Tyre & wheel options for winter driving UK?

[Dale Stevens]

My A209 2003 CLK240 needs three new tyres, so before swapping them I'm looking for advice on the options I have for winter driving here in the UK.

My current wheels I think are standard Mercedes Saiph?? as follows..

Front Wheels 17 x 7.5j ET36
Tyres 225/45 R17

Rear Wheels 17 x 8.5j ET30
Tyres 245/40 R17

Option 1- I was going to swap all the tyres for Michellin Cross Climate All Seasons and run them all the time, but they don't make them in 245/40 size. So are there any other good brands available as a straight swap?

Option 2 - Buy a spare set of wheels and fit winter tyres, and swap them over twice a year. But what wheel size options are available for my car? I've read that 16" wheels will fit and will give me more tyre options? Anyone able to say which other 'J' and 'ET' sizes will fit my car please?

 

[Blobcat]

I’d go option 2 and check what wheels / tyres you can get from mytyres website

 

[AnthonyUK]

Have a look at the first post in this forum

Do these wheels/tyres fit? Read this post first!

The link below is to a chart of all the wheel and tyre combinations as fitted by Mercedes-Benz, AMG, Brabus and Carlsson. http://www.alloywheelsdirect.net/information/fitting_chart/mercedes-benz When trying to establish if a particular tyre size is suitable, or if a certain rim...

forums.mercedesclub.org.uk

 

[Chrishazle]

I've also looked for 17" 245/40 all season tyres for both my cars without success! I put 16" winter tyres/rims on my first MB, the S203 C270, and it transformed driving ability in snow compared to brand new Falken "ordinary" tyres, so when I swopped the 203 for the S204 (which the 203 wheels would not fit) I bought a winter set for the 204, fitted them once but ended up selling them as advancing age made swopping wheels too much hassle, have not bothered since (although I do have 225/45 cross Climates on the front) - but then I'm a softie southerner!!

If you're in an area where "snow" tyres would be advantageous, I'd advocate (as long as you have storage available and the ability to swop wheels twice a year) getting a set of winter wheels and tyres, 16's if they fit or 17's if not. Sort out the exact spec you need then look on Ebay - I paid £250 for the set of 17's I bought for the 204. Beware bolt size - the 203 takes 12mm, the 204 14mm, which is why I had to sell the 203 set and buy again for the 204. Winter tyres are not just a benefit in snow, they improve grip and feel in the wet weather we get in autumn/spring.

 

[Dale Stevens]

Thanks Chrishazle

What confuses me is ensuring I get the correct size 16" wheels. My 17" wheels I believe are 7.5j ET36 on the front and 8.5j ET30 on the rear. If I went for 16" wheels would they also need to be 7.5j ET36 & 8.5j ET30?

 

[JBell]

Thanks Chrishazle

What confuses me is ensuring I get the correct size 16" wheels. My 17" wheels I believe are 7.5j ET36 on the front and 8.5j ET30 on the rear. If I went for 16" wheels would they also need to be 7.5j ET36 & 8.5j ET30?

They would be

7Jx16 ET37 fitted with 205/55R16 91V
8Jx16 ET32 fitted with 225/50R16 92V

On winters put the 7Jx16 ET37 fitted with 205/55R16 91V all round

 

[Dale Stevens]

They would be

7Jx16 ET37 fitted with 205/55R16 91V
8Jx16 ET32 fitted with 225/50R16 92V

On winters put the 7Jx16 ET37 fitted with 205/55R16 91V all round

That's brill, thanks for that. Now to search for some wheels..

 

[brandwooddixon]

All good advice.
Your manual will also list the recommended sizes.
To keep costs down go for the same wheel and tyre size all round.
By selecting sizes dictated within your user manual you shouldn't have issues with insurance as the car will have been given type approval with them.

I've found alloy wheels direct as a good source of wheels and tyres.

 

[rayhennig]

Haha. My preference would be for wheel/tyre combinations, for the UK and all similar 3rd world nations, the minimum wheel diameter and the maximum type depth.

E.g.: 285/30 = misery. 185/70 = good news.

Same goes for the Dordogne. I nearly bought a set of 17" AMGs for mine - wish I had as they'd probably be worth 4x the asking price now. But, as in the UK, we have 3rd world roads.

Good hunting.

R

 

[JBell]

My A209 2003 CLK240 needs three new tyres, so before swapping them I'm looking for advice on the options I have for winter driving here in the UK.

My current wheels I think are standard Mercedes Saiph?? as follows..

Front Wheels 17 x 7.5j ET36
Tyres 225/45 R17

Rear Wheels 17 x 8.5j ET30
Tyres 245/40 R17

I would replace all 4 tyres at ones, at least you will have a matched set

 

[Wighty]

I have the same staggered summer wheel sizes as you . In winter on the CLK I fit steel wheels with 225/55/16’s . Originally bought from Tyremen I believe (it was 10 years ago )
On the E class I have a spare set of eBay MB alloy wheels in 16’s with winters on , I originally paid £200 for the set of wheels .

 

[Noddy 99]

In 38 years of driving, I've never once fitted winter tyres, nor regretted not fitting them. I've got a pair of snow socks and spare mats in the boot and that's it.

Mind you, I live in Telford, not especially known for its severe climate or vertiginous slopes...

 

[Blobcat]

In 38 years of driving, I've never once fitted winter tyres, nor regretted not fitting them. I've got a pair of snow socks and spare mats in the boot and that's it.

Mind you, I live in Telford, not especially known for its severe climate or vertiginous slopes...

I’d recommend you try them… even driving gods can improve with better equipment…

I‘d also be wary of actually using your snow socks, I’ve known more than one user rip their brakes lines off when using them…

 

[Wighty]

I’ve been using winters for the last 10 years on both cars . They are an excellent safety upgrade at the lower temps .
In snow and ice they are an absolute revelation , especially on a rear wheel car .
But each to their own .

 

[Noddy 99]

I’d recommend you try them… even driving gods can improve with better equipment…

The expense! The hassle! The storage requirements!

 

[Blobcat]

The expense! The hassle! The storage requirements!

Expense - Summer tyres not being worn out whilst winters in so they last twice as long. Only additional expense is the steel or alloy wheels - I had a set of steel wheels for my VW for £20… For my SLK I had 4 new alloys with winter tyres for £560, you can spend that just on summer tyres

Hassle - Exercise is good… also good to check your car and the brakes / steering / suspension regularly.

Storage - Everything needs to be somewhere, mine live in a shed on the side of the house

 

[Rotorhead500]

I got a set of Falken AS210 for my previous UnMerc, as the OE fitment was atrocious as soon as temperature dropped below 10 degree C. They're an all-season but did the job well... if you don't live up in t'far north!

I've been well served by Nokian All Seasons too, and they were on a W203 that regularly schlepped up to Durham and surrounding realms. Ended up keeping them on all year round, they were so good.

 

[fabes]

If you or your wife will ever actually need to drive in snow, get a set of winters.
A RWD car is dangerous without them.

Otherwise all seasons are very very good in the colder temps compared to summers.

Bear in mind that one modest bump due to a momentary loss of grip in the cold, the rain, ice let alone snow and the car is written off.....

 

[s5tuart]

I've never personally felt the need for winter tyres but I did put a set of Michelin Cross Climate on my friends VW Up for her.
Winter in Bedfordshire isn't what it used to be

 

[Srdl]

I’ve never felt the need for anything other than summers but I live near the south coast.

Did consider cross climates this winter, when it needed new fronts, in case we drive to Germany next winter to see family, but no one had any for my size so I gave up and put more summers on.