Snow Tires ...

[Luke@tirerack]

After completing our first phase of snow tire testing here is what we found and how we found what we did.
First of all, since quite often in the winter you are driving on clear or wet streets we tested the tires on a 7 mile lap around the streets of South Bend which included almost all types of road surfaces. For winter traction testing we took our test cars to a local ice skating rink. Our testing on the ice included; 60 ft. acceleration tests, cornering tests, braking tests and overall handling rating them on a scale from 1-10 with 10 being the best. The results are calculated by averaging all of the scores from our testing staff which includes; myself and over 50 other Tire Rack employees and sales people.
Q-rated studless Winter tires
Road Testing
Blizzak/Dunlop/ Michelin
MZ-01 / DS-1 / Artic Alpin
ride 7.08 6.25 6.98
noise 6.32 5.26 6.86
handling 5.26 4.32 6.36
Road
Rating 6.22 5.28 6.73

Ice Testing
Accel 8.74 7.63 8.15
Braking 8.08 6.86 7.63
corner 8.33 7.07 7.00
handling 8.00 6.29 7.20
Ice
Rating 8.29 6.96 7.50
combined
rating 7.40 6.24 7.17

H Rated High Performance
Winter Tires
Blizzak/Dunlop/ Pirelli
LM-22 /M-2 / W210
ride 6.89 7.06 6.94
noise 6.59 6.87 6.01
handling 6.94 6.30 7.07
road
rating 6.81 6.74 6.67

ice testing
accel 5.44 5.39 5.14
brake 5.47 5.31 5.27
corner 5.42 5.27 5.37
handling 5.32 5.17 5.24
ice
rating 5.41 5.29 5.26
Combined
Rating 6.01 5.91 5.86

I hope that you fing this info helpful in your winter tire selection process and if you have any additional questions please feel free to give me a call.
I will be posting some winter tire and wheel packages for the Mercedes shop people.
Thanks, Luke

------------------
Luke Pavlick
Performance Specialist (ASE Certified Master Tech)
Please, call me to place orders (800-428-8355 ext. 362)
or mention my name for on-line orders
(click banner at top of the page
to visit Tire Rack web site)

[This message has been edited by Luke@tirerack (edited 10-21-2000).]

[bobjohnston]

Luke,

Is there much difference between Blizzak MZ01 tested above and MZ02 (avail in the size that I would like)? I would like to put 205/60/15 on original 8 holes on my 94 E420. I have it down to between Blizzaks and Michelin Arctic Alpin based on what you've posted here. I'm in central Indiana, will only use between early Dec and mid March, probably, ride, noise and "looks good" are important to me. Do you have any alternate suggestions?

------------------
Bob Johnston
94 E420

[Luke@tirerack]

I grew up in Indy and I still go down there on a regular basis. With that said I would suggest the Artic Alpin from Michelin because, you will be driving on dry or wet streets most of the time and they still will perform very well in the snow.

Thanks, Luke

------------------
Luke Pavlick
Performance Specialist (ASE Certified Master Tech)
Please, call me to place orders (800-428-8355 ext. 362)
or mention my name for on-line orders
(click banner at top of the page
to visit Tire Rack web site)

[E55 KEV]

Luke, what is your recommendation for 235/45-17 between the:

Michelin Pilot Alpin
Dunlop Winter Sport M2
Bridgestone Blizzak LM-22

Thanks.

[E55 KEV]

Luke, need a response to the above question. I am ready to purchase snow tires.

------------------
<UL TYPE=SQUARE>
<LI>1998 MERCEDES-BENZ E430
<LI>OBSIDIAN BLACK METALLIC/BLACK LEATHER
<LI>XENON H.I.D. HEADLIGHTS
<LI>DEBADGED REAR
<LI>AMG CHROME TIP DUAL EXHAUST
<LI>CARLSSON 1/6 Wheels/DUNLOP SP SPORT 5000 from TireRack
<LI>SLK BLUE "WREATH" CENTER CAPS
<LI>ATP FLASH Wheels/YOKOHAMA AVS dB from TireRack
<LI>ALPINE CHM-S611 CD CHANGER
<LI>FORMULA ONE TINT

</UL>

[Luke@tirerack]

Although I like the Blizzak LM-22 the best for snow and ice traction the Pilot Alpin is a little more versatile. The Winter Sport M2 is a distant third. What I mean by more versatile is that the Pilot Alpin does respond better when on wet roads and when you consider ride quality.
Thanks, Luke

------------------
Luke Pavlick
Performance Specialist (ASE Certified Master Tech)
Please, call me to place orders (800-428-8355 ext. 362)
or mention my name for on-line orders
(click banner at top of the page
to visit Tire Rack web site)

[E55 KEV]

Luke, any thoughts/info on the Yokohama Guardex 310. I read were it was designed for the Supra Turbo. Thanks.

[420SEL]

Is it a good idea to put sand bags in the trunk? I've never done it before and have not had problems. My only concern with it is that the weight of the car is pretty equally distributed already, so, would the extra weight in the back lighten up the front (proportionately) and affect the grip of the front tires, affecting steering/handling?

------------------
Jason Priest
1986 420SEL

[Luke@tirerack]

The Yokohama Guardex 310 is an older design so it does not perform nearly as well as the modern "new" designed snow tires and Yokohama has no snow tire program this year with all of the Guardex line being discontinued.

With a good set of dedicated winter tires there is no need for sandbags in your trunk.

Thanks, Luke

------------------
Luke Pavlick
Performance Specialist (ASE Certified Master Tech)
Please, call me to place orders (800-428-8355 ext. 362)
or mention my name for on-line orders
(click banner at top of the page
to visit Tire Rack web site)