C63 Steel winter wheels
Discussion
I would like to buy some cheapo steel wheels to put winter tyres on rather than swapping the tyres over on the standard wheels and risking damage. Can you buy such things that will fit over the brakes?
While on the subject of winter tyres, anyone recommend a particular brand/model for the C63?
While on the subject of winter tyres, anyone recommend a particular brand/model for the C63?
You will need 18" to clear the brakes, and very unlikely you will 18" steel wheels with the right OT.
Get some cheap, even replica, AMG wheels. Ebay.de is full of winter sets, e.g. http://www.ebay.de/itm/4-Winterreifen-225-40-R18-M...
Get some cheap, even replica, AMG wheels. Ebay.de is full of winter sets, e.g. http://www.ebay.de/itm/4-Winterreifen-225-40-R18-M...
Sorry I'm being a bit thick here, but on my C63 I have different sized tyres: 235/40 R18 fronts and 255/35 R18 rears.
All 4 alloys are R18 but are they identical? Or do the front and rear alloys differ slightly?
Also can I get 4 winter tyres of identical size, or will I still have to get 235/40 for fronts and 255/35 for rears?
All 4 alloys are R18 but are they identical? Or do the front and rear alloys differ slightly?
Also can I get 4 winter tyres of identical size, or will I still have to get 235/40 for fronts and 255/35 for rears?
Check the link out for Winter Tyres from Mercedes:-
http://www.mercedes-benz.inchcape.co.uk/tyres/Cont...
I down sized from 18inch to 17inch (for my C350 Estate). But C63's need the bigger alloy e.g. 18inch to fit over the larger brake disc.
My summer tyres where different sizes:-
Fronts: 255/40 R18 and Rears: 255/35 R18
But on winters they are all:-
225/45 R17
http://www.mercedes-benz.inchcape.co.uk/tyres/Cont...
I down sized from 18inch to 17inch (for my C350 Estate). But C63's need the bigger alloy e.g. 18inch to fit over the larger brake disc.
My summer tyres where different sizes:-
Fronts: 255/40 R18 and Rears: 255/35 R18
But on winters they are all:-
225/45 R17
Not got a C63, but a diesel E class estate and that has different size summer tyres front and rear but the same size all round for winters. I bought a shabby set of alloys off eBay and had them stripped and powder coated - came up really well, probably too good for winter use but I could not have left them as they were.
Note of caution on buying part used winter tyres - they are only effective down to 4 or 5mm tread depth - below that they do not perform as well in snow etc. so you will not see the benefits. Perhaps that's why they are on Ebay!
As for brand, we have Pirelli (cannot recollect the type) winters on the E and they are good. We have Continental TS810 tyres on the CLS - again, powder coated s/h alloys - very good too, and really give fantastic feel on icy roads. When the Pirelli tyres see us through this winter, they will probably be down to 4mm so will run them through the summer and then scrap them, replacing with Continental next Autumn.
Note of caution on buying part used winter tyres - they are only effective down to 4 or 5mm tread depth - below that they do not perform as well in snow etc. so you will not see the benefits. Perhaps that's why they are on Ebay!
As for brand, we have Pirelli (cannot recollect the type) winters on the E and they are good. We have Continental TS810 tyres on the CLS - again, powder coated s/h alloys - very good too, and really give fantastic feel on icy roads. When the Pirelli tyres see us through this winter, they will probably be down to 4mm so will run them through the summer and then scrap them, replacing with Continental next Autumn.
Thanks will check out ebay.de, I'm always a bit cautious of sending money abroad for stuff and whether it will ever arrive. I presume you have the same ebay protection so shouldn't be an issue.
As asked above, I presume you don't need staggered wheel sizes for the C63 front to rear? I don't care what the wheels look like hence initially seeking steel, just don't want to wreck the 19's that are on the car when the other half bounces off kerbs.
As asked above, I presume you don't need staggered wheel sizes for the C63 front to rear? I don't care what the wheels look like hence initially seeking steel, just don't want to wreck the 19's that are on the car when the other half bounces off kerbs.
Alex L said:
Thanks will check out ebay.de, I'm always a bit cautious of sending money abroad for stuff and whether it will ever arrive. I presume you have the same ebay protection so shouldn't be an issue.
I bought a set of Mercedes alloys and Pirelli Sotto zero winters from Germany (2 weeks ago) and previously a set of VW alloys for my Golf R32. Both via Ebay.co.uk and both sets were delivered within 2 days at only 60 euro's. PM me if you want the ebay company sellers names.Latest school of thought is perhaps buying some cheap and nasty 18 inch wheels and fitting Nokian tyres (Auto Express winner) or just keeping the 19s on the car and swapping to winter tyres. The former is the preferred route as it saves the decent wheels from potential damage.
The other half took the car to work today and couldn't go over 15mph for 3 miles due to ice. I thought she might be exaggerating but I had the same problem in my 3 series two hours later. I'm trying to avoid spending a fortune on wheels/tyres as we might as well just chop the car in for an ML/X5/Cayenne in which she'd feel more confident.
The other half took the car to work today and couldn't go over 15mph for 3 miles due to ice. I thought she might be exaggerating but I had the same problem in my 3 series two hours later. I'm trying to avoid spending a fortune on wheels/tyres as we might as well just chop the car in for an ML/X5/Cayenne in which she'd feel more confident.
"Feel more confident"
And there lies the problem!
A normal tyre shod 4x4 will make no difference to steering and braking - just more grip when accelerating. They're usually a lot heavier than saloon cars and getting that extra weight to go around corners on icy roads leads to the "But I've got a 4x4!" comments.
Get some winters!
And there lies the problem!
A normal tyre shod 4x4 will make no difference to steering and braking - just more grip when accelerating. They're usually a lot heavier than saloon cars and getting that extra weight to go around corners on icy roads leads to the "But I've got a 4x4!" comments.
Get some winters!
GTIR said:
"Feel more confident"
And there lies the problem!
A normal tyre shod 4x4 will make no difference to steering and braking - just more grip when accelerating. They're usually a lot heavier than saloon cars and getting that extra weight to go around corners on icy roads leads to the "But I've got a 4x4!" comments.
Get some winters!
I agree. I have a ML a have just added winters as I struggled to get traction on summer tyres last winter. They really make a difference. Especially today when it was minus 5!And there lies the problem!
A normal tyre shod 4x4 will make no difference to steering and braking - just more grip when accelerating. They're usually a lot heavier than saloon cars and getting that extra weight to go around corners on icy roads leads to the "But I've got a 4x4!" comments.
Get some winters!
BMW is a company car, had it just over 3 weeks and already on 4,000 miles, buying my own car makes no sense unfortunately.
There's only 2 of us and a dog hence deciding on the c63 estate over the Touareg and X6 we had on test.
Hopefully winter tyres on her car is the answer and I'll work from home until any snow melts
There's only 2 of us and a dog hence deciding on the c63 estate over the Touareg and X6 we had on test.
Hopefully winter tyres on her car is the answer and I'll work from home until any snow melts
Alex L said:
Can you notice the difference? Would be good to know before I fork out £2,500 for new wheels and tyres
The way I drive it - yes. Rubber feels much more grippy on go, you can tell it's more malleable with a resulting slight 'wobbliness' felt on cornering. It's been cold here (Pennines) but no real snow. TBH in road conditions where you'd be wise to drive conservatively anyway you probably won't notice any difference between winters and summers. Where winters really come into their own, especially with RWD, is on settled snow, and ice. I think the outlay is justifiable living in the Peak District and regularly driving over the top but if you don't do such journeys I guess it's a tough call.I put winter tyres (Pirelli Sottozero) on my C63 for 3 winters. The fronts lasted all three winters and we went through a set of rears per winter. I always just fit winter tyres to the standard wheels. For what you waste on a set of new rims for the winter tyres you could have the stock wheels refurbed a dozen times, if needed.
Just ordered winter tyres through Tyre Universe for the E63. Gone for the 4-square won't set up this year, rather than staggered front rear setup. Just check the owner manual for recommended sizes. For me it is 255/35 R19 front and rear or 255/35 R19 front and 285/30 R19 rear. As mentioned I have gone for the former this year.
My e39 BMW snotter and GT3 are also on winters.
Yes they do make a huge difference.
Regarding 4x4 I once got a Q7 stuck on a perfectly level piece of grass. The "performance" tyres could not get any purchase on the wet grass. I had to get towed off. 4 x 0 (traction) = 0
Just ordered winter tyres through Tyre Universe for the E63. Gone for the 4-square won't set up this year, rather than staggered front rear setup. Just check the owner manual for recommended sizes. For me it is 255/35 R19 front and rear or 255/35 R19 front and 285/30 R19 rear. As mentioned I have gone for the former this year.
My e39 BMW snotter and GT3 are also on winters.
Yes they do make a huge difference.
Regarding 4x4 I once got a Q7 stuck on a perfectly level piece of grass. The "performance" tyres could not get any purchase on the wet grass. I had to get towed off. 4 x 0 (traction) = 0
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