Hi everyone,
I am new to the forum and new to Mercedes. I have just purchased a 2004 C230 Kompressor Sedan. With winter approaching far too quickly I think it is time to get opinions on snow and ice tires. I live in London, Ontario, Canada and our winter driving is primarily on cleared roads, or slush and ice. We generally don't have to drive in deep snow. Deep snow may happen a dozen times a year at most.

My local Mercedes Parts guy has recommended the new Pirelli Sotto Zero 210's. I have already acquired some Mercedes steel rims with the Mercedes hubcaps. From the research I have done they appear to be a highly regarded tire. In the past I have had Blizzaks on a Miata, but that is the extent of my winter tire experience. I understand that Dunlop tires work great but wear poorly. Apparently Mercedes only authorizes Michelin Pilot Alpine and Pirelli Sotto Zero's or Snowsports on their vehicles. The reasoning at the dealership is the speed rating, but other companies now make H rated winter tires.

Also from what i have read it seems that with oil prices being what they are, tire prices will be increasing over the next month.

Thanks in advnace for any and all opinions.

 

I have a 2003 C230 Sport Coupe. I bought Pirelli winter carving snow tires from a tire shop in Nove Scotia. I have driven through some very major snow storms the last two years and I swear by these tires. They are fantastic.

Best of luck.

T.

 

I've had our 06 for about 3 weeks and put Michelin Pilot Alpine PA2's on all four corners. It is unstopable! I can't believe the difference. I'm sure you guys in Canada get a lot more snow than us here in Ohio, but this is what it looked like here when I woke up this morning.





Here's the tires



The were $702 shipped to the door from www.tirerack.com

 

$702 shipped is a fair market price.

michelin pilot alpines are good. so are the pirellis.

but i myself did just fine with michelin mxv4-plus on my millennia-S, accord-EX, and C280 during winter in Minneapolis. (you know how cold it is there and how much snow and ice accumulate, right?)

these michelin mxv4 tires do so well that i was never like "jeez....i wish i had snow tires."

of course, no snow tires can replace incompentent driving skills.

 

I have a set of Kumho that I got for cheap email sales@buywheelstoday.com you can see the thread of tire on ebay if you plug in 225 45 17 snoww tires...set of 4 $316 they are soooo quiet. and handle close to summer tires.

Jonah

advancedmedicalsys@yahoo.com

 

I agree with "STEP2IT". I have had Kumhos on my BMW for a full season and was especially impressed with the handling and how quiet they are. Never got close to being stopped and they had good writeups when I bought them a year ago. And they are relatively inexpensive.

 

I just bought myself some AVALANCHE EXTREME for my 2002 C230 coupe. We don't have snow yet..but as far as pavement they are not noisy.....no complaint yet...

A friend of mine have the same tire on his WRX....he likes them also..

 

I have a 2005 C230 and use Viking Snow Tech tires during the winters. They aren't as expensive and fancyas the ones mentioned above. I got all four from Mavis tires for about $450 with installation.It snows like 2-3 inches here on avg. winter snow falls.The most I've seen around here is about 6-9 inches and it probably only happens like 2-3 times a year. Though the Vikings are cheap, but they get around without much of a problem. I never had a problem with tracktion with them on. They aren't anything fancy or expensive, but does get the job done. If you're interested:

https://mercedesforum.com/m_95796/tm.htm

 

I have a 02 C 230 Coupe RWD and I am in Syracuse, in the Northeast of the US, which is very severe winter weather. I was told about Pirelli and Blizzaks..Do those really make a big difference? There are a lot of hills too here.

 

Further to my post from 4 years ago, I now use Michelin X-Ice which were rated number one by Consumer Reports, are NOT ridiculously expensive but are quiet, handle very well and do as advertised and turn the car into a tank. Add in a competent, careful winter driver and you're good to go.