[MBZ] winter tires
Dan's recent query has me thinking about winter tires (specifically for my XC90 as I try to keep my old MBs out of the salt). Discount Tire showing these in the "best" rating category for snow tires, with the Bridgestone and Michelin similarly priced and the Nokian substantially more. Bridgestone Blizzak DMV2 vs. Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3 SUV vs. Michelin Latitude X-Ice Xi2 Any first-hand experiences? Allan ___ http://www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
[MBZ] Winter Tires and Wheels Update
I found a set of winter tires Dunlop SP Winter Sport M3 on 4 BMW wheels. I got them for only $300 (plus shipping). I priced these on various websites with the same tires and aftermarket wheels and got prices for the package of $1100 up to $1800. Woo Hoo! Now, that I am going to be all prepared for the snow, Kansas will have the driest winter in recorded history. The new wheels are 17 inch instead of 16 inch, but I checked the tire calculator and it says its only .26% percent difference. Donald H. Snook ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] Winter tires/wheels
Common wisdom says to use four winter tires, never two. Max -Original Message- From: mercedes-boun...@okiebenz.com [mailto:mercedes-boun...@okiebenz.com] On Behalf Of Curt Raymond Sent: Wednesday, October 14, 2009 9:30 PM To: Diesel List Subject: Re: [MBZ] Winter tires/wheels I'm with Dave on that, in fact my 240D is due for 2 new tires since I didn't get an alignment done after changing UCAs last fall (stupid) and I'm torn as to keeping the rears and getting a generic set of snows for the front or replacing all 4. If I replace all 4 I'll go back to 185/whatever/14 that I had before, right now its got 195/whatever/14 except for the spare which is a 205/whatever/14... I let a slick tire salesman talk me into wider tires on my Dakota once, NEVER AGAIN. With its v8 that thing was tricky in snow anyway, with the wider tires it was a disaster in 2wd and only acceptable in 4wd. -Curt Date: Wed, 14 Oct 2009 16:39:08 -0400 From: David Kristin Gilmore dandkgilm...@frontier.com Subject: Re: [MBZ] Winter tires/wheels To: Mercedes Discussion List mercedes@okiebenz.com Message-ID: 20091014203918.eb64210f...@relay02.roch.ny.frontiernet.net Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; format=flowed At 11:07 AM 10/14/2009, Donald H. Snook wrote: I found some snow tires mounted on BMW wheels for my car. I currently have 235/60/16 performance tires on my car. I found a set of nearly new Dunlop winter tires mounted. They are 235/55/17. According to an online tire diameter calculator I found that represents a difference of only .26% in diameter. So, I think it will be okay to use these. (snip) In my experience the tire with the wider footprint (here the 235/55/17) is going to be less suitable for winter. Maybe the different tread compound in the winter tire helps offset the effect, but I notice narrow tires tend to dig in and bite while the fat ones float on the surface and spin. I would go for as narrow a winter tire as BMW recommends. Easier to put chains on too. Dave Gilmore, Cameron WV Superstitious belief can be thought of as a natural condition of childhood. -- next part -- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://okiebenz.com/pipermail/mercedes_okiebenz.com/attachments/20091014/628f93ba/attachment.html ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] Winter tires/wheels
Dillon, Meade M CIV SPAWARSYSCEN-ATLANTIC, 53310 wrote: Common wisdom says to use four winter tires, never two. Two rears don't work as well as four, but they aren't 'unsafe at any speed', like two fronts would be. Growing up, all the family RWD vehicles had two snow tires on them, but never a spectacular loss of control. I went one winter with two fronts on a FWD, spun the car twice. Fortunately, both times were making a turn from a stop sign, so I just spun around in the middle of an empty intersection, ended up pointing the wrong way and looked like an idiot. Next winter those tires went to the back and I bought two new ones for the front. Mitch. ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] Winter tires/wheels
Ahh, forgot to mention the tires on it now are winter tires... -Curt Date: Thu, 15 Oct 2009 07:10:59 -0400 From: Dillon, Meade M CIV SPAWARSYSCEN-ATLANTIC, 53310 meade.m.dil...@navy.mil Subject: Re: [MBZ] Winter tires/wheels To: Mercedes Discussion List mercedes@okiebenz.com Message-ID: 1370e90cffd2ac4b8cb65267ba10c4b801193...@naeachrlez02v.nadsusea.nads.navy.mil Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1 Common wisdom says to use four winter tires, never two. Max -Original Message- From: mercedes-boun...@okiebenz.com [mailto:mercedes-boun...@okiebenz.com] On Behalf Of Curt Raymond Sent: Wednesday, October 14, 2009 9:30 PM To: Diesel List Subject: Re: [MBZ] Winter tires/wheels I'm with Dave on that, in fact my 240D is due for 2 new tires since I didn't get an alignment done after changing UCAs last fall (stupid) and I'm torn as to keeping the rears and getting a generic set of snows for the front or replacing all 4. If I replace all 4 I'll go back to 185/whatever/14 that I had before, right now its got 195/whatever/14 except for the spare which is a 205/whatever/14... I let a slick tire salesman talk me into wider tires on my Dakota once, NEVER AGAIN. With its v8 that thing was tricky in snow anyway, with the wider tires it was a disaster in 2wd and only acceptable in 4wd. -Curt -- next part -- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://okiebenz.com/pipermail/mercedes_okiebenz.com/attachments/20091015/12a61d2e/attachment.html ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] Winter tires/wheels
Dave wrote: In my experience the tire with the wider footprint (here the 235/55/17) is going to be less suitable for winter.? Maybe the different tread compound in the winter tire helps offset the effect, but I notice narrow tires tend to dig in and bite while the fat ones float on the surface and spin.? I would go for as narrow a winter tire as BMW recommends.? Easier to put chains on too. Curt wrote: I let a slick tire salesman talk me into wider tires on my Dakota once, NEVER AGAIN. With its v8 that thing was tricky in snow anyway, with the wider tires it was a disaster in 2wd and only acceptable in 4wd. My Response: I agree (in general) that narrow tires cut through the snow better. But, the tires I am looking are only slightly wider AND the fact that they are ice/winter tires more than makes up for the wider footprint. I had snow tires on my 300D and it drove great. Then, when I had my 126, I could barely get around in the snow with the summer performance tires. Replacing just the rear with ice/winter tires make it MUCH MORE driveable. If I get these tires/wheels, I will actually have all four ice/winter tires and I think it will work great. My car does also has traction control, so I bet it will do fine with snows on it. Plus, this is Kansas. We only get a few snow storms, its not like its Michigan. Donald H. Snook -- next part -- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://okiebenz.com/pipermail/mercedes_okiebenz.com/attachments/20091015/c5016621/attachment.html ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] Winter tires/wheels
Kaleb wrote: I have shipped many a set of wheels and tires. You just slap a label on them and send them fedex. No big deal. You put the label right on the tire? How do you protect the face of the wheel from getting scratched? I did just find out that I can use my brother's discount (he works for Fed Ex), and it will be a lot cheaper to ship these than I thought. Donald H. Snook -- next part -- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://okiebenz.com/pipermail/mercedes_okiebenz.com/attachments/20091015/05d9cb7d/attachment.html ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] Winter tires/wheels
Dave wrote: I would go for as narrow a winter tire as BMW recommends. Easier to put chains on too. Craig noted: Good points. Actually, BMW does not recommend chains on these cars because it affects the traction control. Plus, we don't get enough snow to use chains. I would put them on drive to work and then have to take them off before I went home because the snow had melted. I would have to take them on and off all the time. I did use chains once on my 1971 250. There was a set of chains in the trunk from the previous owner. I was completely stuck at my house. It was a nasty mix of snow and ice. I put the chains on and the car climbed right out. Worked great. But, that was 12 years ago and I have never needed them since (or even had any chains to try). Donald H. Snook -- next part -- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://okiebenz.com/pipermail/mercedes_okiebenz.com/attachments/20091015/732d3058/attachment.html ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] Winter tires/wheels
My Dad always told me that a Model 'T' was the best in snow. Skinny Tires A bunch of ground clearance Easy to 'rock' with planetary transmission. Me? My old Beatles with studded recap snow were pretty good, in a straight line. -- Peter Arnold Windsor, CT - Original Message - From: Donald Snook dsn...@mtsqh.com To: Mercedes@okiebenz.com Sent: Thursday, October 15, 2009 9:56:57 AM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: Re: [MBZ] Winter tires/wheels Dave wrote: In my experience the tire with the wider footprint (here the 235/55/17) is going to be less suitable for winter.? Maybe the different tread compound in the winter tire helps offset the effect, but I notice narrow tires tend to dig in and bite while the fat ones float on the surface and spin.? I would go for as narrow a winter tire as BMW recommends.? Easier to put chains on too. Curt wrote: I let a slick tire salesman talk me into wider tires on my Dakota once, NEVER AGAIN. With its v8 that thing was tricky in snow anyway, with the wider tires it was a disaster in 2wd and only acceptable in 4wd. My Response: I agree (in general) that narrow tires cut through the snow better. But, the tires I am looking are only slightly wider AND the fact that they are ice/winter tires more than makes up for the wider footprint. I had snow tires on my 300D and it drove great. Then, when I had my 126, I could barely get around in the snow with the summer performance tires. Replacing just the rear with ice/winter tires make it MUCH MORE driveable. If I get these tires/wheels, I will actually have all four ice/winter tires and I think it will work great. My car does also has traction control, so I bet it will do fine with snows on it. Plus, this is Kansas. We only get a few snow storms, its not like its Michigan. Donald H. Snook -- next part -- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://okiebenz.com/pipermail/mercedes_okiebenz.com/attachments/20091015/c5016621/attachment.html ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com -- next part -- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://okiebenz.com/pipermail/mercedes_okiebenz.com/attachments/20091015/8810694c/attachment.html ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] Winter tires/wheels
You just strap a couple of them together like somebody else said, I stick the label on those plastic hanging tag things fedex has. Donald Snook wrote: Kaleb wrote: I have shipped many a set of wheels and tires. You just slap a label on them and send them fedex. No big deal. You put the label right on the tire? How do you protect the face of the wheel from getting scratched? I did just find out that I can use my brother's discount (he works for Fed Ex), and it will be a lot cheaper to ship these than I thought. Donald H. Snook -- next part -- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://okiebenz.com/pipermail/mercedes_okiebenz.com/attachments/20091015/05d9cb7d/attachment.html ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com Internal Virus Database is out of date. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.5.409 / Virus Database: 270.13.113/2400 - Release Date: 09/28/09 05:51:00 -- Kaleb C. Striplin/Claremore, OK 95 E300, 92 500SEL, 92 300SD, 92 300E 4Matic, 91 300D, 91 300E, 89 560SEL, 87 300SDL x2, 85 380SE 5.0 Euro, 85 190D, 84 190D, 84 300D euro manny, 81 240D, 80 240D, 76 240D, 76 300D, http://www.okiebenz.com -- next part -- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://okiebenz.com/pipermail/mercedes_okiebenz.com/attachments/20091015/e9eb6152/attachment.html -- next part -- Internal Virus Database is out of date. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.5.409 / Virus Database: 270.13.113/2400 - Release Date: 09/28/09 05:51:00 ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] Winter tires/wheels
Snow Traction really is nothing more the a formula of weight per square inch of road contact area. (narrow tires better) Then the formula gets complicated when you try to figure out the going or driving traction vs the changing of direction (steering) straction. Best car I ever had in snow was my rear wheel drive volvo 244. Perfectly balanced between steering and acceleration traction. Would out perform friends 4 wheel drive Jeep Grand Cherekee. On Thu, Oct 15, 2009 at 9:17 AM, pm7...@comcast.net wrote: My Dad always told me that a Model 'T' was the best in snow. Skinny Tires A bunch of ground clearance Easy to 'rock' with planetary transmission. Me? My old Beatles with studded recap snow were pretty good, in a straight line. -- Peter Arnold Windsor, CT - Original Message - From: Donald Snook dsn...@mtsqh.com To: Mercedes@okiebenz.com Sent: Thursday, October 15, 2009 9:56:57 AM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: Re: [MBZ] Winter tires/wheels Dave wrote: In my experience the tire with the wider footprint (here the 235/55/17) is going to be less suitable for winter.? Maybe the different tread compound in the winter tire helps offset the effect, but I notice narrow tires tend to dig in and bite while the fat ones float on the surface and spin.? I would go for as narrow a winter tire as BMW recommends.? Easier to put chains on too. Curt wrote: I let a slick tire salesman talk me into wider tires on my Dakota once, NEVER AGAIN. With its v8 that thing was tricky in snow anyway, with the wider tires it was a disaster in 2wd and only acceptable in 4wd. My Response: I agree (in general) that narrow tires cut through the snow better. But, the tires I am looking are only slightly wider AND the fact that they are ice/winter tires more than makes up for the wider footprint. I had snow tires on my 300D and it drove great. Then, when I had my 126, I could barely get around in the snow with the summer performance tires. Replacing just the rear with ice/winter tires make it MUCH MORE driveable. If I get these tires/wheels, I will actually have all four ice/winter tires and I think it will work great. My car does also has traction control, so I bet it will do fine with snows on it. Plus, this is Kansas. We only get a few snow storms, its not like its Michigan. Donald H. Snook -- next part -- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://okiebenz.com/pipermail/mercedes_okiebenz.com/attachments/20091015/c5016621/attachment.html ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com -- next part -- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://okiebenz.com/pipermail/mercedes_okiebenz.com/attachments/20091015/8810694c/attachment.html ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com -- next part -- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://okiebenz.com/pipermail/mercedes_okiebenz.com/attachments/20091015/9bb49ac3/attachment.html ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
[MBZ] Winter tires/wheels
I found some snow tires mounted on BMW wheels for my car. I currently have 235/60/16 performance tires on my car. I found a set of nearly new Dunlop winter tires mounted. They are 235/55/17. According to an online tire diameter calculator I found that represents a difference of only .26% in diameter. So, I think it will be okay to use these. So, here are my questions: Since the diameter of the tire is nearly identical, I guess that means its not a problem to go up to 17 inch tires. Is that right? Has anybody had tires and wheels shipped? The tires are 28 lbs each. I am guess that the wheels weigh about 10 pounds each. So, that's about 150-160 lbs to ship. They are in Michigan and I am in Kansas. Just wondering if anyone has any experience with this or suggestions for economical shipping. Donald H. Snook -- next part -- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://okiebenz.com/pipermail/mercedes_okiebenz.com/attachments/20091014/98b9e026/attachment.html ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] Winter tires/wheels
I shipped UPS, tie a pair together with cardboard on top and bottom and they are good to go. Harry - Original Message - From: Donald Snook dsn...@mtsqh.com To: Mercedes@okiebenz.com Sent: Wednesday, October 14, 2009 10:07 AM Subject: [MBZ] Winter tires/wheels I found some snow tires mounted on BMW wheels for my car. I currently have 235/60/16 performance tires on my car. I found a set of nearly new Dunlop winter tires mounted. They are 235/55/17. According to an online tire diameter calculator I found that represents a difference of only .26% in diameter. So, I think it will be okay to use these. So, here are my questions: Since the diameter of the tire is nearly identical, I guess that means its not a problem to go up to 17 inch tires. Is that right? Has anybody had tires and wheels shipped? The tires are 28 lbs each. I am guess that the wheels weigh about 10 pounds each. So, that's about 150-160 lbs to ship. They are in Michigan and I am in Kansas. Just wondering if anyone has any experience with this or suggestions for economical shipping. Donald H. Snook -- next part -- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://okiebenz.com/pipermail/mercedes_okiebenz.com/attachments/20091014/98b9e026/attachment.html ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] Winter tires/wheels
I have shipped many a set of wheels and tires. You just slap a label on them and send them fedex. No big deal. Donald Snook wrote: I found some snow tires mounted on BMW wheels for my car. I currently have 235/60/16 performance tires on my car. I found a set of nearly new Dunlop winter tires mounted. They are 235/55/17. According to an online tire diameter calculator I found that represents a difference of only .26% in diameter. So, I think it will be okay to use these. So, here are my questions: Since the diameter of the tire is nearly identical, I guess that means its not a problem to go up to 17 inch tires. Is that right? Has anybody had tires and wheels shipped? The tires are 28 lbs each. I am guess that the wheels weigh about 10 pounds each. So, that's about 150-160 lbs to ship. They are in Michigan and I am in Kansas. Just wondering if anyone has any experience with this or suggestions for economical shipping. Donald H. Snook -- next part -- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://okiebenz.com/pipermail/mercedes_okiebenz.com/attachments/20091014/98b9e026/attachment.html ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com -- Kaleb C. Striplin/Claremore, OK 95 E300, 92 500SEL, 92 300SD, 92 300E 4Matic, 91 300D, 91 300E, 89 560SEL, 87 300SDL x2, 85 380SE 5.0 Euro, 85 190D, 84 190D, 84 300D euro manny, 81 240D, 80 240D, 76 240D, 76 300D, http://www.okiebenz.com ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] Winter tires/wheels
At 11:07 AM 10/14/2009, Donald H. Snook wrote: I found some snow tires mounted on BMW wheels for my car. I currently have 235/60/16 performance tires on my car. I found a set of nearly new Dunlop winter tires mounted. They are 235/55/17. According to an online tire diameter calculator I found that represents a difference of only .26% in diameter. So, I think it will be okay to use these. (snip) In my experience the tire with the wider footprint (here the 235/55/17) is going to be less suitable for winter. Maybe the different tread compound in the winter tire helps offset the effect, but I notice narrow tires tend to dig in and bite while the fat ones float on the surface and spin. I would go for as narrow a winter tire as BMW recommends. Easier to put chains on too. Dave Gilmore, Cameron WV Superstitious belief can be thought of as a natural condition of childhood. ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] Winter tires/wheels
Most winter tires now are ice tires rather than snow tires and the siping is what gives them the grip plus perhaps a softer rubber compound so that they don't get as hard with the cold. We had Goodyears ice radials on my wife's Honda last winter and she declared them to be wonderful. Randy -Original Message- From: mercedes-boun...@okiebenz.com [mailto:mercedes-boun...@okiebenz.com]on Behalf Of David Kristin Gilmore Sent: Wednesday, October 14, 2009 2:39 PM To: Mercedes Discussion List Subject: Re: [MBZ] Winter tires/wheels At 11:07 AM 10/14/2009, Donald H. Snook wrote: I found some snow tires mounted on BMW wheels for my car. I currently have 235/60/16 performance tires on my car. I found a set of nearly new Dunlop winter tires mounted. They are 235/55/17. According to an online tire diameter calculator I found that represents a difference of only .26% in diameter. So, I think it will be okay to use these. (snip) In my experience the tire with the wider footprint (here the 235/55/17) is going to be less suitable for winter. Maybe the different tread compound in the winter tire helps offset the effect, but I notice narrow tires tend to dig in and bite while the fat ones float on the surface and spin. I would go for as narrow a winter tire as BMW recommends. Easier to put chains on too. Dave Gilmore, Cameron WV Superstitious belief can be thought of as a natural condition of childhood. ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] Winter tires/wheels
I'm with Dave on that, in fact my 240D is due for 2 new tires since I didn't get an alignment done after changing UCAs last fall (stupid) and I'm torn as to keeping the rears and getting a generic set of snows for the front or replacing all 4. If I replace all 4 I'll go back to 185/whatever/14 that I had before, right now its got 195/whatever/14 except for the spare which is a 205/whatever/14... I let a slick tire salesman talk me into wider tires on my Dakota once, NEVER AGAIN. With its v8 that thing was tricky in snow anyway, with the wider tires it was a disaster in 2wd and only acceptable in 4wd. -Curt Date: Wed, 14 Oct 2009 16:39:08 -0400 From: David Kristin Gilmore dandkgilm...@frontier.com Subject: Re: [MBZ] Winter tires/wheels To: Mercedes Discussion List mercedes@okiebenz.com Message-ID: 20091014203918.eb64210f...@relay02.roch.ny.frontiernet.net Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; format=flowed At 11:07 AM 10/14/2009, Donald H. Snook wrote: I found some snow tires mounted on BMW wheels for my car. I currently have 235/60/16 performance tires on my car. I found a set of nearly new Dunlop winter tires mounted. They are 235/55/17. According to an online tire diameter calculator I found that represents a difference of only .26% in diameter. So, I think it will be okay to use these. (snip) In my experience the tire with the wider footprint (here the 235/55/17) is going to be less suitable for winter. Maybe the different tread compound in the winter tire helps offset the effect, but I notice narrow tires tend to dig in and bite while the fat ones float on the surface and spin. I would go for as narrow a winter tire as BMW recommends. Easier to put chains on too. Dave Gilmore, Cameron WV Superstitious belief can be thought of as a natural condition of childhood. -- next part -- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://okiebenz.com/pipermail/mercedes_okiebenz.com/attachments/20091014/628f93ba/attachment.html ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] Winter tires/wheels
On Wed, 14 Oct 2009 16:39:08 -0400 David Kristin Gilmore dandkgilm...@frontier.com wrote: In my experience the tire with the wider footprint (here the 235/55/17) is going to be less suitable for winter. Actually, 235 wide tires are the same width, regardless of their aspect ratio. [The first number is the width, the second number is the aspect ratio, and the third number is the rim diameter. Width x aspect ratio = height. 2 x height + rim diameter = tire diameter.] Maybe the different tread compound in the winter tire helps offset the effect, but I notice narrow tires tend to dig in and bite while the fat ones float on the surface and spin. Yes, this is true. I would go for as narrow a winter tire as BMW recommends. Easier to put chains on too. Good points. Craig ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] Winter tires
The Nokian Hakkapeliittas are almost surely the very best (ask anyone that has actually used them. I had a set of Blizzaks on wheels for my W202 which I sold since those wheels can't be used on the W203. I now have a set of Nokian WRs on new car takeoff wheels for my C320 and I think they are better. Particularly since they are not squirrely on dry pavement like the Blizzaks were. RLE
Re: [MBZ] Winter tires
The Nokian Hakkapeliittas are almost surely the very best (ask anyone that has actually used them. I had a set of Blizzaks on wheels for my W202 which I sold since those wheels can't be used on the W203. I now have a set of Nokian WRs on new car takeoff wheels for my C320 and I think they are better. Particularly since they are not squirrely on dry pavement like the Blizzaks were. The studded Hakka 1's that I put on our SDL and the 450 SL worked _great_! Still using 'em, though the SL's tires have migrated to the 200D winter beater. They're getting a little bit aged, about six years, but they're still working fine. I don't think they handle badly on dry pavement either. That and a bit of weight in the trunk if you need it and you're set. I had 200# in the SL. Last year the Frankenheap's trunk was filled with spare parts, this year it's empty. Might have to go for the sand again, we'll see. The Chicken Wagon came with a set of Alpinas on it, but it hasn't gotten much use in the snow, especially lately. -- Jim
