I wanted to ask this in this section because it has to do more with the handling and dynamics.
I had the bridgestone blizzaks ws-50 installed yesterday because of the snow in NJ, but the dry road handling is just terrible. the car drives like a boat.
I have read good things about the nokian wr on this forum as well.
my question is, should i return the blizzaks and get the nokians ?
can anyone comment on that based on experience ?
thnx.

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Whether you think you can or cannot, Either way you're right!. by Henry Ford.

I have not owned either but I do know people swear by the blizzaks for SNOW ONLY

I don't know if you ever used REAL snow tires before, but a snow tire is not built to handle like a summer tire. The rubber compound is much softer and subject to much more bending and flexing than a summer or 4-season tire.
Blizzacs are a very good snow tire , but like any other snow tire, they will ruin your handling on solid asphalt.
I personally use Michelin Arctic Alpine with extremely good results in snow, but I take it slower on bare asphalt.

Dunlop Winter Sport M3.
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Dunlop&tireModel=Winter+Sport+M3

Not the ultimate in snow, but certainly great, and also great in dry and wet. I have and love the M2's on my '92 300TE as the M3's were not yet avaialble in this country at the time.

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David
1986 300E Anthracite + ECodes + MB Mileage Award

I personnaly use Michelin Artic Alpins and I have no complaints

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Tony

1993 300SL
2005 SLK350
1999 SLK230 (SOLD)

might want to post also in the Wheels and Tires section :

i have two friends who have switched to the Nokians as winter tire and they love it and swear by it

they live out in Rochester, NY (way way upstate NY) so they know all about snow

...my $0.02

I have owned both blizzarks ws-50 and nokian NRW (precursor to WR).
My choice is the nokians any day. They are relatively quiet in dry conditions and excellent in snow and ice. While the blizzarks are good in snow and ice they are horrible in dry conditions period. 61K miles on 91 300D and 72K miles on a subaru Legacy. I still have a set of MB wheels w/ NRW's w/ 4100K on them that I'll be parting with.

Overall.... the nokians are the way to go.... my $0.02.

Thanks.

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DeeBee

(Oo{=|=}oO)
82 MB 300D
84 MB 240D

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90 MB 200E

70 MB 280S (soon to get a 617)

We have a set of Nokian NRW's on the E320, and haven't had the chance to try them in snow / ice yet but they are fine on dry pavement and in the wet. We used to have a Volvo 760 Turbo wagon (rear drive) with Nokian Hakkapelita's, that went great in winter, so expect the same with the E320. Also have a set of Nokian WR's (255x65x16) for our Range Rover, not that it needs snow tires but they came with it, so defintely a Nokian fan.

I think of the tires the same way I think of the cars:
Bridgestone Blizzak--American
Kuhmo--Asian
Nokian--European

Which do you think performs the best?

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2002 Mercedes-Benz E320 4Matic
1995 Mercedes-Benz E320 Wagon
2005 Land Rover LR3 V8 SE
1999 Audi A8 4.2L quattro

I just put on 4 Blizzak WS-50 tires....they are better in the rain than my Toyo Proxy summer wheels....not at all horrible handling...off to find out thursday AM how they are in the snow when I cross the mountains.

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Proud owner of ....
1971 280SE W108
1979 300SD W116
1983 300D W123
1975 Ironhead Sportster chopper
1987 GMC 3/4 ton 4X4 Diesel
1989 Honda Civic (Heavily modified)
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Section 609 MVAC Certified
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"He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you." - Friedrich Nietzsche

You have to read the FINE print people.
As per Tire Rack

WS - 50 = Studless Ice & Snow.
LM 22/LM 25 = Performance Winter.
Revo 1 = Studless Ice & Snow.

The WS - 50 is meant for DEEP snow.

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2007 C 230 Sport.

An update on my latest choice for winter tires...selected Nokian WRs for my Suby and studded Nokian Hakka 2s for my wife's Merc.

The WRs replaced Michelin Arctic Alpines which were used year-round and lasted remarkably well - three seasons. Got a lot of tire noise and uneven wear with them, but Michelin is a good tire. That said, I really like the Nokian WRs. They perform better than the Michelins did, are much quieter, and the rubber is the silicone variety that stays soft in cold temps. Have to say I like the Nokian WR and doubt I would ever go back to Michelin. Cheaper too.

The studded Hakka 2s for the Merc are killer tires. I cannot imagine using another winter tire on a rear-driver. Now there are no excuses for not getting up our steep driveway, hell, I think the wife could drive up a vertical wall with these tires...those crafty Finns make good stuff, know something about winters, they do.

I have used Blizzaks but won't be buying them anymore...too many compromises for possibly slightly better ice performance. And they won't last long if temps rise above freezing.

FYI,

230/8