also is acceptable in the dry. I recognize, as mentioned above, that the WRs are a compromise in this regard, but their performance has been a pleasant surprise. Unfortunately, Tire Rack doesn't carry (yet) the Nokians, so I purchased them (by mail) from George at Meadow Creek Tire in Denver (1-800-222-7360).

If your winter driving needs are similar to mine, the WRs may be just the ticket. In the spring I switch back to an M+S tire on the stock wheels. (These tires I always purchase from Tire Rack.)

Tabasco · #12 02-21-2003, 08:51 PM

Does anyone know if I can purchase the Nokians for the 18 inch AMG sport rims I have on my S 500. If so anyone know of a good place that carry's them since tire rack does not carry them yet?

blackmercedes · #13 02-21-2003, 09:57 PM

IMHO, you should not put 18" snow tires on. The wide section width compromises your snow tire's ability. You'll need to purchase another set of wheels (I think there are 16" fits for the W140 and W220?) and mount the snows on those.

When we had the C36, we put a -1 fit on for winter, and it worked very well.

To find a Nokian dealer, go to www.nokiantyres.com and click on North America.

Tabasco · #14 02-22-2003, 08:28 AM

Thanks BlackMercedes for the site. It seems that the largest size made is only for 16 inch rims. :-(

Tabasco · #15 02-23-2003, 09:09 AM

It looks like the only choice I have with the 18 inch rims are the dunlap tires ;-(