Tire Recommendation - 2000 e320 4Matic Wagon

[jlomon]

Hi Luke,

I'm hoping you can come through with another great tire recommendation. We're going to use the stock 16 inch rims and stick with the stock 215 55 16 size. I run a dedicated snow tire during the winter months, so deep snow traction is not an issue, but it would be nice to have something that can handle a light dusting of snow if you get caught early in the season. I'd like something that is biased towards wet weather performance, as well. Budget is not so much of an issue, as this is the car that hauls my one year old around in every day. Can you recommend something good?

Thanks!

Jonathan

[raybo]

I'm going to beat Luke to it and recommend the Michelin Pilot Exalto A/S. These are great on wet surfaces and in standing water as well.

I have almost 20K on mine (on the Golf), they still look great, and they are the best tires I have ever driven on.

They took a few hundred miles to break in, but after that, they are a blast.

Ray

[jlomon]

Thanks Ray, I appreciate it.

Jonathan

[Luke@tirerack]

While the Pilot Exalto is a good tire I believe that it is overpriced when compared to tires of equivalent ability ...

I really like the Turanza LS from Bridgestone and for a more budget minded tire the Yokohama Avid V4s

[raybo]

I drove on LS-H's for 57K miles on the Golf (195-65-15, 91H), and they were great on wet roads, but they were mediocre in standing water, even when new, and I took a MPG hit. The same size Exalto A/S tires are providing much better handling, and based on lots of driving, they are far superior to the LS-H - not even close.

Ray

[jlomon]

Thanks, Luke. I actually used the Avid H4's on a Honda Civic for a few years, thanks to your recommendation. We were quite happy with the performance. Perhaps the V4 would be good to look into, given my good experience with the H4.

[Bob C.]

Another good choice is the Nokian WR. This is Nokian's all-season, but it is also rated for severe weather (snowflake/mountain symbol). The tire handles surprisingly well in the dry (even at speed), is quite good in the wet, lasts a long time, and of course is also at home in the snow.

I use the WR as my snow tire, where 80%+ of my winter driving is not on snow; but when I need snows, this tire lives up to its rating. Others in snow country use the WR year-round.

Regards,
Bob