Snow Chains for a C200k C Estate

[electricdreams3000]

Hi

Be gentle this is my first post !!

I will be driving my MB to the Alps next month which we have done for the last 2 years but i think this year i might need to use the snow chains that i purchased a while back.

This morning i've read the MB manual and it states you can only put snow chains on the rear wheels and that the tyres i have for the rear wheels shouldn't have snow chains fitted to them ??

Is this true :?:

 

[electricdreams3000]

Can anyone advice or do we just ignore new users ??

 

[Trophy1200]

Can't offer advice I'm afraid, but no we don't ignore new users, you may have to wait a short while longer until a more knowledgeable member arrives. It is the Christmas holidays you know.

 

[electricdreams3000]

Thanks for replying to a newbie.

It was my first post so i thought at very least 'as its Christmas' a welcome post from some of you...

Any advice when someone can help would be much appreciated ...

 

[Rory]

What size wheels and tyres have you got? Are they very low profile tyres - I'm wondering why you can't use chains?

Also, will you be fitting winter tyres?

 

[electricdreams3000]

front are 225/45 r17 91w and the back are 245/40 r 17 91 w.

The manual states you must put snow chains on the rear wheels(of course being a MB) but they are not permitted on that tyre. They are however allowed on the 225/45 tyre.

The above tyres came with it when i purchased the car new 3 years ago

 

[moosehead]

I've got exactly the same tyre / wheel set up on my C230 and there is not enough clearance on the rears with 245/40x17s. Even with 225/45x17s you need to make sure you have a 7.5J wheel on the back. Mine (and I suspect yours) is 8.5J on the back and 7.5J on the rear. The only solution is buy another set of wheels (16" preferably) and snow tyres. If conditions are such that the snow tyres are struggling you will have enough clearance to fit chains on the rear wheels (not required on the front).

 

[electricdreams3000]

I've got exactly the same tyre / wheel set up on my C230 and there is not enough clearance on the rears with 245/40x17s. Even with 225/45x17s you need to make sure you have a 7.5J wheel on the back. Mine (and I suspect yours) is 8.5J on the back and 7.5J on the rear. The only solution is buy another set of wheels (16" preferably) and snow tyres. If conditions are such that the snow tyres are struggling you will have enough clearance to fit chains on the rear wheels (not required on the front).

Thanks moosehead.

The local dealer has suggested i put 225/45 on both front and rear but i dont think that they know that much or just dont care as the wheel size are different to the front and back as you have stated so it wouldnt work. MB have said its down to the dealer to sort as they should have informed you when you purchased the car with the added sports kit that snow chains wouldnt work on that tyre.

I just dont know what to do for the best.I have been told by another garage that i should just change the tyres to winter one instead .... any ideas on that guys ??

 

[moosehead]

225/45's on the rear are OK but you will need to buy 2 x 7.5J wheels (same as the fronts) otherwise you will still have clearance issues. If you put 245/40's winter tyres on the existing rear wheels you will cope with 90% of conditions but if the snow is bad and combined with ice you will need chains. If you can't fit chains then you will be stuck and could possibly be committing an offence as it is obligatory in most alpine countries to have chains.

Why not buy a cheap pair of 16" rims and fit 205 profile winter tyres. Not sure whether these should be 205/55's or 205/60's (the manual does tell you exactly what you need - at least mine does). That way you know you can fit chains to the rear wheels if conditions are bad. Narrow wheels and tyres are much better in snow and ice. Try and get a winter tyre with a high speed rating. That way you can safley cruise down the autoroutes at 130KMPH

 

[electricdreams3000]

225/45's on the rear are OK but you will need to buy 2 x 7.5J wheels (same as the fronts) otherwise you will still have clearance issues. If you put 245/40's winter tyres on the existing rear wheels you will cope with 90% of conditions but if the snow is bad and combined with ice you will need chains. If you can't fit chains then you will be stuck and could possibly be committing an offence as it is obligatory in most alpine countries to have chains.

Why not buy a cheap pair of 16" rims and fit 205 profile winter tyres. Not sure whether these should be 205/55's or 205/60's (the manual does tell you exactly what you need - at least mine does). That way you know you can fit chains to the rear wheels if conditions are bad. Narrow wheels and tyres are much better in snow and ice. Try and get a winter tyre with a high speed rating. That way you can safley cruise down the autoroutes at 130KMPH

Thanks for your help, i will check this out..Happy New Year to you !

 

[electricdreams3000]

In the end i purchased some and never used them on the Ski holiday (Jan 08) ..lol