quick question guys..

I would like to buy some winter rims (steel or allow) but dont think I need the different wheel widths (front vs rear) (save money, making it easier to find cheaper winter tires. My questions are:
Any tire/rim recommendations?
Does changing the width of the tire affect the ESP at all? (i figure it may be calibrated for 8.5" rear tires as opposed to 7.5").

Thanks,
Adam

 

I don't use snow tires myself on my 99 C280, as it is equipped with ESP and the other traction control goodies. I bought new rubber Conti Contacts and when one width wider. The cars seems to corner better, and there has been no effect on the ESP that I can tell. Keep in mind if you going to get snows, they should be thinner then stock, as the wider the tire in snow the less traction your supposed to get. But I live in New England and we had six inches of snow and I got around very well with the winter setting on the transmission and turning off the ESP, which enables according to my reading of the owner's manual the rear end into traction control mode. I haven't gotten stuck in snow the three plus years I have owned the car. Also, when you buy snows buy four, as someone wrote on a forum. You want to steer also. As I said I personally find not need for my driving style for snows. But if you have to be out in bad weather in the winter, I stay home when the snow really starts to fly, I would invest in snows.